top of page
When Your Inner Critic Won't Shut Up: Learning to Soften the Voice Inside
Not fixing what's broken, but discovering what becomes possible when you meet yourself with understanding instead of force.
Stefan Jurgens
Jan 134 min read
Thriving Through Thanksgiving: Presence Over Perfection
No table is perfect. Real connection begins when we stop expecting it to be | Inner Counsel Therapy
Stefan Jurgens
Oct 9, 20254 min read
Sharing Too Much? How to Balance Self-Disclosure
Learn how self-disclosure shapes your mind, body, and relationships. Discover practical strategies to share safely, strengthen connection, and support well-being through a biopsychosocial perspective. | Inner Counsel Therapy
Stefan Jurgens
Sep 19, 20254 min read
Five More Gentle Truths for When Life Feels Heavy — Part 2/2
These five reflections pick up where the first five left off. They focus on how to work with feelings, honour daily variability, move beyond avoidance, claim your belonging, and speak to yourself with the care you would give a friend.
Stefan Jurgens
Sep 8, 20253 min read
Five Gentle Truths for When Life Feels Heavy — Part 1/2
Five gentle truths about rest, worth, and boundaries. Learn to distinguish exhaustion from laziness, see rest as an investment, claim inherent worth, set healthy boundaries, and protect your energy. | Inner Counsel Therapy
Stefan Jurgens
Sep 2, 20253 min read
Your Brain Believes What You Tell It: How Self-Talk Shapes Your Mental Health
Learn how intentional self-talk rewires your brain through neuroplasticity. Practical reframing and emotional awareness reduce stress, build resilience, and improve lasting well-being ... one kinder thought at a time.
Stefan Jurgens
Aug 25, 20252 min read
You’re Not Alone in Feeling Lonely: Here’s What Helps
A photo looking down at two people's feet standing on sand.
Stefan Jurgens
Jun 19, 20252 min read
Anxiety Doesn’t Have to Run Your Life: A Therapist’s Reset Plan
When My Anxiety Finally Got My Attention Another day in my office, staring at my computer screen with a racing heart and a loud to-do list. Huge stress and anxiety as I wondered, “What if I can’t finish this project? What if I let everyone down?” What if they think I’m faking it? Anxiety isn’t weakness. It’s a well-intentioned alarm system stuck on high alert. The good news is that our brains can learn new settings. Understanding Your Anxiety Our brains are wired to protect
Stefan Jurgens
May 29, 20252 min read
Your Inner Voice, Your Choice
Understand how your inner voices shape mental health. Learn to reframe negative self-talk, embrace self-compassion, and reclaim control. Practical tips for transforming inner dialogue into a source of strength. A friend once told me, “It’s great to have someone listen. I spend all day listening to myself.” Their comment stuck with me because it nails the constant inner chatter we all experience: bursts of optimism, nagging doubts, and that critical voice which bleats, “You’r
Stefan Jurgens
May 26, 20254 min read
On Making Mistakes: Why Falling Forward is Part of Being Human
Mistakes aren’t failures, they’re feedback. Embracing them fosters growth, authenticity, and resilience. Celebrate the stumbles; they’re proof you’re moving forward. Growing up, adults fretted, ‘Stefan makes so many mistakes.’ But those ‘mistakes’ were just me learning: climbing bridges, wearing questionable outfits, jamming badly on musical instruments. Those messy moments became my compass, nudging me toward trusting myself over others’ checklists for ‘doing life right.’
Stefan Jurgens
May 19, 20252 min read
Calm Is the Presence of Choice, Not the Absence of Chaos
Life loves curve-balls. Like yesterday, when workers ruptured a pipe in my yard while upgrading water lines. " Oh no, I don’t know what to do!" Panic surged: heart racing, mind spiralling. " What now?" But within hours, the crew had it fixed. Those chaotic minutes reminded me that stressors are inevitable, but how we respond is always a choice. I paused. I took a slow breath and acknowledged: " I’m okay. This isn’t an emergency. Help is here. " That shift from fear to clari
Stefan Jurgens
May 7, 20253 min read
The Overthinking Trap: How to Reclaim Your Inner Wisdom and Thrive
Overthinking drains our energy and dims our potential. Learn why your mind races, how to reconnect with your innate resilience, and practical ways to trust yourself again.
