The Dear Bestie Blog ✨
Reflections and resources for therapists at every stage: prelicensed, fully licensed, and supervising. I’m Casey Davids, M.Ed., LPC-S, and after 20years in this field I’m writing the things I wish someone had told me along the way, from finding your first supervisor to building a practice to supervising with integrity. No knowledge gatekeeping, no gotchas.
Your First 90 Days as an LPC Associate (A Checklist)
You passed your exams. You got your associate license. And now you are sitting there wondering what on earth you are supposed to do first.
I remember that feeling. How am I going to talk to someone for 50 minutes? Will I get any clients? How do I handle marketing? Nobody hands you a map, so let's build one together.
Here is a simple checklist for your first 90 days as an LPC associate. Take what helps and leave the rest.
Before you see your first client
This is the boring part, and it is the part that protects you. Do these before anyone sits down on your couch.
Get your supervision agreement in writing. Fees, meeting schedule, how hours get signed off, and what happens if either of you wants out. If you are still choosing a supervisor, start with How to Find a Good LPC Supervisor.
Set up liability insurance. Even if your employer has coverage, ask what it covers and whether you want your own policy. Get the answer in writing.
Decide how you will track your hours. Pick one system, a spreadsheet or an app, and use it from day one. Log hours the same day, because "I'll catch up on Friday" turns into a nightmare at month three.
Keep copies of everything. Your agreement, your approval letters, your signed hour logs. Store them somewhere safe that is not just your work computer.
Know your board's rules. Read your state board's requirements for associates yourself, even if your supervisor knows them. It is your license.
Days 1 to 30: Get set up and get comfortable asking for help
Your first month is about building habits, not being perfect.
Set up your notes. Pick a note format and learn it. Write notes the same day while the session is fresh. Messy and finished beats perfect and three days late.
Start building your caseload. Start small if you can. A few well-matched clients will teach you more than a full schedule you are barely holding together. If your site assigns clients, speak up early if a case is outside what you feel ready for.
Practice asking for help. This is the big one. You will have moments where you do not know what to do. Write your questions down as they come, and bring them to supervision. Call or message your supervisor between sessions when it is urgent. A good supervisor wants that, and a good associate is one who asks.
Build one support person. Find someone at your own level, a peer who is also in the in-between years, and check in regularly. This is a big reason I created The After Hours. It is easier to laugh, vent, and ask "is this normal?" with people who are living it too.
Days 31 to 60: Your first real check-in
By now you have a rhythm, and you probably have a few things you want to change.
Schedule a review with your supervisor. Do not wait for them to bring it up. Ask: What am I doing well? Where should I grow? Are my notes where they need to be? Is my caseload the right mix?
Look at your hours. Are you on track to hit your requirements in the time frame you want? If you are behind, now is the time to adjust, not month ten.
Notice what drains you. Which clients, tasks, or situations leave you wiped out? That is useful information about your limits and your interests. Bring it to supervision and, if needed, to your own therapy.
Adjust one thing. Pick one change, like a better note template or a firmer boundary around your lunch break. One change that sticks is worth more than ten you abandon.
Days 61 to 90: Look ahead
You have survived the beginning. Now start thinking about the year.
Map out your hours. Count how many you have, how many you need, and about when you will finish. Put a rough date on the calendar.
Name what you want to learn. A population? A modality? A certification? Pick one thing to move toward this year.
Plan your self-care before you need it. Burnout rarely shows up with a warning. Decide now what your limits are, when you will take time off, and who you will talk to when things get heavy.
Celebrate. Seriously. Ninety days of seeing clients, taking notes, and showing up is a big deal. Write down three things you are proud of.
You do not have to do this alone
The first 90 days are easier with people who understand. If you want a place to ask questions, compare notes, and feel less alone, come join The After Hours ✨ , a free community for prelicensed therapists. It is a verified Discord space for practicum students, interns, associates, and anyone on the road to LPC, LMFT, or LCSW.
Inside, you will also find the Counseling Binder, a growing library of clinical resources I built to help you in the room. Come take a look.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first as a new LPC associate? Get your supervision agreement in writing, confirm your liability coverage, and set up a system to track your hours before you see your first client.
How often should I meet with my supervisor? It depends on your board's requirements and your agreement. Whatever the minimum is, ask for what you actually need, and speak up if you need more support.
Is it normal to feel overwhelmed in the first few months? Yes. Almost everyone does. Feeling unsure is part of the developmental phase of becoming a therapist, and it does not mean you are doing it wrong.
