Do I need to shout affirmations to the wind? Not unless you’re feeling it! Just kidding, you don't have to, but there's something uniquely uplifting about talking to the great outdoors. What if I live in downtown KC or St. Louis? Will I still benefit from being outdoors? Can Nature Therapy in Kansas City, MO really help me? Absolutely! From hiking trails to community gardens, the Show-Me State has plenty of opportunities for you to get your daily dose of nature. Welcome to today’s blog exploration of how the natural world can bolster your self-esteem. Ready to take a stroll down this leafy path with GOKC? Let’s dive in!

Hey there, nature enthusiasts and self-esteem seekers! 🌲👟 Have you ever felt like your confidence could use a little boost? Or maybe you're just looking for a reason to spend more time outside? Well, you're in luck! Today, we're diving into the wonderful world of Nature Therapy in Kansas City, MO, and nature walks. In this blog from us here at GOKC, you will learn how they can give your self-esteem the ultimate lift. By immersing yourself in the beauty of the natural world, you can experience a sense of peace, grounding, and rejuvenation that translates into greater self-confidence and overall well-being.

In the countries bustling heart of Kansas City, Missouri amidst the jazz beats, baseball, and barbecue there’s a passionate therapy team in KC’s helping community that is here for you. Our GOKC team doesn’t just talk about healing; we play, paint, move, and experience it with you. And just maybe play in the mud together!

Welcome back to our GOKC blog, where we dive into the vast sea of mental wellness strategies. One of these strategies is guided by the compass of expressive arts therapy. Today, we're stepping out of the conventional studio space and into the untamed gallery of nature to explore how the great outdoors combines with expressive arts to become a canvas for healing and self-expression. Experience the symphony of nature's sounds, colors, and textures as they blend with your creative spirit, offering a unique pathway to healing. Embrace the therapeutic power of nature therapy and expressive arts as we embark on this transformative adventure together.

In the hustle of modern life, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and bogged down by the daily grind. For those battling depression, each day can seem like an uphill battle against a relentless foe. But what if there was a simple, natural remedy right outside your door? Nature, as well as nature therapy, with its tranquil landscapes and rejuvenating presence, has long been hailed as a powerful antidote to the symptoms of depression. In this blog post from us here at GOKC, we'll explore the science behind how spending time in nature can alleviate depression. We will also offer practical tips on how to incorporate outdoor activities into your self-care routine.

Whether you live in the heart of Kansas City, the hills of Rural Missouri or the shady cul-de-sacs of Johnson County, Nature Therapy on the move is just out your door! It's not your typical therapist's office—it's the great outdoors. Walk-and-talk therapy is a simplistically beneficial approach to mental health counseling. One that combines the benefits of traditional therapy with the healing power of nature. In this post, we'll delve into the profound value of walk-and-talk therapy for holistic health and wellness. While also recommending some of the picturesque public trails nestled within the Kansas City metropolitan area.

In the intricate tapestry of life, grief is an inevitable thread that weaves its way through our experiences. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a cherished pet, or even a significant life transition, grief can envelop us in its shroud. This leaves us feeling adrift in a sea of emotions. Yet, amidst the tumultuous waves of sorrow, there exists a tranquil harbor waiting to be discovered: nature. In the verdant embrace of the great outdoors, amidst the whispering trees and babbling brooks, we find solace, healing, and renewal. Let's embark on a journey through the restorative power of Nature Therapy in Kansas City, MO, with GOKC, and explore how it aids in the delicate process of grieving.

Emotional Regulation is not an easy task. Especially for those receiving DBT treatment. The blessing & curse of DBT is that it's heavily skills-based. If you find difficulty sticking to your plan of skills, homework from a full DBT Program or being so activated that you can't even practice skills then consider the benefits of walking out your door. Nature will always be accessible & welcoming to you. I'd strongly encourage you to utilize Mother Nature's availability to your advantage during all times of the year. Even during our bitter mid-western winters. With the right layers & mindset, a little time outside in all seasons is wonderful for you. You will be able to thrive in your wise mind. Keep going!

