# Brooke Miller Counseling and Coaching > Expert Counseling and Coaching for Your Well-Being --- ## home, services, counseling, coaching - [Self Study](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/self-study/) - [Virtual Workshops](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/virtual-workshops/) - [Life Coaching](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/life-coaching/) - [Individual Therapy](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/individual-therapy/) - [Services](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/services/) - [Blog](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/blog/) - [Contact](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/contact/) - [About](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/about/) - [Home](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/) - [Privacy Policy](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/privacy-policy/): Who we are Suggested text: Our website address is: https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching. com. Comments Suggested text: When visitors leave comments on the... --- ## Posts - [Write it Down: Take a Breather](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/write-it-down-take-a-breather/): Stress is a magnifier, so any problems that exist in our lives, relationships or bodies will be magnified if we... - [Finding Blessings in Growing Older](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/finding-blessings-in-growing-older/): Every situation in life has an upside and a downside; getting older is no exception. Even if we can only... - [Breathe Easier](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/breathe-easier/): Life is easier when we are able to manage our emotional state and our reactions. One of the best things... - [Brooke Miller - MSW, LCSW, CPC, OWNER OF BROOKE MILLER COACHING](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/brooke-miller-msw-lcsw-cpc-owner-of-brooke-miller-coaching/): HOW DO YOU DEFINE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE? I believe a healthy lifestyle is built on nine universal pillars: nutrition, movement,... - [Bridging Hope and Healing: An Interview with Counselor and Coach Brooke Miller](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/bridging-hope-and-healing-an-interview-with-counselor-and-coach-brooke-miller/): Prescott Valley’s own Brooke Miller is on a mission to transform lives through compassionate counseling and coaching. In a recent... - [Life's Best Medicine with Brooke Miller](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/lifes-best-medicine-with-brooke-miller/): Are you ready to embark on a journey towards emotional well-being and personal growth? Brooke Miller invites you to subscribe... - [If you want to CHANGE something, TRACK it](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/if-you-want-to-change-something-track-it/): I am in the business of helping people change. For my therapy clients, it’s about helping them identify and heal... - [Resilience is our Reward for the Struggle](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/resilience-is-our-reward-for-the-struggle/): Resilience is something everyone wants, but no one wants to earn. That’s because it’s not fun developing resilience. In fact,... - [What Did You Expect?](https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/what-did-you-expect/): Maybe you’ve heard the expression “Our expectations determine our experience”. I have certainly found this to be true. What I... --- # # Detailed Content ## home, services, counseling, coaching - Published: 2025-03-11 - Modified: 2025-05-16 - URL: https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/privacy-policy/ Who we are Suggested text: Our website address is: https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching. com. Comments Suggested text: When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic. com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment. Media Suggested text: If you upload images to the website, you should avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. Visitors to the website can download and extract any location data from images on the website. Cookies Suggested text: If you leave a comment on our site you may opt-in to saving your name, email address and website in cookies. 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Login cookies last for two... --- --- ## Posts - Published: 2025-08-25 - Modified: 2025-10-09 - URL: https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/write-it-down-take-a-breather/ - Categories: Prescott Healthy Living Magazine - Tags: Balance, Boundaries, Brooke Miller, Burnout, Connection, Conscious Choices, Coping Strategies, Emotional Health, Emotional Resilience, Fun, Habits, Intentional Living, Journaling, Life Coach, Mental Health, Mental Wellbeing, Personal Growth, Prescott Healthy Living, Psychotherapist, Reflection, Rest, Sacred Pause, Self-Attunement, Self-Awareness, Self-Care, Self-Reflection, Stress Management, Stress Relief, Wellness Stress is a magnifier, so any problems that exist in our lives, relationships or bodies will be magnified if we are not actively managing our stress. Many clients come to me on the brink of burn out, completely tapped out by the