This post is general education and not legal or licensure advice. Always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.
The Licensed Lounge 🛋️ : A Community for Therapists Who Made It Through
You made it through. The supervised hours, the exam, the paperwork, the waiting. And then, somehow, the license arrived without the community.
Nobody warns you about that part. When you're an associate, there are supervisors, cohorts and group chats. Once you're fully licensed, those structures fade, and many of us are left running our practices, carrying our caseloads and quietly wondering whether everyone else has this figured out.
Why I built The Licensed Lounge 🛋️
The Licensed Lounge 🛋️ is a Discord community for fully licensed therapists: LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists. It's the sister community to The After Hours ✨, our space for prelicensed clinicians, and both live under The Bestie Community 💌.
I built it for the clinician who is past the licensing finish line and still wants real colleagues. The one who needs a place to be honest about burnout, imposter syndrome, a tough case or a business decision, without worrying about being judged.
Every member's license is verified before they get access, so you know you're talking to peers.
What's inside
The Lounge 🛋️ is built around what licensed therapists told us they wanted. When members asked for something, we built it. Here's what you'll find:
The Lounge: introductions, general chat, wins, venting, burnout, imposter syndrome, self-care, hobbies and a #suggestions channel for new ideas.
Private Practice: starting and scaling a practice, hiring associates, supervisory billing, marketing, the private-pay transition and a group practice channel.
Business: insurance and credentialing, legal and compliance, tax and finances, systems and tools, and a referral exchange.
Clinical: peer consultation, ethics consultation, supervision as a supervisor, specialty training and a shared resource library.
Licensing: LPC, LCSW and LMFT pathways, multi-state licensure, renewals and CEUs, and general licensing questions.
Community and Events: an events board, body doubling, a voice lounge and recommended trainings and resources.
The list keeps growing, because the members decide what comes next.
Free to join, upgrade anytime
You can start for free and upgrade when you want more.
Membership
Price
What you get
Free
$0
Community and Events channels, including introductions, general chat, wins, venting, burnout and the events board
Founding Member
$10/month, locked in for life
Everything in Free, plus the Clinical, Licensing and Business channels and The Consult Couch 🛋️ . Limited to the first 100 members
Premium
$15/month
The same full access, once the Founding spots are filled
The Founding Member rate never goes up as long as you stay a member.
The Consult Couch 🛋️ and how to join
The Consult Couch 🛋️ is our live case consultation group, exclusive to Founding Members. Bring a case, think out loud with other licensed clinicians and walk away with perspective. Our first session is Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 1:30 to 2:30 PM Central.
To join, visit sageandsoultherapy.com/licensed-lounge and fill out the short form with your license details. I verify each license personally and then send your invitation.
You made it through. This is what comes next.
The After Hours ✨: A Free Community for Prelicensed Therapists
Grad school teaches you theory. It does not teach you how to find a supervisor, what to do when a client says something that scares you, or what to say to yourself at 10 p.m. when you wonder if you are any good at this.
That gap is exactly why I created The After Hours ✨. I decided to make The After Hours ✨ after a consultation call in January. I knew I wanted to make a difference to the prelicensed community and wasn’t sure how. During that consultation I had a lightbulb moment. It took a while to build but now its here.
If you have been wondering what it is, who it is for, and what actually happens inside, this post is for you.
What is The After Hours ✨?
The After Hours ✨ is a free, verified Discord community for prelicensed therapists. It is a place to ask questions, share resources, and feel less alone while you work toward your license.
It is open to all 50 states, and it is built around one idea: the in-between years are hard, and nobody should have to get through them by themselves. Different paths, same in-between.
Who is it for?
The After Hours ✨ is for anyone on the road to licensure, including:
Practicum students
Interns
Associates
Anyone working toward LPC, LMFT, or LCSW
You do not have to be in a certain state, a certain program, or a certain stage. If you are somewhere between your first practicum and your full license, you belong here.
Why is it verified?
Every person who applies is reviewed before they come in. That keeps the space full of real students and prelicensed clinicians, which makes it safer to ask honest questions and share real experiences.
Verification is simple. If you do not have a license number yet, you can verify with one of these:
A school email or student ID
A copy of your diploma (you can cover everything except your name and school)
Proof of your exam registration or board application
You only need to send one.
What is inside?
Here is a look at what you will find once you are in.
Real conversations. Members talk about the things grad school skipped, like imposter syndrome, burnout, supervision questions, and what it is like to see your first clients. There is an ask-me-anything space where you can bring your questions.
