Session #32: Resolutions That Actually Stick: Setting Intentions You Won’t Abandon by February

☕ Welcome to Coffee and Counseling! ☕

Join Rachel Steinhardt, LMHC and Stephanie Van Schaick, LMHC as we dive into how to turn last week’s emotional check-in into resolutions and intentions that actually stick. Instead of getting swept up in the pressure of “new year, new me,” we explore how to create goals grounded in alignment, self-awareness, and sustainability. Whether you're a therapist, someone in therapy, or just curious about mental health, we’re here to challenge conventional perspectives and get real about what healing and change actually look like.

In This Session, We Cover:
✅ Why traditional resolutions fail — and how to avoid shame-based or comparison-driven goals
✅ How to create intentions that are truly yours using reflection, values alignment, and identity-focused questions
✅ Turning intentions into sustainable SMART++ goals that your nervous system can actually support
✅ How to design systems (not just goals) through habit stacking, environmental design, micro-check-ins, and relapse planning
✅ Practical tools to build momentum, maintain consistency, and rewrite goals that no longer fit your season of life

💬 Listener Question:
The Listener’s Question that we answer in today’s session is "Do therapists ever get tired of listening to people’s problems all day?"

Have a question for us? Send it to CoffeeandCounselingPodcast@gmail.com or on Instagram @CoffeeandCounselingPodcast — we might answer it in a future session! You can also send your topic suggestions that you’d like us to cover over to our email or Instagram.

Interested in working with one of us?
Visit our individual practice websites here for more information or send us an email to set up a phone consultation call:
Rachel Steinhardt: Visit Rachel’s Website at https://www.steinhardtserenity.com/ or email her at SteinhardtSerenity@gmail.com
Stephanie Van Schaick: Visit Stephanie’s website at https://www.stateofbalancementalhealt... or email her at StateofBalanceMentalHealth@gmail.com

Resources & Mentions:
📌 Atomic Habits book by James Clear: https://a.co/d/53FsAfE
Related Sessions:
#17: Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Recognizing and Rewiring Cognitive Distortions
#28: When Your Brain Hijacks You — and When You Can Take the Wheel Back
#31: The End-of-Year Emotional Check-In You Actually Have Time For

Connect With Us:
📲 Follow us on Instagram @CoffeeandCounselingPodcast
Rachel’s Instagram: @Steinhardt_Serenity
Stephanie’s Instagram: @StateofBalanceForLife

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not take the place of therapy.