New Leaf Resources
Posts Tagged "Mental Health"
Mental Health Awareness Month: Shrinking the Stigma Around Counseling
May 10, 2026
Mental Health Awareness Month · May 2026
Shrinking the Stigma
Around Counseling
There is still a lot of misunderstanding about what counseling is, and who it is for.
Some people think counseling is only for crisis. Others worry it means they are weak, broken, or unable to handle life on their own. Some are afraid of being judged. Some are unsure what will happen after they call.
That hesitation is real.
At New Leaf Resources, we have been serving the Chicago South Metro area and Northwest Indiana since 1980. In that time, we have worked with thousands of people who waited, wondered, and worried before reaching out.
“I wish I had called sooner.”
About Counseling
Counseling Is Not About Having Everything Figured Out
Mental Health Awareness Month is a good time to say something simple:
You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from counseling.
Counseling can help when life feels heavy, confusing, stressful, or stuck. It can help when anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, parenting challenges, family conflict, trauma, addiction, or major life transitions are affecting your daily life.
It can also help when you are functioning on the outside, but struggling on the inside.
The goal is not to label you. The goal is to help you understand what is going on, find healthy tools, and take the next step toward healing.
Your Care
Counseling Is Personal, Not One-Size-Fits-All
One of the common misconceptions about mental health care is that everyone gets the same answer.
But healing does not work that way.
Each person comes with a different story, different needs, and different goals. For some, counseling may focus on coping skills. For others, it may involve deeper healing work, family support, faith questions, or learning how to manage stress in a healthier way.
At New Leaf, clients are matched with a licensed professional based on their specific needs. That matters.
You are not just being placed with whoever is available. You are being connected with someone who can help you take the next right step.
And when additional care is needed, referrals can be made so clients receive the right level of support.
What To Expect
What Counseling at New Leaf Actually Looks Like
If you have been unsure about calling, here is what you can expect from New Leaf:
Licensed Professionals
A licensed professional who matches your needs. Our team includes trained professionals who work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families.
A Team Approach
Your therapist is not working alone. New Leaf uses a collaborative approach so clients benefit from the insight and support of a broader clinical team.
OPTIONAL Faith-Integrated Care
For some clients, faith is central to the counseling process. For others, it may be more in the background. The goal is to meet people with care, respect, and sensitivity.
Sliding-Scale Fee
Cost should not be the reason someone avoids getting help. New Leaf offers financial assistance for those who qualify, helping make counseling more accessible.
Taking the First Step
It Is Normal to Feel Nervous Before Calling
Starting counseling can feel like a big step.
For some people, the hardest part is not the first session. It is picking up the phone.
"I was scared… Picking up the phone to make an appointment seemed so hard… But I'm so glad that I did!"
— A Former New Leaf Client
That is the part we do not always talk about.
Asking for help can feel vulnerable. But it can also be the first step toward hope, clarity, and healing.
You do not have to have the perfect words. You do not have to know exactly what you need. You do not have to explain everything at once.
You just have to start.
Why It Matters
A Small Step Can Open the Door to Healing
Mental health stigma shrinks when people are met with compassion instead of shame.
It shrinks when counseling is seen not as a last resort, but as a healthy step toward growth.
It shrinks when people realize they are not alone.
At New Leaf Resources, our mission is to promote healthy relationships, personal growth, and healing through professional counseling, education, and consultation from a Christian perspective.
That work begins with one small step.
If you have been on the fence, May is a good time to make that call.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Schedule today.
New Leaf Resources serves clients in Crown Point, IN, Wheatfield, IN, and Lansing, IL, as well as surrounding communities in Northwest Indiana and the south and southwest suburbs of Chicago. Sliding-scale fees are available for those who qualify. Faith integration always available, never required.
Crown Point · Wheatfield · Lansing · 708-895-7310
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional counseling, diagnosis, or medical advice. Reading this post does not create a therapist–client relationship with New Leaf Resources. If you are experiencing significant distress, please reach out to a licensed mental-health professional. If you are in crisis or concerned for your safety, call 988 or your local emergency number right away.
Gratitude in Difficult Seasons: 5 Simple Practices
December 15, 2025
The holidays are often described as joyful and bright, but for many people this season feels heavy. Stress rises, grief resurfaces, and the weight of expectations can leave us feeling drained instead of refreshed.
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone.
When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to focus only on what hurts or what’s going wrong. Gratitude gives us another option. It doesn’t erase pain, but it helps us also notice what is still steady, kind, or hopeful in our lives.
Three Types of Gratitude
You can think about gratitude in three simple ways:
- Personal gratitude – noticing good things in your own life and circumstances (for example: a warm meal, a day off, or a safe place to sleep)
- Interpersonal gratitude – being thankful for what others do for you and telling them (for example: saying “thank you” to a friend who checked in)
- Intrapersonal gratitude – recognizing your own growth, strength, and values (for example: “I’m thankful I didn’t give up, even when it was hard.”)
The practices below touch all three: what is around you, who is with you, and how you’ve grown over time. Here are five simple ways to practice gratitude when life feels heavy.
1. Keep a Gratitude Journal: One Relationship, One Opportunity
Many people think a gratitude journal means writing a long list of “good things” every day. That can feel overwhelming.
