Peace Tree Counseling

12/02/2025

Check with your kids and find out how they’re doing - beyond the daily “how’s school?” Ask what’s going well, what’s challenging, who they’re hanging out with these days, and what kind of support they have when at school.

Safe2Tell has introduced a new monthly reporting method that groups 52 report types into 10 broader categories for the January report, providing a more complete picture of school safety concerns across Colorado. This change increases transparency and ensures all reported concerns are accounted for each month.

🔎 Most Commonly Reported Concerns in January:
📌 School Safety – 20.9%
📌 Bullying & Harassment – 16.4%
📌 Mental Health – 15.3%
📌 Substance Use – 12.5%

“This update ensures we are capturing a more complete picture of the data while making it easier to identify patterns that impact student safety,” said Safe2Tell Director Stacey Jenkins.

For more information about the updated report and January 2025 data: https://bit.ly/4hTtsDm

10/02/2025

THE DECLINE OF EMPATHY
People are dealing with a lot these days – illnesses, natural disasters, political divisiveness, financial insecurity, numerous social injustices. Add personal challenges, obligations and competing priorities … it’s a lot. When facing difficult times, it’s natural to want to talk with someone who shows concern, or tries to relate, feel or understand what you’re experiencing. Someone who has empathy.

Studies show a significant decline in empathy over the past several years. Many attribute this to constant exposure to inflammatory news, unstable family ties, polarization of values, and social media/technology. I hear about it from clients and friends, and regularly see it play out in the news and social media.

SIGN OF LOW EMPATHY
• Critical and judgmental of others with different views or backgrounds
• Does not seek out or listen to other people’s perspectives, experiences or opinions
• Blames others – believe something similar wouldn’t happen to them or they could handle it better
• Invalidates, discredits, or dismisses others’ emotions and experiences; calls them too sensitive
• Difficulty imagining how they might feel in someone else’s situation
• Unforgiving of people who make mistakes
• Indifferent or insensitive to others’ hardships
• Stop listening to others with different perspectives or values
• Avoid helping others who are upset, hurt or at a disadvantage
• Unaware or uncaring of how their behavior impacts others; lack remorse for being hurtful

People who lack empathy tend to have more relationship problems, poor communication skills, and are unwilling to help others. Possible reasons for lacking empathy: personality disorders, unhealthy modeling growing up, disliking or having been harmed by someone, depression, prolonged personal stress, emotional burn out, low emotional intelligence, or simply being a selfish or self-centered person who perceives the cost and time of caring isn’t worth anything to them personally.

EMPATHY IS AN ABILITY - it can be developed
• Observe others’ body language & tone of voice. Pay attention to how they report feeling
• Listen – make an intentional effort to understand, NOT to argue, prove wrong or feel superior to
• Relate - How might you feel or respond in a similar situation; in their shoes?
• Recognize your own emotions –name them; be open & vulnerable to expressing how you feel
• Think first before speaking or posting–if it’s hurtful, sarcastic or thoughtless, keep quiet
• Ask – what haven’t you considered? What are different ways of seeing the situation?
• Act –gain appreciation for what others experience by volunteering or offering to help others

If you know someone who lacks empathy, establish clear boundaries. Be clear when behaviors are unacceptable. If they choose to not be supportive, stop sharing with them. Don’t expect them to change – it’s not your job, and waiting around for someone who is rooted in their stance is a waste of your energy. Walk away if necessary, and seek supportive, healthy relationships elsewhere.

Peace Tree Counseling 720-320-8743 [email protected]

04/02/2025

CAN YOU HURRY IT UP?
I recently had knee replacement surgery. As some of you know, this is a pretty painful procedure and lengthy recovery. As I am getting back into work and life, I’m realizing very quickly how impatient I am!
And boy howdy, what an unattractive trait that is. Impatient to move better, to not have pain, and to do things for myself. These are things that take time. Add to that, the everyday areas that spark impatience - slow loading websites, long lines, not hearing back from someone right away… you get the picture.

We live in a quick fix society - fast food, information online at our fingertips, next day deliveries - all designed to fuel our need to get something right now. The average person’s patience is tested daily, at home and work, with family/friends/colleagues, on the road, at the store - and most importantly with yourself. Not to dismiss the patience required to wait out hardships such as unemployment, waiting for test results for one’s health.

