Joanna Barrett Wellness

09/09/2026

The mind is like a snow globe. When everything is stirred up, it can feel cloudy, chaotic, and hard to see clearly. But when you sit, breathe, and allow yourself to be still, something begins to shift. The thoughts don’t need to be forced away. They simply begin to settle, like snow gently falling to the bottom of the globe.
My mind has felt shaken at times, and I’ve noticed how it slowly finds its way back to stillness through meditation. There is beauty in the movement, in the swirl, in the storm. And there is also a quiet kind of beauty in the settling.
I’m drawn to that place of calm, where things can gently land, and clarity begins to return. And I know I meet that place through my yoga asana and meditation practices.
If you feel that pull too, I’d love to guide you there. www.joannabarrettyoga.com
Visit www.joannabarrett.com for more information about Mental Health Counseling services, and www.joannabarrettyoga.com for more information about Emotional Wellness Yoga, Courses & Programs, and Professional Consulting.

09/08/2026

💜 September is Su***de Prevention Month. 💜
💜 Today is 988 Day. 💜

This topic is deeply personal to me; it is woven through people I have lost, my own life experiences, stories that have stayed with me, and the work I do as a therapist, advocate, and volunteer.

Su***de touches so many of us. We may have lost someone we love, supported someone through a crisis, struggled ourselves, or sat beside someone in their darkest moments. And often, we have no idea what another person may be carrying.

Today, I’m sharing a new blog with personal stories, reflections on su***de, bullying, mental health, and the importance of connection, along with resources for anyone who may need support.

On 988 Day, please remember: Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. 💜

I hope you’ll read, share, check on the people you love, and help remind others that they do not have to carry the hard things alone. And remember to stay for the next chapter. 💜

Read the blog + find resources:
https://joannabarrett.com/2026/09/08/su***de-prevention/

988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
American Foundation for Su***de Prevention
Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation

***dePreventionMonth ***dePrevention

Su***de prevention belongs to all of us. Explore personal reflections on mental health, connection, bullying, caring for caregivers, and holding onto hope.

09/07/2026

On Labor Day, it can be easy to think of the holiday as the unofficial end of summer, a long weekend, or one last opportunity to gather before the rhythms of fall begin. But Labor Day has a deeper history.

The holiday grew out of the American labor movement of the late 19th century, during a time when many workers faced long hours, low wages, unsafe working conditions, and few protections. Labor organizers and workers advocated for better conditions, fairer treatment, and greater recognition of the contributions working people made to their communities and the country.

The first Labor Day celebration was held in New York City on September 5, 1882, when thousands of workers participated in a parade organized by labor leaders. Over the following years, more states began recognizing the holiday, and in 1894, Labor Day became a federal holiday.

More than a century later, Labor Day offers an opportunity to remember the people whose advocacy helped shape many of the workplace protections we now take for granted, while also recognizing the labor that continues to sustain our families, organizations, communities, and society.

May this Labor Day offer space to honor meaningful work, recognize those who came before us, and make room for rest, connection, and renewal.

References:
– Library of Congress. (n.d.). Labor Day: This month in business history. https://guides.loc.gov/this-month-in-business-history/september/labor-day
– U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). History of Labor Day. https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

Visit www.joannabarrett.com for more information about Mental Health Counseling services, and www.joannabarrettyoga.com for more information about Emotional Wellness Yoga, Courses & Programs, and Professional Consulting.

09/04/2026

There is still space in the fall cohort of: From Outer Chaos to Inner Calm!

Many women have become incredibly skilled at functioning while disconnected from themselves. From the outside, everything appears to be going well. Inside, however, they're longing for a moment to pause, breathe, and remember what it feels like to simply be. You move from one responsibility to the next, checking things off your list while quietly wondering why you still feel anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted.

That is exactly why I created From Outer Chaos to Inner Calm, a six-week embodied healing program designed to help women slow down, reconnect with themselves, and build practical tools for emotional well-being. Together we'll explore mindfulness, nervous system regulation, yoga, self-compassion, and reflective practices that support lasting change.

If you've been craving a gentler way of moving through life, I'd love to invite you to join the interest list. I can't wait to share more with you in the coming weeks.

Click here to learn more and register: https://joannabarrettyoga.com/courses

Visit www.joannabarrett.com for more information about Mental Health Counseling services, and www.joannabarrettyoga.com for more information about Emotional Wellness Yoga, Courses & Programs, and Professional Consulting.

09/03/2026

Thank you, American Foundation for Su***de Prevention, for featuring Stefanie Simmons from the Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation on your blog. Her writing, "The Pain Behind the Stethoscope: Preventing Su***de within the Medical Community" is likely resonant for many healthcare professionals.

As an Ambassador for the Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation and Care Team Member with the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention - NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA, I wholeheartedly agree with Dr. Simmons' statement:

💫 "Your worth as a human being far exceeds your worth as a clinician... Mental health struggles do not define your capabilities, and asking for help does not make you weak. In fact, true strength lies in vulnerability. We have to extend the same compassion to ourselves that we so freely give to our patients. Healing is possible, and taking that first step to ask for support is the bravest thing you can do."