disproportionate weight of obligations and responsibilities in their lives. We require rest, connection and fun to create a sense of balance in our lives. This is especially true in seasons where we are dealing with multiple major stressors at once. Respecting our limits and boundaries is important for stress management and mental wellbeing. I know when I am stressed; I can sense when my energy is low and I need to slow down or stop for a breather. Taking a “sacred pause” in these times can offer just a little time to reset and regroup before carrying on. The act of pausing benefits us and our relationships. In the past, I wasn’t as aware of my stress signals, so I would push through, driven by “have-to’s” and “shoulds,” which would lead to excessive worrying, getting sick or needing an entire weekend of solitude and rest to recover. At that earlier stage in my life, I was disconnected from my needs and unclear about my boundaries. Stress management starts with self-attunement — the ability to identify our feelings, limits and boundaries. Self-attunement can be developed through a regular practice of checking in and balancing others’ needs with our own. The guidance is to pause and consider the effects of... --- - Published: 2025-08-25 - Modified: 2025-10-09 - URL: https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/finding-blessings-in-growing-older/ - Categories: Prescott Healthy Living Magazine - Tags: 50+ Community, Aging, Aging Well, Arizona, Brooke Miller, Clarity, Communication Skills, Discernment, Embracing Aging, Emotional Wellness, Gratitude, Growing Older, Healthy Boundaries, Holistic Life Coach, Joy, Life Balance, Life Experience, Life Lessons, Mental Health, mindset, Personal Growth, Positive Aging, Prescott Healthy Living, Priorities, Self-Awareness, Self-Compassion, Self-Reflection, Silver Linings, Well-being, Wisdom Every situation in life has an upside and a downside; getting older is no exception. Even if we can only see the thin silver lining of a difficult situation, it is worth identifying and focusing on. With age, we come to understand that life is complex, and bad situations can include gifts and even transform into blessings. Those of us in the 50+ crowd are well aware of the downsides of aging: less energy, wrinkles, aches and pains, expanding waistlines... but what about the upsides? Below is a handful of blessings that come with age and experience. Discernment — With experience comes wisdom through the ability of discernment. Over a lifetime of trials and errors, successes and failures, we have settled on our priorities and we know better what to focus on, what battles to choose and what to let go of. Discernment is knowing what is important in life, and this brings clarity. Clarity guides us in how best to spend our limited time and energy. Self-awareness — With age comes knowing ourselves. Having more years on this earth means learning what works and doesn’t work for us; what our requirements and needs are in relationships and in life. Healthy boundaries, self-compassion and communication skills can flow from self-awareness, especially if we invest time in self-reflection and living consciously. Gratitude — With discernment and self-awareness come appreciation for what we value most in life, including simple joys and small wonders, like spending time with loved ones; listening to birdsong;... --- - Published: 2025-08-25 - Modified: 2025-10-09 - URL: https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/breathe-easier/ - Categories: Prescott Healthy Living Magazine - Tags: Anger Management, Anxiety Relief, Bad Habits, Behavioral Change, Breathing Exercises, Brooke Miller, Calm, change, Coping Skills, Diaphragmatic Breathing, Emotional Regulation, Emotional Triggers, Grounding, Habits, Holistic Life Coach, Mental Well-being, Mind-Body Skills, Mindfulness, Nervous System, Personal Growth, Prescott Healthy Living, Present Moment, Relaxation Techniques, Self-Awareness, Self-Compassion, Stress Management, Wellness, Wellness Tips Life is easier when we are able to manage our emotional state and our reactions. One of the best things we can do for our mental well-being is to develop the skill of emotion regulation. Having money, intelligence, beauty or power doesn’t solve the personal and relationship problems that result from the inability to effectively manage stress, anxiety, mood and anger. It’s helpful to start with recognizing our patterns. Is there a bad habit you can’t shake? Do you respond with anger anytime you feel disrespected? Do you constantly over extend yourself and feel resentful? Identify the emotional trigger and where it originated in your past; then identify what need the habitual response is attempting to fill. This starts the process of creating some understanding and self-compassion, while separating the past from the present. Next we need an action plan to replace the knee-jerk response. Enter: motion regulation skills — the DOs to replace the DON’Ts. Skills are needed for both mind and body to manage our emotional state so we can consciously respond rather than unconsciously react. Diaphragmatic breathing is a strategy that engages the mind and calms the body. It triggers a relaxation response by downregulating the nervous system, while giving the mind something to focus