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After Resilience: Why My 2026 Word is Sovereignty
Last year, I asked you to choose a word for 2025. I chose resilience.
I had no idea how much I would need it.
What Resilience Cost Me
And somewhere in all that getting through, I lost something.
I lost me.
Cary M Hamilton
Dec 29, 20253 min read
The Marble Jar of Trust: Why the Small Moments Matter Most
If you’ve ever listened to Brené Brown, you may have heard her talk about trust in a way that is deceptively simple: as a jar filled one marble at a time.
Each marble represents a moment—tiny, often forgettable on their own—when someone shows up for us. A small kindness. A kept promise. A gesture of understanding. A pause to really hear us. None of these moments build trust instantly, but together they accumulate into something solid, steady, and safe.
Amy Pittman LMHCA & Cary Hamilton LMHCS
Dec 4, 20253 min read
Setting Boundaries for Joy: Finding Gratitude & Glimmers This Holiday Season
We are all about encouraging boundaries in relationships because they foster healthy connections and improve self-esteem and self-compassion. But here's what we're learning about boundaries and mental health: when we protect our time and energy through healthy limits, we create the capacity to actually notice the good moments—what trauma therapist Deb Dana calls "glimmers."
These small moments of warmth, connection, and joy are everywhere during the holidays, but we can o
Cary M Hamilton
Nov 27, 20256 min read
Thriving (not just surviving) During the Holidays
‘Tis the season, after all! Promoting gratitude as a stress-reduction tool as we head towards Thanksgiving may sound trite, and many studies have demonstrated that practicing gratitude supports mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being. Intentionally identifying things that are going well and that we are grateful for can shift our mindsets and moods, reduce stress, improve sleep and interpersonal interactions, and over time, can even train our brains to look for mom
Katrina Swenson
Nov 5, 20253 min read
Suicide Prevention: Let’s Get Awkward!
“Are you thinking about suicide?” It’s an awkward question, right?
Scary, even. If there’s one thing we know from suicide research, however, it’s that this question, though uncomfortable, is essential. So let’s get awkward, because it’s September, and September is National Suicide Prevention month. There’s no better time to talk about what to do if someone you love is talking about suicide, or if you suspect they are considering it.
Katrina Swenson
Sep 24, 20254 min read
When the Storm Hits: Why Your Child's Mental Health Can't Wait for After-School Hours
Here's what every parent needs to understand: stressed brains don't learn. When a child's nervous system is overwhelmed—whether by anxiety, depression, trauma, or neurodivergent challenges—their brain literally cannot access its higher-level functions needed for academic learning.
The science is clear: chronic stress affects brain structure and function. The amygdala, our fear center, becomes hyperactive, while the hippocampus, vital for learning and memory, becomes compro
Cary M Hamilton
Aug 23, 20255 min read
The Value of Continuing Therapy in the Summer Months
Therapy is like watering a plant. The growth you see today was nurtured weeks or months ago, and ongoing attention is what keeps that growth alive. Summer breaks can disrupt a child’s therapeutic rhythm, leading to regression in areas such as emotional regulation, social skills, and coping strategies.
Even skipping just 6–8 weeks can undo hard-earned gains. Continuing weekly or even bi-weekly sessions helps maintain momentum and reinforce the safe, consistent space your ch
Cary M Hamilton
Jun 4, 20253 min read
More Than Just a Hashtag: Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. But let's be honest—mental health isn't just a monthly theme; it's the backdrop of our daily lives. It's the silent partner in our successes and the loud critic in our challenges. And while we've made strides in bringing mental health into the conversation, there's still a long road ahead.
Cary M. Hamilton of Olympia Therapy
May 3, 20253 min read
Embracing Neurodiversity
As a mental health specialist, I’ve learned that no two brains are the same – and that’s a wonderful thing.
Cary M. Hamilton
Mar 18, 20256 min read
This March, Our Bodies Remember: Navigating a World of Uncertainty
Five years ago, the world stopped.
March 2020 brought a global experience of fear, disbelief, grief, and isolation. It was a collective
Cary M. Hamilton
Mar 1, 20253 min read
The Therapeutic Power of Play: Why Play Therapy Works
Imagine this: your child is engaged in a make-believe battle, complete with roaring dinosaurs and epic explosions.
Cary M. Hamilton of Olympia Therapy
Feb 2, 20254 min read
Finding Glimmers This Fall: Embracing Small Moments of Joy in the Messy Middle
Here’s the thing about life—it’s messy, unpredictable, and beautifully imperfect.
Cary M Hamilton
Nov 7, 20244 min read
Putting a Freeze on the Holiday Meltdowns
While we love to fantasize about winter wonderlands and the holiday spirit, any parent knows that meltdowns are just as prevalent as snowfla
Olympia Therapy
Nov 4, 20244 min read
OCD Awareness Week
OCD Awareness Week is from October 13th-19th. It is important to shed light on OCD because your knowledge can make a difference.
Cary M Hamilton
Oct 15, 20244 min read
Mental Health Matters: Here are 6 Ways to Improve Yours
Today is World Mental Health Day. A day recognized by many that is designed to raise awareness around mental health and promote mental...
Olympia Therapy
Oct 10, 20244 min read
Parenting Sensory Processing Neurodivergence.
Alright, listen up. Parenting today—it’s like you’ve been handed a manual that’s missing half the pages, but you’re expected to be an expert
Cary M. Hamilton
Oct 4, 20246 min read
Navigating Teen Stress in a World Without Phones at School
This year, our local school districts and schools across the country have started cracking down on cell phone use, implementing stricter...
Cary M Hamilton
Sep 9, 20245 min read
Embracing Diversity and Love
As the vibrant colors of summer bloom around us, we step into a month of celebration, reflection, and advocacy: Pride Month.
Cary M. Hamilton
May 31, 20243 min read
What's in a label? Why they matter in mental health.
Mental Health Labels
In recent years, the conversation surrounding mental health has taken significant strides towards openness and ...
Amy Pittman LMHCA & Cary Hamilton LMHCS
May 20, 20242 min read
Decoding Mental Health Buzzwords: Social Use vs Clinical Definitions
In today’s digital age, where information is shared rapidly across social platforms, certain mental health terms have entered our...
Amy Pittman LMHCA & Cary Hamilton LMHCS
May 8, 20245 min read
Mental Health Is Health: Nurturing Wellness for All Ages
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it’s a beautiful opportunity to focus on our well-being.
Cary M. Hamilton
May 5, 20243 min read
Understanding and Addressing the Impact of Child Abuse: A Guide for Parents and Therapists
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and cultivating an environment where the safety and well-being
Cary M. Hamilton of Olympia Therapy
Apr 19, 20243 min read
Gratitude Can Be A Lighthouse
We often find ourselves adrift in the delightfully unpredictable journey of life, awash with a tsunami of tweets, texts, and TikToks. Ah,...
Cary M Hamilton
Nov 21, 20233 min read
Navigating the Labyrinth of Labels: Unpacking the ADHD, Anxiety, and SPD Triad
Navigating the tangled web of labels like ADHD, Anxiety, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) for your child can be both confusing and emot
Cary Hamilton
Oct 29, 20234 min read
The information contained on this site, blog posts, videos, and interviews are for general education purposes and do not constitute professional advice. If you are a provider, it’s important to seek training, continuing education, or clinical supervision. If you are a parent, I encourage you to seek direct help from a qualified provider for your child and family. All identifying information, including names and other details, has been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
*The photos used are personal or are stock photography models and do not represent specific individuals in any way.
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