Patience is the ability to wait calmly in the face of frustration and adversity. As you might imagine, there are many benefits to being patient. People who are patient tend to…
* Be more empathetic and helpful toward others
* Have greater satisfaction and hope in their lives
* Experience less anxiety and depression
* Be more forgiving, fair, and cooperative
* Have greater success in reaching their goals
* Report fewer health issues like headaches, ulcers, and gastrointestinal problems
* Sleep better and prepare healthier foods
* Manage their stressors better
* Be more present and practice gratitude for what they

HOLD YOUR HORSES
* Become more aware of when you feel impatient and stressed
* Practice waiting: choose a longer line, or longer route; make something the eat and savor the look and smells before diving in; sit quietly without distractions
* Work on doing one thing at a time; not multitasking
* Accept what is not in your control. You can choose to get frustrated or upset, or you can work with what you know. Problem solve and make the best of a difficult situation.
* Reframe the situation. If something doesn’t go your way, what’s an unexpected bonus?
* Practice mindfulness. Take a deep breath, notice and “be” your feelings without action or judgment
* Make room for gratitude. Be thankful for what you have today in order to reduce the tendency to search for immediate gratification.

Ironically, learning patience takes time, practice and … patience. The payoff is worth it.

[email protected] 720-320-8743

14/01/2025

REFLECT ON THIS
The past week in my counseling practice has been filled with clients looking back at 2024, wondering if they’ve “made any progress”. Many have been surprised at the changes they made. Oftentimes, change happens slowly over time so that we don’t notice our progress. Rather than focusing on New Year’s Resolutions, I find great value in reflection.

Reflections provide us with a canvas of accumulated experiences and memories. It can be a powerful tool for self-validation and improvement. It encourages personal growth by offering insight into your accomplishments, challenges, and awareness of what you’ve learned. Reflection enables you to better learn from the past, make informed decisions about the future and gives you opportunity to acknowledge what you are grateful for in your life.

LOOK BACK ON 2024
 Did it go as planned?
 What was challenging; what obstacles did you face?
 What did you learn about yourself, others, and the world around you?
 How have you grown? Think about yourself 5 months ago, 10 months ago…what’s different?
 Who made a significant impact on your life?
 How did you prioritize your physical and mental health?
 How did your daily life align with your values?
 What areas of your life did you stay stuck in?
 What are you grateful for in the past 12 months?

Now switch gears. Consider HOW YOU WOULD LIKE 2025 to be improved or different…
o What do you want to try or learn?
o How can you be more intentional about your physical, emotional and mental health?
o What relationships would you like to prioritize? Which ones would you like to move away from?
o What personal values would you like to honor more?
o What aspects of your life do you want to let go of, or discard?
o What attitudes/perspectives do you want to change? (remember that how you see things is a choice)
o How do you want your “story” to be different in the next chapter?

TIPS & IDEAS FOR THIS YEAR
• Observe more. Ask more questions
• Be willing to explore and learn
• Practice gratitude and appreciating
• Do things that are difficult
• Spend time with people who are about you and support you (disengage from those who don’t)
• Ask people about themselves…and listen
• Unplug regularly
• Take chances
• Make decisions that show you value your time
• Dress comfortably
• Keep an open mind
• Shed old habits and beliefs that no longer serve you
• Be kind to and accepting of yourself
• Reach out for support. There is no award for struggling on your own
Welcome to 2025!

06/01/2025

WHAT ELSE IS TRUE?
You know those days when everything goes wrong? You drop your toothbrush in the toilet, you’re out of coffee, you forgot about a project due at school or work, your car stalls at a stop sign, and you feel a cold coming on… EVERYTHING is falling apart! When faced with multiple or major stressors, most people fixate on how hard things are and are unable to see anything but the negative.

Nobody wishes for bad things to happen. Yet, people are responsible for creating much of their reality. Consider these three categories:
• Things outside your control – random events like natural disasters, illness, layoffs, pandemics. We know these things happen, and recognize that we usually can’t control them.

• Things you influence – lashing out at someone, knowing they may push back; choosing to kiss someone with a contagious illness increases the chance you’ll also get sick; preparing for a presentation improves your chances of doing well on it; listening to and validating someone may result in respectful conduct in return.

• Things you control – how you perceive, interpret and think about what happens in your life, and how you choose to respond. What values you choose to hold, and the beliefs you create.

