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    23236 Kingsplace Drive | Katy, TX 77494
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    info@cincoranchcounseling.com | 281-665-7811

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    sign that spells out gender is a spectrum, What Being an LGBTQIA+ Ally is All About blog, counseling center at cinco ranch, katy Texas 77494

    What Being an LGBTQIA+ Ally is All About

    June 1, 2022

     By: Ally Hoffman MA, LPC Associate Supervised by Melissa Barton MA, LPC-S In June, we recognize Pride. We hear a lot about being an ally of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, plus (LGBTQIA+) community. There is much confusion about what it means to be an ally. For instance, some might still wonder […]

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    What Being an LGBTQIA+ Ally is All About

    June 1, 2022
     By: Ally Hoffman MA, LPC Associate
    Supervised by Melissa Barton MA, LPC-S

    In June, we recognize Pride. We hear a lot about being an ally of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, plus (LGBTQIA+) community. There is much confusion about what it means to be an ally. For instance, some might still wonder what is expected. They may wonder what is involved, and how to best show their support.

    sign that spells out gender is a spectrum, What Being an LGBTQIA+ Ally is All About blog, counseling center at cinco ranch, katy Texas 77494

    Allyship and Ambiguity

    Ambiguity can be challenging to understand. When discussing gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation, we often have to dabble in shades of grey. As such, it is essential to familiarize ourselves with some helpful language surrounding some of the nuances of this population.

    According to Dictionary.com, an Ally is “a person, group, or nation that is associated with another or others for some common cause or purpose.” This encompasses the idea that we do not have to be the same to support their cause. However, allies frequently have some level of influence. They are known to use that power as a platform to encourage visibility and or acceptance of an idea or population.

    Gender Identity

    Gender identity is an individual’s internal expression of self. Whereas gender expression is more external. An external expression can include many different things. Such as: what a person chooses to wear, how they style their hair, or apply cosmetics or not. Exterior features are often influenced by our societal view of masculine and feminine. Additionally, they often reflect the dominant culture’s values in specific areas. On the other hand, sexual expression can be the attraction one might feel physically and/or emotionally to other individuals. It is critical that allies make an effort to educate themselves and utilize the appropriate language to the best of their ability.

    Steps to Take Towards Becoming an Ally:

    person holding a lgbtqia+ supporting flag who is an ally to the community, sign that spells out gender is a spectrum, What Being an LGBTQIA+ Ally is All About blog, counseling center at cinco ranch, katy Texas 77494

    1. Educate Yourself

    Well, looky there! You have already taken a step in the right direction! Just by clicking this link! What’s important is to take the initiative to find the information. You can do this with online research or by asking questions of community members. Seek out resources in your local area. We must recognize our biases, and be open to criticism.

    2. Remain Curious

    It is equally important to keep an open mind while learning. For example, not every individual associated with the LGBTQIA+ community feels oppressed. Therefore, be willing to hear each person’s story. Learning is a lifelong process! We each have the power to create a ripple effect for these individuals.

    3. Awareness & Action

    ally individuals supporting their community or their friends community, sign that spells out gender is a spectrum, What Being an LGBTQIA+ Ally is All About blog, counseling center at cinco ranch, katy Texas 77494

    Clearly, awareness and action are where the grit meets the grindstone. Being an ally involves staying up to date on current issues! For example, how it affects the population. It’s crucial, as an ally, to utilize those moments to educate others and begin creating the change we would like to see in the world.

    Begin Counseling to Become a Better LGBTQIA+ Supporter!

    If you are ready to become an Ally and LGBTQIA+ supporter, the therapists at the Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! To begin counseling in Katy, TX follow these three steps:

    • Contact our office to set up an appointment or to learn more about emotionally focused therapy
    • Meet with one of our knowledgeable therapists
    • Find ways to support the LGBTQIA+ community!

    Other Therapy Services We Offer:

    Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!

    Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 77494, ally, allyship, ambiguity, asexual, bisexual, community, compassion, counseling center at cinco ranch, fulshear texas, gay, group therapy, individual counseling, individual therapy, intersex, Katy Texas, lesbian, LGBTQIA+, mental health, queer, richmond texas, support, therapy, transgender

    Pyramid of individuals creating a triangle, begin counseling in Katy, supporting struggles blog Texas, Fulshear Texas, Richmond Texas

    How To Support Your Loved Ones

    February 28, 2022

    By: Ally Hoffman, MA, LPC Associate Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S Would you say you know how to support your loved ones? As a therapist, I have so many clients who face hardships in learning to interact with loved ones. These individuals struggle with mental wellness, physical illness, family troubles, and more. Many times, […]

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    How To Support Your Loved Ones

    February 28, 2022
    By: Ally Hoffman, MA, LPC Associate
    Supervised by Melissa Barton, MA, LPC-S

    Would you say you know how to support your loved ones? As a therapist, I have so many clients who face hardships in learning to interact with loved ones. These individuals struggle with mental wellness, physical illness, family troubles, and more. Many times, we hear what those who are struggling can do to help themselves. However, it is not so often that we consider how those within the support system can help their loved ones.

    Pyramid of individuals creating a triangle, begin counseling in Katy, supporting struggles blog Texas, Fulshear Texas, Richmond Texas

    We must practice humility by thinking to ourselves: “Hey, communication involves two people. What can I do to help improve my relationship and communication with this person?”

    Boundaries versus Blockades

    It is important to know that it is not the responsibility of our loved ones to manage others’ mental health. However, there’s absolutely no reason we can’t operate from an informed perspective to improve our relationships.

    An informed perspective could be as simple as someone asking a question.  Such as, “Hey, I’m having a hard time understanding what you are trying to communicate right now. I am more than happy to listen and try my best to understand a bit better. Would it be okay if I asked a few questions while you explain?” Allow the person to answer and offer insight. Furthermore, it is also important to remind ourselves that we are there for support, not to solve all of our loved one’s problems.

    Described best by Prentis Hemphill, “Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously,” and I encourage us all to consider the capacity at which we are willing to show up for our loved ones (Goodreads. (n.d.).

    Read more about setting healthy boundaries here!

    Counseling Can Help Learn to CopeDifferent lines and symbols representing a support system, supporting each other, supporting struggles blog, begin counseling in Katy Texas, Fulshear Texas, Richmond Texas

    You are not alone! With all different types of personalities and different walks of life, it can be challenging to understand how to interact with such an array of individuals. For example, individuals with mood disorders may have a more challenging time regulating their emotions throughout conversations. Learning how to identify triggers and work with individuals can help facilitate better dialogue and help them feel understood. This can benefit all parties involved. Whatever the case may be, there is hope for happier and healthier relationships with these loved ones!

    To learn more about support systems, check out this YouTube video!

    Begin Counseling To Develop Better Relationships                in Katy, TX. A group of individuals or friends, support system, begin counseling in Katy Texas, Fulshear Texas, Richmond Texas

    Do you want to learn how to develop better relationships with your loved ones? One of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! We provide individual and family counseling and other mental health services. To begin counseling in Katy, TX, follow these three steps:

    • Contact our office to set up an appointment with one of our excellent counselors!
    • Meet with one of our knowledgeable therapists
    • Show your support!

    Other Counseling Services at Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch

    Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, Counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. To learn more about our therapists and counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!

    Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: blockades, boundaries, cope, coping, counseling, emotional support, katy, learning to cope, love, mental health, moral support, personal hardship, relationships, support, support system, Supporting Hardships with Loved Ones, supporting loved ones, texas, therapy, tx

    Hand in grass at sunset

    5 Tips To Help You Heal From Past Trauma

    March 25, 2020

    By: Janelle Schlueter, MS, LPC Intern What is trauma? Have you ever experienced a significant loss, chronic illness, divorce, abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, and/or verbal), serious car accident, natural disaster, military service, or any other event that you found to be significantly distressing? These are all considered traumas.  Understanding what trauma is, and how it […]

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    5 Tips To Help You Heal From Past Trauma

    March 25, 2020
    By: Janelle Schlueter, MS, LPC Intern

    What is trauma? Have you ever experienced a significant loss, chronic illness, divorce, abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, and/or verbal), serious car accident, natural disaster, military service, or any other event that you found to be significantly distressing? These are all considered traumas.  Understanding what trauma is, and how it affects the mind and the body can be complicated to say the least. 

    If you have recently had a traumatic experience or still think about past traumas and experience strong reactions to those memories, you likely have unprocessed trauma. One thing to remember: you are worthy of living a life of peace! 

