Written by Jody Cecil. Our Licensed Professional Counselor

As I continue to enjoy the summer season, I’ve spent a fair amount of time tending to the flowers planted in the yard of our home. If you’re like me, you continue to learn about each plant’s needs and growing seasons. Cultivating beauty takes time, doesn’t it? Water, sunshine, and fertilizer all matter. And then there’s deadheading.

For those who might be new to gardening and flower care (like me!), deadheading is the process of removing the old blossoms and seed heads from the plant. While it’s not always necessary, many flowering plants need it. With the dead blossoms gone, the plant directs its energy into growth and more flowers. If I’m honest, I often find the task of deadheading quite tedious. The flowers I have seem beautiful enough, right?

Surrounded by daisies, I recently paused and saw the process of deadheading through the eyes of a growing and healing human being. Caring for ourselves requires a type of pruning at times, doesn’t it? Long-lasting change often occurs when we accept the invitation to “prune”, to explore old wounds and survival strategies that may no longer be serving us. Growth must be stimulated, and much like a plant, our brains have the ability to change and rewire themselves. Our energy can be redirected to create even more beauty.

As a member of the Flourish team, I’d be honored to walk with you on your personal journey of healing and growth. If you feel counseling might be helpful, you can learn more about me at Taking Root Counseling. As a licensed professional counselor, I use a variety of modalities including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment, and EMDR. Together, we’ll collaborate on a plan that makes space for new growth and flourishing.