Samantha Hanson, LPC, ATR, Clini-Coach®

Category Coaching

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What is Social Media to me?

Prompt: How do you use social media?

I use social media as a way to share what I do with others. Not only what, but why as I feel that is important to know to some extent. Transparency and being genuine are an important part of my foundation as a business owner, regardless of which set of services I am portraying,

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When connecting with any healthcare individual it’s important to feel comfortable, and by sharing a bit of my neurospicy self ahead of time I hope that helps with one’s process. One positive of the technology and social media is I can share videos about myself and my services, I just need to work on my anxiety of talking in front of others! (Always easier to help others then to help myself- at least I’m no longer in front of a class of peers).

Growing up I learned about being a business owner from my dad, he would go to continuing education conferences being in a different part of healthcare and meet others locally by referring in nearby towns. Every time we went to the store people knew him and because it’s a small town, knew me or my brothers and asked how things were going. Back then everything was by in person events, newspaper ads, phone calls and insurance referrals of course.

Today’s marketing is similar but different. I am in a different type of healthcare which provides me opportunities to share information and education with you. I also send out snail mail including yearly Christmas cards to referrals, “I am here!” Letters or post cards to ones I may not have connected with, as well as “new location!” Post cards due to moving, again, and boy am I tired of moving. I am feeling a good fit at 516 E Wisconsin Ave in Appleton and 404 N Main in Oshkosh and am in the process of making my space more functional and professional for clients- updated photos will come soon!

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When I began, I sent out a paper packet including a letter, brochure, business cards and heat color changing pencils to other businesses. A card saying let’s get coffee! (virtually as it was the pandemic year), and this year I have started having those coffees (in person even!) and making new connections. Part of how I’m receiving this reach is because I update my social media and my online directories, a combination of past and present-day networking and advertising. The more I share, and you view the more people who may need what I offer will have the opportunity to see me.

We all work together even if its indirectly! Any support of clicking, liking, following, sharing or simply reading to the end is helpful and much appreciated. If you would like to have a coffee to talk more about how we can support each other, virtually or in person -please reach out!

3 Steps to Improving as a Neurospicy Person in a Neurotypical World

As you know being neurospicy means you interact with the world a little differently. The positive side of that is people with these unique traits have qualities and strengths that neurotypical individuals would not have. Someone with neurospicy traits sometimes needs help to navigate the world around them and help their unique perspective operate being a neurodivergent person in a world not built for them. 

I grew up as the weird kid who missed school due to health issues and struggled greatly due to undiagnosed ADD and I lacked the social skills to fit into my neurotypical surroundings. Don’t worry IT DOES GET BETTER!!! In college, I learned the skills to manage (and embrace) my neurospiciness and move on to graduate and OWN a successful art therapy business. Now I help many people function as a neurospicy individual as a life coach. My clients look to learn how to survive their quirks, build confidence, and embrace their unique individual traits as superpowers. 

It’s important to remember that it is out of your control how your quirks come to be, this is my focus with clients in my life coaching program. Your focus should be on what you CAN control, therefore here are 3 steps on how to simplify your life and help you survive this neurotypical world.

1.  Study your routine: Observe your day-to-day, grab a notebook, and write down your daily routine (yes I know, lists … remembering to write things down, it’ll be worth it, trust me). Keep this list simple, make check marks, smileys, doodles, stickers, stamps, etc., and make it fun. Whatever helps you to know what works (and what doesn’t) within your routine. Do this for several days, a week, or even two weeks. Make note of the people you interact with, the feelings that are influenced by various interactions or stimuli or tasks, and all barriers to accomplishing what you need to do. Just be certain to keep it detailed.

2. Adjust your routine: Try something new. See where you can trim things down and what can be simplified. It helps to ask yourself some of the following questions: What’s too much? What’s too stressful? What do you absolutely NEED in your schedule? Or what are some things that could change? Would parts of your routine work better in the morning rather than before bed? Set alarms to remind yourself of the changes that you make, including changes made to your job, however that may apply to your personal situation. Different choices made in your routine will influence how you respond to stress and manage to get through each day. 

For example, you have a certain medication that you must take daily to just exist as a human being. If it isn’t being taken as prescribed by keeping the medication in your bathroom cabinet, what about moving it to your nightstand? That way it’s one of the first things you see when you wake up and helps you to remember to take the medication, add a post-it note to it to grab your attention. Do this for a few days and evaluate if it makes a difference in your routine. If it doesn’t work then try another solution for a few days.  

