East Dallas TherapyEast Dallas TherapyEast Dallas TherapyEast Dallas Therapy
  • home
  • about us
    • Services
    • Assessment ADHD
    • Morgan Myers
    • Kate Miller
    • Stacey Shoemaker
    • Summer Greenlee
  • schedule
  • fees
  • blog
  • current clients
  • home
  • about us
    • Services
    • Assessment ADHD
    • Morgan Myers
    • Kate Miller
    • Stacey Shoemaker
    • Summer Greenlee
  • schedule
  • fees
  • blog
  • current clients
Parenting, Self-Care

The Importance of Being Present

  • Posted By Morgan Myers, LPC
  • on January 1,2018

As a counselor working with kids one of the most important parts of my job is being present with my clients. My mind is swirling with to do lists, my expectations of myself and the client, my hunger, my body language, even my language! I continually push it aside over and over so that I can show my clients: I’m here, I see you, I’m with you.

This was never more apparent than when I had to film a play session with my first born. She is 4 years old. She commands a lot of attention. She is constantly saying, mommy? Proclaiming: Mommy! Yelling: MOMMY! SCREAMING: MOMMY! And I snap back to attention. I am constantly fixated on the future- anticipating dinner, cleaning house, planning, worrying, dreaming, self-helping myself mentally. Meanwhile, my 4 year old is eternally in the present, as  is my 5 month old whose immediate physical needs are basically all she knows.

After that play session with my daughter, I have started to think about how we all actually live only in the present moment, we create, feel and experience everything in this moment. Our relationships are built in the present- the current second, minute, hour, and day we spend with our children. In the present is where we all relate to each other. Each moment we spend fixated with the past or future is a moment we are not “with” others.

So, as a quick and simple parenting strategy- try to be aware of where you are mentally. Are you in the room? Are you wishing or hoping or worrying about something else? Turn your attention to the little one (or medium or big one) in front of you and engage. You’ll find the present is full of surprises. There are moments to connect and deepen your relationship with that child that you might miss otherwise. Sometimes you are wrestling with your child’s flaws, they might be throwing a tantrum or complaining. Sometimes your attention sparks a conversation, a hug, or allows them to process an idea. It’s not always heavenly, but your kids will notice even if they don’t let on that they notice.

5 tips for Being Present

  1. Get on eye level with the child.
  2. Put phone on silent- Phones are time machines that take you everywhere BUT the present
  3. Be with the emotion they are feeling. Let them express how they feel without questions or a lesson. (Read How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk for more on this!)
  4. Practice mindfulness- Bring your awareness to your body and your breathing. Take a deep breath in 5 seconds. Hold 5 seconds, Out 10 seconds. Click here for free audio guides or open spotify
  5. Take care of yourself first. Just like the flight attendant says, put your oxygen mask first, we have to take care of ourselves so that we have something to draw from. That means meeting your present needs so that you can meet their present needs.

Morgan Myers is an LPC-intern at Hope Child & Family Center of Texas. Morgan Myers got her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health from Texas A&M-Commerce. She has received training in adolescent counseling, play therapy, sandtray and group therapy. She has worked with a wide range of people including the homeless, young adults in a community college, and adolescents. She has worked with moms dealing with postpartum depression and she is passionate about helping people find hope through self discovery and healing. She provides a safe and accepting environment for all her clients.


Classes & Workshops, Parenting

Parenting class starting soon!

  • Posted By Morgan Myers, LPC
  • on December 15,2017

We’re starting a parenting class for east Dallas moms at Bethany Lutheran Church! This class strengthens the foundation of your relationship with your child while still providing practical answers to common questions! There is no cost, but donations are accepted for materials.

Topics include: appropriate discipline and limit-setting, outbursts and anger, helping kids cope with emotion, managing sensory issues, feeling overwhelmed and tired as a parent.

Register here

Monday, June 4 1-2 pm
Wednesday, June 6 1-2 pm
Monday, June 11 1-2 pm
Wednesday, June 13 1-2 pm
Monday, June 18 1-2 pm
(Note: These are During June summer camp at the CDC!)

About

Readers! Hello!

  • Posted By Morgan Myers, LPC
  • on December 15,2017

Hello readers! I’m glad you found me!

I am interested in writing about therapy- the philosophical and the practical. I am a play therapist and adolescent counselor working in North Dallas right now (contrary to my website title). But I am hoping to begin a practice in East Dallas in 2019. My goal is to be a therapist to the community of East Dallas. I am interested in reaching adolescents, and parents with kids in that stage. I also have a particular interest in helping mothers with young children. I want to help women understand themselves better, their mental health, and learn self-care and self-advocacy at a time when life is all about their little ones. There are all kinds of issues my clients face. Below I’ve listed the most common. I hope you enjoy my blog!

5 typical clients in my practice:

  1. Teens with depression and anxiety
  2. Teens interested in self-discovery and coping with life’s challenges
  3. Moms and Dads needing parenting strategies
  4. Mothers (of young children) struggling with depression, anxiety, adjustment to change, or self-care
  5. Kids with behavior issues

5 ways I can help

  1. Individual play therapy for Pre-K and Elementary kids
  2. Art and activity therapy for Tweens and Teens
  3. Parent consultation
  4. Counseling for adults
  5. Group therapy: Topics range from depression groups for adults, social skills camp for kids, and Parenting Skills Groups. Contact me for more information.


123456
Categories
  • About (1)
  • Anxiety (29)
  • Classes & Workshops (1)
  • Couples Counseling (4)
  • Deconstruction (3)
  • Depression (15)
  • Faith (3)
  • Kids Mental Health (12)
  • Marriage Counseling (5)
  • Parenting (17)
  • postpartum (2)
  • Relationships (15)
  • Self-Care (26)
  • Self-doubt (21)
  • Trauma (15)
  • Uncategorized (31)
Recent Posts
  • What You Resist, Persists March 20,2023
  • Discovering Your Relationship Values March 6,2023
  • I’m Sorry for Being Sorry February 27,2023
  • 6 Places to Make Friends February 20,2023
  • It Wasn’t That Bad February 6,2023
  • A New State of Grace January 30,2023
  • Self-care… What does that even mean?? January 24,2023
  • The Holiday Overload January 9,2023
Archives
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • May 2018
  • March 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
Contact
  • morgan@eastdallastherapy.com
  • 469-290-2883
  • Doctors Professional Building
    1151 N Buckner Blvd
    Suite 101
    Dallas, Texas 75218
Sign up to receive occasional, useful information about our workshops and open appointments.
Get Our Emails
Recent Posts
  • What You Resist, Persists March 20,2023
  • Discovering Your Relationship Values March 6,2023
  • I’m Sorry for Being Sorry February 27,2023