Read More: https://afsp.org/story/the-pain-behind-the-stethoscope

***dePreventionMonth

In recognition of National Physician Su***de Awareness Day on September 17, this guest article has been contributed by Stefanie Simmons, Chief Medical Officer of the Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation.

09/02/2026

September is often a time we shift into new routines. Here are my 5 tips for creating supportive routines for a new season:

1. Start small and keep it realistic
A new season of life, especially in September, can inspire us to change everything at once; but sustainable routines are usually built through small, manageable shifts. Choose one or two practices that feel supportive and realistic for your life right now.

2. Anchor your routine to something you already do.
Instead of creating an entirely new structure, connect a new habit to something that is already part of your day. Take a few deep breaths after your morning coffee, stretch before getting into bed, or step outside after lunch. Familiar rhythms can help new practices become more natural.

3. Create routines that support how you want to feel.
Rather than focusing only on what you want to accomplish, consider how you want to feel: More grounded? Energized? Peaceful? Connected? Let your routines support the way you want to experience your days, not simply add more to your to-do list.

4. Leave room for flexibility.
A supportive routine should create structure without becoming another source of pressure. Some days will look different than others. Give yourself permission to adjust, begin again, and find a rhythm that works with your life rather than expecting yourself to follow it perfectly.

5. Make space to pause and reflect.
As you settle into your fall rhythm, periodically ask yourself: Is this still supporting me? Notice what feels nourishing, what feels difficult, and what may need to change. The goal isn't to create a perfect routine. It's to create practices that help you feel more present, grounded, and connected to what matters most.

Read more on the blog: https://joannabarrett.com/2026/08/31/routines/

Visit www.joannabarrett.com for more information about Mental Health Counseling services, and www.joannabarrettyoga.com for more information about Emotional Wellness Yoga, Courses & Programs, and Professional Consulting.

09/01/2026

As the school year kicks off, I wanted to share some of my favorite back-to-school tips to help parents and families navigate this busy time. Below are some of my favorite practical strategies. In addition, I have included some tips to make the back-to-school transition smoother and more manageable for everyone.

1. Get Organized & Manage Your Time Wisely
2. Prioritize Self-Care & Stay Motivated
3. Build & Deepen Relationships
4. Nurture Your Happiness

Read more on my blog: https://joannabarrett.com/2024/08/25/backtoschool/

Visit www.joannabarrett.com for more information about Mental Health Counseling services, and www.joannabarrettyoga.com for more information about Emotional Wellness Yoga, Courses & Programs, and Professional Consulting.

08/31/2026

This month reminded me that expansion isn't always about becoming more. Sometimes it's about simply being with whatever comes. Being more present. More grounded. More honest. More compassionate. More willing to rest. More connected to what truly matters.

I've learned that growth doesn't always happen through big milestones or dramatic transformations. More often, it unfolds quietly in the moments when we choose ourselves, trust our intuition, soften our expectations, or pause to take one deep breath before moving forward.

As summer gives way to a new season, these are the reminders I'm carrying with me:
✨ I don't have to earn rest. (Afternoon naps have become one of my favorite forms of self-care.)
✨ My worth isn't measured by my productivity. (The dishes can wait. I can intentionally miss a deadline, take a few days to reply to a text, or order takeout instead of cooking.)
✨ Healing happens one intentional choice at a time. (Every breath, every boundary, every moment of self-compassion is part of the journey.)

As we welcome September, I invite you to spend a few moments reflecting:
What helped you feel most like yourself this month?
What are you ready to leave behind as you move into September?
What intention do you want to carry with you into this next season?

Here's to September, and all that is waiting to unfold.

08/28/2026

Many women spend so much time caring for everyone else that they forget what it feels like to care for themselves. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or disconnected from yourself, know that you don't have to wait until you're burned out to begin making a change. From Outer Chaos to Inner Calm is a six-week program designed to help you reconnect with yourself through yoga, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and self-compassion. If this feels like the right season to prioritize your well-being, I'd love to invite you to join the interest list. I'd be honored to walk alongside you on your healing journey.

Visit www.joannabarrett.com for more information about Mental Health Counseling services, and www.joannabarrettyoga.com for more information about Emotional Wellness Yoga, Courses & Programs, and Professional Consulting.

08/26/2026

This month's theme has been Expansion, and I've been reflecting on what that word really means. We often think growth comes from doing more, achieving more, or taking on more responsibilities. But sometimes the most meaningful expansion happens when we slow down, set healthier boundaries, ask for help, or make space for rest and joy. As we prepare to transition into a new season, I invite you to consider this question: Where is life inviting you to expand from the inside out?

Visit www.joannabarrett.com for more information about Mental Health Counseling services, and www.joannabarrettyoga.com for more information about Emotional Wellness Yoga, Courses & Programs, and Professional Consulting.