Nature therapy is a wonderfully accessible & broad practice. Gardening, walking through a park, landscaping, mowing - maybe that’s a stretch! Regardless, nature therapy is completely accessible to you wherever you live!

We’ll be digging into nature therapy throughout this entry. Take a breathe and settle in, as we’ll be jumping into several components:

• Defining Nature Therapy

• Ways to Practice Nature Therapy

• Dietary and Health Practices

• Benefits of Connection to Nature

• Local Community Agencies to Get You Into Nature

Keep going to learn more about how our connection to and within nature is wonderful for us. And keep an eye out for a couple of personal stories that have impacted me along the way.

Okay, just breathe!

C'mon, you can do it. This happened a lifetime ago. What's my calming plan?!? Count backward slowly - that didn't work. Somatic breathwork?! Yeah right! What's next? I'm not calling Katie again...I can do this. Oh yeah - get outside! 

If you have ever noticed the fantastic difference it makes being outside versus in our home, office or car? If so, you are NOT alone! Maybe you've forgotten the impact of the warmth of the sun, the gentle touch of a spring breeze, songbirds calling out to one another or the touch of your plants as you stroll through your backyard native garden. Spending time in our natural world offers tremendous opportunity for calm. Nature provides significant effects on our bodies, minds and psyche. This post will examine nature's calming effects on our lives. Specifically, we're going to learn about how outdoor activities give us the most positive effects for healing from our traumas.

I love this topic! Wait, maybe I'm codependent on this topic. Oh no. Oh God. I am. Whether you have a love addiction, find yourself in a healthy or codependent relationship, finally had a promising swipe right or are trying to rebuild yourself after being in love addicts anonymous, you will be alright! You have everything already within you to make the first step in placing your own needs above your partner. Every. Single. Time. 

Today we're going to dig into foundational components of healthy relationships; signs of codependency & a whole lot in between to help you practice healthy love within yourself and romantic relationships. We are also going to cover some red flags of codependency which may be difficult for those of us with personal experiences including abusive relationships or alcohol addiction. 

Good friends pay dividends for miles and miles (and miles). I underestimate the hilariously entrenched memories until they rage back to the forefront while in a backcountry pick-up truck shuttle from a guy called Leroy. This adventure on the Taum Sauk Mountain section of the Ozark Trail was shared by me & two good friends. The Ozark Trail is a fantastic backcountry trail that (eventually) connects suburban St. Louis, MO to Little Rock, AR

Have you always hoped and dreamed of being the aloe envy of your neighbors? Are you ready for unlimited holiday gifts for your loved ones an off-shoot at a time? Do you find yourself with constant sunburns? Well, then you're in luck! With this simple strategy for success in the right soil, your aloe vera plants will party! Read below to find the best homemade potting soil to perfectly nurture your aloe vera plant and make your dreams come true.

If you ever experienced an episode of intense emotions, mood instability, impulsive behaviors exploding into suicidal thoughts and/or self-harm then it's possible you've encountered an episode of Borderline Personality Disorder. We've come a long way in identifying the BPD experience of folks who are suffering from them regularly. This post is not intended as an extensive dive into all components of BPD. Rather, today's post is going to dig into the components of a bpd episode, distinguishing characteristics of personality disorders from other types of mental health conditions and review effective treatments of BPD.

In this post, we'll detail several types of traumatic events and how they impact memory loss, difficulty retaining new information, memory impairments and dissociative amnesia. We will also discuss the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how memory loss due to trauma can affect your daily activities. Last, you will learn about the top evidence-based protocols & proven strategies to help you heal from your traumatic past. You are more than your tragedies. You will heal and thrive.

Welcome, good morning, how do you do? This is our initial blog post - yay! I hope to add some value to your day, as well as to provide opportunity to stay focused about the things that matter to me. And just maybe we’ll be lucky enough for those topics to matter to you too. This post will cover three things:

1. Introduce ourselves to you - gokc is a leading mental health private practice in KC

2. Provide a roadmap for the gokc blog in 2024

3. Encourage you to keep going no matter what!