on besides the triggering event. Calming the nervous system and grounding in the present are two amazing benefits of diaphragmatic breathing. THE TECHNIQUE On the exhale, squeeze the belly to completely empty the lungs (imagine the belly button reaching back toward the... --- - Published: 2025-08-25 - Modified: 2025-10-09 - URL: https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/brooke-miller-msw-lcsw-cpc-owner-of-brooke-miller-coaching/ - Categories: Prescott Healthy Living Magazine - Tags: Anxiety, Arizona, Balance, Brooke Miller, Coaching, Emotional Health, Family Health, Financial Health, Fun, Gratitude, Healthy Lifestyle, Laughter, Life Coaching, Meaningful Relationships, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Moderation, Monotasking, Movement, Nutrition, Organic Eating, Passion, Personal Growth, Prescott Healthy Living, Psychotherapy, Purpose, Rest, Self-Care, Self-Compassion, Spiritual Foundation, Stress Reduction, Wellness, Work-Life Balance HOW DO YOU DEFINE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE? I believe a healthy lifestyle is built on nine universal pillars: nutrition, movement, rest, meaningful relationships, passion/purpose, financial and emotional health, a strong spiritual foundation and FUN! If we tend to each pillar and seek an overall balance, we will create resilience and a well-rounded life. Seek progress, not perfection. HOW DID YOU COME TO PRACTICE IN YOUR CAREER FIELD? I struggled with anxiety from childhood. In college, I received a lot of healing benefits from psychotherapy. In my late 20s, I discovered the power of pushing past limiting beliefs with life coaching. I’ve trained extensively in both modalities and worked in the field of mental health for 22 years. I love the process of helping people to heal, discover self-compassion and grow into their potential. WHAT ARE YOUR PRACTICES TO KEEP YOURSELF, YOUR FAMILY HEALTHY? Moderation is the key for me, and I try to impart this wisdom to my daughter. I seek balance between work and play; striving and rest; planning ahead and being present. We eat clean (mostly organic). We exercise, have fun and pray together. Laughter is an important part of every day. You can’t laugh and be stressed at the same time! HOW DO YOU DEFINE SELF-CARE; WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO WAY OF PRACTICING IT? Self-care involves a balance between discipline and permission to do what feels good. Tuning in to how I’m feeling and being real about what is needed in the moment is helpful. I often... --- - Published: 2025-08-25 - Modified: 2025-10-09 - URL: https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/bridging-hope-and-healing-an-interview-with-counselor-and-coach-brooke-miller/ - Categories: Podcast - Tags: Anxiety Relief, Arizona Therapists, Brooke Miller, Coaching, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Community Support, Counseling, Emotional Wellness, Empowerment, Life Coaching, Local Business, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Neuroscience, Personal Growth, Prescott Valley, Resilience, Self-Compassion, Stress Management, Telehealth - Formats: Audio Prescott Valley’s own Brooke Miller is on a mission to transform lives through compassionate counseling and coaching. In a recent interview, Brooke opened up about her unique approach to mental health, blending neuroscience, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness to support her clients’ growth and resilience. With over two decades of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Professional Coach, Brooke has helped countless individuals navigate anxiety, stress, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Her practice stands out for its warm, non-judgmental environment, allowing clients to reset their emotional baseline and build lasting confidence. During our conversation, Brooke shared powerful strategies for coping with anxiety and panic attacks—tools she now offers in a new e-book accessible to the Prescott community. She emphasized the importance of emotional regulation and self-compassion, encouraging listeners to seek help without hesitation. Brooke’s dedication to Prescott’s mental well-being shines through her workshops, telehealth sessions, and advocacy for accessible support. Her message? Change is possible for anyone, with the right guidance and support. If you’re looking for hope, empowerment, and a practical roadmap to a better self, Brooke Miller’s insights are not to be missed. --- - Published: 2025-04-04 - Modified: 2025-10-09 - URL: https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/lifes-best-medicine-with-brooke-miller/ - Categories: Podcast - Tags: Brian Lenzkes, LIfes Best Medicine Are you ready to embark on a journey towards emotional well-being and personal growth? Brooke Miller invites you to subscribe to her newsletter, a treasure trove of insights and strategies tailored to help you lead a more balanced and fulfilling life. Podcast Topics 1. Expert Guidance at Your Fingertips With over 20 years of experience in mental health and personal development, Brooke Miller, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Professional Coach (CPC), offers invaluable expertise on improving self-regulation, nurturing relationships, and achieving work-life balance. 