Three Tips for Surviving the Emotional Stress of a Hurricane

Hurricanes from a Counselor's Eyes : When Storm Clouds Gather

Hurricane season is upon us. With the next storm approaching, everyone is beginning their preparations and going through their checklists. There are checklists available everywhere for supplies, but what about the emotional checklist for hurricane preparedness?

If you have been through a destructive hurricane, you know the anxiety and fear that they can bring. When another hurricane threatens, those old feelings of fear re-surface. What can you do to improve your emotional strength to weather oncoming storms?

1. Be prepared physically:

Go through your checklist. This will settle some of the fear.

Do you have your supplies of food and water?

Have you boarded up the windows, if needed?

Have you checked your roof recently for leaks or damage?

2. Think about your resources:

Do you have friends you can call on for help?

Where is the nearest shelter should I need it?

3. Remind yourself of your strengths:
   Remember all the trials you have already survived.  Take a deep breath, and believe in your ability to handle this!

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Priscilla Kelly, LMHC
There Is Hope!

Counseling Can Help!
Individual Counseling Orlando

321.356.5115

Insights From The Movie 'The Help'

I saw "The Help" this weekend.  It is the best movie I have seen in ages.  It is difficult to watch women treat other human beings as less than humans, but this is what our society has done.  Humans are capable of atrocities beyond our imagination. 

As a counselor it allows me ask what can we do as individuals?  As a community?  As a society?  To improve our world?

1. Teach our children to respect and value life. This is something that doesn't happen by itself. We need to model it for them. Being kind, compassionate, caring to all living creatures will show children that life is to be valued. The women in this movie had been trained by generations to act this way in their relationships with others. Changing what we model for our children will make a difference for many generations to come.

2. Be an advocate for those less fortunate than ourselves. Whether is it someone in need financially, physically, or emotionally, we can all do something to improve the life of another human being. Be creative and look around- Coalition for the Homeless, Women's shelters, Pregnancy centers, Boys and Girls Clubs.  There are so many ways to take away a little of someone's grief.

3. Speak out against injustice. Take a stand. Take a risk. Join or contribute to advocacy groups such as veterans groups seeking to provide jobs, and physical assistance to returning service people.

Write to me with your ideas about ways to contribute to our society.

If you have emotional or spiritual needs, or if you need coaching to help you enrich your life, check out my website: www.counselingorlando.net.

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Priscilla Kelly, LMHC
There Is Hope!

Counseling Can Help!
Orlando Counseling

321.356.5115

Welcome to Counseling Orlando's New Blog

After 15 years of counseling in Orlando, I have shared much advice on my old website as technology has changed, I feel that this is a more current way to share information with my friends, clients and those I haven't met yet, but whose lives I hope to help improve.  Over the past 15 years, I have specialized in grief and loss counseling, marriage and relationship counseling for the greater Orlando area. I hope that the posts that I create in the future will be helpful to you.  To go along with this new blog, we have updated our website at Orlando Counseling.  Please take some time to visit our website as we get our blog started.

There is Hope,
Priscilla at Counseling Orlando