Kindred Counseling

Dream Big

Mental Health Blog

Welcome to the Kindred Counseling blog. A space where I share reflections, insights, and ideas that come from both my work as a therapist and my experiences as a person continually learning about growth and connection. Here, you’ll find thoughts on topics like relationships, parenting, stress, and emotional wellness, written with honesty and curiosity. My hope is that what you read here encourages reflection and offers something meaningful you can take with you.

Blog

5 May 2026

12 Signs Of Teen Depression

When I was about sixteen years old, my mother noticed that I started sleeping a lot more. I would come home from school, take a nap, wake up at 8 p.m., just long enough to eat dinner, do my homework, and then go back to sleep. She knew this wasn't normal for me, and I am so thankful that she took me to get some help. Because of that experience, and the work I do now, I know how hard it can be to tell the difference between typical teen behavior and something more serious. If you're wondering where the line is between a depression and normal teen development, here is the list below:

April Williamson, MA, LMFT

Blog

10 Jan 2026

When Self-Care Feels Like Guilt

Have you ever felt guilty having to take care of yourself? I’ll be honest, I experienced that this week. An unnecessary guilt, because I came down with the flu and had to cancel client sessions. I even tried to talk myself into doing virtual therapy so I could still meet with my people, but when the fever spiked to 102°F, I knew that I was down for the count. Where does this guilt come from?

April Williamson, MA, LMFT

Blog

1 Jan 2026

From Socks To Self Compassion: A Therapist’s Perspective on New Year’s Goals

When I first learned about New Year’s traditions, I was about 9 years old, and I thought, "What a great idea!" But at 9 years old I wasn't consistent at anything, so I had the best idea to find something that I rarely did and make it my New Year’s resolution NOT to do it for an entire year. Green socks! I wasn't going to wear green socks for an entire year. I succeeded and was so proud of myself. The next year I chose blue socks, and the tradition continued. As I got older, I realized that I didn’t gain much from New Year’s resolutions that didn’t challenge me in some way.

April Williamson, MA, LMFT

Blog

28 Dec 2025

Normal People Don’t Think This. Or Do They?

Have you ever had a thought that seemed to come out of nowhere, and you were horrified that your mind was able to think it? Do your negative thoughts get so overwhelming that they make you feel bad about yourself and unworthy to be around? Are your thoughts so loud that they create anxiety and make you feel ashamed of yourself? These are all examples of intrusive thoughts—and believe it or not, they are your body’s response to stress and anxiety.

April Williamson, MA, LMFT

Blog

12 Dec 2025

Not Another White Knuckle Christmas: Tips For Staying Sober During The Holidays

For many people who are new in sobriety, the holidays can pose several challenges. You may not know how to interact with your family without alcohol present. Your family may not understand why you quit drinking. Your family may still be angry with you for all the time you spent drinking. There are many scenarios that can leave someone new to recovery feeling anxious, or even dreading the holidays. If you seriously don’t know how you are going to navigate the holidays this year, this post is for you!

April Williamson, MA, LMFT

Blog

7 Dec 2025

Adventure Awaits

I named this blog in honor of my son. He’s currently 2.5 and every night when he goes to bed, he tries to stay awake, asking me to read the words on his cup. Each night the message is different, but the sayings are ones of great optimism, like “Dream Big” or “Adventure Awaits”. I have given great thought to what those phrases mean, at 10 p.m. when his eyes should be closed. I think about how wonderful and big the world is when we are little. We are taught that we are supposed to set our achievements high, and that the sky is the limit. However, many of us lose that zest for life by the time we graduate from high school. That zest slowly withers after criticism from other children, teachers, and even parents, when what we needed was encouragement. People who are imperfect themselves and had no business judging what we create.

April Williamson, MA, LMFT

Not sure where to start?

Reading through articles is a good first step, and if you’re ready to get some help or talk about working together, please reach out for more information.