Stefan Jurgens
Apr 24, 20253 min read
Is Fear Holding You Back From Your Potential?
You’re not alone. Whether it’s public speaking, networking, or taking on new professional challenges, anxiety often keeps us from doing what we’re truly capable of. In my own life, I struggled with anxiety. Simple things like meeting new people or giving presentations would make my knees shake and my heart race. Fear took away my ability to showcase what I knew I was good at. But here’s the good news: we can change how we respond to fear. The key is learning to name it and fa
Stefan Jurgens
Mar 27, 20252 min read
Managing Anxiety in Uncertain Times: Lessons from a Psychotherapist
Do you feel overwhelmed by the news cycle? You're not alone. Anxiety spreads fast, but so does calm. Lately, I’ve been feeling it. There's a persistent anxiety, a sense of unease about the world. Maybe you have, too? Economic uncertainty, political instability, and an endless stream of alarming headlines make it difficult to stay grounded. Even as a psychotherapist, trained to help others navigate emotions, I have to remind myself to apply the very strategies I teach. The tru
Stefan Jurgens
Mar 13, 20254 min read
Overcome Imposter Syndrome and Build Lasting Confidence
Struggling with imposter syndrome? Learn what it is, why it happens, and how therapy can help you break free, gain confidence, and thrive in your career. Do you ever feel like you don't deserve your success? Like you're just one mistake away from being "found out"? If so, you're not alone. Many professionals struggle with imposter syndrome. It's a silent but powerful force that can undermine our confidence and limits potential. I know this feeling, too. There have been moment
Stefan Jurgens
Mar 10, 20253 min read
Get Unstuck: Move Toward the Life You Want
Have you ever felt like you're running on a hamster wheel? Going through the motions day after day, but not actually moving toward what you truly want in life? I've been there. A few years ago, I found myself in a career that looked successful on paper but left me feeling empty and unfulfilled. Each morning, I'd wake up with a sense of dread, knowing I was living someone else's definition of success rather than following my path. This feeling of being "stuck" is incredibly co
Stefan Jurgens
Feb 27, 20253 min read
Managing Stress, Anxiety, and Burnout During the Holiday Season
The holiday season is typically viewed as a period of joy, connection, and celebration. However, it's important to acknowledge that this time of year can also be overwhelming. With end-of-year work deadlines, financial pressures, family responsibilities, and the burden of unmet expectations, it's understandable that many of us experience stress, anxiety, or even burnout. Let's explore why this occurs, how to identify burnout, and ways to manage the holidays with a bit more ea
Stefan Jurgens
Dec 16, 20244 min read
Transforming Uncertainty: Strategies to Reduce Anxiety, Build Resilience, and Prevent Burnout
Uncertainty is a normal part of life, but it can trigger feelings of anxiety, anger, or depression. Events like global pandemics, natural disasters, or workplace and personal challenges can amplify these emotions. Our brain's hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) axis activates a stress response to evaluate potential threats. While behaviours like worrying, seeking reassurance, or staying hypervigilant may offer short-term comfort, excessive reliance on them can leave us feeling stuck
Stefan Jurgens
Dec 9, 20242 min read
Escaping Social Media Overload: Therapy Can Help You Reclaim Balance
Scrolling through an endless stream of opinions, updates, and news can leave us feeling drained or agitated. Social media algorithms amplify content tailored to our interests and beliefs, creating a digital echo chamber that blends personal relevance with popular trends. Over time, this social media overload can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious, or even questioning our perception of reality. This phenomenon is known as “hyper-reality” and was described by French
Stefan Jurgens
Nov 12, 20242 min read
Looking for insight, guidance, or practical strategies to navigate life’s challenges?
This blog offers tools from therapy to help you manage burnout, heal from past wounds, and explore personal growth. You’ll find posts designed to foster emotional wellness, resilience, and a deeper connection with yourself and others.
Welcome to your journey toward self-discovery and meaningful change.
A Reminder: The content on this site is for general informational purposes only and is not medical or therapeutic advice. It does not create a therapeutic relationship. For diagnosis or treatment, consult a licensed mental health professional.
Inner Counsel Psychotherapy Blog
bottom of page