The Every Girl Living Journal

The Every Girl Living Journal is a our wellness blog for women offering thoughtful insight, practical tools, and faith-informed guidance for mental and emotional health. Here you’ll find articles on depression, anxiety, burnout, life transitions, nervous system regulation, and whole-person wellness—written for real life and real growth. Whether you’re seeking clarity, support, or your next step forward, our journal connects evidence-based care with reflective, values-driven perspective. Explore the Journal and discover resources designed to support your journey toward a more grounded, balanced, and fulfilling life.

👉 Start reading and learn how Every Girl Living can support you.

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What Should I Expect at My First Counseling Appointment? | Every Girl Living

A Guide for Women Considering Therapy at Every Girl Living So, you are thinking about counseling. Maybe a friend suggested it. Perhaps your doctor recommended it. Or maybe life has simply become too heavy to carry on your own. You have been feeling anxious, overwhelmed, burned out, stuck, or unlike yourself. You know something needs to change. But there is one problem. You have never been to counseling before. Now you are wondering: What happens during the first counseling se

Emotional

Carissa Dore

Jun 267 min read

Navigating Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Faith Healing and Mental Health Insights

June is Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Awareness Month, and as both a therapist and someone who has lived with HS, I wanted to talk about a side of chronic illness that often goes unnoticed: its impact on mental health. HS is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can cause painful lumps, cysts, or abscesses deep under the skin. I have had HS for over 13 years. I have had to learn to navigate everything in my life differently. From doing my own wound care, to knowing my tr

Emotional

Janae Carroll

Jun 93 min read

Feeling Like a Failure as a Mom? I See You, Mama.

I saw a reel the other day. A young woman stood in her beautifully decorated white bedroom, wearing a white dress, and explained that some moms struggle with the sin of anger while others struggle with the sin of laziness. She spoke about how “hot mess culture” has celebrated chaos and reminded viewers that God is a God of order. Then she said, “I hope the Lord can help me communicate this with grace.” Oh boy. Where do I even begin? Because pretty much every day, I talk to a

Emotional

Carissa Dore

Jun 86 min read

Comparison Trap: My Life Is Not a Nancy Meyers Movie.

I was scrolling through Substack the other day. You know, the platform that insists it is not social media, but a newsletter platform. Sorry. I digress. Anyway, I came across a post about how someone’s mom makes summer feel like a Nancy Meyers movie. Now, because I love the Nancy Meyers aesthetic like the many of us, of course I clicked. And sure enough, it was lovely. There were open doors. Beautiful light. Effortless summer meals. A home that looked lived-in but somehow sti

Emotional

Carissa Dore

May 257 min read

Insider's Guide to Depression, Part 2: What Really Causes Depression?

Have you ever wondered what actually causes depression? Why some people seem to move through heartbreak, stress, hormone changes, or loss and recover, while others find themselves sinking into a darkness they cannot simply think, pray, or “push” their way out of? I have wondered that too. Years ago, I started researching depression because I wanted better answers—not just for clients, but for anyone who has ever sat across from me and asked, “Why do I feel this way?” The more

Emotional

Carissa Dore

May 118 min read

How to Manage Stress Better and Feel More Emotionally Balanced

Managing Stress for Better Relationships: A Guide for Women in Florida Introduction Do you want to manage stress better? Would you like to stay steadier in tough conversations, feel less reactive, recover faster after a difficult day, and show up with more patience in your relationships? Your nervous system plays a bigger role in all of this than you might realize. The encouraging news is that it can be trained. For many, learning to manage stress is often simplified to “just

Emotional

Carissa Dore

Apr 207 min read

Embracing Growth Through Adversity: Lessons from the Marsh

Finding Beauty in the Struggle At the end of my yard at "The Sanctuary"—our home nestled on the marsh—wild blackberries and marsh morning glories grow. It’s one of the simple joys of late spring and early summer. As I take my dogs, Tank and Lulu, out in the yard, we make our way to the marsh, and I joyfully get to pick these sweet little blackberries. Each time, I only get a small handful—relishing that I got to them before the birds! As I munched on my sweet yet slightly bit

