Nurturing Relationships with Self and Others

The Social HQ • February 6, 2026

…A Journey that Begins from Within…


Connection with others begins with our relationship with ourselves. So it stands to reason, building authentic relationships often starts with a journey toward self-discovery and self-love. Self-awareness and self-acceptance are foundational to a process toward building a solid sense of self. This is the journey that enables us to build trusting and lasting relationships with others. 


How Sense of Self Shapes Our Relationships

Sense of self is a complex concept that begins with understanding our own nature and spirit and how they evolve and grow with our life experience. Everything about us, how we think and feel, our likes and dislikes, as well as all that we have been through shapes our sense of self and informs how we interact, connect, and relate to others. 


True connection means honoring, trusting, and respecting ourselves in a way that fosters the same in others. As one of our great contemporary philosophers, Martin Buber, teaches us, understanding self and other, “I and Thou,” is fundamental to relational connection.


Trust, Healing, and Emotional Stability After Hurt

What does that mean in terms of stabilizing ourselves (emotionally) among others? Especially after we have been hurt. What does resilient sense of self look like once we have learned the hard way not to trust unconditionally? That is a question that leads to a solution for overcoming destabilizing external influences. 


We shore up and stabilize our own identity and emotion regulation as we overcome feelings of fear, helplessness, and hopelessness. And this process includes being aware of our vulnerabilities from our unique strengths base. It takes courage. Yes. Targeting our own insecurities can feel terrifying. But in the end, it helps us to overcome the vulnerabilities of our unique, sensitive, soft spots. That is when we stabilize our own foundation, making it secure and at the same time making it safe for others to approach and engage.

Building Resilience Without Losing Your Softness

Learning how to be your own champion, without needlessly destroying others in anger or retaliation, even while recovering from abuse or betrayal, brings a sense of safety and security, a formidable, resilient sense of internal security that others welcome. Leaning into our most sensitive self while we lead with our strengths is not about exposing yourself negligently or hiding. It is about learning how to protect and defend yourself with dignity and grace as you find your own place of comfort. We don’t have to give up that softer side of ourselves, the sensitive, empathetic, compassionate side. We do need to learn how to protect it and keep it safe. We can’t give it up…because it is an essential key to lasting relationships. It is our humanity, it is what keeps us in touch with all of humanity.


When we stabilize our own secure foundation, protecting and healing our own insecurities, we make it safe for others to trust us as they can. It is a path, not just toward individual peace, but toward relational and communal and global peace.


—  by Karen Naomi Brough, MSW, LICSW Candidate

Having fun as part of treatment! How enjoyable activities can help boost treatment progress

By Alix Reilley • October 24, 2025
Many clients and prospective clients solely focus on coping skills in their treatment. Coping skills are valuable tools in recovery and symptom management but there are additional actions you can take to build resiliency and improve your situation. Focusing on what needs to be done or changed all the time can lead to burnout or feelings of inadequacy. Improving symptoms and overall mental health does not have to be hard work all the time! It can be helpful for clients to balance the hard work and effort they are doing with “lighter” actions/activities. What can having fun look like? Having fun has a different meaning for everyone, think of activities or hobbies that you enjoy. Are you a sports fanatic? A crocheter? A reader? Maybe you like to watch reality television? Clients often do not consider how the things they do for enjoyment or just to pass the time can help process their mood, feelings, or symptoms. A clinician can see these same activities as their client practicing mindfulness, self care, and/or symptom management! How can relationships improve mental health? Anyone can benefit from having natural supports, meaning any person in your life who does not have a professional relationship with you. Natural supports can look like friends, family, fellow members of your church, recreational sports team, book club, etc. Any of these people you have a positive relationship with can be a natural support! Natural supports can help provide emotional and mental support when you are dealing with a stubbed toe, a major crisis, or anything in between. Why is this important for your mental health? Balancing the work and effort you are making every day with time spent doing enjoyable and/or relaxing activities helps build your resiliency. Resiliency is the capacity to withstand or recover from difficulties. Resiliency is crucial with managing mental health symptoms because it will help carry you through every day stressors and can help make major stressors easier to deal with. Alix Reilley LCMHC Candidate Source: NAVIGATE Individual Resiliency Training Manual 2014

Beyond the Backpack: Helping Children Handle Back-to-School Stress with Therapy

By Marina White - Intern Therapist • August 28, 2025
Does your child feel anxious, scared, or stressed as they begin the new school year? These are common feelings that come up for kids as they anticipate the separation from their parents or caregivers, being in a new environment, and meeting new people. Many kids also feel stressed about adjusting to a new daily routine with higher academic expectations.