2. Practical Tips for Everyday Challenges Learn how to handle stress positively, manage your thoughts to prevent them from ruling your life, and adopt healthier coping skills—all delivered directly to your inbox. 3. Embrace Positive Change Explore nuanced thinking, move beyond all-or-nothing mindsets, and cultivate self-compassion through Brooke’s teachings on love languages and more. --- - Published: 2025-03-19 - Modified: 2025-10-09 - URL: https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/if-you-want-to-change-something-track-it/ - Categories: Accepting Changes - Tags: blog, change, patience, persistence I am in the business of helping people change. For my therapy clients, it's about helping them identify and heal emotional barriers to their normal way of functioning. For my coaching clients, it's about helping them clarify what they TRULY want to create in their lives, and take aligned action. For ALL of my clients, it is about raising awareness of unconscious beliefs and patterns that keep them stuck. This is the work I do with myself on a daily basis too. :) If you want to CHANGE something, TRACK it. Shifting from unconscious unawareness to conscious awareness is the first step in changing anything, no matter how big or small your goal. In other words, shining a light on our shadow selves, or turning our heads to reveal our blindspots. Becoming aware of our current patterns will put us in touch with our greatest power: the Power of Choice in this moment. Four ways Tracking helps create desired change 1. It forces us out of DENIAL 2. It increases awareness in moments of decision 3. It helps us acknowledge our progress 4. It connects us to our goals on a daily basis We are creatures of HABIT. We will repeat, repeat, repeat patterns until we engage our conscious minds in making different choices. This is easy to understand, and difficult to do! Our subconscious minds are designed to keep us FEELING SAFE. What makes us feel safe is usually what is most FAMILIAR, therefore new choices and experiences are... --- - Published: 2020-04-20 - Modified: 2025-10-09 - URL: https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/resilience-is-our-reward-for-the-struggle/ - Categories: Resilience Resilience is something everyone wants, but no one wants to earn. That's because it's not fun developing resilience. In fact, it's the opposite of fun and the opposite of comfortable. Resilience is forged from struggle and pain. Humans, being creatures of habit and comfort, naturally resist anything that would develop resilience. Think of the beautiful butterfly. In the struggle to break out of the chrysalis, the butterfly writhes and squirms; this pushes fluid out of its body into it's wings and strengthens them for flight. If we were to "help" the butterfly by carefully cutting open the cocoon, it's wings would not develop. The butterfly would never be able to fly and it would die. Its struggle is vital to its transformation. And so it is. On the human plane, resilience is often borne out of surviving bad situations that we did not choose -- at least, not intentionally. Bankruptcy, divorce, a difficult childhood come to mind as examples, but there are an infinite number of life situations big and small that can build our resilience. We may not have planned on finding ourselves here, but regardless, here we are. That's how life works. So often we get what we need, not what we want. When we are in the midst of the mess, feeling lost, alone and afraid, we can pause and take the 10,000 foot view. We can try to see the BIGGER picture by asking, "What lesson is this experience offering? What silver linings can I focus... --- - Published: 2019-09-12 - Modified: 2025-10-09 - URL: https://brookemillercounselingandcoaching.com/what-did-you-expect/ - Categories: Expectations Maybe you've heard the expression "Our expectations determine our experience". I have certainly found this to be true. What I so often find is that expectations can cause undue negativity and tension -- within ourselves and between us & others, especially when our expectations are unconscious or unspoken. For instance, if you expect the person entering a store just ahead of you to hold the door open and they don't, you will likely feel irritated, judgmental and morally superior because you believe it's common courtesy. "They SHOULD hold the door -- that's the polite thing to do! It's what I always do! " But if you don't expect them to hold the door for you, there's no slight. No drama. Just peace. If you don't expect them to hold the door and they do, it's a bonus and you feel appreciation. Notice your reaction to this small hypothetical example. Now extrapolate to a larger issue, with someone close to you. Unmet expectations can cause serious conflict in relationships. Are all expectations bad? Of course not. Expectations can offer a form of accountability -- for ourselves and for others. Agreements are made with the expectation that both parties will hold up their end of the bargain. Progress, growth, connection and trust are built on expectations. On the dark side of expectations, however, judgment follows close behind. And things can get tricky real fast when we are unaware of our expectations. Unconscious expectations come from our beliefs and biases about what's right... --- ---