Knocked Down or Out?

Getting knocked down is tough...but isn't
getting back up again the hard part?
If you attempt to make a difference or a change
hitting the ground in failure is always a
possibility. If we are judged by failures
then fear will be our mantra in life leading
to at the very least modification of our
goals and dreams.

With every knockdown we experience in our lives,
comes a lesson. Once the dirt has been dusted off
our bruised behinds and ego....aren't we better
for the experience? Aren't we stronger for getting
up and looking at why we failed as we go forward
to something better.

We just have to keep getting back up...
COURAGE doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the
quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try
again tomorrow." (Unknown).Isn't this where our strength
and faith is truly tested? Every day to get up,
dust ourselves off and try again?


Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Are you living... today?

Are you spending today doing something you enjoy or with someone you care about? Or are you sitting at home worrying about something you said or did yesterday or thinking about tomorrow?

We forget sometimes that the next day is not guaranteed to any of us....
and yesterday while we can work on the way we look at the past, (therapy?)
...we really cannot change it. As for our future...we can prepare for it, that's true...but other than that worrying about it will NOT change it.
Perhaps spending more time on living today would bring ease to whatever we were spending all of our time worrying about?

We can only do it...not try...but do. Worrying about tomorrow has not doubt
not brought today to you in a positive way. So set a time to worry
if you must...and worry to your heart's content...but as for the rest of today...live it!

Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Have a Clue? (2nd edition)

Do we really have a clue? Do parents realize thatat age 9-10 today many young girls are hitting puberty? Boys at 10 know about sex? Are we as parents or grandparents aware of how technically"aware" they may be at this age,but they are still naive kids, right? What a dangerous combination this can be.

Just because our children know how to upload a questionable photo of a classmate (who puts it out there not knowing it's there for life), why would they? Does a 6th grader view that any differently than sending the latest gossip on their cellphones to a classmate, much less the entire class? Is a 5th grader who is expelled from school for an angry remark made on a My Space really responsible for a a crime? Our kids are so able to get their hands on such technology that can do such harm or make others feel in danger. Can we hold these children totally responsible?

Having been a guidance counselor for 15 years it is scary to have witnessed how quickly one texted remark can cause a total disruptionof a grade level if not an entire school or neighborhood. Are we adults really "awake" to that possiblity, if not probability? Are we supervising our child's online or cell communications where many times these problems all start right in our homes? Are we willing to risk not being a friend to our child or grandchild in order to protect them and others? They will accuse us of invading their privacy as we try to keep them safe from themselves. Can't we handle that?They may be far ahead of you in technological knowledge...but they are still 11, 12, 13 ....with all those ages bring with it! "Tweens" and teens they are all "doing it"...texting, emailing and hosting their own social networkpages! I think as parents and grandparents we want to believe,well our kids would never! Well folks...not only would they ever.... they most certainly already are! Do you want to take that chance, really? It only takes them a minute to type or text....something they may or may not realize is wrong...but changes their lives forever!


Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

It's Easy From the Bench

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." (Theodore Roosevelt)

The Monday morning quarterback, the talking heads on cable news....these
are not we need to admire. The real heroes are those out there in the streets
demanding fairness, the politician making the tough decisions,
(or not making them?) and the every day person going to work so they can support their responsibilities. It is so easy from the sidelines.... isn't it Joe? View Gals? Bill O? It's so easy from the sidelines.


Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Ever thought of a little different twist on "Father's
Day"? Perhaps one that encourages the men we
celebrate to honor the title "Father"? So many
children Sunday will be thinking of a person who
not only isn't there....but doesn't take the time
to be involved in their lives. While there are those who beat
the odds, (President Obama)...most kids, both boys
and girls suffer the impact of an absentee father
throughout their lives.

Is it the genes that make a father or can man
grow into a "Dad"? Fathers many times are excluded
from their childrens' lives after a break up with
Mothers only to fall into oblivion believing perhaps
that it is best for their children in the long run. Nothing
could be further from the truth. Whether their children
are boys or girls....the affect on their self esteem
can be irreversable.

Children will take their cues on relationships from one
of the two first models they have....their fathers. John
Mayer once sang, "Fathers be good to your daughters...daughters
will love like you do..." as do sons. For whatever reason for his
absence a Dad who isn't there in a kid's life sends a message to the child...."you aren't worth it"...a clear stamp on their young hearts.