When you have recurring thoughts or feelings, you risk turning them into absolute “truths”, which then become beliefs that affect your interpretation of yourself and the world around you. People become convinced of these “truths” overlooking the fact that they helped create them. How you respond to situations, characterizes who you believe yourself to be, and these beliefs shape how you show up and interact. You write your story.
• When you expect things to go wrong, you might self-sabotage by giving up, or not putting in effort to try and reverse the course.
• You accept stereotypes or biases (created by you or others) about yourself, and let them define who you are and how you act.
• You focus on the negative: make gloomy predictions, dwell on difficulties from your past, choose to ignore what is going well.
• If you (incorrectly) interpret your emotions as facts.

Conversely, positive expectations can inspire you to be proactive and put in effort. It’s important to acknowledge the agency you have in your life. If you deny, reject or are naïve of your choices and what you control, you risk falling into victimhood. Ignoring the realities you create, affects your work, relationships, physical and mental health, social interactions, motivation and self-esteem.

WHAT ELSE MIGHT BE TRUE?
o Be aware of self-imposed beliefs. Recognize the influence others’ expectations have over you.
o Identify patterns of behavior that come from misguided beliefs.
o Notice tendencies that limit your potential.
o Relinquish your need to always be in control. Practice being open, curious, flexible and adaptable.
o Accept that there is usually more than one reality, story, or perceived “truth”.
o Avoid using disempowering language like “never, always, it’s impossible, I can’t”.

There will always be elements of life that are out of your control. Take ownership of what you choose to think, and feel. Then focus on how you wish to respond.

Peace Tree Counseling 720-320-8743 [email protected]

02/01/2025

People are often more comfortable and productive when they choose where to meet. Your pets are welcome to join, as long as they do not become a distraction for you.

Remote therapy is a great way to connect, especially when...
*You have complicated scheduling issues
*You have a disability or health reasons that makes it difficult to leave your home
*You are unable to drive or have limited transportation options
*You are a parent or caregiver with very little time to go out for appointments alone

Remote counseling provides more comfort and security when you choose your setting. If you're ready to prioritize your mental health for 2025, check out my website, or set up a free consultation!

Peace Tree Counseling 720-320-8743 [email protected]

30/12/2024

LOVE OR IN LOVE?
What does it mean when someone says, “I love you, but I’m not IN love with you”? Love, is a natural topic in therapy. It can be an important factor when exploring types of attraction, relationship conflicts, expressing affection, love languages, unmet needs, and even self-esteem issues. While love is a chemical process in the brain, it is also an emotion, an experience, a choice and a behavior. There is a difference between loving someone and being in love with them, and it may not always be clear which you feel.

Let’s look at some different types of love one might feel:
• Infatuation – intense interest for a brief time, represented by strong romantic feelings or attraction
• Frivolous – whirlwind courtship; lacking stability, deep connection or understanding
• Empty – commitment without intimacy; practical and without passion
• Platonic, companionate, or close friendship – deep connection & commitment without physical desire
• Romantic – strong emotional connection & intimacy as well as physical attraction and passion

In new relationships, there is often an excitement of learning all about each other, feeling butterflies when you see them, experiencing things through their eyes, sharing interests, and dreaming about your potential together. When there is also an element of romantic attraction, I frequently hear clients ask “how do I know if it’s really love?”

People are charmed by the idea of love or stability and may confuse this with fully knowing and appreciating someone on a deeper level. Loving the idea of love is being drawn in by the idealized perceptions rather than genuinely loving a specific person (including their flaws and missteps).

LOVING THE IDEA OF LOVE
o Superficial, temporary
o Extreme excitement, euphoria, and often obsession
o You see only their best, idealized side; fantasy of a perfect relationship
o Insecurity; not knowing if the relationship is forever
o Strong physical or sexual desire without deep emotional connection or intimacy
o Overlooking/ignoring red-flags or deal-breakers and flaws
o Urge to flee when conflicts arise; worry that disagreement or arguments will end the relationship
o Compare yourselves to each other & wonder if you measure up
o Hiding imperfections or changing yourself for the other person
o Emphasizing the potential for security and predictability over the actual person

BEING IN LOVE
• Sustainable, more permanent; feeling develop over time (without urgency)
• Deep connection: emotionally, intellectually, physically; shared values, beliefs and sense of purpose
• Embracing the whole person; realistic vision and love them despite flaws & imperfections
• Genuine interest and affection based on real understanding of who they are
• Comfortable being yourself & sharing vulnerabilities; at ease when they’re not around
• NOT banking on potential or hope that they will change
•. Support & trust with having outside friendships, interests and activities; separate from each other
• Prepared to navigate challenges together
• You feel safe, secure, peaceful, accepted, and respected (even when disagreeing)
• There is a commitment to individual growth and shared effort toward growth in the relationship

Talking about the topic of love in therapy sessions is valuable to understanding your own patterns, needs, and challenges in relationships. You can work on learning healthier ways of communication, connection and gain insight into your own behaviors and tendencies.