Career and business channels. There are spaces to talk about private practice, side income, and group practices, including how pay models like percentage splits and flat rates work and what to ask before you sign a contract.
Privacy and safety. Members share ways to protect their personal information, because it matters more than most of us realize once our names are out there.
The Counseling Binder. A growing library of clinical resources I built to help you in the room. It currently includes modules on crisis and safety protocols, anxiety disorders, depression, and trauma and PTSD, with more on the way. [CONFIRM WHO HAS ACCESS TO THE COUNSELING BINDER BEFORE PUBLISHING.]
The Unsupervised Hours. A monthly drop-in session for the community. It tends to be the second Tuesday of the month but varies based on where the calendar falls.
Group content ideas. A space where members brainstorm ideas for trainings, presentations, and conversations they would like to lead.
Do I have to post to belong?
No. Plenty of members read along and join in when they are ready. Some people lurk for weeks, and that is completely okay. You can get a lot from simply feeling connected.
Is it a replacement for supervision?
No. The After Hours ✨ is peer support and general education. It does not replace clinical supervision, and it does not give licensure board advice. Always go to your supervisor and your state board for those.
Is it really free?
Yes. It is free to join. There is also an optional paid Charter membership for people who want extra access.You never have to upgrade to be part of the community.
How to join
Fill out the short application.
Send your verification (a school email, student ID, diploma, or proof of exam or board application works if you do not have a license number).
Once you are verified, I will get you in. Welcome!
If you want a place where you can ask your questions, compare notes, and feel a little less alone, come join The After Hours ✨, a free community for prelicensed therapists. I would love to see you there. No knowledge gatekeeping, no gotchas. ✨
Frequently asked questions
What is The After Hours ✨? The After Hours ✨ is a free, verified Discord community for prelicensed therapists, including practicum students, interns, associates, and anyone working toward LPC, LMFT, or LCSW licensure.
Who can join The After Hours ✨? Anyone on the road to licensure in any of the 50 states. Everyone is verified so the space stays full of real students and prelicensed clinicians.
Do I need a license number to join? No. If you do not have one yet, you can verify with a school email or student ID, a copy of your diploma, or proof of your exam registration or board application.
This post is general education and not legal or licensure advice. Always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.
How to Find a Good LPC Supervisor (and the Red Flags to Avoid)
Written from a Texas LPC perspective. Requirements differ by state, so check with your own licensing board before you sign anything.
When I think back on my own early years, the thing that shaped me most was not my caseload or my training. It was my supervisor. A good one made me a braver, more thoughtful clinician. A bad fit made me doubt myself for months. My supervisor was very supportive and great at clinical work. She was always there to answer my questions when needed.
If you are searching for how to find an LPC supervisor, you are doing exactly the right thing. This choice matters more than most people realize, and nobody really teaches you how to make it. So let's walk through it.
Why the supervisor match matters
Your supervisor is not just someone who signs your hours. For a couple of years, they are the person you bring your hardest cases, your biggest mistakes, and your 11 p.m. "is this a reportable situation?" questions to.
A good match means you learn faster, you feel safe admitting what you do not know, and your hours get documented without drama. A poor match can slow your licensure, drain your confidence, and sometimes cost you money you did not plan to spend.
Where to look
You do not have to find someone cold. Start here:
Your state board's list. Many boards publish a directory of approved supervisors. In Texas, your supervisor must hold the LPC-S credential.
Your employer or practice. Some group practices include supervision. Ask whether it is part of your pay or an extra cost.
Your grad program or practicum site. Professors and site supervisors often know who is trustworthy in your area.
Peer communities. Other prelicensed clinicians will tell you things a website never will. This is one of the reasons I built The After Hours, a free community for prelicensed therapists where people compare notes honestly.
Full Circle Supervisor Directory: something I am in the process of building
What to ask in a first conversation
Treat the first call like an interview, because it is one. You are choosing them too. Here is what I would ask:
What is your supervision style? Some supervisors are very hands-on and others are more consultative. Neither is wrong, but you should know which you are signing up for.
What is your availability? How often will we meet, and what happens if I need you between sessions?
What does it cost? Ask for the full fee, how it is billed, and what happens if a session is canceled.
How do you sign off on hours? Ask how often hours are reviewed and signed, and how quickly you get your documentation back.
What is your experience with my population? If you work with kids, trauma, or couples, ask whether they have worked in that space.
How do you handle disagreements? You want to hear that they can take feedback and talk things through.
