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Full Circle Counseling Blog:
Insights on Mental Health & Wellness
Welcome to the Full Circle Counseling blog, your go-to resource for valuable insights on mental health, wellness, and healing. Here, we share helpful tips, strategies, and in-depth articles to support you on your journey to emotional well-being. Whether you're seeking advice on therapy, self-care routines, trauma recovery, or building healthier relationships, our blog provides a variety of topics to empower you. Our mission is to create a space where you can explore ideas and strategies for mental and emotional health, helping you find clarity, healing, and balance in your life. Stay connected with us for new posts and expert advice that can support your growth and well-being.
Healing After Domestic Violence: Rebuilding Safety, Self-Worth, and Trust
Author: Full Circle Counseling & Wellness Featured Therapist: Alyson LoVerde, LSW Location: Frankfort & South Suburban Chicago, Illinois Leaving Isn’t the End — It’s the Beginning of Healing For those who’ve never experienced it, leaving an abusive relationship can seem simple: “Why didn’t you just walk away? ” But for survivors, that question can feel like another wound. Domestic violence is rarely “just” physical. It’s emotional manipulation, isolation, financial contro
Jaina Jordan
4 days ago5 min read
How Parents Can Support Kids’ Brain Development Through Emotional Coaching
Helping Children Build Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, and Regulation Children learn about the world through their emotions long before they learn through logic. When a child melts down because they lost a toy, feels anxious before school, or gets frustrated during homework, their brain isn’t misbehaving — it's communicating. Emotional coaching is one of the most powerful parenting tools available. It helps children understand their feelings, regulate their nervous system
Annemarie Nawrocki
5 days ago4 min read
How Childhood Emotional Neglect Shapes Adult Relationships
Understanding Attachment, Intimacy, Conflict, and the Path to Healing Childhood emotional neglect doesn’t always look like what we think of as trauma. There may have been food on the table, a roof overhead, and parents who cared deeply. But emotional neglect isn’t about what happened — it’s about what didn’t happen : comfort when you were scared validation when you were upset encouragement when you tried something new warmth, empathy, or presence When emotional needs consist
Asia Rios
7 days ago4 min read
Co-Parenting After Divorce: Building a Healthy Two-Home Family System
When parents decide to separate or divorce, one of the biggest concerns they share is the impact on their children. While the transition can feel overwhelming, research consistently shows that children thrive when both parents remain emotionally available, supportive, and cooperative — even in two separate homes . The goal of co-parenting isn’t perfection or agreement on every detail — it’s building a stable, connected, and emotionally safe system across two households. At F
Asia Rios
Nov 204 min read
Parenting Through Change: Supporting Kids During Divorce or Separation
Divorce or separation is one of the most difficult transitions a family can face. For parents, the emotional weight can feel overwhelming. For children, the changes can be confusing, scary, or even destabilizing — even when handled with care. Whether the separation is peaceful or tense, kids often wonder: What will happen to me? Is this my fault? Will everything change? At Full Circle Counseling and Wellness , we support families in Frankfort, Chicago, and surrounding areas a
Asia Rios
Nov 174 min read
Understanding Holiday Overload for Chicago Families
Parents in the city face unique stressors that amplify holiday demands. Unlike suburban or rural areas, Chicago families deal with long commutes, crowded schedules, and limited downtime — all while trying to maintain meaningful traditions. Here are a few of the most common challenges: 1. The Commute Crunch Between unpredictable weather and heavy traffic, getting to and from work or school events can feel like a marathon. Parents often leave early, return late, and still need
Full Circle Team
Nov 54 min read
The Psychology of Gratitude: How Thankfulness Strengthens Mental Health
Gratitude isn’t just a polite habit or a seasonal practice — it’s a powerful tool for mental health. Research consistently shows that regularly expressing thankfulness can reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen relationships. For families and individuals in Frankfort and Chicago , cultivating gratitude can become a practical, everyday practice that supports resilience, emotional balance, and stronger family connections. At Full Circle Counseling and Wellness , we help cl
Asia Rios
Oct 313 min read
Sibling Rivalry: Turning Conflict Into Connection
Sibling rivalry is a natural part of family life, but repeated conflict can strain relationships and create stress for both children and parents. Whether it’s squabbles over toys, attention, or perceived unfairness, rivalry is a chance — not just a challenge — to teach children problem-solving, empathy, and cooperation. At Full Circle Counseling and Wellness , we help parents in Frankfort and Chicago transform everyday sibling conflict into opportunities for connection, emot
Annemarie Nawrocki
Oct 233 min read
Mindfulness for Busy Parents: How to Stay Grounded Amid Chaos
Parenting in today’s fast-paced world can feel like trying to stay calm in the middle of a storm. Between school drop-offs, work meetings, meal prep, and the endless to-do list, it’s easy to lose connection with yourself — and your family. But mindfulness isn’t just a wellness trend; it’s a scientifically proven way to lower stress, strengthen emotional regulation, and improve family connection. At Full Circle Counseling and Wellness , we help parents in Frankfort and Chicago
Kris Cain lcpc
Oct 153 min read
Frankfort Families and Work-Life Balance: Strategies for Parents
Balancing the demands of work and family life has always been a challenge, but for many Frankfort parents, it feels more overwhelming...
Morgan Zavoral
Oct 23 min read
The Role of Play in Child Development and Emotional Health
Play is often thought of as just fun and games, but it’s far more than entertainment—especially for children. Through play, children...
Kris Cain lcpc
Sep 303 min read
Chicago Parents and Teen Stress: Navigating High School Pressures
High school years are often described as some of the most formative in a young person’s life, but for many Chicago teens, they’re also...
Annemarie Nawrocki
Sep 193 min read
Why Family Rituals Matter: Building Resilience in Frankfort Households
In today’s fast-paced world, families in Frankfort often juggle work, school, extracurricular activities, and endless to-do lists. In the...
Full Circle Team
Sep 103 min read
Parent-Teen Communication in Chicago Households: Bridging the Generational Gap
Parenting teenagers in a bustling city like Chicago can feel like navigating a complex maze. Teens are juggling school, social pressures,...
Full Circle Team
Sep 83 min read
Grief and Healing: Support for Frankfort Families
Grief is one of life’s most universal experiences, yet it often feels isolating when it arrives at your own doorstep. Whether from the...
Annemarie Nawrocki
Sep 13 min read
Back-to-School Stress in Frankfort Families: How Counseling Can Help
The end of summer in Frankfort is always bittersweet. Families swap pool days for school supply lists, and children exchange carefree...
Annemarie Nawrocki
Aug 283 min read
Mindful Parenting in Frankfort: Local Tips for Raising Resilient Kids
Parenting today often feels like an endless juggling act—balancing work, school schedules, extracurricular activities, and the daily...
Annemarie Nawrocki
Aug 223 min read
Strengthening Family Bonds Through Counseling: Building Connection Across Generations
Families are often called the cornerstone of our lives. They provide love, support, and belonging—but even the strongest families face...
Annemarie Nawrocki
Aug 183 min read
Breaking the Cycle: Family Patterns & Healing Strategies
Families are our first teachers. We learn how to love, cope, express emotions, and resolve conflict by watching those closest to us. But...
Kris Cain lcpc
Jul 194 min read
Chicago Spotlight: Finding Support for Anxiety in Chicago Neighborhoods
Chicago’s Communities Coming Together for Anxiety Support Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges among adults, and...
Kris Cain lcpc
Jun 2814 min read
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