3. Change your mindset: To be consistent throughout the first two steps, you need to change how you view things, i.e. your perspective. In college, I always thought that I was a bad communicator but a counselor asked me if this was how people made me feel or if that was how I truly felt about my communication strategies. I realized that this was how people made me feel, how they responded and talked to me that I thought that I was doing something wrong. Since then, I have done a lot of my own research on the topic, and depending on what is internally going on with that person’s day will change how they perceive what I am saying. This may not be the case in all situations, maybe you will have to learn new strategies to function in the world better or have better interactions with other people. It’s always good to have feedback on yourself, but if it’s not valid, if it’s truly a “them” problem, then it’s better to make a note of it, accept that you can’t control it, and try not to personalize it. BUT if it is a “you” problem, what can you observe and adjust to improve this mindset. 

So how does this help you build confidence and embrace your quirks? By building consistency in your routine, you will feel confident that YOU CAN get things done, or get that medication taken. By changing the mindset you are finding the triggers that may be causing additional stress and learn to recognize this and adjust your viewpoint. All of this will allow your brain to have a break from trying to keep up with all the tasks that need to be accomplished because it is now a habit in your routine, eliminating some stressors under your control. Ultimately helping you feel better about yourself. This alone will begin to help you feel better both physically and mentally. This is exactly what I do to help my clients as a life coach, one step at a time, you can find out more about my program HERE.

How has technology changed your job?

“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.”
– Forest Gump

Technology provided me a way to open and grow my business. During the COVID-19 pandemic I came to the realization that I needed to take better care of me. Being a therapist and having undiagnosed (at the time) ADD, and chronic fatigue among other health issues, I gave my all to my clients, and part of being there for others meant not always having time or energy for myself at times.

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Through opening my own office and being in charge of my schedule and intake I was able to build in breaks or work in the comfort of my own home on days I might be too tired or experiencing my own physical discomfort. Having a hybrid schedule has its positives and negatives, but my back sure appreciates being able to sit on my recliner on those work from home periods.

With telehealth and virtual options, I was able to start offering virtual consults to determine if we both felt right for each other prior to starting and provide referrals right away if necessary to avoid later frustration if not a right fit.

I was able to see clients all over the state virtually, and briefly my local clients got to meet my dogs during walk and talk sessions (and continue seeing them other days during virtual- along with meeting their pets!).

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Having flexibility with virtual option also meant it took away barriers for clients who had transportation issues or chronic illness flareups who normally wouldn’t be able make it to appointments. With Wisconsin weather, it also became an option during blizzards or downpours that made driving to session unsafe.

Technology may have been available prior to covid; however, it was mainly known for use in larger clinics. I am very appreciative that it has been available, and I found the right connections to mentor me and help me discover it along the way in navigating not only my health journey, but also my growth in offering counseling and coaching services.

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Life Coaching Services!!

Have you considered coaching and how it could improve and empower your life?

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Do you find yourself looking back, sensing a lack of fulfillment and purpose, or grappling with low self-esteem? Has the demands of work overshadowed your authentic self? Samantha is now expanding her services as a certified Clini-Coach®. Leveraging her background, Samantha can guide you in reconnecting with your true being, support you in rediscovering your authentic self, and assist you in reclaiming a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Trained in coaching methodologies, Samantha integrates client-centered, narrative, humanistic approaches, and trauma-informed care. As a certified Clini-Coach®, Samantha values clients who independently initiate communication without prompting, fostering a balanced interaction that respects both client needs and healthy boundaries. Scheduled or flexible check-ins will be part of the collaborative coaching approach, ensuring a mindful connection without overdoing it.

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Creative expression is presented as an optional opportunity for growth and challenge within your unique coaching plan. Choose from individual session packages, group options, and access to Voxer for questions between meetings. Rooted in authenticity and guided by values like transparency and achievement, together, we’ll uncover and achieve your aspirations.

Meaningful work is at the heart of Samantha’s coaching approach, fostering self-respect, growth, and compassion in a supportive exploration of your potential. Ready to take the first step? Samantha values your feedback and, in exchange for reviews, is pleased to offer a discount on coaching packages. Contact her today to discuss how coaching could be beneficial for you.

One option Samantha is working to provide are Therapy Intensives, Workshops, and Support Groups. Samantha may or may not collaborate with other Coaches pending the size of the group To Summarize:

  • Therapy Intensive: In-depth, personalized, and concentrated therapeutic work for significant progress. May be Multiple days in length – Samantha Hopes to offer them on Weekends and keep them reasonable length to allow participants and her time to decompress before the beginning of the next work week- Usually Not reimbursable by insurance
  • Workshop: Educational, interactive, and practical sessions focused on specific topics or skills.- Limited to 1-3 hours, May be evenings or Weekends to work around Samantha’s current individual case schedule.
  • Support Group: On going peer support with professional facilitation, focusing on shared experiences and mutual support. Limited to 1-2 hours once or more a month pending need.