Pay attention to how you feel after the call. Did you feel respected? Did they answer clearly? Did you feel rushed? Your gut is useful information.
What belongs in a supervision agreement
Get it in writing, always. A solid supervision agreement should spell out:
The fee and payment schedule
How often you will meet, and in what format (individual, group, virtual)
How and when your hours will be signed off
What happens if either of you wants to end the arrangement, including notice time
How emergencies and urgent questions are handled
Confidentiality and documentation expectations
If a supervisor does not want to put these things in writing, that tells you something before you have even started.
Red flags to watch for
None of these automatically mean a supervisor is bad, but all of them deserve a closer look.
Unclear fees. If you cannot get a straight answer about cost, or the price keeps changing, walk away.
Hours withheld. Your supervisor should not hold your signed hours hostage over a payment dispute or a disagreement.
No written agreement. Verbal promises disappear. Paperwork protects both of you.
Hard to reach. If they take days to reply during the interview stage, imagine how it will feel when you have a client in crisis.
Shaming or dismissive feedback. Challenge is good. Humiliation is not.
Pressure to take clients you do not feel ready for, or discouragement from seeking consultation elsewhere.
What I tell associates all the time is this: you are allowed to ask questions, and you are allowed to leave a situation that does not feel right. Good supervisors welcome questions.
You do not have to figure this out alone
Finding a supervisor can feel isolating, especially when everyone else seems to already have one lined up. It is a normal part of the in-between years, and plenty of people are navigating it with you.
If you want support while you search, come hang out in The After Hours, a free community for prelicensed therapists. It is a verified Discord space for practicum students, interns, associates, and anyone on the road to LPC, LMFT, or LCSW. Ask your questions, compare notes, and feel a little less alone while you work toward your license.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch supervisors if it is not a good fit? Often yes, but the process depends on your state board and your agreement. Check your agreement for notice requirements, and make sure your hours up to that point are signed off before you transition.
How much does LPC supervision usually cost? It varies a lot by location, format, and whether supervision is included through an employer. Ask for the full cost in writing before you commit, and compare a few options if you can.
Do I really need a written supervision agreement? Yes. A written agreement protects both you and your supervisor, and many boards expect one. Even if yours does not require it, ask for it anyway.
This post is general education and not legal or licensure advice. Always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.
I’m Launching a Patreon — Here’s What to Expect
@dearbestietherapist
I’ve been sitting with this idea for a while, and it finally felt like the right time to say yes.
I’m officially launching a Patreon — not as a big flashy thing, but as a steady, intentional space for therapists and helping professionals who want ongoing support, reflection, and practical guidance without overwhelm.
This isn’t about adding more noise. It’s about creating something useful, grounded, and sustainable.
Why Patreon?
Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations that don’t quite fit into supervision, a one-time consult, or a workshop — moments where therapists are asking:
“Is this normal?”
“Can you sanity-check this?”
“I don’t need a whole thing, I just need support right now.”
Patreon felt like the right container for that in-between space. A place to share insights, resources, and perspective in a way that’s accessible and easy to return to.
What This Space Is (and Isn’t)
This Patreon is for:
therapists at different stages of their careers
people who want thoughtful guidance without performance
clinicians who value reflection, clarity, and sustainability
It’s not:
another thing you have to keep up with
a replacement for therapy, supervision, or consultation
a space for urgency or crisis support
Think of it as something you can drop into when it’s helpful — not something that demands your attention.
What You’ll Find Inside
Depending on the tier, you can expect things like:
short reflections and guidance on clinical, ethical, and professional topics
behind-the-scenes conversations about building a sustainable practice
practical tools, templates, and resources
occasional Q&A-style content responding to common questions I hear
Everything is designed to be digestible, optional, and grounded.
The Tone Matters
This space will sound like me — thoughtful, honest, practical, and human. No jargon. No hustle culture. No pretending we’re not impacted by the work we do.
You don’t need to have it all figured out to be here.
If You’re Curious
If this sounds like something that might support you right now, you’re welcome to join. And if now isn’t the season for it, that’s okay too.
This is meant to be a resource — not a requirement.
I’m really looking forward to sharing this space with those of you who want it.
HIPAA Updates & the Notice of Privacy Practices (NOPP): What Therapists Need to Know
If you’ve been hearing rumblings about HIPAA updates and changes to the Notice of Privacy Practices (NOPP), you’re not alone. Many therapists are wondering what’s actually required, what needs updating, and what’s simply guidance versus a hard rule.
Let’s slow this down and talk through what matters — without panic.