Try this instead. Each day, write down just two things:
- One relationship you’re thankful for
- One opportunity you’re thankful for
Relationships remind you that you are not alone. Opportunities remind you that your life still has purpose and movement.
Your list might include:
- A friend who texted to check in
- A sibling who made you laugh
- The chance to work, volunteer, or care for someone
- A chance to rest or reset
Over time, this simple habit trains your mind to notice connection and purpose, even on hard days.
2. Remember the Hard Times You’ve Already Survived
It might feel odd, but looking back at hard seasons can actually build gratitude.
Think about a difficult time in your life: a loss, a conflict, an illness, or a season when you weren’t sure how you would make it through. Ask yourself:
- What has changed since then?
- How did I grow?
- Who showed up for me?
- Where do I see God’s care or help when I look back?
This isn’t about re-opening old wounds. It’s about noticing that you have faced hard things before, and you are still here. Seeing your own strength and growth can make the present feel a little more hopeful.
3. Help Someone Else in a Small, Practical Way
When we feel overwhelmed, our world can shrink down to our own pain and stress. Serving someone else, especially in a small way, can open that view back up.
You might:
- Send a short text of encouragement
- Write a note to someone who is grieving
- Drop off a meal or small treat
- Hold the door, offer a smile, or listen without rushing
These actions do not have to be big to matter. They can remind you, “I still have something to give.” That simple thought can increase your sense of gratitude and connection.
4. Say “Thank You” Out Loud
Gratitude often grows when we share it with other people.
Choose a few people in your life and thank them, out loud or in writing, for something specific. It might be:
- A spouse, child, or parent
- A friend or coworker
- A teacher, pastor, or therapist
- A neighbor, volunteer, or caregiver
You can say things like: “Thank you for listening to me this year.” “Thank you for showing up when I needed help.” “Thank you for your quiet kindness.”
When you express appreciation, the other person often feels seen and encouraged, and you may feel more connected and supported too.
5. Make Space for Mindful Meditation
Mindful meditation is a simple way to slow down and notice what is happening inside and around you.
You don’t need a perfectly quiet mind. The goal is to pause, pay attention, and gently bring your focus back when it wanders.
You can try a short practice like this:
Sit comfortably and take a slow breath in.
Notice one thing you can feel, one thing you can hear, and one thing you’re grateful for right now, even if it’s small.
As you breathe out, imagine letting go of a little bit of tension you’ve been carrying.
Repeat for a few breaths, gently bringing your attention back whenever your mind wanders.
Moments like this can help your body and mind settle. They remind you that even in a hard season, there are still small things that are steady and good.
A Gentle Reminder for Hard Seasons
Gratitude will not make every problem disappear. But it can help you see more than just what is painful. It gently balances the picture: the hard things and the helpful things, the losses and the support, the struggle and the signs of growth.
If this season feels heavy, you don’t have to face it alone. Support is available, and taking even one small step, like trying a gratitude practice or reaching out for help, can make a real difference.
If you’d like support, we invite you to reach out and book a session at New Leaf Resources.
Editorial Note: This article is adapted from a reflection originally written by Julie Salesman, Intake Specialist, and edited by the New Leaf Resources Marketing team.
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional counseling, diagnosis, or medical advice. Reading this post does not create a therapist–client relationship with New Leaf Resources. If you are experiencing significant distress, please reach out to a licensed mental-health professional. If you are in crisis or concerned for your safety, call 988 or your local emergency number right away.
Finding Balance: Self-Care & Connection During the Holidays
November 18, 2025
Finding Balance: Self-Care & Connection During the Holidays
As we enter the holiday season, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Tabitha Griffith, one of our Individual and Family Therapists, shares some quick practical ideas for self-care and connection during this busy time.
Here are three areas where you can focus your energy to find balance:
1. Care for Your Physical Health
- Move Your Body: If the gym isn't for you, try getting involved in local recreational clubs to play pickleball, volleyball, basketball, walking clubs, or trying something new with an exercise class. This will utilize kinetic energy and release serotonin and dopamine (feel-good neurotransmitters).
- Boost Your Immunity: With less access to sunlight, supplementary vitamins like Vitamin C and D can go a long way to improving your immunity and your overall mood.
Balance Your Diet: Prioritizing nourishing foods helps us more enjoy the treat to later come.
2. Care for Your Mental Health
- Set Screen Boundaries: Have boundaries with your screen time. Consider replacing time in front of a screen with quality activities with your family, trying a new hobby, playing a game, or reading a book. This will tap into your creativity.
- Prioritize Mental Healthcare: Whether for present challenges or for maintenance, it's important to be intentional about viewing this as a necessity and not a luxury.
Let Others In: Connection and relationship are so important, even for us introverts!
3. Care for Your Spiritual Health
- Find Community: Get plugged into a great Bible-based church!
- Seek Solitude: Spend time in solitude with the Lord. This can be a car drive, journaling, or a morning coffee date over scripture with Him.
- Check Your "Input": Consider the kind of media, music, and entertainment we are intaking, and if it is not life-giving, make a swap for something that is!
Need support this season? Our therapists are here to help you find hope and balance. Call us at (219) 226-1810 or submit an inquiry here to request an appointment.
Source: This content is adapted from the New Leaf Resources Q4 2025 Newsletter.