The journey back to your children if you have been gone is not easy and it can
feel like a roller coaster filled with booby traps at times. But, the end game is
reconnecting with that child and to let them know their worth through their
father's eyes. If you honor your title of "Father", "Dad","Pop".....reach out
this Sunday...forgive yourself and pick up then phone. Being a model of
handling the hard work is such a part being a Father after all.


Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Taking Care of Ourselves

Taking Care of Ourselves
We all have times in life when we need help. If we or someone in our family doesn't feel well we call the family doctor.However many times our own mental health is not seenas a priority. If you don't taken care ofyourselves then your family, work/school performanceand overall health may suffer.



Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Anybody Home?

You canot lead if you glance behind and
nobody is there. So how do you influence
when no one is listening? Hello?

Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 386.738.0599
www.junderhilltherapy.com

"Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams" - Author Unknown

What is Normal?

I heard a person tell another the other day
that due to a set of decisions someone
they knew had made that they thought
they were no longer normal and due to
that idea they weren't going to associate
with them any longer. Not normal? What
is "Normal" anymore?

I am not sure I know the answer. At the risk
of being labeled by many I wondered if what
was normal to a 30ish Hispanic woman would
be normal to a black teenage guy? Or could a middle
age white man possibly know how normal
appeared to a senior citizen living on a fixed income
in a retirement home. Hmmm....maybe it isn't
the color of our skin that dictates our prejudice
in how we see the world ...it is the color of our
"rose colored glasses" .. our own personal
realities that tell us what normal is. Perception
is reality I have heard it said...so once again, what is
normal?



Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Do We Have A Clue?

Do we parents really have a clue? Do parents realize that
at age 9-10 today some girls are hitting puberty?
Are we as parents or grandparents aware of how
"aware" they may be, yet with the naivety of a kid
.... our kids really are and how dangerous that
combination can be?

Just because our children can upload a questionable
photo of a classmate (who puts it out there not knowing it's
there for life), should they? Does a 6th grader view it any
differently than sending the latest gossip on their cell
phones to everyone in their class? Is a 5th grader who
is charged and expelled from school for an angry remark
made on their My Space after a tough day responsible for
a crime? Should they be able to get their hands on such
technology that can do such harm or make others feel in
danger? Or do we all feel that doesn't happen to our kids,
in our communities?

Having been a guidance counselor it is scary to know
that one texted remark can cause a total disruption
of a grade level if not an entire school with a school
"rumble" if the adults are not "awake" to that
probability. Are we supervising our child's online
or on cell communications? Are we willing to risk not
being our child's "friend" or willing to be accused of
invading their privacy in order to protect them
from hurting possibly, gee... themselves?
They may be far ahead of you in technological knowledge
...but they are still 11, 12, 13 ....with all those ages bring
with it! "Tweens" and teens they are all "doing it"...
texting, emailing and/or hosting their own social network
pages!

I think as parents and grandparents we want to believe,
well our kids would never....not only would they ever....
probably already are? Want to take that chance, really?
It only takes the time to type or text folks...to
change a life forever!



Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

As Long As There is Life...

"As long as there is life there is hope". I don't know who
said that...but there is always a chance as long as you are
breathing. I have for some time recommended that even
in the most stressful times...focus on just
breathing if nothing else. Why?

As long as you breathe....things can change for the better.
If you just breathe in breathe out every minute of every day....circumstances around you can improve and if you are
there you may benefit from the changes. People who are
anxious and clinically depressed are difficult to convince
of this at times. But if they try to breath deeply and evenly
...working on that alone....they will be successful, thus
creating serotonin in the brain.. feeling less anxious
or depressed. The best part is they will be alive....they
will be there, when the sun comes out in their lives again.




Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Only Short Cuts For Us Today?

Why are such horrible personal errors bring committed in today's society? Jobs are hard to find and you may need to relocate. Divorce is still available. In fact in most states it is easier and less expensive than ever before. Child custody in most cases is split evenly, so called "shared parenting". While the economy might be a convenient place to foster the blame and the media certainly does that all day every day for many of society's ills. Isn't that way too simplistic? Are job losses and money woes the answer to why we are killing ourselves, our families and our neighbors at an alarming rate?