What’s Changing (and What Isn’t)
HIPAA itself hasn’t suddenly been rewritten, but there have been updates and clarifications around patient rights, access to information, and how those rights are communicated. The NOPP is the document meant to explain these rights clearly and in plain language.
The biggest takeaway:
Your NOPP should accurately reflect how your practice currently operates — especially around access to records, electronic communication, and privacy protections.
This isn’t about creating something new out of thin air. It’s about alignment.
Why the NOPP Matters
The Notice of Privacy Practices isn’t just a form to check off a list. It’s meant to:
Explain how protected health information (PHI) is used and shared
Outline client rights regarding their records and information
Describe how clients can file complaints or ask questions
When your NOPP is outdated or doesn’t match your actual practices, that’s where risk can show up — not because you’re doing something wrong, but because the paperwork doesn’t reflect reality.
Common Areas to Review
If you haven’t looked at your NOPP in a while, here are a few areas worth reviewing:
Electronic records and portals: How clients access their information
Response timelines: How quickly records requests are handled
Communication methods: Email, text, telehealth platforms
Practice changes: New EHRs, group practices, associates, or supervisors
If any of these have shifted since your NOPP was written, it’s likely time for an update.
What Therapists Don’t Need to Do
Let’s be clear about what this doesn’t mean:
You don’t need to rewrite HIPAA
You don’t need to scare clients
You don’t need to rush into changes without understanding them
Thoughtful review and alignment are far more important than urgency.
A Grounded Next Step
If you’re unsure whether your NOPP still fits your practice, the most helpful next step is simply reviewing it alongside how your practice actually runs today. For many clinicians, small updates and clearer language are all that’s needed.
And if you’re supporting associates, interns, or working in a group practice, consistency across documents becomes even more important.
Final Thought
HIPAA updates don’t have to feel overwhelming. When approached thoughtfully, this is really about clarity — for clients and for clinicians. Clear documents create safer, steadier practices for everyone involved.
If you’re feeling unsure, you’re not behind. You’re paying attention — and that matters.
✨ INTRODUCING THE PERINATAL RESOLUTION INTENSIVE + REFLECTION WORKBOOK
So many people move through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum carrying experiences their bodies still remember—but that they don’t always have language for. It might be a specific moment, or it might be the cumulative weight of everything that happened physically and emotionally.
In the perinatal world, we often focus on preparation before birth or coping afterward, but we rarely talk about what to do when something inside still feels unresolved.
Beginning in 2026, I’m offering a new therapeutic option designed specifically for these kinds of experiences: The Perinatal Resolution Intensive using Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).
This is a half-day, focused therapy session that uses eye movements to help the brain resolve distress without needing to retell painful memories in detail. It’s grounded in nervous system science and paced gently to avoid overwhelm.
This is not traditional talk therapy, and it’s not about “reprocessing” your birth story through words. Instead, ART allows the body and brain to integrate what happened safely, without retraumatization.
Why I’m offering this format
In regular therapy, we might touch the edge of painful memories and emotional patterns, but the time to heal them is limited to the session frame. Intensives allow us to stay with the process in a contained, supported way—without rushing your nervous system.
Some people choose an intensive because:
they’ve done therapy but still feel “activated” around one moment
there’s fear or pain around trying again (pregnancy or birth)
there’s unresolved grief or guilt that doesn’t feel logical
they notice strong emotions but don’t understand why
they’re tired of feeling disconnected from their body
Whether the distress comes from fertility struggles, pregnancy complications, birth trauma, postpartum experiences, or even moments that don’t “seem traumatic,” the nervous system deserves care and resolution—not minimization.
What makes this offering different
I’ve created two gentle support tools to hold your experience before and after the session:
A Pre-Session Handout – offered beforehand to orient your nervous system without activating it
The After-Session Integration & Reflection Workbook – a quiet companion to support settling in the days following
Both are designed specifically for perinatal nervous systems—no insight-hunting, no pressure to revisit the story, and no assignments to complete. Just guided noticing and grounding.
Who this is for
This is for people who notice:
anxiety or somatic responses when thinking about birth or fertility
confusing emotional triggers postpartum
fear about future pregnancy
grief or guilt that’s hard to articulate
a lingering sense that “something still isn’t right”
You don’t need to identify your experience as “trauma” to qualify.
If your body is telling you something needs care, that’s enough.
What to expect next
If you’d like to learn more or ask questions, feel free to contact Casey. When scheduling opens, spots will be limited, as intensives require extended clinician time and preparation.