Peace Tree Counseling 720-320-8743 [email protected]

28/12/2024

You don't have to be in crisis to go to therapy. You may want to process a past event, learn healthier coping skills, get objective feedback on a relationship or conflict, improve your confidence... or it could be that most days are okay but you'd like an occasional session to check-in and get support.

Call for a free consultation or to set up a session! Peace Tree Counseling 720-320-8743; [email protected]

23/12/2024

HOPE IS NOT DENIAL
A lot of people feel overwhelmed, scared, or without hope this year. Many say their hopelessness feels like endless negativity, and a belief that there’s no possibility for improvement or positive change.

POSSIBLE CAUSES of HOPELESSNESS:
• financial difficulties
• relationship problems
• chronic illness
• ongoing life stressors or repeated setbacks
• low resilience, lack of coping skills or self-efficacy
• loss
• mental health issues – especially depression or anxiety disorders
• past trauma
• unrealistic expectations of yourself, others, and the world
• negative thinking habits such as: criticism, catastrophic thinking, and pessimistic interpretation (a tendency to jump to negative conclusions when faced with uncertain or challenging situations)

Most of us relate to feeling hopeless at some point in our lives, and understand that it is easy to get stuck there. How we each respond ranges from complete withdrawal and disengagement, feeling paralyzed in making decisions, and increased negativity – to – neglecting self-care, escape through substance use, refusing to accept help, or lashing out at others.

Hope is not toxic positivity or idealistic optimism. It allows for the realities of awful days, ugly interactions, and devastating truths. Hope takes effort, practice and participation. It requires acceptance of what IS (facts), combined with radical expectation of what is POSSIBLE (opportunities). Hope creates a balance to feeling that nothing good exists at all.

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG…
• Do not shame or pass judgement on yourself or others for feeling stuck or lacking hope.
• Acknowledge what is difficult by using FACTS, not feelings.
• Stay present. What do you know for sure right now? What is within your control?
• Name your emotions without inflating or downplaying. Choose fair depictions of how you feel.
• Avoid unhelpful triggers when possible (people, places situations). What is changeable?
• Be kind toward your body, mind and emotions. Criticizing yourself is unproductive.
• Recognize that your life is not 100% awful. Observe what you choose to dwell on.
• Engage in activities and habits that provide a sense of purpose or accomplishment .
• Ask what is going well; what if things work out? Take time to appreciate the smallest of things.
• Lean on your support system – not just to complain, and not expecting anyone to rescue or fix your situation. Let others listen and empathize with you. Let them be reminders that you are not alone and that you have people who care about you. Even if they don’t fully understand.
• Seek professional help to work through unresolved or continuing stress and trauma. Work on accepting that change would be helpful, and be prepared to put in consistent effort.

If you truly don’t want to continue feeling hopeless or relentlessly negative, commit to the work necessary to change your outlook and reframe intrusive beliefs. Accept support, utilize resources, and know that you are not alone.

Peace Tree Counseling 720-320-8743 [email protected]

19/12/2024

Children's literature can be a powerful tool for supporting children's social and emotional development. Books provide children with the language to name their feelings. They also give children the opportunity to talk about feelings and emotions during periods when they are calm.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Colorado (https://www.imaginationlibrarycolorado.org/) is now in Jefferson County. Families in eligible zip codes (https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/) can sign up for free books for children from birth to age five.

17/12/2024

NO PLACE LIKE HOME…OR IS THERE?
This time of year, I see a lot people gearing up to spend time with family, old friends, or in locations that remind them of the past. Near the end of the month, many of those same people will talk about how they were triggered, various upsets, and the need to recover. Going home for the holidays and loving it, isn’t always something people can expect.

