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Mind & Spirit Counseling Center Blog
Welcome to the Mind & Spirit Counseling Center blog, your go-to destination for insightful and supportive content on mental health and well-being. Our posts are dedicated to exploring a wide range of topics, from practical strategies for managing stress and anxiety to the latest research on emotional wellness, or updates about what is going on at the Center to an inviting message from our Executive Director, Jim Hayes. Whether you’re seeking guidance on personal growth, tips for maintaining a balanced lifestyle, or information on the benefits of therapy, the Center aims to provide valuable resources and thought-provoking articles to support your journey towards a healthier, more fulfilled life.
The Center Blog
Billie’s Blog: The Antiracism Book Club Explained
You may have considered joining the Center’s Antiracism Book Group announced in the newsletter, but you have some questions and do not know whom to ask. May this month’s post be useful. According to Statista, in 2020, of the 1,020 people killed by police officers, 243 were Black. These numbers included Breonna Taylor, murdered on…
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Knowledge is only rumor until it gets into the muscle
Written by Chris Ogle, Licensed Independent Social Worker March 2025 marks my fifth year working at the Center. I am grateful to be part of this wonderful organization and our dedication to provide high-quality services to people from all walks of life. Reflecting on my time here, what I believe makes the Center unique is…
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What a Mess That Could Have Been
I had just started my practicum at Pine Grover Recovery Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. I was working as an intern in the Therapeutic Arts Therapy department. It was a team of fun, creative, and caring people and for Valentine’s Day we were raising money for charity by “delivering” singing valentines to the staff. We worked…
Jim’s Blog: Dear Friends
Jim Hayes, Executive Director Dear Friends, It is with mixed feelings that I have informed our board of directors that I plan to retire by the end of 2025. While some of you may have already heard this news, I wanted to share my personal reflections here. Anyone who knows me is aware that I…
How to Pour Into Yourself and Your Child This Month
Written by Elizabeth Moreno, Licensed Independent Social Worker Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Show Love to Others, And Yourself Too! February is a time where the holiday of love is celebrated. Most of the time, it is focused on how we can love and care for others and show our gratitude to them. If…
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Wisdom Stories: A Spiritual Journey
Written by Christine Dietz, Therapist & Spiritual Director As a child, I was a mystic and a writer. I loved to wander outside, make nests in the tall grass, dream on the big pink granite rock in the field. I wrote poems and stories in school, when I was supposed to be reading about Dick…
LEGOs: A Powerful Tool to Use in Therapy
Written by Sierra Lauber, PhD, Postdoctoral Psychologist LEGOs are not only a popular household toy that spans generations but can also be a powerful tool to use in therapy with children, teens, and even families. Their familiarity makes them appealing and accessible to most children, especially those who may be hesitant about therapy or struggle…
Mind & Spirit Counseling Center Awarded $75,000 Grant to Support Clinical Training Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:Heather StuyvesantDirector of DevelopmentMind & Spirit Counseling Center(515) 564-5122hstuyvesant@mindspiritcenter.org Urbandale, Iowa – December 18, 2024 – Mind & Spirit Counseling Center is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the Maytag Family Foundation to support its Clinical Training Program in 2025. This transformative funding will enhance the…
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Spiritual Direction and the Dark Night of the Soul
Written by Paul Witmer, Co-Director of PrairieFire “Sometimes the best map will not guide you You can’t see what’s ’round the bend Sometimes the road leads through dark places Sometimes the darkness is your friend” Bruce Cockburn, Pacing the Cage As we make our way through these darkened days of the Winter Solstice, I…
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Managing Children’s Stress & Anxiety During the Holidays
Written by Doug Aupperle, Licensed Psychologist & Health Service Provider in Psychology The holidays can be filled with joy, wonder, fun, and excitement, but for some children, it can also bring stress and anxiety with changes in routines, high expectations, decreased sleep and healthy eating, and sensory overload. Some signs that children may be struggling…
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