Messaging Support Between Sessions: A New Way to Feel Held in the Hard Moments
One of the most common things clients tell me is:
“I was holding it together during session…but then everything fell apart on Tuesday night.”
The truth is, therapy doesn’t stop when our appointment ends. Growth and overwhelm happen in the in-between moments—during bedtime routines, long commutes, midday spirals, postpartum worries, or when you replay a conversation for the tenth time.
That’s where secure messaging support comes in.
Messaging support is a new offering for current therapy clients that provides structured communication between appointments using a HIPAA-secure platform. You can send text, voice, or image messages at any time, and I respond several times per week during office hours. We also schedule one live session per month to deepen the work and ensure safety and continuity.
This service is especially helpful for parents of young children, perinatal and postpartum clients navigating PPD or PPA symptoms, anxious perfectionists, and women feeling the heaviness of burnout or emotional overload. It creates a space to reflect, ground, and reconnect with your goals without waiting another week.
Messaging support is not crisis communication and isn’t meant to replace therapy sessions. It’s a steady thread of connection—to help you apply the tools we discuss in session when you need them most.
If you’re curious whether messaging support could be a good fit for you, start by completing the brief screening form I’ll follow up with next steps and a short consultation call.
Because healing isn’t just what happens in the therapy room—it’s how we support ourselves in the small moments between.
Choosing a Word of Intention for the New Year: Why It Matters + How to Stay Grounded in It
I’m not usually one for New Year’s resolutions. They tend to feel rigid and full of expectations we drop by February. What does resonate more deeply—both personally and clinically—is setting a word of intention for the year ahead.
A single word that guides how we show up.
A quiet anchor.
A reminder of what we’re cultivating—not perfectly, just consistently.
Last year, my word was vulnerable.
And, as a therapist, you might assume I love vulnerability. I invite clients into vulnerability every day… but practicing it myself is a completely different experience.
My intention was to expand outside my comfort zone:
to share how I was actually feeling
to ask for help instead of powering through
to let others support me instead of staying self-contained
Was it comfortable? No.
Was it worth it? Completely.
Vulnerability softened places in me I didn’t realize were tense. It deepened relationships and reminded me what connection feels like—messy, supportive, human.
This year, my word is regulated.
For me, that means finding balance between:
my family
my work
my friendships
and myself
It means listening to my nervous system instead of overriding it. I want to learn what helps my body stay calm more consistently, rather than constantly recovering from dysregulation or burnout cycles.
Maybe you’re craving something similar—less urgency, more presence. Less reacting, more responding. Less survival, more intentional living.
How to Choose Your Word of Intention
You don’t need the “perfect” word. You need a word that reflects the direction you want to move toward. Here’s a simple process I walk clients through:
1. Reflect on the past year
Ask yourself:
What was draining?
What helped me grow?
What patterns am I ready to loosen?
Your emotional patterns can reveal what you’re yearning for.
2. Notice where your body pulls toward something
Sometimes your body selects the word before your mind does:
grounded
open
connection
rest
trust
boundaries
play
Pay attention to what feels expansive rather than restrictive.
3. Choose one word—not a list
One word creates clarity.
Many intentions dilute each other.
How to Give Your Word Meaning Through the Year
This step matters more than choosing the word itself. A word becomes powerful when it’s practiced—not just declared.
Try these grounding practices:
✔ Define what your word means to you
Journal a few sentences or bullet points.
What will this look like in daily life?
✔ Identify small actions aligned with your word
Not dramatic transformations—small aligned behaviors.
For regulated, actions might be:
saying no to one thing a week
pausing before responding
choosing connection over productivity
✔ Create visual reminders
Place it:
on your bathroom mirror
phone wallpaper
planner
car dashboard
Your nervous system learns through repetition.
✔ Check in monthly
Ask:
Where did I practice my word?
Where did I drift from it?
What support do I need next?
There is no timeline, no deadline, no failing—there is only returning.
This Year, Choose a Word That Supports Your Nervous System
A word of intention is not a resolution.
It’s a relationship you build with yourself across the year.
Whether your word is peace, patience, connection, rest, boundaries, or something else entirely—let it be a gentle guide rather than a demand.
This year, I’m choosing regulated.
Not perfection, not control, but steady grounding—body, mind, and heart.
And maybe this is your reminder:
You deserve a year that feels calmer.
More connected.
More intentional.
