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$$PLAIN_TEXT_PREVIEW$$
Recovering Relationships Newsletter - December, 2025
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Raw Thoughts -Why Your Parents’ Apology Won’t Heal YouWe grow up waiting for it—the apology that might finally make everything clear. The “I’m sorry” we hope will close the wound, stop the pain, or rewrite the story that shaped us. And even when that apology comes and feels tender or sincere, the ache often remains. That’s because healing doesn’t come from someone else’s remorse; it comes from what we gently choose to do with our own pain. This season, may you offer yourself the repair, validation, and compassion you’ve been waiting for. If you are interested in hearing more, check out my blog from last month under the same title.
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Surviving the Season is a short, practical guide for anyone navigating the stress, emotions, and triggers that surface during the holidays. It offers simple tools, grounding strategies, and gentle reminders to help you stay steady, connected, and centered—no matter what this season brings. |
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The Deepening Podcast is a powerful blend of Jungian psychology, spirituality, and soulful conversation. It doesn’t rush past the hard things—it moves through them with curiosity and compassion, inviting you not to bypass pain, but to sit with it, understand it, and ultimately grow because of it. If you’re looking for a podcast that speaks to both mind and heart—one that honors psychology and spirituality, shadow and light—The Deepening belongs in your regular rotation, especially if you’re doing inner work, navigating recovery, or longing for deeper connection. |
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The No Alcohol Needed Podcast
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I’m excited to share that I’ll be joining Julie and Steve on the No Alcohol Needed Podcast (formerly Through the Glass) as a regular monthly guest! Their format is so refreshing—we take one topic and explore it through the perspectives of four different people, which makes for real, nuanced conversations about life without alcohol. Stay tuned for more details! |
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Book Recommendations for DecemberHoliday gifts don’t have to be expensive or elaborate to be meaningful—sometimes the most powerful gift you can give a child is a story that plants seeds of resilience, confidence, and emotional well-being. Children’s books with positive mental health themes can open the door to healing conversations, teach coping skills, and help kids feel seen, understood, and safe. The four books below are ones I personally own, love, and highly recommend for any family looking to nurture emotional health and inner strength during the holidays and beyond Tony and the Scary Thing: A Story About Using Your Voice When Scary Things Happen. June 2022 by Trayonna D. Barnes (Author), Zuri Book Pros (Illustrator) My Dad Knows a Super Hero, Oct 2025, Amy Graceby Amy Grace (Author), Ravin Kaur (Illustrator) Miranda Learns the Art of Not Fitting In, and Hudson Learns the Art of Not Giving Up, by Chrissy Janiga (Author) and Alisha Parvin (Illustrator)
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Finding Serenity in SobrietyThe holidays have a way of stirring everything up at once—joy, pressure, old patterns, and some pretty intense triggers. That’s why I’ve put together a new mini-series to help you prepare for an alcohol-free or sober season with more confidence, clarity, and compassion. Whether you’re in recovery or simply choosing not to drink this year, this series offers practical tools, simple scripts for real-life situations, grounding reminders for high-stress moments, and gentle ways to care for your emotional well-being amid all the holiday noise. |
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The “Helpful Tip” from Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery for December is all about boundaries.” Many people hear the word boundaries and assume it means harsh limits, cold “no’s,” or being weighed down by someone else’s rules. In reality, boundaries are simply guidelines for how we relate to one another. You wouldn’t step onto a tennis court without knowing the rules and expect to enjoy the game or play it well. The same is true for relationships—clear boundaries help everyone understand how to show up, stay safe, and stay connected. |
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The Annual Gulf Coast Social Work ConferenceJanuary 30 - 31st, Biloxi, MS The Mississippi Addiction ConferenceFeb 19 - 21st, Flowood, MS Alabama Conference of Social WorkFeb 26 - 28th, Orange Beach, AL (I will be presenting) The Alabama School of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies50th Annual Conference will take place at the Bryant Conference Center on the campus of the University of Alabama on March 24-27, 2026 (I will be presenting) LA NASW State Conference, Baton Rouge, LA, March 17 -18th, 2026 (I will be presenting) VA & Washington D.C. NASW State Conference, March 25 - 28th 2026, Newport News, VA (I will be presenting)
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Do you have an event, information, or activity you would like me to share?Please provide me with full information and details, including where additional information can be obtained, at least 45 days before the event.
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Please feel free to email me with questions, information, or inquiries about speaking opportunities. I am available for Business, Educational, and 12-step Conferences, Podcasts, and other Media.
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Additional Resources For Information and HelpSuicide & Crisis Lifeline dial 988 is now the three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For substance abuse treatment and mental health referrals, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 AA world service - https://www.aa.org Al-anon - https://al-anon.org/ Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families - https://adultchildren.org/
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