Hello. I know that it can very difficult for many people right around now before Christmas. It can make depression worse.

It can magnify anything that you are going through. The upcoming holidays come with some expectations of good times and when we do not foresee this happening, we can feel even worse than an average bad day or days!

During these times, it is difficult to count your blessings and to feel any joy.

I also know that it can be irritating to hear people say that feeling joy can be a choice when you are feeling low.

So, how does someone do this then?  How does someone feel true joy? How do they choose joy?

It is choosing to mentally let go of what you do not have control of- and getting professional help when need be to do this. 

And- it is choosing to look at the blessings in your life and to choose to focus on the positive.

What you choose to focus on influences your feelings and your actions.

Choose joy by making an effort to do so, to not let difficulties take you down.

By Diane Davidson Gammon MS
Clinical mental Health Counselor 

Changing Lives with God's HOPE!

Disclaimer- I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. My blogs are for information and inspirational purposes. Please consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

Diane Davidson Gammon Arnold MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

 

  






  

 

 

There will not be any support groups until after the holidays. 

Please feel free to contact me after Christmas to register for the next free depression, anxiety, trauma support group!

615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

By Diane Davidson Gammon MS
Clinical mental Health Counselor 

Changing Lives with God's HOPE!

Disclaimer- I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. My blogs are for information and inspirational purposes. Please consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

Diane Davidson Gammon Arnold MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

 

  






  

 

 

  

Hello. Happy December! It was nearly 70 degrees here in Nashville today! But it will be cold again soon!

I want to encourage you to make positive changes with how you handle pre-holiday stress.  

I am trying to do my shopping and wrapping earlier this year instead of waiting till near Christmas! I want to be able to enjoy the season instead of hurrying around at the last minute.

I am also going to volunteer as I usually do with also setting boundaries for my personal self care. Sometimes, I tend to overextend. Can anyone relate to that?

Further, I plan to continue to stay on my extremely healthy diet through the holidays. While I believe in an occasional treat, I find it easier not to go off my healthy regimen. 

I am also continuing my daily walk even when it is cold outside! I just bundle up! 

Those are a few things that I plan to do differently with Christmas coming up. 

What about you? How can you de-stress this month?


By Diane Davidson Gammon MS
Clinical mental Health Counselor 

Changing Lives with God's HOPE!

Disclaimer- I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. My blogs are for information and inspirational purposes. Please consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

Diane Davidson Gammon Arnold MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

 

  






  

 

 

  

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!

I know that it can be difficult for many people. 

It is a good idea to increase your self-care and coping skills to help you better deal with overwhelming emotions as Christmas approaches.

What is helpful for one person may not be for another. So, it is good to come up with self-care ideas that are the most helpful for you.

How you respond to stressful situations and emotions is important. Choose to respond in mentally and physically healthy ways.


By Diane Davidson Gammon MS
Clinical mental Health Counselor 

Changing Lives with God's HOPE!

Disclaimer- I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. My blogs are for information and inspirational purposes. Please consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

Diane Davidson Gammon Arnold MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

 

  






  

 

 

  

Happy Thanksgiving week!

This is a great time to count your blessings!

This week is also a week in which is very difficult for many individuals. Many people feel extra lonely because Thanksgiving is centered on getting together with loved ones and some people do not have loved ones or loved ones close to be able to see.

If this is you, try to plan ahead how you plan to cope with stress, sadness, depression, loneliness, etc. that this week can bring.  

Try to be thankful for your blessings while also preparing for low feelings.

Plan to volunteer, plan to do art projects, plan to exercise and eat healthy, plan to rent a movie, plan to reach out for support, etc.

Talk to yourself positively. Tell yourself that you will get through this!


  
By Diane Davidson Gammon MS
Clinical mental Health Counselor 

Changing Lives with God's HOPE!

Disclaimer- I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. My blogs are for information and inspirational purposes. Please consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

Diane Davidson Gammon Arnold MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

 

  






  

 

 

I love this!

Finish this sentence!




I want to get healthy so I.....................


By Diane Davidson Gammon MS
Clinical mental Health Counselor 

Changing Lives with God's HOPE!

Disclaimer- I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. My blogs are for information and inspirational purposes. Please consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

Diane Davidson Gammon Arnold MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

 

  






  

 

 

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Psalms 34:17

I know that sometimes that you feel like you are in a pit of hopelessness and feel like there is no way out.

There is a way out.

Pray to God.

He loves you with an everlasting love.

Seek God.

Pray.

Seek help.

Seek Counseling.

There is always hope! 

By Diane Davidson Gammon MS
Clinical mental Health Counselor 

Changing Lives with God's HOPE!

Disclaimer- I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. My blogs are for information and inspirational purposes. Please consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

Diane Davidson Gammon Arnold MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

 

  






  

 

 

During the onset of the holidays, many people become extra sad, lonely and depressed.

It is important to seek positive support and not to stay isolated.

Reach out to a friend, family member, join a Sunday School class, attend a class of some sort, seek a support group, seek counseling.

Do not let your low emotions and feelings get worse. Take action. Seek support. 
 
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8


Be a HOPE CHANGER in your own life and in the lives of others!  

Demonstrate self-care and optimism to  facilitate healing and encourage others!



Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 



        
 By Diane Davidson Gammon MS
Clinical mental Health Counselor 

Changing Lives with God's HOPE!

Disclaimer- I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. My blogs are for information and inspirational purposes. Please consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

Diane Davidson Gammon Arnold MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure

Have you heard the expression- Don't believe everything you think?

It is a helpful concept!


What you focus on will get larger.

What you choose to think about will influence your feelings and then your behaviors.

If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts about yourself, ask yourself if they are actually true.

Then, tell yourself that you can choose what you think of yourself. You can choose to let go of what is not in your control and take steps to change what is in your control.

If you find yourself thinking that you are worthless because someone told you this, choose to own a new positive outlook toward yourself. Do not give someone else that power.

The same goes if you have been abused in some way. Your life is still valuable and you can still choose to have a positive view of yourself. 

Take control of what and how you choose to think of yourself! 
 
By Diane Davidson Gammon MS
Clinical mental Health Counselor 

Changing Lives with God's HOPE!

Disclaimer- I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. My blogs are for information and inspirational purposes. Please consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

Diane Davidson Gammon Arnold MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........

 

  

Have you ever tried to start each morning being thankful?

Try and wake up each day for a week and list 4 things that you are thankful for.

It will help you to have a better day and to get into a positive mindset! 


By Diane Davidson Gammon MS
Clinical mental Health Counselor 

Changing Lives with God's HOPE!

Disclaimer- I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. My blogs are for information and inspirational purposes. Please consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen.

Diane Davidson Gammon Arnold MS is clinically supervised by Michael Loftis LCSW as she pursues  LPC-MHSP licensure

 Open Full-Time Days - Monday through Saturday
With Evening Appointments
615-556-8406
Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

 Have Hope! Renew Health! and...........