If you choose a word for the year, I’d love to hear what it is. Email me at casey@sageandsoultherapy.com
Kindness Countdown Chain: A Simple Holiday Activity to Build Empathy in Kids
🎄 The Kindness Growing Chain: A Holiday Tradition That Builds Empathy
The holiday season brings excitement and joy, but it can also bring big emotions, overstimulation, and rush. Many families are looking for simple ways to stay grounded, connected, and focused on what really matters.
Inspired by Buddy the Elf’s famous line — “The best way to spread “Holiday” (Christmas) cheer is singing loud for all to hear” — I wanted a tradition that centers kindness. Something visual. Something kids can touch, see, and participate in every day.
That’s how the Kindness Growing Chain came to life.
Instead of tearing links off like a typical countdown, this chain grows — link by link — as kindness builds.
🌟 What Is a Kindness Growing Chain?
A Kindness Growing Chain is a paper chain your family builds throughout December. Each day, your child completes a simple act of kindness, then adds that colored strip to the chain.
By the end of the month, the chain is long, bright, and meaningful—a visual symbol of all the small moments of compassion that added up to something bigger.
It’s a tradition kids love because they can see their kindness expand.
💛 Why This Matters
This activity helps children:
build empathy
understand emotional cause + effect
practice generosity
strengthen self-esteem
visually track their impact
engage in mindfulness
connect with family
Research shows that consistent small acts of kindness boost dopamine and reinforce prosocial behavior. In other words: kindness builds more kindness.
🎁 Your 24 Kindness Prompts
Here are the prompts included in your printable—perfect for kids 3–12:
Give someone a compliment
Hold the door for someone
Draw a picture for a family member
Say “thank you” today
Clean something without being asked
Make a holiday card for a neighbor
Tell a friend something you like about them
Let someone go first
Donate a gently used toy or book
Call a relative to say hello
Give someone a hug
Share a snack
Say “good job!” to someone
Help set the table
Leave a kind note somewhere
Say 3 kind things about yourself
Help a sibling
Smile at 5 people
Put away your things
Make a thank-you for a teacher
Help with a task around the house
Tell someone why you appreciate them
Pick up trash in your yard/home
Give someone a holiday wish
Share a favorite toy or game with someone
Read a book to someone
Make a kindness chain link for yourself today — something you’re proud of
Tell someone “you are welcome”
Help pack away holiday decorations
Offer to help someone who looks overwhelmed
Do one act of kindness for yourself—rest, play, or something that feels good
🖨️ Download the Free Printable (click)
🎄 Make This a December Tradition
The holidays don’t have to be perfect or elaborate. Kids won’t remember the chaos — they’ll remember how they felt.
A growing chain of kindness is a powerful reminder that the smallest moments can create real change.
If your family tries this, I’d love to hear how it goes. 💛
Grieving Through the Holidays: When the Season Isn’t Merry
The holidays are marketed as joyful and magical — but for anyone grieving, this time of year can feel heavy, lonely, or emotionally complicated.
I know this personally. My dad died the day after Thanksgiving when I was 16. Ever since, the holidays have carried a mix of memories, grief, pressure, nostalgia, and that strange feeling of being surrounded by celebration while your heart is quietly breaking.
If this resonates with you — whether your loss is recent or years old — you’re not alone. And your feelings make sense.
Why Grief Feels Harder During the Holidays
1. Traditions hold memories.
A smell, a song, an ornament — suddenly your heart is back in a moment you can no longer return to.
2. Family gatherings highlight the absence.
Someone should be here who isn’t.
3. Your body remembers anniversaries.
Grief lives in the nervous system. Even if your mind isn’t thinking about the date, your body often feels it.
4. Social pressure to “be merry.”
People mean well, but expectations add emotional weight.
5. Loneliness grows in contrast.
Everyone else’s smiles can make your grief feel louder.
How Grief Shows Up During the Holidays
Grief often appears as:
Exhaustion
Irritability
Wanting to withdraw
Feeling disconnected
Waves of sadness
Guilt for experiencing joy
Difficulty being present
All of these are normal.
Therapist-Approved Ways to Cope With Holiday Grief
🌙 1. Give yourself permission to feel what you feel.
You don’t owe holiday cheer to anyone.
🌙 2. Scale back your commitments.
You’re allowed to protect your energy.
🌙 3. Create a ritual to honor your loved one.
Light a candle. Cook their favorite dish. Visit a meaningful place. Say their name.
🌙 4. Set boundaries.
Script:
“The holidays are tough for me, and I may need more space or flexibility.”
🌙 5. Let grief and joy coexist.
Joy is not betrayal. Grief is not failure.
