Posts in DESIRE. CONNECT. THRIVE.

I am not what has happened to me. I am what I choose to become.

-Carl Jung

I am excited to introduce a three-part series this week called the Strong Series. I snaked the title from my web designer, developer, and good friend Josh Rogers, I wish I had thought of it but I didn’t. Last week before launching my post Thursday, we were texting and he asked if the Strong Series was going to kick off that week? Hmmm…I hesitantly answered no, fearing I had forgotten about a brilliant blog series I couldn’t recall. Well, no was right because I didn’t have a brilliant series, however, the name was just too good so I thought I’d go with it and give Josh credit on the back end. Josh, this one’s for you.

CREATIVE LIFE, DESIRE. CONNECT. THRIVE., LIFE PATTERNS, RESOURCES, RELATIONSHIP INSPIRATION, STRONG STORIESKatie GustafsonSeptember 8, 2016Carl Jung, Patty Griffin, Pie, Strong Series, thanksgiving, victim triangleComment

Beautiful Lies: Sexual Abuse & Body Image

The Backdrop

One of my absolute favorite things about my work is getting to witness and hold space for clients’ awe-inspiring stories. It has forever changed the way I see strangers walking down the sidewalk, buying groceries, or getting coffee in the Starbucks line. Now, I like to see those people as walking miracles carrying remarkable stories, oftentimes stories that are overlooked or brushed aside.

BRAINSPOTTING, DESIRE. CONNECT. THRIVE., HOLISTIC HEALTH, NARRATIVE THERAPY, RELATIONSHIP INSPIRATION, RESOURCES, SELF-CARE, SPIRITUALITY, STRONG STORIESKatie GustafsonAugust 25, 2016body image, hypothyroidism, sexual abuse, toby macComment

The Exquisite Practice of Self-Compassion

A couple weeks ago, I sat down with my friend and fellow therapist, Andy Smith of Hoperidge Counseling. It seems each time we catch up over coffee and discuss life, therapy, music, goals, etc., I leave feeling fully inspired. Collaboration is truly something valuable as it opens the proverbial wardrobe door into a Narnia-like place; one full of ideas and possibilities unseen thus far.

ACHIEVING SUCCESS, DESIRE. CONNECT. THRIVE., NARRATIVE THERAPY, SELF-CAREKatie GustafsonApril 4, 2016exquisite, kristin neff, pHD, self compassionComment

Happy New Year – A Note on Goals

Happy New Year, friends! I write this with great expectancy and anticipation for a beautiful 2016. It seems as though the first several weeks of January bring a sparkling hope and determination to get back in the gym, learn a new instrument, back off from bad habits, and maybe even practice a bit more self-care and awareness. Some call these New Year’s resolutions; I like to call them goals. For whatever reason, goals seem easier to stick with and far less daunting. Whatever matter of wording serve your process best, I want to communicate my deep longing to support you in them this year.

ACHIEVING SUCCESS, DESIRE. CONNECT. THRIVE., LIFE PATTERNS, SELF-CAREKatie GustafsonJanuary 20, 2016goals, New Year's Resolution, New Year's Comment

Holiday Part 2 (Dreams)

A Dream and some songs.

After the hustle and bustle of Christmas and before the clinking glasses and hopeful toasts of New Year’s Eve, there is space; a lull of sorts. That lull is about 6 days long and I absolutely love it. Workloads tend to lighten, the Christmas tree is still lit, leftover fudge and Chex mix abounds, road rage lessens, and I get to don my cozy new boot socks Santa brought me. Success! Perhaps best of all though, my overactive imagination runs hard and fast like Eric Liddell in the 1924 Summer Olympics (Insert: “Chariots of Fire” theme song). This sacred space allows my introvert to really shine as I take inventory of the year: it’s joys, heartaches, awkward moments (you know you have them too…), losses, hilarities, and lessons learned.

DESIRE. CONNECT. THRIVE.Katie GustafsonAugust 17, 2015Comment