Is it perhaps the speed with which our world moves today? Can you really get away from video communication, multi media or have you even wanted to? Perhaps it creates a certain type of personal isolation. The generations who have not grown up without some type of computerized or video involvement appear to not know how to deal with real life, as opposed to "reel life" on those very machines or technical outlets that have given them hours of enjoyment and pleasure. Have we become so used to immediate gratification that the impulsively of blowing away our families seems less painful than going through a divorce or moving to a new town to look for a job?

We may need to consider learning social and coping skills to deal with the many trials and tests life can present. It may seem "old school"...but many times you might want to look past where one has been to know where you are going. It is difficult to teach skills to our children when we never have learned them ourselves. How many lives will have to be lost...many of them totally innocent before we discover that technology is not going to teach us everything...and while it is a tremendous tool...it cannot teach anyone how to actually live their lives....everyday...the good and the not so good days. We don't have to die to solve problems, or kill our families or friends. Sometimes it is just as simple as remembering to breathe......then keeping breathing until you can work out a living solution to your temporary problem.


Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Is Hope Really Eternal?

To admit you cannot affect change in a situation is the
ultimate feeling of powerlessness. Why even then is one
tempted by ideas and thoughts that rattle around in
the brain...is that hope? Do you ever really lose it
completely, even when you know the battle is over?
You have given it all...left it on the field...and failed.
Perhaps hope really is eternal?

Letting go of something very precious to you is
the hardest thing one will ever do.Wondering if that
precious thing may be hurt by your leaving..
is that the ultimate in arrogance or hope for another
chance? Are you overestimating your own importance ?
Or underestimating perhaps another's less than honest
intentions? How can all involved watch an innocent be
denied their full potential in the process? Their
best, bright hope for their future...

Can tomorrow bring real change when we stop trying
to change it? Can we find an honest peace for a
life we value? Can folks who claim to love accept less
than the best for a little one or a parent? Can
families be totally deaf & blind as to what is ultimately
best for the ones who have the least power ...only to
hurt them calling it love? Why can't people work together
for the "least of these"...the children of divorce, our
parents, or downcast strangers? Why must we be so
resistant to the strengths of others who can come to
the table with benefits for our Mother, our
elderly Aunt or a beloved kid in a custody fight?
Is real love letting go when the child or grandparent
will be torn apart if the fighting continues...is it selfish
to try to preserve one's sanity when reality and perception
are miles apart?

Let go, somebody has to stop the insanity
right? But the light of hope still burns...





Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 386.738.0599
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Happy Wish You Weren't Mother's Day?

"I am done with her" a Mom said as she began our session
with she and her daughter the other day. I asked what she
meant and she basically let both of us know she didn't want
to be her daughter's mother any longer. I told her she really
didn't have than option as her daughter is only 13 and she
looked at me like I had two heads.

Where has the idea come from that young mothers have
a choice once they have had given birth to their children
and not placed them for adoption, or given custody
to someone else early in the child's life? A mom on
Dr. Phil's the other night mentioned just getting through
4-5 more years until the kids turned 18 as her theory on
"parenting" . Where has the message come from that to
mother a child is only biological in nature and
the rest is a spectator sport?

Mother's Day is Sunday. I had a friend whose young
daughter had given custody to her ex spouse as she just
didn't want to parent. She wondered out loud why no one
at work had brought her a mother's day gift as they had
all the other workers there? She decided it was because
she was so young...not thinking that perhaps they
remembered that her mother, ex spouse and his parents
had basically raised her son in her physical and emotional
absence since his birth. She appeared oblivious to that possibility.

If you wish you weren't a mother tomorrow....here are
a few theories for you: You can "fake it 'til you make it"
for your children's sake. No matter what, don't have any
more children for ANY reason. And don't just try, but do
get some professional assistance so you do not raise
another generation of Mothers with no parenting skills.

If you can't do it for yourself...do it for your Mother. It
will be the best gift you could ever possibly give her!
Accept your part as a Mother in parenting your children
....it is a lifetime filled with work, but also a lifetime of joy.





Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Not Deciding Is a Choice

"But I just can't make a decision" I heard someone say the
other morning. Do they really think they aren't making a choice? Not deciding on something is making a choice to stay where you are. Others may feel these people aren't choosing at all . But it can actually give the fence rider great power in a situation or cause others around them much frustration. Friends and love ones may feel these non deciders are stuck...what they may not get is the person is wanting to keep the status quo..there are payoffs for things as they are... it is a choice!


Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

A Talent to Lie

How do people look into your tearful eyes and
lie? I own a t shirt from one of my favorite television
shows, "House" that says "Everybody Lies"....(ironically
fund raiser for mental health). But.....doesn't
it matter when people lie, how they lie and how often
they lie? Or does it?

Clients lie to me all the time...to make themselves look
like more than they really are...a better father, a more
complete professional or a "bad" teenager. Think how early
little kids learn to lie....saying "I didn't do it" as you catch them
with their hand in the cookie jar. Bill Cosby in his famous
comedy routine "Fatherhood" talks about this....and the
brain damage he feels we as parents must have to
place ourselves in the position of trying to raise children. How do we tell our children not to lie while we lie to them and about them practically every day?

If you ask some one's weight, or age, you can find out quickly
the boundaries of an individuals lying capacity and their
skill at misrepresenting the truth. Is it really is a skill....to be able to look someone in the eye and manipulate the truth while telling them
at the same time how honest you are? Pathologicial lying is seen as a mental illness concern in individuals. So when does it become pathological? Or because we do value this "talent" does that mean over time we find lying becomes normal and accepted as a value we want to pass onto our kids?



Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Give Me a Reason..Please

Please give me a reason a client once pleaded ....my marriage is all messed up because of what my wife has done. I have been hurt so much ..it's all her...so give me a reason to come to counseling. He and his wife were in my counseling office I said....not an attorney's office and that was a start. That was enough for this man to come weekly and work on his marriage to his wife of many years during which he realized of course it was not "all on her".

I wonder how many people who are hurting don't pick up the
phone or take advantage of on-line counseling by blaming
their pain on others. By not taking responsibility for at least
part of their problems in life they can mask the pain with
anger and blame. But when the mask melts away then what?
They are alone with their mistakes, baggage and perhaps a
refusal to learn from past experience that keeps jumping up
to bite them in the butt because they won't acknowledge it.
If one doesn't look at and take responsibility for the way they
got to where they are...their destiny can only be a
continuation of their ill fated journey?





Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Small Towns...Closed Minds...Big Fear?

Posted the question on Twitter this am....are people who live
in small towns more resistant to on-line counseling? I
received a reply from a Facebook friend stating that he felt
that perhaps those who live in small towns needed
less counseling. When I thought about it I couldn't
help but wonder maybe they are just more afraid
of on-line or any other kinds of counseling?

Growing up and living currently in a small town I am all too aware of how many folks view counseling, therapy and any type of mental health services. They may be suspicious about it, as well having a pull yourself up by your bootstraps mentality practically bred into them. Instead of seeking help these same people may have affairs, get divorced, drink too much, eat too much, hit their wives, beat their kids, shoot others in our nation's
offices, colleges and schools or at worst commit suicide, (perhaps taking their loved ones with them) rather than admit they need help. All of these statistics are up unfortunately...and has anyone noticed it is not just going on in the big cities?

It would appear at least on the surface that on-counseling offers these very people an opportunity to obtain guidance to make their lives better
in the privacy of their homes, offices or local free Wi-Fi cafes.
No one will see their car at a local therapist's office or
run into them in a counselor's office building leading them
to come up with an excuse for being there. So are they
avoiding on-line therapy or do they purely fear counseling all together?




Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Is It Ok to Quit?

A good friend of mine, a Christian counselor often tells clients when
they won't move forward to "quit trying and just do". Many of us are taught to never give up....leave it all on the field....keep trying against all odds.

I was wondering the other day as I watched a good person continue to try 100% as they always do and continuing to hit their head on a wall as they always do.....if it wouldn't be of benefit one to just quit for a while sometimes and surrender to life? I wondered what would happen in this situation if one stopped swimming against a current, that they were not overcoming and took a rest? Would it make any difference at all? Or would quitting perhaps affect change on a situation where change is so desperately needed? It might be what is best but not what they want to have happen at all I thought. A good friend pointed yes but... while you cannot always get what you want, you may get what you need.

This may be true. As I watched this person continue to struggle alone against forces that could neither be controlled or overcome even to to save something most precious to them, I wondered if a rest from the battle fought for so long might be what was needed. Perhaps I wondered against what many of us are taught to believe one should sometimes quit trying and not do...for a while?

Perhaps this time out will give us what we need.




Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

What Color is Your Zone?

