The Bedford Therapy Group, LLC

What if pain, failure, hurt, loneliness, shame disappointment, doubt..... All those words, all those experiences were redefined- Given new meaning. They are real, these feelings and experiences are true but they are not where hope is found. Hope is not on "the other side" and being rid of them or being "over it" but what is hope is in the midst of it all- it's scary but the hard stuff is there no matter what. We can't escape it and when we avoid it we sink deeper into it. W...e do this work as therapists not because of the pain but because of The good. The hope. The restoration. It's as real as the hurt. What if these experiences were not a sign that we are broken and need to be fixed but a sign that we are human and that is important because that means we are not alone? You are not alone. Maybe it's not that you or your life needs to change maybe it means that you need to restore...and restoration needs community. We need each other to heal. Healing, hope, love, belonging they are not ideals that we find when get "it" right. They are what we discover when we stop hustling and hiding and say, "I'm not ok and I don't know where to start but I am tired and I need some help " That's where we come in. That's where your story matters becaus the characters and context will be different between us but the experience is one we all share. We are human and that means life is hard and sometimes it hurts, a lot, but it gets better. None of us are called to do this work alone. That's why all of us here became therapists and come to work with joy and gratitude each day. You do not have to do this alone. That's why we're here. There is good in the world and in each of us but it is gritty and hard, messy and confusing at times and that's what makes us, all of us, and this life so beautiful. Your story matters and we want to hear it. It matters not just to you but to us. It reminds us that we are all in this thing togther, doing the best we can but we can't (and shouldn't) do it alone.

Michael VanderWaal, LMSW is passionate about hypnotherapy and the positive effects it can have on self growth and discovery. Contact him today for a free consultation! 816-200-2320

Counseling, therapy, life- we all want it to be linear. We want to know that we are making progress, that things are working out- that we are getting better, that it will be easier- and moving from bad to good, hard to easy. The truth that I have seen in my own life and the life of my clients is that it's not linear at all but that doesn't mean there is not movement and growth. It's not straight, its circular and that is a very good thing because that means pain is not failure, doubt and fear are not weakness and hope is in the process not the ideal outcome. A great video that gives words to this process of change and hope.

Check out this blog about self-care written by Bedford therapist Ashley Barrett, MS, SMFT! Ashley shares about how to approach authentic self-care so that we know what we need rather than checking activities off of a list. --- http://ow.ly/mCDo50uT0JR --- #selfcare #bedfordtherapygroup #BTGkc #therapyworks #selfawareness #KCtherapists

This needs no additional insight... --- #therapyworks #toomuch #therapy #psychotherapy #btg #bedfordtherapygroup #kctherapy #kctherapists #emdr #efttherapy #daringway #daringwayfacilitators #grouptherapy #socialwork #socialworkers #lpc #mft #msw #marriageandfamilytherapy

This post by @heyamberrae is a wonderful expression of what it means to feel. In reading through her comments, she noticed that many people start numbing their emotions as soon as they feel discomfort because they were never taught how to sit with the feels and notice. Not many of us where given the opportunity to learn how to be in the discomfort...if this is something you’ve struggled with - you’re not alone! - and this graphic depicts a great way to begin practicing. - #bedfordtherapygroup #btgkc #amberrae #feelibnemotions #emotionalexpression #therapyworks #therapists #kctherapists #efttherapists #emdrtherapists #emdr #daringway #daringwayfacilitators

Letting Glennon's words soak in today... --- #bedfordtherapygroup #btgkc #glennondoylemelton #showupanyways # therapyworks #KCtherapists

Raise your hand if you struggle with self-esteem...I know that I definitely have and still sometimes do. I hope that this quote reminds you today that apart of our self-esteem journey is learning how to let go of the facade of perfection in order to truly hold our imperfect selves in high regard. --- #bedfordtherapygroup #btgKC #estherperel #selfesteem #confidence #highregard #therapyworks #therapists #kansascitytherapy

Understanding how the things we experience impacts the brain can be really hard to comprehend. In my own journey I have wrestled with better understanding my own triggers, reactions, and responses to the world around me. A book that greatly helped me get why I behave the way I behave is called "Trauma is Really Strange" by Steve Haines. If you're curious about your own trauma experiences, I'd recommend picking up this book! --- #traumaisreallystrange #stevehaines #traumahappens #bekindtoyourself #therapyworks #bedfordtherapygroup #btgKC #emdr #traumawork #supporttraumavictims #marriageandfamilytherapy #socialwork