Clients often want to explore why they get so stressed-out spending time with family, or going back to the home they spent the most time in growing up. There are so many possible reasons:
• Clashing personalities
• High expectations from others
• Unresolved conflicts
• Historically poor communication styles/patterns
• Old emotional wounds
• Criticism/lack of acceptance or respect
• Strongly different values and beliefs
• Being treated like you are still a child
• Fragile personal boundaries (yours or theirs)
• Reverting to old patterns of thought and behavior; reacting to triggers like you did in the past
• Ongoing or historic trauma or abuse

Whatever the reason, it’s important for you to be honest with yourself about the likely realities of each situation, and know what feels possible for you. **NOTE: If someone is abusive or violent, there is NO obligation to spend time with them.

BE PREPARED
• Identify possible stressors – which people or situations may trigger your stress

• Remain aware of your initial thoughts and physical or emotional reactions when considering a visit

• Establish boundaries ahead of time – include what you will/will not discuss or do, and the timing of your visit. Frame it kindly, not as an ultimatum

• Be aware of your own assumptions that are based on the past. Rather than seeking evidence to “prove” old beliefs, try to remain present and see things with fresh perspective

• Recognize that people and circumstances change. Many people have best intentions. When appropriate, give them the benefit of the doubt or try and see things from their viewpoint

• Stand up for yourself assertively, no aggressively. No need to lash out. Communicate your concerns or emotions clearly and respectfully. Be open to having a conversation

• Create time for yourself. Offer to clear the dishes, run an errand, or walk the dog just to get time alone

• Acknowledge what’s going well; the positive moments – this helps balance out irritations and stress

Once you reach adulthood, you get to choose your visits. If you remain connected to family or childhood friends, find balance between time with them and time with your current friends or your own family.

Peace Tree Counseling 720-320-8743 [email protected]

10/12/2024

IT’S NOT PERSONAL
“Why did they do that?” “How can they be so dismissive?” “What did I do to make them act this way?” These are common questions I hear from clients when others have been critical, irrational, insensitive or unresponsive. If you often assume that people are deliberately being hurtful, you may be feeding a false belief that it’s personal to you (even when it has nothing to do with you).

It’s challenging to understand another person’s intentions. You may spend a lot of time worrying that you’ve offended them or that they don’t like you, or that you did something wrong. The reality is… it may have NOTHING to do with you!

SIGNS YOU MAY TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY
• Dwelling on perceived judgements or criticisms; overthinking recent interactions
• Suspicious of compliments from others; misinterpreting comments as an attack on your character
• Unnecessarily apologizing
• Placing great importance on the approval of others
• Disproportionately upset at not getting a job or opportunity (disregarding possible explanations)
• Regularly believing unfavorable statements about yourself
• Responding defensively, giving the silent treatment, moping, trash-talking others
• Wondering if you’re a “bad/weird” person that will never fit in; worrying there is something wrong with who you are

There are many reasons we take things personally: past trauma, low self-esteem, being a people pleaser or perfectionist, social anxiety, feeling stressed/unwell, or being a highly sensitive person. Some of those reasons are also possible explanations as to why people are hurtful. While you cannot control how someone behaves, you CAN choose how to respond. Remember that if another person is unkind or insensitive, it may have little or nothing to do with you.

RESPOND DIFFERENTLY
o If it has nothing to do with you, don’t take on another person’s feelings, judgments or lashing out.

o Pause, breathe, consider – give them the benefit of the doubt. They may be misdirecting their feelings onto you; or there may have been a miscommunication. What evidence do you have that they’re intentionally being hurtful toward you?

o Clarify – “can you explain further, or say that in a different way?” “Did you intend to be hurtful?”
o Set boundaries– let them know what is/is not okay. Do not engage with their emotions.
o Do not try to convince the other person of your point of view, or change their mind.
o Be kind – without being insincere or sarcastic. Respond gently, “I hope your day gets better.”
o Walk away – don’t interact if they don’t care how their actions affect you.

o Personal reflection – are you reacting to facts or feelings? Do you need to work on or be accountable for anything? Ask, “Is there something I can improve? What’s my part in this?”

If you’re frequently upset or personally offended by other’s behaviors, recognize when your reactions are disproportionate to what was intended. However, if you’re experiencing truly abusive or bullying behaviors (where harm is intended), reassess the relationship and seek outside support for yourself.

Peace Tree Counseling 720-320-8743 [email protected]

09/12/2024

Help provide free counseling for young people ages 12-20!

Tomorrow is Colorado Gives Day! Your gift can help us change a young person's life. With 63,000 Colorado teens engaging in suicidal thinking, and an increase in youth battling depression, anxiety and the pressure to succeed, your donation is needed today more than ever. To give, go to www.coloradogivesday.org/donate/Resilience1220.

