By Stephanie Seidl, MA, LCPC “I had scrolled myself into a hole — and I didn’t even realize I was digging.” During my recent week off, I had a lot of alone time. While I love some good alone time, I was beginning to feel disconnected. In my feelings of disconnection, comparison started, as…
“My internal voice was right — but the world around me kept telling me I was wrong.” By Stephanie Seidl, MA, LCPC When my youngest child was two weeks old, I knew something was off. He was crying inconsolably, and nothing I did could soothe him. That quiet, persistent feeling kept surfacing: I think…
Many of my clients who share a deep faith are often surprised when I tell them this: I don’t recommend many faith-based marriage resources. That statement can feel unsettling at first. After all, if faith is central to your life, shouldn’t it be central to the marriage advice you consume? Absolutely. But here’s the nuance:…
My first week home from the hospital, I was far too scared to stay home alone with Joshua. My church arranged for my friends to come stay with me while Paul worked. My friends packed up their littles, came to my apartment, and spent their days caring for me. Their support overwhelmed me. On the…
The four weeks between my first panic attack and my trip to the emergency room are quite fuzzy. My sleep was minimal due to constant intrusive thoughts. I tossed and turned through the night, unable to rest. Eating felt nearly impossible—my stomach was a constant wave of nausea. In moments of desperation, I would get…
Friday, September 24, 2004, my husband, Paul, came home from work to find me sitting crisscross applesauce on the nursery floor. Head in my hands, I couldn’t speak. My tears fell fast and hard. My heart raced so fast, I couldn’t catch my breath. The fear reverberated through my entire body. Finally, I squeaked out,…

I have never liked making a resolution for a new year. Yet, as I have approached this year of 2026 the word “stillness” has been on my mind like a clock ticking in the background of a silent room.