Integrating Coping Strategies into Everyday Life

By Emily Serfass LMFT Candidate • August 14, 2025
Coping skills are often associated with breathing techniques, meditation, and grounding techniques as stand alone skills. However, many people don’t realize they can integrate these skills into their hobbies, such as crafting. Many people struggle with certain aspects of coping skills that require them to focus and remain still, or may need replacement behaviors for harmful or maladaptive coping skills. But how can we combine hobbies and coping skills? Mindfulness Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment, without judging or trying to change it. This involves observing your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without getting caught up in them. Sounds difficult right? It can be, but this blog is going to help you find ways you already practice mindfulness or help you develop a way to do so. Spending too much time planning, problem-solving, daydreaming, or thinking negative or random thoughts can be draining. It can also make you more likely to experience stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression. Practicing mindfulness exercises can help you direct your attention away from this kind of thinking and engage with the world around you. Mindfulness and Crafting While meditation, yoga, and walking are common mindful activities, crafting is a fun alternative. Crafting may help reduce stress in people, as well as develop creative confidence, skills, and aid in stress around perfectionism.. Not only is crafting fun, but playing with shapes, colors, and textures is stimulating and emotionally rewarding, as seen in the benefits of art therapy. Some great crafts to complete mindfully are: Crocheting/Knitting: crochet and knitting are wonderful mindfulness practices as the process can be meditative and repetitive for ease of focus, but crafters can also mindfully focus on the minor aspects of each step to note the beautiful creation that arises. Painting: By focusing on the present moment, mindful painting can help quiet the mind, reduce anxiety, and foster a deeper connection with oneself. Coloring: coloring requires sustained attention and concentration that create beautiful outcomes; patterns can be detailed and intricate or simple and enjoyable, perfect for anyone to try. Many more!
Treating treatment-resistant depression through mindfulness-based cognitive therapy | Alex Risberg

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

By Alex Risberg LICSW Candidate • December 17, 2024
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a form of therapy that was created to treat depression, specifically treatment-resistant depression. Developed by Zindel Segal, John Teasdale, and Mark Williams, MBCT combines elements of cognitive therapy with mindfulness meditation. Research has shown that MBCT creates structural changes within brain areas that are associated with depression (Brewer et al., 2011). This means that MBCT reforms the brain, something that antidepressant medications have not been shown to do. This blog post will introduce the main ideas behind MBCT and briefly review the research backing this effective treatment option.
Building trust with a therapist takes 4 to 5 sessions | What to expect in therapy by Taylor Foster

What to Expect in Therapy

By Taylor Foster LCMHC Candidate • December 4, 2024
Review the basic framework of therapy sessions and treatment approaches in mental health counseling
The mental health benefits of meditation & mindfulness | by Leslie Gauthier LCMHC Candidate

Meditation & Mindfulness in Therapy

By Lesley Gauthier LCMHC Candidate • November 13, 2024
Connecting mindfulness and meditation with therapy while providing an approachable meditation routine.
Dream analysis is often misunderstood or overlooked in therapy, but research shows its potential

Dreams in Therapy: A Gateway to Emotional and Mental Healing

By Cooper Dubuque CMHC • November 5, 2024
Dream analysis is often misunderstood or overlooked in therapy, but research shows it can be a powerful tool with many benefits for treatment. It can help clients gain self-awareness, engage more deeply in therapy, and address and explore core issues. It also can help foster a safe, trusting environment, helping therapists understand their clients better. Using dream analysis can provide a degree of separation that has even been used to support terminal cancer patients, helping them discuss difficult topics like health and mortality.
What is Self Care & Benefits to Mental Health by K Marquis MLADC | Compass of Hope Counseling

What actually is self care?