03/12/2024

MANIFEST THIS
Manifesting is a recent trend, with a long history that traces back to ancient Greece. Although, back then, it was thought that only Gods could manifest…not mere mortals. Over the past several decades, there have been various terms used: the power of positive thinking, laws of attraction, mind over matter, self-fulfilling prophecy, imagining dominant intentions, etc. All of which have a similar underlying theme – the practice of using the mind, body, spirit connection to achieve tangible results (manifestation). Put even more simply, turning an idea into a reality.

Manifesting is not magically wishing something into existence. In fact, there are years of research in neuroscience, showing that people may manifest positive things by believing they have the ability to do so. It still requires action on the part of the individual, but by changing negative thought patterns and focusing on a desired outcome, people CAN strengthen neural pathways that motivate them to make things happen (embedding your intention). Manifesting is a rewiring of your brain so it’s prepared to subconsciously seek out the steps you need to take in order to reach a certain goal. Using various techniques and stimuli, you teach your brain what is important.

STUDIES SHOW
• Positive emotions play an essential role in establishing coping strategies and resilience
• Believing you can do something leads to increased success. Growth mindset, the ability to learn & grow, affects your willingness to do hard work necessary to achieve it
• Athletes who use visualization combined with practice and hard work increase peak performance
• Positive emotions enable you to think more creatively and attract more opportunities

When your brain is exposed to certain smells, places, objects, people, and experiences, it assigns a level of importance and often triggers strong feelings (called value-tagging). This is how your brain prioritizes information and then guides your actions. Being mindful of what you “tag” as valuable can help you manifest more conscious choices.

HOW TO “MANIFEST”
• Stop negative self-talk. Practice brief, affirmative statements about what you are capable of.

• Assign value to goals & dreams by writing it down and speaking it out loud to yourself and others.

• Visualize. Create images of the outcome. Imagine the setting, engage your senses and tap into your emotions. This prompts your brain to place importance on it and helps generate positive feelings around it. Once the images are established, your brain works to seek opportunities and bring them to reality.

• Notice and respond. As opportunities arise, you are more likely to notice them and respond with helpful steps toward reaching your goal.

While these aren’t guaranteed steps to success – mainly because life often throws us a curveball – they will give you a head start on manifesting some of your dreams. Just be sure you’re also ready to put in the work!

Peace Tree Counseling 720-320-8743 [email protected]

26/11/2024

RICH MEANINGFUL LIFE
Statistics from the past decade, show that unhappiness and life dissatisfaction in the United States is consistently rising. Common reasons people point to are: burned out at work, dissatisfied in a relationship, amplified political/world problems, negative comparisons to others, health issues and financial stressors. While any one of those reasons are certainly valid, unhappiness is often related to one’s personal values not aligning with their life.

People naturally get caught up in external factors and overlook the importance of core personal values. Values help us define what is important to us. They act as a guideline for your beliefs, opinions and actions. They provide you with a way to assess what you care about, and feel is useful or worthwhile.

PERSONAL VALUES help you…
• Define your priorities
• Guide your decision making
• Recognize where you need to establish boundaries
• Realize a sense of purpose
• Gain clarity in conflict or when you feel lost
• Establish goals
• Reduce fear, anxiety or negative thoughts that hold you back

Understanding your core values can positively affect your: career, relationships, community involvement, integrity, and personal growth - as they guide your choices and actions. Conversely, when your life doesn’t reflect your values, you are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, depression, self-doubt, a sense of inauthenticity, increased conflicts, and feeling disconnected.

I regularly work with clients on creating a more meaningful and satisfying way of being. This inevitably includes a review of values and evaluating how to incorporate values into various aspects of their lives.

EXPLORING YOUR VALUES:
o What do you feel angry or outraged about?
o What do you advocate for or speak out against?
o What do you complain about?
o When do you feel unsatisfied?
o When do you feel energized and inspired?
o What images, books, movies, music, people, or works of art stir your emotions?
o Identify times when you have felt: joy, comfort, safety, clarity, motivation, or fulfillment
o When have you felt most like yourself?

There are hundreds of possible values that are common to the average person. It can be helpful to work with someone to narrow down the possibilities and rank their importance for you. In turn, this can benefit you in setting goals, making decisions about relationships or careers, changing daily practices, and personal growth needs.

Peace Tree Counseling 720-320-8743 [email protected]