Every day is Giving Tuesday in these parts! Whether it’s a journal, or therapy, a portion is donated to organizations I feel give back to our communities. So, thank you for taking care of yourself as you take care of others.

PLEASE USE CODE ‘THANKFUL’ for FREE SHIPPING ALL MONTH.

We are proud to have selected #DollarFor as our organization for the fall season. Chronic illness or any medical challenge can be beyond physically and emotionally grueling. It shouldn’t also be financially draining. Dollar For not only agrees but is doing something about it.

“Dollar For is a national non-profit organization that eliminates medical debt by empowering patients and advocating on their behalf. We help patients crush their debt – for free with no strings attached. Our work is entirely funded through philanthropic grants and donations.”

dollarfor.org/about/

Thank you in advance for your fall purchases, and subsequent donations to this wonderful organization.

Thank you to those who purchased journals during the summer season! The team @ppgnyact’s #PROJECTSHINE is grateful for your contribution to envisioning a world where youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities have equitable access to high-quality information and affordable health care, with supportive laws and policies that ensure the greatest autonomy and informed sexual well-being possible across the lifespan. It wasn’t a question that I would choose an organization that advocates and fights for our basic human rights, especially a program that represents the disability community. This is a safe space, and we are in this together.

Sending Love and Spoons

P.S. Remember that rest is productive, and that you matter. So, so, so much. 

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Thank you for supporting a women/spoonie-owned, USA-made, small business. As well as the charitable organization we get to donate a portion of proceeds this season.

We’ve been featured in some pretty neat gift guides, podcasts, mental health articles, and interviews (see below).

Begin Within Journal Featured in Nicky LaMarco Gift Guide!

Begin Within Journal Featured in Organically Becca’s Gift Guide!

Click here to see the full list!

Begin Within Journal Featured in My Four and More’s Guide for Picking the Perfect Gift!

Begin Within Journal Featured in My Four and More’s Guide for Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas!

Christina was featured in Natural Awakening’s article on Heading off Headaches:

“The mind-body connection is fierce,” says Christina P. Kantzavelos, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in chronic illness and pain at Begin Within Today, in San Diego. “It’s important to keep in mind that pain literally originates in the brain. I use a Constructed Awareness approach with clients and bring curiosity to the pain they are experiencing, including headaches. What thoughts and emotions are coming up when they focus on the pain?” she says. “Physical symptoms are often the manifestation or tangible evidence of what is going on in your unconscious mind. Our bodies become stronger or weaker, depending on our emotional state. Fear, self-criticism and invalidating the self can be the root of a headache.”​​​​​​​​

Christina Kantzavelos was also featured in How Stuff Works’ 3 Key Steps to Finding the Right Therapist for You

Holistic psychotherapist Christina P. Kantzavelos offers a list of questions to ask yourself as therapy progress:

• Do I feel safe talking about anything?

• Do I feel completely comfortable?

• Do I feel supported?

• Are my goals, and treatment plan being revisited as needed?

• Do I feel like I'm meeting the goals created in my treatment plan?

• Do I still feel like this is leading to personal growth?

“You may be wondering why a lot of therapist, including myself, don’t accept health insurance. In this article I would like to focus on the issue of confidentiality and privacy when it comes to accessing benefits.”

- Molly Zive