🌙 6. Plan ahead — loosely.
Allow yourself to change plans based on capacity.
🌙 7. Reach out for support.
Connection helps regulate grief.
If You Lost Someone Around the Holidays
Anniversary grief is real.
Your body may feel the loss before your conscious mind does.
You’re not “going backward.”
You’re remembering.
You’re honoring.
You’re surviving something hard.
You’re Allowed to Redefine the Holidays
You can:
Start new traditions
Modify old ones
Skip what doesn’t feel safe
Create quiet moments instead of big gatherings
Find meaning in gentler ways
There is no “right” way to do the holidays after loss.
A Gentle Closing
If this season feels heavy, please know this:
Your grief is valid.
Your process is not wrong.
You are not alone.
If you want support navigating grief — whether fresh or decades old — I’m here to walk alongside you.
You deserve compassion, space, and care — especially now.
🌿 A Month of Gratitude: Finding Grounding, Reflection, and Growth
Gratitude Practice for Therapists & Clients | Sage & Soul Therapy
🌿 A Month of Gratitude: Finding Grounding, Reflection, and Growth
As the seasons shift and the days shorten, November quietly invites us to pause.
To slow down.
To notice what’s nourishing us — and what’s asking for release.
Gratitude, at its core, isn’t about ignoring what’s hard. It’s about noticing what’s still here — the moments of connection, comfort, and care that hold us steady when life feels unpredictable. It’s an invitation to return to the present with gentle awareness.
Whether you’re a therapist supporting others, a parent juggling responsibilities, or someone moving through your own healing journey, gratitude can be a simple, powerful anchor. It doesn’t demand perfection. It just asks us to notice.
✨ The Science and Soul of Gratitude
Research consistently shows that practicing gratitude supports emotional regulation, decreases anxiety, and increases overall wellbeing.
But beyond the data, gratitude works because it shifts attention — from scarcity to sufficiency, from “what’s missing” to “what’s meaningful.”
For many of us in helping professions, especially counselors and mental health professionals, gratitude can also be a protective factor against compassion fatigue.
When you take time to reflect on a meaningful session, a colleague’s encouragement, or a small client breakthrough, you’re reconnecting to your purpose — and that reconnection sustains you.
And for those in therapy or beginning the process of self-healing, gratitude offers a way to build safety in the body.
Naming something we appreciate — a moment of calm, a conversation, a breath — helps regulate the nervous system and reinforces internal stability. Gratitude isn’t toxic positivity; it’s trauma-informed mindfulness.
It reminds us: you can hold gratitude and grief at the same time.
🍃 30 Days of Gratitude: A Gentle Grounding Practice
This month, Sage & Soul Therapy invites you to join our 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge — a mindful, minimalist way to reflect and reconnect.
Each day in November, write down one thing you’re grateful for — no matter how small.
It might be:
A warm cup of coffee before your first session.
A memory that makes you smile.
A small win with a client or your child.
A part of yourself you’re learning to appreciate.
Something in nature that grounded you today.
You can jot these reflections on a sticky note, in your journal, or use our free printable gratitude calendar below.
There’s no right way to do it — just your way.
🌼 For Therapists and Associates
If you’re an LPC-Associate in Texas or a mental health professional, try using gratitude as a supervision reflection tool this month.
Ask yourself:
What professional moments made me proud?
What client insights stayed with me this week?
How has my supervision or peer community supported my growth?
Gratitude here becomes more than self-care — it’s a practice of professional integration.
It helps you stay connected to your “why,” even when the work feels heavy.
🌸 For Clients and Community Members
If you’re working on healing, gratitude can be a gentle way to reconnect to your body and emotions.
When you notice a moment that feels calm, steady, or safe, pause and name it.
That small act can begin to retrain your nervous system toward safety.
Over time, gratitude helps build emotional flexibility, not perfection — a practice of returning to what is still good, even when life feels uncertain.
💚 Closing Reflection
Gratitude turns what we have into enough — not because our circumstances change, but because our awareness does.
When you begin to notice what’s holding you, you start to feel more anchored in yourself, your relationships, and your purpose.
So this November, take a breath. Write one word.
Notice one small thing that helps you feel grounded.
And let that be enough.
📎 Download your free 30 Days of Gratitude printable here
Or follow along with us on TikTok and Instagram at @sageandsoultherapy for daily reflection prompts and inspiration.
Written by Casey Davids, M.Ed., LPC-S
Founder of Sage & Soul Therapy
Supporting clients and counselors through supervision, growth, and healing.