Hello and thank you for visiting my website.
The first sentence in the book The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck is “Life is difficult”. Truer words have never been spoken. I know this personally and professionally. However, there is hope. Good for you for your willingness to try and have a more peaceful and contented life. It CAN be better.
“I took a weight to Vicki that I had been carrying around a long time. She listened so patiently and compassionately, and then gave me resources and tools that let me finally set the weight down. This is not just fluff or schmaltz for the website. I am a different person: happier, more fulfilled, more confident, and more at peace. Don’t doubt that you can be, too. Thank you, Vicki, from the bottom of my heart.”
You have taken the first step. Please know that this takes courage and is not a weakness.
If you are experiencing any of these issues, I can help:
Anxiety
Feelings of low self-worth
Relationships issues
Life transitions
Inability to assert your needs
Slowing down
Simplifying life
Finding meaning
In addition, I specialize in:
Helping Highly Sensitive People (persons who identify as having a trait scientifically known as a Sensory-Processing Sensitivity) learn to accept their trait and be able to navigate life in a different and better way. As an HSP myself, I understand the challenges that come with having this normal temperament. We often feel a lot of shame as HSPs. I want to eliminate this. Our brains are different. We were born this way. It is not a weakness or character flaw. However, in our culture is not embraced nor understood. We are unique. I believe this is a good thing. We have a lot we can offer to our society and the world. Please see www.HSPerson.com to learn more about this trait. And then please return to my website to learn how I can help.
If you answer “yes” to most of these questions, you may be a Highly Sensitive Person.
Do you get overwhelmed when you have a lot to do in a short amount of time?
Have you always felt different or flawed?
Do you experience emotions on a deeper level than other people you know?
Do you startle easily or find loud noises and chaotic environments difficult?
Do you seem to need more "downtime" than others?
Are you deeply moved by the arts or music?
Do you have a special connection with animals or nature?
Helping people who are aging and/or grieving a loss. I am a Certified Grief Counselor with the American Institute of Health Care Professionals and have experienced a significant amount of change, death, and loss in my life, and continue to do so. As a Baby Boomer, I understand the issues of aging and life changes. Change means loss and that comes in many forms: retirement, moving, divorce/relationship endings, physical challenges, and death of spouses/partners, parents, siblings, children, friends and pets. Grief accompanies loss, but this is an issue that is taboo in our society. We are often not “allowed” to grieve in appropriate ways or time frames. My mission is to educate people about what is normal grief, help them heal, and then learn to find the “new normal”.
Calm Life Counseling: I AM ONE OF “US”
I, too, am a Highly Sensitive Person. I learned this about myself in 2008. In addition, I am a Baby Boomer who has experienced a significant amount of loss and grief and continue to do so. The changes and loss that come with aging are difficult. I understand and am here to help you learn to cope.
I believe in taking what I have learned and help other people. It’s important to find meaning in the painful events in life.
Vicki L. Quarles, LCSW, CGC
“Learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present. ”
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.”
Professional credentials, too
I have the life experience AND professional education to help you gain some peace and stability. After experiencing a lifetime of depression and loss, I went through counseling in my late thirties and was then able to attend graduate school at the age of 40.
Safe and secure
Calm Life Counseling is available to adults of any race, ethnicity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, religion, or ability.
Maintaining my clients’ confidentiality is of upmost importance to me.
““The goal of therapy is not to be in therapy.”
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“The purpose of psychotherapy is to set people free.”