Tag Archives: emotions

The Courage to Have an Honest Conversation

Posted on October 5, 2026 by Thomas K. Swisher, J.D., Ph.D.

Most of us prefer harmony to conflict. Yet keeping the peace is not always the same as creating it. Sometimes a relationship can grow only when someone finds the courage to speak honestly about a hurt, concern, or misunderstanding. Before … Continue reading →

Posted in Dr. Swisher Reflections, Swisher Reflections | Tagged communication, counseling, emotions, family, mental-health, psychology, Wellness | Leave a comment

Learning Across The Lifespan

Posted on September 10, 2026 by Thomas K. Swisher, J.D., Ph.D.

Students are back in the classroom and many people begin thinking about learning as Fall gets started. We often associate education with childhood, college, or professional training, but from a counseling perspective, some of life’s most important “learning” happens far … Continue reading →

Posted in Swisher Reflections | Tagged counseling, creativity, education, emotions, mental-health, psychology, Wellness | Leave a comment

Reflections on Rest

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Thomas K. Swisher, J.D., Ph.D.

August often feels different from the rest of the year. The days are still warm, but hints of autumn begin to appear later in the month. Vacations wind down, school preparations begin, and we sense that another busy season is … Continue reading →

Posted in Swisher Reflections | Tagged counseling, creativity, emotions, family, health, life, mental-health, mindfulness, mood, psychology, rest, Wellness | Leave a comment

The Quiet Strength of Fathers and Mentors

Posted on June 17, 2026 by Thomas K. Swisher, J.D., Ph.D.

June celebrates Father’s Day, a time when many of us pause to celebrate fathers, grandfathers, and mentors who have shaped our lives. From a counseling viewpoint, the influence of these figures often comes not from big moments but from something … Continue reading →

Posted in Dr. Swisher Reflections, Swisher Reflections | Tagged children, counseling, emotions, family, mental-health, mood, parenting, psychology, Wellness | Leave a comment

The Quiet Influence of Caregivers

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Thomas K. Swisher, J.D., Ph.D.

May brings Mother’s Day, a time to celebrate the mothers and caregivers who have shaped our lives. Beyond cards and flowers, the day provides a chance to reflect on the enduring impact caregivers have on our emotional growth. Long before … Continue reading →

Posted in Dr. Swisher Reflections, Swisher Reflections | Tagged caregiving, children, counseling, emotions, family, mental-health, parenting, psychology, Wellness | Leave a comment

Hope in April

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Thomas K. Swisher, J.D., Ph.D.

April arrives with a quiet but unmistakable shift. The light lingers longer. The air softens. Buds appear on branches that, not long ago, looked lifeless. As a counselor, I often think of April as a living metaphor for hope. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Dr. Swisher Reflections, Swisher Reflections | Tagged counseling, emotions, family, hope, mental-health, mood, positive psychology, psychology, swisher counseling | Leave a comment

Autumn’s Invitation

Posted on November 18, 2025 by Thomas K. Swisher, J.D., Ph.D.

November settles in as a quiet pathway between autumn’s brilliance and winter’s rest. The air sharpens, daylight shortens, and we are nudged to slow down. Here in Howard County, places like Centennial Park, the Robinson Nature Center, or the Howard … Continue reading →

Posted in Dr. Swisher Reflections, Swisher Reflections | Tagged counseling, emotions, mental-health, mood, psychology, spirituality, Wellness | Leave a comment

Embracing the Season of Change

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Thomas K. Swisher, J.D., Ph.D.

October ushers in the beauty of fall—the crisp air, the turning leaves, and the earlier evenings that invite us to slow down. As the seasons shift, we are reminded that change is a natural part of life. Just as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dr. Swisher Reflections, Swisher Reflections | Tagged emotions, mental-health, mood, psychology, Wellness | Leave a comment

Cultivating Gentleness

Posted on August 12, 2025 by Thomas K. Swisher, J.D., Ph.D.

Gentleness Gentleness is the quiet strength of treating others and oneself with care, respect, and understanding. It is not a weakness but a deliberate choice to approach life with patience and compassion, even in moments of conflict or difficulty. In … Continue reading →

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Emotional Renewal

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Thomas K. Swisher, J.D., Ph.D.

Gage (my golden, furry co-therapist) and I have the privilege of occupying an office in a building originally constructed in the early 1800s. This building houses an old chapel where four congregations share worship space. When the chapel, with its … Continue reading →

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