Body, Mind, & Spirit

by JENNIFER GOODSON, MA, LMHC There is something about summertime in Florida that calls us outside. Maybe it’s the longer days, the smell of sunscreen, or the sound of kids laughing in the pool. For some, it is the promise of a weekend spent near the water. Whatever it is, summer seems to remind us […]

by JENNIFER GOODSON, MA, LMHC Have you ever heard the phrases “man up,” “stay strong,” or “don’t let them see you cry”? May is the month we recognize mental health, which most of the time we overlook in the conversation surrounding mental health within the emotional well-being of men. Awareness has grown in many areas;

by JENNIFER GOODSON, MA, LMHC Recently, I was speaking with my second- and third-year students about the importance of developing healthy boundaries. This conversation felt especially relevant for the season they are in, learning how to “adult,” gaining independence, and forming their identity apart from their parents. Many shared a common struggle. They try to

As we move into the later years of life, many things begin to shift. Children and grandchildren may live farther away. Friends relocate, become ill, or pass on. Life transitions that once felt manageable can slowly narrow the circles of connection around us. Yet one of the most important ingredients for emotional and mental well-being

by JENNIFER GOODSON, MA, LMHC There are seasons in life when words feel hard to find. Grief settles in. Anxiety lingers. Trauma reshapes how safe the world feels. Last March, I shared about losing our Australian shepherd, Travis, and how deeply his absence was felt in our home. That experience reminded me just how powerful

by JENNIFER GOODSON, MA, LMHC  Our heart, the powerful pumping machine, our continual “ticker,” plays a powerful role in our overall well-being — physically, mentally, and spiritually. The heart responds not only to a healthy lifestyle of balanced nutrition and exercise but also to stress, fear, grief, and prolonged emotional strain. When these fall out of

by JENNIFER GOODSON, MA, LMHC The start of a new year often brings reflection. We think about what we want to change, what we want to let go of, and what we hope will feel different this time around. Many people come into my counseling office in January with similar questions: Why do my relationships

by JENNIFER GOODSON, LMHC, MA Christmas has always held a special place in my heart, not because of the gifts or the glitter, but because of the memories stitched into every branch, every ornament, and every moment of those precious early years. My childhood was filled with wonder, color, and more Christmas trees than most

by JENNIFER GOODSON, MA, LMHC End-of-the-day gut discomfort, fatigue, achy joints, brain fog, and many other physical symptoms can be related to poor gut health that in turn may cause depressed mood and anxiety. Detoxing from the day includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle of what comes in and what goes out. I ask my clients

by JENNIFER GOODSON, MA, LMHC So many times, we view life’s storms as something to fear and run from. Disappointment, heartache, and failure often turn into self-judgments that stall our progress. But what if we chose instead to see these moments as catapults for growth? Rather than letting them rob us of peace, we could