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Reflections To Calm Your Mind & Enrich Your Life — Part 1/2
Here are five gentle reminders to help you step out of that loop and move through life with more ease.
Stefan Jurgens
Sep 11, 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
It’s OK To Feel Tired: Your Exhaustion is Valid
Part 1/4 of "The Permission to Pause" Series - Your exhaustion isn't laziness. It's your body/mind signaling need. Validate physical fatigue, emotional drain & longing. Silence the inner critic. Rest is valid.
Stefan Jurgens
Jul 14, 20253 min read
The Thing I Was Afraid to Write About: Why Love Is the Bravest Thing We Do
I’ve shared lots of posts, yet I’ve avoided the one subject my grandmum identified as the essential truth of life: love. Why? Because love feels corny. Naïve. Weak. We’re taught love is vulnerability, a liability in a self-sufficient world. We hide "I love you" behind irony, fearing the admission diminishes us. Calling it "corny"? It’s a defense against our raw need for connection. But what if love isn’t a passive fragility, but the bravest, most revolutionary act of being hu
Stefan Jurgens
Jun 9, 20253 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
When the Universe Gazes Back: How The Stars Help Us Find Ourselves
Starlight Becomes Inner Light I’ve been amazed by the idea of ‘outer space’ since the Apollo days. As a kid, I’d lie in our backyard, squinting at the moon, convinced I could see the astronauts’ footprints. Fast-forward to today: I’m still that wide-eyed kid, now exploring the Webb Space Telescope website for new images. Those swirling galaxies, neon gas clouds, and glittering star nurseries? They’re stunning . But here’s the thing: the more I marvel at the universe’s vastn
Stefan Jurgens
May 5, 20253 min read
From Family History to Personal Success: Transforming Inherited Challenges into Professional Growth
We inherit more than just our genes: our ancestors' fears, beliefs, strengths, and struggles shape who we are today. By understanding these legacies, we can let go of the burdens and embrace the gifts they offer. Do You Carry More Than Your Own Story? Sometimes, I feel like I’m not doing enough. Even when I check everything off my to-do list, there’s still that nagging sense that I should be doing more. It’s as if I can’t truly believe I’m finished until I’m completely exhaus
Stefan Jurgens
Apr 3, 20254 min read
Hope: Our Hidden Superpower for Professionals Facing Burnout and Uncertainty
Ever felt like you're running on empty, despite doing everything "right" in your career? I've been there. Hope is more than wishful thinking: it's a mindset that fuels resilience and success. This post explores how psychotherapy helps us harness hope to navigate challenges and thrive. A few years ago, I found myself feeling stuck. I had a successful career, but something was missing. Despite the security and expertise I had built, I felt unfulfilled, questioning my purpose, a
Stefan Jurgens
Mar 20, 20254 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
Your Initial Therapy Consultation: What to Expect & How to Find the Right Fit
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel like a big decision, and it's completely normal to have questions about what to expect. Your initial therapy consultation isn't a full therapy session. It's a relaxed conversation to explore whether you and I are a good fit to work together. Here’s what you can expect when we meet at Inner Counsel Psychotherapy . What Is an Initial Therapy Consultation? This first meeting is an opportunity for us to connect and determine if my app
Stefan Jurgens
Mar 3, 20253 min read
The Perfectionism Paradox: A High Achiever’s Hidden Struggle
Perfectionism isn't about doing your best. It's about never feeling good enough. I know this firsthand. Maybe you can relate? Perfectionism isn't just about having high standards. It's about feeling like nothing is ever good enough. Consider the three types of perfectionism: Self-Oriented Perfectionism – Holding yourself to impossible standards and feeling like a failure when you fall short. Other-Oriented Perfectionism – Expecting perfection from others and struggling with
Stefan Jurgens
Feb 24, 20252 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
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