Angela Sewell Counseling at The Barn

07/28/2026

Office hours are changing starting August 12!

07/26/2026

🔥 Hot Temperatures this Week 🔥

When the heat index is this high, we have to take precautions to keep clients, horse therapy partners, and your counselor from over heating during sessions.

This means:

💦 keeping cold bottled waters available to clients in the office mini fridge

💦doing equine assisted activities inside the barn, surrounded by extra fans

💦equine assisted activities that include cold-hosing the horse therapy partner (and clients may choose to get wet too 😉)

💦Staying in the Air Conditioned office where we can do therapy activities and talk therapy.

☀️If you know you’ll want to go outside and participate in therapeutic activities with the horses over the next few days, please dress cool, wear close-toed shoes, and be prepared for the heat.

🌟 Client sessions are “client-led”, which means we meet your therapeutic goals through activities that clients would like to participate in.

07/25/2026

“Aren't rewards just bribing kids?"

It's a question parents often ask.

The truth is, using incentives to build positive behaviors is one of the most researched and effective parenting tools when used thoughtfully.

Think about it this way... Adults work for incentives every day. We earn a paycheck for going to work. We receive praise for doing a good job. We celebrate milestones and accomplishments. Children are no different—they're still learning which behaviors lead to positive outcomes.

When a child is learning a new skill—whether it's completing homework, brushing their teeth, following directions the first time, or using kind words—the behavior may not yet feel rewarding on its own.

An incentive helps bridge that gap until the behavior becomes a habit.

🌱 Effective incentives:
✔ Focus on encouraging positive behaviors rather than punishing mistakes.
✔ Help children experience success and build confidence.
✔ Teach that effort and persistence pay off.
✔ Can be gradually reduced as the new behavior becomes routine.

The goal isn't to create children who only behave for rewards. The goal is to teach new skills, strengthen positive habits, and help children experience the natural rewards of success and self-confidence.

Every child is different. Some respond best to praise, others enjoy earning extra playtime, choosing a family activity, collecting tokens toward a larger reward, or spending one-on-one time with a parent.

Instead of asking, "How do I get my child to stop doing the wrong thing?" try asking, "How can I make the right thing easier and more rewarding?"
Small, consistent encouragement today can lead to lifelong healthy habits tomorrow. 💚

🐴 At Angela Sewell Counseling at The Barn, we help children and parents develop practical, evidence-based strategies that build confidence, strengthen relationships, and encourage lasting positive behavior

07/24/2026

Oftentimes, giving our anxiety a name can help us talk about it, get to know it better, and control it.

07/23/2026

Fall office hours start August 13!

Secure your revolving appointment time now by messaging your counselor via the client portal!

**If you already have a revolving appointment time, that appointment time is locked in unless you’d like to move it.

07/22/2026

When Alabama is under a heat advisory, our therapy horses feel the effects just as much as we do. Because they are such an important part of the healing process, it's our responsibility to ensure they stay healthy, comfortable, and safe during periods of extreme heat.

During high temperatures, you may notice a few changes at Angela Sewell Counseling at The Barn:

💧 Our horses receive frequent water breaks and unlimited access to fresh, clean water.
🌳 We prioritize shade, fans, and rest periods to help prevent overheating.
🐴 Session activities may be modified to reduce physical demands on our horses.
🌟 Sessions may take place in the AC cooled office, where non-equine therapeutic activities may be offered.
❤️ We closely monitor each horse for signs of heat stress, fatigue, or dehydration, and if conditions are unsafe, horse activities will be postponed.

Our therapy horses give so much of themselves to help others heal. Taking extra precautions during extreme weather allows them to continue doing what they do best while staying healthy and happy.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us put animal welfare first. Caring for our horses is an essential part of providing safe, ethical, and effective equine-assisted psychotherapy.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and give your four-legged friends a little extra care during this heat wave! ☀️💙🐴

07/17/2026

❤️

07/15/2026

📚🍎 Back-to-School Success Starts Before the First Bell Rings! 🍎📚

For children with anxiety and/or ADHD, the transition back to school can feel overwhelming—but a little preparation now can make a big difference when the first day arrives.
Here are a few ways to help your child feel more confident and prepared:

✅ Start a school routine 2–3 weeks before school begins.

Gradually move bedtime and wake-up times back to the school schedule. Practice morning routines, getting dressed, eating breakfast, and leaving the house on time. Predictability helps reduce anxiety and makes mornings less stressful.

✅ Talk about what to expect.

Discuss the upcoming school year in a calm, positive way. If your child is anxious, encourage them to ask questions and share their worries without trying to immediately "fix" them. Feeling heard is often the first step toward feeling safe.

✅ Visit the school if possible.

Walking through the building, finding classrooms, or driving the route ahead of time can reduce uncertainty and help your child feel more familiar with the environment.

✅ Practice organization skills.

For children with ADHD, begin using backpacks, planners, checklists, and designated places for school supplies before school starts. Building these habits early can reduce frustration later.

✅ Limit last-minute schedule changes.

Summer is full of fun and spontaneity, but as school approaches, consistency becomes increasingly important. A predictable routine helps regulate sleep, mood, attention, and emotional regulation.

✅ Build confidence.

Remind your child that they don't have to be perfect—they just have to be willing to try. Celebrate effort, problem-solving, and small successes along the way.

❤️ Remember: Children with anxiety and ADHD often thrive when expectations are clear, routines are consistent, and they know they have a safe adult cheering them on.

If your child is struggling with anxiety, ADHD, or the transition back to school, therapy can provide tools to help them build confidence, manage emotions, and start the school year feeling prepared.

Angela Sewell Counseling at The Barn

📍 Southside, Alabama
📞 256-458-8819
📧 [email protected]

07/11/2026

Loving this! Even if you’re not comfortable having a decal, you can register your address and responding officers can see the info.

🔗 🔨 Link is working now!

Does someone in your household have an invisible disability?

The Etowah County Sheriff's Office is proud to offer the ECSO Invisible Disability Initiative — a free program that helps Emergency Responders better serve residents with invisible disabilities before they ever knock on your door.

By placing a free decal near your front door or in the rear window of your vehicle, you alert arriving deputies and first responders that an occupant may not respond to verbal commands, may hide or wander, or may have no awareness of danger. That information can make all the difference in how a situation is handled.

Not comfortable with a decal? No problem. You can still register — and we will flag your address in our 911 dispatch system so responders arrive informed.

This program is completely free. Decals can be mailed to you or picked up at the Etowah County Sheriff's Office.

✍️ Register today at www.etowahcountysheriff.com/invisible-disability

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07/03/2026

Feeling overwhelmed? Anxiety coming on?

Sour candy helps!

When was the last time you popped a piece of horribly sour candy and were able to NOT focus on the sour taste??

By popping an extremely sour candy in your mouth, you’ll be forced to focus on something in the present; in the here and now. The focus on the sour taste can drown out the other stimulus and “ground” you to reality.

This is why you’ll oftentimes see sour candy sitting around my office. Grab some to keep handy if you are going to be in an environment that might be overwhelming or stressful.