I was watching a couple of talk shows with the author of the new book "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest", by Dan Buettner . As I understand it the book is about the few places in the world where people live to be 100 in quite large numbers and what they do in each of their lives to reach such a milestone. How people eat, socialize, exercise and view the purpose, (or lack thereof) in their lives, determines how long an individual will live. It is not something one can just fad diet or try out on the weekends...it is a life style that one lives every day. Our routines, our families and our outlook on life it turns out not only determines how we live our lives but for how long.

In our society as it is today....most Americans live in a zone that is anything but blue. Most of us live and work away from our families. We change jobs, cities and friends frequently. We seem to to lust for highs, whether, natural or chemical as opposed to building foundations on family, routine and purpose. I am not sure what color the author would paint the zone that most of us live in...but blue would certainly not be in the color pallet of most American lives.

Perhaps the current financial crisis we are in will actually turn out to be a blessing in the long run as it may force many of us to be closer to home physically, psychologically and nutritionally. If we cannot indulge ourselves in these areas we may reconnect with what is really important and extend our lives here on this earth. Wouldn't that be ironic? Many of us have spent tons of cash and extended credit for years chasing foutains of youth, along with magic diets when all along the simple, inexpensive key to long life was in our back yards! Start your gardens or tend the ones you already have. As Star Trek's Mr. Spock used to say LIVE Long and Prosper!





Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

...while you're making other plans

It is a popular saying that life is what happens while you are making other plans. It is the daily, by the minute way that we spend our lives. While the financial economy is tight right now....your daily personal account isfull. How do you spend it....your emotional capital? Do you spend your precious time with those you care about, on your work or worrying aboutthe future, feeling guilty about the past and avoiding the intimacy you really crave?

We all make choices...some turn out well, others not. But other than deathyou can always change your mind. You might have to "eat crow" or goback on something you said. It might cost you emotionally or even financially ...but is your mistake or bad choice working for you?

So if you are unahppy with your decision....why not change it?Is it better to keep being mad at yourself or others because you mighthave made a mistake?If you are waiting on someday to call that best friend you had it out withyears ago, your family member you haven't spoken to in years or to tellyour special someone how important they really are to you.....remember life is now...someday may not ever come. An event you cannot even imagine now could rob you of your time here on this earth to live your life the way you really want to live it. Today is all you have for sure....yours are the only actions you are really in control of. You have the emotional savings account available...spend it...go ahead...it will feel so good!









Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Why Buy the Cheap Stuff?

A news reporter on a local station in Central Florida last evening
reported that Americans are buying more alcohol than in previous
times. In addition she reported they are buying the cheaper types
of beer and wine, as opposed to the pricier brands.

Of course being a counselor I immediately thought oh my....with
the times as tough as they are more folks are self medicating
by drinking and if they are buying the cheaper types, they can
buy more....therefore consuming more? Sure enough, the reporter
went on to confirm my fears by stating that people are
buying larger quantities and drinking at home more
often than they have in the past "to save money".

Research over the years have shown that problem drinkers
consume more often at home, in addition to drinking higher
quantities where they consider to be their secret place
to drink....their houses or apartments. While this might be
better for those driving on the roads, or having dinner at our favorite bar/grill, the overall picture painted by this new information is that during these tough economic times we as a country are turning more and more to alcohol to dull the pain in our lives.

There are so many heathier options if you are experiencing tough times in your life. The stresses of daily life can be alleviated by exercise, meditation,
your particular faith (if you have one), by talking to a friend or
even playing your favorite video game. If you are experiencing
problems that cannot be addressed by these outlets...why buy
the cheap stuff? Call a counselor or go online to talk to a therapist!



Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor &
Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor
License #MH9166
Phone: 386.747.7148
Fax: 407.264.8289
www.junderhilltherapy.com

Just Let Go....

Is your plate is too full? Is it running over? What would be the worst that could happen if you let something slide off. You have been strong enough to endure the load you have carried...so you can survive the "worst" if it comes. You know you can do it... let something go.

Jodi H. Underhill, MEd., LMHC

Habits are hard to break....this is not a new idea. Everyday we rely on habits to do everything from our morning routine when start our day to how we drive home from work. These are habits that give us security and peace as we go about our daily lives.

There are habits in the way we treat others or allow them to treat us which are not beneficial to us during our time on this earth. Since we never know when that time with others in our lives may be over...each day is a new opportunity to change habits which may be blocking us from the best possible relationships with those we care about.