By Kenna Marquis MLADC LCMHC • October 30, 2024
What is Self Care & Benefits to Mental Health | How therapy can be a part of your self care practices | by K Marquis MLADC | Compass of Hope
Exploring emotional vulnerability through therapy, by Ryen Gallagher MSW | Compass of Hope

Considering the Risks and Rewards of Vulnerability When Starting Therapy

By Ryen Gallagher MSW Pre-Licensed Therapist • July 9, 2024
Starting therapy can be scary. In part this is because it is the process of exposing hurt, shame, fears, and deeply personal experiences. It is showing ourselves as vulnerable

Navigating the Challenges of Medication Management in Mental Health Recovery

By Brittany Barberian • April 29, 2024
Medication management in mental health recovery is a critical aspect of treatment, often overlooked or misunderstood. For many individuals, medication is an essential component of their journey to well-being. This blog post will delve into the importance of medication management, how medications can help with mental health issues, and provide strategies for effective medication management. Whether you are concerned about your own medication management or are supporting someone on this journey, this guide will offer valuable insights. The Importance of Medication Management Medications play a crucial role in treating various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. Here's why medication management is of utmost importance: 1. Stabilizing Symptoms: Medications can help alleviate the distressing symptoms of mental health issues, providing much-needed relief. They can stabilize mood, reduce anxiety, and control psychosis, allowing individuals to regain control of their lives. 2. Improved Quality of Life: By managing symptoms effectively, medications enable individuals to engage more fully in their personal and professional lives, fostering a better quality of life. 3. Prevention of Relapse: Proper medication management can help prevent relapses, reducing the likelihood of recurring episodes and the associated setbacks. 4. Reducing Risk of Self-Harm or Suicide: In some cases, psychiatric medications can be life-saving by reducing the risk of self-harm or suicide, especially during times of acute crisis. How Medications Can Help with Mental Health Issues Understanding how medications work is essential for anyone navigating mental health recovery: 1. Balancing Neurotransmitters: Many mental health conditions are linked to imbalances in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Medications work by either increasing or decreasing the levels of specific neurotransmitters, which can help regulate mood and cognition. 2. Stabilizing Mood: Mood stabilizers, such as lithium or anticonvulsants, are commonly prescribed for conditions like bipolar disorder. They help keep mood swings in check, preventing extreme highs and lows. 3. Alleviating Anxiety: Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, making daily life more manageable. 4. Easing Psychosis: Antipsychotic medications are used to manage symptoms of schizophrenia and related disorders, such as hallucinations and delusions. 5. Boosting Serotonin: Some antidepressants work by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation. This can help combat depression and anxiety. Strategies for Effective Medication Management Navigating medication management can be challenging, but the following strategies can simplify the process: 1. Open Communication: Maintain open and honest communication with your healthcare provider. Discuss any concerns or side effects you experience, and work together to find the right medication and dosage. 2. Adherence: Consistently take medications as prescribed. Set up a routine or use pill organizers to avoid missing doses. 3. Educate Yourself: Understand your condition and the medications you're taking. This empowers you to be an active participant in your treatment. 4. Monitor Side Effects: Be aware of potential side effects and report them to your healthcare provider. Adjustments can often be made to minimize discomfort. 5. Set Realistic Expectations: Medications may take time to show their full effect. Set realistic expectations and understand that not all medications work for everyone. 6. Holistic Approach: Medication is just one part of mental health recovery. Combine it with therapy, lifestyle changes, and a strong support system for comprehensive treatment. 7. Regular Check-Ins: Stay engaged with your healthcare provider for regular check-ups and adjustments to your treatment plan. Conclusion Medication management in mental health recovery is a multifaceted journey. Medications can play a crucial role in stabilizing symptoms, improving the quality of life, and preventing relapse. Understanding how medications work and applying effective management strategies is key to a successful recovery. Remember, you are not alone on this journey, and there is help and support available. By taking a proactive approach and working closely with healthcare providers, you can navigate the challenges of medication management and move towards a path of healing and well-being.