Insights & Support

At Eastside Counseling Center, we often speak about the healing power of connection ~ how love weaves through every stage of life, even through unimaginable loss. Today, we share something deeply personal and profoundly human: a video written and created by our founder and her daughter, Aspen, in honor of their beloved son and brother, who passed from an accidental overdose on November 12, 2019.

This video is a tribute ~ not only to one life but to the love that continues beyond loss. It’s an offering to all who have loved someone deeply and have had to learn how to love them differently after they’ve transitioned.

🌿 Love That Transcends Loss

Grief is, at its core, love ~ love with nowhere to go. When someone we love dies, that love does

Mental health touches every part of who we are. It’s how we connect, how we cope, and how we show up in the world. At Eastside Counseling Center, we see wellness as a shared journey, not a single moment in time. Healing grows when we honor the link between our inner experience and the world around us, and when self-care becomes an act of connection and compassion. 

Why Awareness Matters

When we think of “mental health emergencies,” we might imagine disaster zones or global crises. Yet many of us live in the wake of smaller, personal emergencies. These can be anything from relational breakdowns to chronic stress, to grief, or community upheaval.

According to the World Health Organization, one in four people will experienc

Each year on Veterans Day, we pause to honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. It is a day of remembrance, not only for what veterans have given, but for what they continue to carry.

For many, military service brings deep pride, purpose, and lifelong bonds. But it can also bring unseen burdens~ experiences that test the mind, body, and spirit long after returning home. At Eastside Counseling Center, we recognize that honoring veterans means more than gratitude; it means supporting their ongoing journey toward healing and wholeness.

While physical injuries are often visible, the emotional and psychological impact of service can remain hidden. Vetera

At ECC, our integrative model of care bridges modern psychology with holistic wellness. In addition to talk therapy, clients may explore mind-body practices such as mindfulness, breathwork, and Tapping and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)— a research-backed method that helps regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and restore calm.

We know that healing doesn’t just happen in the mind; it involves the body, relationships, and environment. Our therapists help clients strengthen all layers of well-being so they can feel centered and connected— at home, at work, and within themselves.

Make Mental Health a Lifestyle, Not a Crisis Response

Imagine if we approached mental heal

In today’s world, we’re constantly reminded to get our annual physicals, eye exams, and dental cleanings. But how often do we check in on the health of our minds and hearts? Just as we care for our bodies, our emotional and psychological well-being require essential nurturing. That’s where mental health checkups come in: a simple but powerful way to stay balanced, connected, and resilient.

Many people only seek therapy during a crisis, but mental health care isn’t just for moments of breakdown. It’s for continual growth, prevention, and alignment. Regular check-ins with a counselor can help identify patterns of stress before they become anxiety, relationship issues, or burnout. And

Each October, Indigenous Peoples’ Day invites us to pause, reflect, and honor the original stewards of these lands: the First Peoples. Their wisdom, resilience, and relational ways of living continue to guide us toward deeper healing and wholeness. It is more than a day of remembrance. It is a call to re-member; to piece back together what colonization fragmented, and to reclaim the sacred ways of being in relationship that Indigenous communities have carried for millennia.

One of the most profound teachings shared by many Indigenous cultures is the understanding of relatives. This concept is far more broad and interconnected than the Western notion of “family.” In many Indigenous worldviews, all of life is kin. Rivers, mountains, cedar trees, stars, salmon, ancestors, and

In our fast-paced, high-pressure world, many people are searching for tools that go beyond traditional talk therapy. People are searching for approaches that help them not just think differently, but feel differently. One of the most effective and accessible tools is Tapping, also known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).

Tapping is a simple, evidence-based practice that combines modern psychology with ancient principles of Chinese medicine. By gently tapping on specific acupressure points on the body while focusing on a thought, feeling, or memory, EFT helps regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and release emotional blocks that may be contributing to anxiety, trauma, or depression.

What Is EFT and How Does It Work?

EFT is based on th

Anxiety is a normal human experience. It’s a built-in alarm system that helps us stay alert and respond to life’s challenges. When danger is near or pressure is high, our body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to help us act quickly. This response can be helpful when you need to meet a deadline, make an important decision, or navigate a difficult situation.

But sometimes that inner alarm keeps ringing even when there’s no real threat. When worry becomes constant, or the body stays tense long after the stressful event has passed, anxiety can begin to interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.

Understanding the Many Faces of Anxiety

Anxiety doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some, it shows u

At Eastside Counseling Center, we believe mental health deserves the same level of comprehensive care as physical health. Just as a physician considers the whole body—looking at the interplay of systems, lifestyle, and environment—mental health care is most effective when it takes an integrative approach. Rather than focusing on symptoms in isolation, an integrative model recognizes that our emotional, cognitive, relational, and even physical well-being are deeply interconnected.

An integrative model draws from multiple evidence-based traditions—psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, systemic, humanistic, somatic, and mindfulness-based practices—to create individualized care plans. This approach allows us to honor the uniquenes

Watching our kids struggle with anxiety can be tough. As parents and caregivers, we all want to see our children thrive, but sometimes the outside world presents challenges that feel overwhelming. Whether it’s school pressures, social changes, or the constant chatter of the internet, there’s a lot for young minds to process these days. So, what can we do to support our kids as they navigate anxiety?

First, it’s important to let children know their feelings are valid. A simple “It’s okay to feel worried” can open the door to honest conversations. Encouraging kids to talk about what’s on their minds—whether it’s a difficult test or anxiety about making friends—helps them feel less alone. Sometimes, just being heard can make all the difference.

It also h

As parents and caregivers, watching a teenager struggle with the pressures of school can be both heartbreaking and confusing. From academic expectations to social challenges and extracurricular activities, it’s easy for teens to feel overwhelmed by everything life throws their way. If your teen is feeling the weight of it all, you’re definitely not alone—and neither are they.

It’s important to remember that school is about much more than grades. Teens are juggling friendships, managing time, dealing with changes in their own bodies, and trying to figure out who they are—all while homework piles up and exams loom. Even when things seem fine on the surface, there may be a lot brewing underneath, whether it’s anxiety about fitting in, worry about the future, or frustrat