Emotional

Carissa Dore

Mar 254 min read

Why Smart, Caring People Get Stuck in the Drama Triangle

Blog Series: Escaping the Drama Triangle Article 3 The Psychology Behind the Pattern By now you may have started to recognize the Drama Triangle in your own relationships. Maybe you noticed moments when you step in to fix someone’s problem, only to feel resentful later. Or you recognized the familiar feeling of helplessness that shows up during certain conflicts. You might even have seen how frustration can quickly turn into criticism or blame. At this point, an important que

Social

Carissa Dore

Mar 246 min read

Women's Wellness Topics: Wellness Insights for Women

Finding balance in your life can feel like a constant challenge. You may often feel like you are holding everything together, juggling responsibilities, and pushing through the daily grind. It’s okay to pause, breathe, and give yourself permission to focus on your well-being. This post offers gentle, practical insights to help you nurture your mind, body, and spirit with calm confidence and compassionate clarity. Understanding Your Unique Wellness Needs Your wellness journey

Emotional

Carissa Dore

Mar 93 min read

Insider’s Guide to Depression — Part 1: Signs You Need Treatment

When I was in my twenties, I experienced depression. I didn’t know it at the time. In fact, I would have questioned it if someone suggested it. I had just graduated from college. I had gotten married. I had started my new career. On paper, everything looked right. This was supposed to be one of the best seasons of my life. Instead, I was exhausted. Not just tired. Bone-deep depleted. I would go to work, push through the day, come home, and want to hibernate. I kept an imagina

Emotional

Carissa Dore

Feb 176 min read

When Motherhood Feels Heavier Than Expected

Understanding Postpartum Mental Health—and Where to Find Support The arrival of a baby is often framed as one of life’s most joyful milestones. And for many women, it is. But it can also be physically exhausting, emotionally disorienting, and quietly overwhelming. What often goes unspoken is that both realities can exist at the same time. If you find yourself feeling low, anxious, disconnected, or unlike yourself after childbirth, you are not broken—and you are not alone. Pos

Emotional

Carissa Dore

Jan 274 min read

Mindful Living: Mindful Life Inspiration to Transform Your Life

You might feel like life is rushing past you, and the weight of daily demands is pulling you in every direction. It’s easy to lose sight of yourself amid the noise. But what if you could pause, breathe, and gently guide yourself back to a place of calm and clarity? Mindful living offers exactly that - a way to reconnect with your inner peace and create a life that feels balanced and meaningful. This post is your invitation to explore mindful life inspiration and discover prac

Emotional

Carissa Dore

Jan 194 min read

Have You Ever Felt This Way?

Have you ever had a moment where the pain feels so loud it drowns out everything else? Where your thoughts loop late at night, and you wonder if relief will ever come—or if this is just how life will be now? If you can relate, you’re not alone. You’re not broken for feeling this way. It’s like being caught in a storm where the clouds hang so low you can’t see the horizon anymore. When you’re standing inside it, it can honestly feel like this is all there is. It’s Like This… L

Emotional

Carissa Dore

Jan 124 min read

Create Lasting Change: 3 Steps to Begin Again

There’s something about late December that feels like standing in a doorway. One foot is still planted in the warmth of Christmas lights, lingering conversations, and mornings that move a little more slowly. The other is already edging toward January—curious, hopeful, maybe quietly anxious about what comes next. You might feel energized and inspired. Or exhausted and unsure. Or carrying a mix of emotions that refuse to organize themselves into anything neat. And somewhere in

Emotional

Carissa Dore

Jan 65 min read

The Art of Mindful Living

Most of us don’t need one more thing to do.What we need is a different way of being with what we’re already carrying. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to your inner experience—thoughts, emotions, breath, and body—while life is happening. Not to fix it. Not to judge it. But to understand it. Over time, this awareness becomes the foundation for calmer reactions, clearer decisions, and a more grounded relationship with yourself. A peaceful stream flowing through a

Emotional

Carissa Dore

Jan 53 min read