Blog Post 1 - Why TLC?
It all begins with an idea.
The name of my practice came to me about three years ago. I had just begun my Master's in Mental Health Counseling at Texas Tech University and was reading a textbook. The topic of the chapter was encouraging clients to live a therapeutic lifestyle. I wish I could tell you the name of the textbook or properly credit the author, but I only have a screenshot of the page with no identifying markers. However, the following list grabbed my attention. The author suggested it is important to suggest a list of therapeutic lifestyle changes in the counseling relationship.
physical exercise
nutrition
sleep
social relationships
cognitive challenges
meditation
cultural health
I found this to be a very enlightening list of changes. Were any of them revelatory? Not really. If people were asked to list healthy lifestyle choices, most would come up with a similar list. However, how many of us are checking all of those boxes?
I was failing at numbers 1, 2, 3, and 6 at the time. I was overweight, out of shape, not sleeping well, eating poorly, and, let’s say, meditation is a concept I still struggle with. Being still and focused on my thoughts is a huge weakness of mine.
A few weeks later, I took my blood pressure. I was shocked when the cuff read 120/90. That is classified as a hypertensive crisis. I should have gone straight to the emergency room, but instead, I did the usual things to take care of my family and did an online consultation to get prescribed blood pressure meds. That was the wake-up call I needed. It hit me; if I had a stroke, who would take care of me? I realized I needed to start taking care of myself. I had spent the previous 20 years primarily focused on having and raising my five kids. I always put their needs before mine, and it finally hit me that I would not be much use to anyone if I didn’t start putting my own needs first.
Most moms do this. Moms feel guilty for taking time, self-care, getting enough rest, exercising, etc. I knew that my physical health was failing, and it was affecting my mental health. I felt stuck! I was moving forward with school but not living my best life. I had chronic reflux, asthma-like symptoms, a constant cough, bladder issues, plantar fasciitis, high blood pressure, and was pre-diabetic. At best, I was keeping my head above water and getting by. From the outside looking in, it looked like I had things together, but if you could see inside my mind, you would realize I was not functioning well.
That’s when it hit me. I have always loved the phrase TLC, tender loving care. When you hear people use the phrase ‘TLC,’ you know that the reference means that someone needs care, maintenance, help, and love. I see therapy as just that. When engaged in a therapeutic intervention, you truly give yourself the care and support needed to thrive. I loved the idea of connecting that acronym to my practice name, Therapeutic Lifestyle Center (TLC).
Luckily, I committed to give myself some TLC. Amazing things happened, and I started to prioritize these seven therapeutic lifestyle changes. Within about six months, every single symptom or health issue I had was completely gone. I was doing things I hadn’t done in years, such as playing tennis and racquetball, wakeboarding, swinging golf clubs, going to the batting cage, running, and hiking. I slept better, had more energy, and was more confident than I had been in years. The next few years brought great uncertainty, a divorce, and difficult things with kids. However, because I had finally learned to care for myself, I could handle difficult situations and still enjoy life, even at the hardest, darkest points.
When people engage in therapy, I want them to associate my practice with being cared for. I am especially passionate about helping women find the TLC they need mentally and physically to enjoy life fully. Good mental health is required for good physical health and vice versa. You can’t have one without the other. Let me help you get the TLC you deserve.
Stay tuned for future blog posts with in-depth information about the mental health benefits of the seven therapeutic lifestyle changes. We will talk about physical exercise next!