Please keep in mind that clients cannot sign up for both coaching and therapy services simultaneously. Coaching sessions operate on a cash-pay basis, while therapy sessions can utilize insurance benefits, out-of-network insurance benefits, or cash-pay options. Samantha is committed to creating a personalized and supportive journey for you. Begin your transformative experience by reaching out today.

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Habits! Choices! They are everywhere!

How many choices do you make in a day? Hundreds probably if you really think about it. Each of those choices will take you in a direction which will influence how the rest of your day goes. This can influence your emotions, behaviors, thoughts, about all future choices and the people you come in contact with and their emotions behaviors and thoughts – and the list goes on! (Who would have thought a choice could have such an impact??- like glitter… the love spreads and never ends).

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So, choices, habits- what are some choices that you do every day in certain routines that then influence the rest of the day? How does your morning look, or the beginning of your workday, or evening, nighttime? Mine has been a hot mess honestly. Trouble sleeping, trouble waking, rushed a lot, disorganized house, poor diet, the list goes on.

Lately however, I’m changing my habits. I started the nutrition program, (I attempted the gym and other movement strategies, but no time or energy led to stopping) and low and behold the nutrition changes have made all the difference. I have a schedule and as long as I follow the food schedule I notice more energy, no bloating, can be more productive, and I can do things outside of work including changing my habits to make my days easier.

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I’m sleeping better at night, I’m getting paperwork done easier, posting more on social media personally and professionally, reconnecting with people and making new friends (OMG people!!). And I even started a private FB group for my “peace in color” followers! It’s private so we can have discussions and share more than my regular page, or this website allows. I also have shared my new “Walk and Talk Fox cities Meetup Group on Meetup https://meetu.ps/c/51FZT/l3LGs/a to encourage walking, socializing, and making friends!

Food for thought- What habits or choices do you make that could use a change to influence your life in some other way?

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New me 2023, hey… it rhymes

Evening everyone! We are officially into 2023.  Have you created any new year’s resolutions? Or maybe general plans of what you want to do differently this year as opposed to last year? Some people want to try new things in general and set goals of one new thing a month/a week/a day pending their work/life balance schedule.

For me, last year was all about trying to become healthier. In December 2021 I tried on a pair of jeans and realized they didn’t fit! My yoga pants had deceived me into stretching with me and helping me believe I hadn’t gained much weight.   So, I was determined to fit back into my old clothes, I tried different stepping challenges, made it to my chiropractor regularly, and started a new nutrition program. I’m quite pleased with the latest results, and it’s re-sparking my interest to take a class on nutrition or functional medicine!

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My growth over these last few months alone has felt amazing, and I’m so proud of myself for sticking to this program despite its ups and downs (although it really isn’t that difficult). I have more energy and am down quite a bit of weight with more to go. I’m not going to say what this program is, as I don’t want you to go immediately to doctor google and brush it off because of the meal plan price.  I was just ready when it was offered to me, it was offered by an old friend I grew up with and she had checked in with me for two years before I finally was ready.  Work was in a good place, I’m in charge of my own schedule and able to take time for myself, and it replaced my normal meal budget, so I figured what the heck give it a try.  Needless to say, I’m about 3 months in and so glad I did it. I’m learning to eat better, its easy prepackaged meals so I’m not calculating carbs.  Has a variety of things and encourages cooking.  As I said, I’m learning so many new things and loving where this is going. But I definitely had to be in the right mindset and willing to be told what to do and how to do it and try something new with the hope of it working, try someone else’s way without letting myself get in the way.

My professional and somewhat personal goals for this year are to look into some health programs, maybe take a class or two so I can use the knowledge and science behind our bodies and how nutrition impacts it, with the growth I’ve experienced learning about myself (yes the program requires reading, reflection and journaling) as well as socially (my coach encourages me to share my story on social media in a private community with others in the program as well as my main profile and engage with people more, build friendships which has been hard for me in the past with my anxiety). 

I know everyone has different experience with diets, meal plans, and our bodies are all different as well, so this program gave me no promises.  To me this is a lifestyle change, and now that I have energy, and feel healthy for the first time in most of my life, I’m truly excited to see what else this year brings with my new habits and tastebuds!

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Comment below what some of your 2023 goals are! If you would like to ask questions about my health journey or talk about your own health journey and where you are at, also feel free to comment or submit the “contact us” form on the main page.