    How do you even begin to heal from trauma? First, everyone processes and recovers from trauma differently. However, you can begin to bring a sense of peace to your life by practicing these 5 tips to heal from past trauma.

    5 Tips to heal from past trauma

    1. Acknowledge how the trauma has altered you. You can ask yourself this question, “how was the ME after (the traumatic event) different from the ME before (the traumatic event)?”

    Were you involved in a car accident and are now scared to drive? Did you have a serious illness and now find yourself panicking over mild symptoms? Were you in the military and now find yourself jumping at loud noises? Have you experienced an unhealthy relationship and break-up and now notice unhealthy relationship patterns? 

    It is vital to know how the trauma you have experienced has altered your life in order to move forward. It is common to not be able to identify the specific way that a trauma has altered you. You can ask a close friend, family member, or therapist to help you identify the specific ways the traumatic experience has altered your life.

    1. Create a safe spacewoman sitting at coffee shop

    Identifying a physically and emotionally safe place is crucial to healing from trauma. It is impossible to heal from trauma if you do not believe you are physically and emotionally safe. This means surround yourself with calming noises, decorations, calming scents, and emotionally healthy people. 

    One thing to remember with trauma is that it creates anxiety. I always tell my clients “if you see clutter, you feel clutter.” Take the time to organize the stack of mail on the counter, put away the 20 children or dog toys from the floor, wash a load of laundry from the overflowing hamper, and make sure your bedroom is as clutter-free as possible. 

    1. Practice self-care

    When healing from a trauma it is easy to forget one of the most important aspects of maintaining good mental health – self-care. Self-care is any activity that you do to increase the quality of your emotional, physical, and mental health.

    Self-care includes, but is not limited to:

    • eating healthier 
    • getting regular exercise
    • going to annual checkups with a physician, dentist, and eye doctor
    • setting healthy boundaries
    • asking for help
    • participate in grounding, meditation, and healthy coping skills
    • doing things you enjoy – salon/spa visits, scenic drives…. The sky is the limit.

    There is a blog on our site about self-care and when to notice that you need more! Please click on the link to read https://cincoranchcounseling.com/5-signs-you-need-to-practice-more-self-care/

    1. Avoid comparing and self-criticizing 

    It is easy for people to compare their lives to others, especially with the increase in social media use. Keep in mind – the whole story is NEVER on social media. People want to share the positive in their life on social media by leaving the ‘bad’ parts out. 

    Every experience is unique, especially traumatic experiences. While two people could experience the same event, both will respond differently. There is no right or wrong way to respond to any event, especially with trauma. Avoid comparing your situation with others, such as the negative thoughts of “It wasn’t as bad as (Jane Doe), they had it much worse.” 

    Criticizing yourself for how quickly you recover from traumatic symptoms is unhealthy and harmful. Experiencing guilt or shame from the event or how you handled your recovery is also unhealthy and harmful.

    Most importantly, do not allow ANYONE to compare or criticize you – that includes yourself!

    1. Seek support, ask for help! Seek support signs

    If you are struggling with trauma, ask for help from a therapist. Therapy helps you heal from trauma by noting how the event has altered you. The therapist can also help to identify and encourage healthy thinking and behaviors. The therapist can help you identify healthy support systems and encourage healthy communication so you can identify your needs.

    When treating trauma with counseling, make sure you find a therapist you are comfortable with and who has experience in treating trauma. While there are lots of different treatments for trauma, the most effective tool available will always be the therapeutic relationship. If you can find a therapist you trust, you are well on your way to healing from trauma. 

    Our therapists at the Counseling Center can help you on this journey. 

    Please contact our office to discuss your therapy needs or arrange an initial consultation with Janelle.

    Other Counseling Services at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch

    Our counseling services at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch include couples counseling, counseling for young adults, counseling for teens, family therapy, counseling for kids, depression treatment,  anxiety treatment, eating disorder treatment, group counseling, and trauma counseling. Our therapists strive to regularly post blogs with helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. To learn more about our therapists and our counseling services, please reach out to the Center today!

    Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: healing, self-care, support, trauma



    281-665-7811
    info@cincoranchcounseling.com

    23236 Kingsplace Drive
    Katy, TX 77494

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