Tuning In: Making Space for Emotions and Mental Well-Being

How understanding your inner world can help you feel more grounded, connected, and supported in faith. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an invitation to pause and remember how important it is to care for our emotional and mental well-being, not just when life feels overwhelming, but as a regular part of caring for our whole selves. 

Still, for many people, mental health can feel unfamiliar or even uncomfortable to talk about, which is something I often see in my Christian counseling practice. 

Pausing to reflect on our thoughts and emotions isn’t always something we’re taught to do. It can often feel like the last thing on our minds, especially if we’re not used to checking in that way. Perhaps you find it easier to express what you think than to articulate what you feel. 

If that resonates, you’re not alone. Many people didn’t grow up learning how to name or express emotions. We were often taught to lean on our thoughts- what we can figure out, solve, or make sense of. Emotions, on the other hand, can feel elusive, harder to access, or understand. 

As a dance therapist offering Christian counseling in Chicago, I help people become more attuned to their emotional world. Through the mind-body connection, I support clients in learning to name what they’re feeling, recognize how thoughts and emotions interact, and begin creating healthier, more grounded ways of relating to themselves, others, and God. 

Gaining clarity around our thoughts and emotions is often the first step toward growth in how we care for ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we experience God’s presence in our lives. 

Am I Thinking This or Feeling It? Understanding the Difference Between Thoughts and Emotions 

It’s often easier to notice what we’re thinking than to understand what we’re feeling. Thoughts tend to come with words- we can describe them, debate them, even try to solve them. Emotions, on the other hand, don’t always arrive with clear language. Instead, they might show up as a lump in your throat, tightness in your chest, tingling in your stomach, or a low-level sense of unease that’s hard to name. 

If you’ve ever tried to explain how you feel and found yourself drawing a blank or defaulting to saying “I’m fine” when you’re not, you’re not alone. Many of us grew up learning how to reason through problems, but not necessarily how to sit with emotions. And when we don’t have the tools or language to describe what we’re feeling, those emotions often get pushed aside, only to show up in other ways like irritability, fatigue, or feeling disconnected from ourselves or others. 

That’s why making space to understand both our thoughts and emotions is so beneficial. When we slow down long enough to notice what’s happening internally, we begin to develop a more complete picture of our inner world. That awareness is often the first step toward healing and growth. 

The Mind-Body Connection in Christian Counseling in Chicago 

One of the most powerful tools I use as a dance therapist offering Christian counseling in Chicago is the mind-body connection. Our bodies hold so much of our experience, especially the things we don’t always have words for. When we’re anxious, we might clench our jaw or breathe more shallowly. When we’re sad or overwhelmed, we may slump our shoulders or feel a heaviness in our chest. These patterns often happen automatically, and they carry important information about what we’re feeling deep down. 

In counseling sessions, I gently help clients tune into the signals their bodies are sending—like tightness in the chest, shallow breathing, or a clenched jaw. These physical cues often tell us something important about what we’re feeling, even when we don’t have the words yet. 

Movement can open the door to this kind of awareness. It’s not about performing or getting it “right,” but about slowing down and noticing. Sometimes that means pausing to feel where tension lives in the body or exploring how certain emotions show up in the way we move through space. 

From a Christian perspective, this kind of awareness isn’t just emotional, it’s spiritual, too. Romans 12:2 speaks about the renewal of our minds, and in therapy, that transformation can begin with something as simple and profound as naming our thoughts, recognizing what we’ve come to believe about ourselves, and gently exploring whether those beliefs align with God’s truth. As we connect with both body and spirit, we create space to hear God more clearly, reflect on our patterns with compassion, and open ourselves to deeper healing. 

How Christian Counseling in Chicago Can Support Your Growth 

Counseling can provide a safe, grounded place to explore what’s beneath the surface of your everyday experiences. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, emotionally numb, disconnected in your relationships, or unsure how to navigate life transitions, therapy can offer clarity and hope. 

Through Christian counseling, I work with clients to help them become more emotionally attuned, both mentally and physically. Together, we explore what thoughts and patterns are showing up, how those thoughts may be shaped by emotions, and how both may be affecting the way they relate to themselves, others, and God. This process isn’t about having perfect insight but about gently growing in awareness, expanding emotional vocabulary, and learning how to hold space for vulnerability. 

Clients often describe feeling more grounded, less reactive, and more open to God’s presence as they gain clarity about their internal world. When we learn how to name what we feel, we can also start to communicate more clearly, set healthier boundaries, and respond to life with greater intention. 

Final Thoughts from a Christian Counselor 

Taking time to notice your thoughts, explore your emotions, and care for your mental well-being is an act of courage and compassion. It’s also a vital part of living a whole, healthy life-emotionally, physically, and spiritually. 

If you’ve been feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, I’m here to support you. Through Christian counseling in Chicago that honors your faith, your story, and your lived experiences, I can help you move toward greater clarity, healing, and connection. 

Finding Resources for Mental Health Support in Chicago 

If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health challenges, know that support is available. You don’t have to go through it alone. 

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support 24/7—simply dial 988 to speak with someone who can help. You can also explore the resources offered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at nami.org, including educational tools, advocacy, and support groups for individuals and families. 

Remember, mental health matters deeply, and reaching out for help is a courageous and important step. 

Book a Free Consultation for Christian Counseling in Chicago 

If you’re ready to take the next step in your healing journey, I’m here to walk alongside you. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today and begin building deeper, more fulfilling connections with yourself, with others, and with God. 

Lisaura is a relationship therapist in Chicago who, through individual counseling and dance therapy, helps adults connect with themselves and others more fully.  

Spanish-speaking therapy is available.