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  • Book A Session!
    • English - Book a Session
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    • Dan Katz, LCSW
    • Marti Tourville, LMFT
    • Sharon "Sherri" Broome, Asw
    • Mishell Knoess, ASW
    • Elena Diaz, ASW >
      • Elena Diaz - Russian Language
    • Juen Arzadon, AMFT/APCC >
      • Juen Arzadon - Filipino Language
    • Maureen Hornyak, ASW
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11/24/2025 0 Comments

How to Add More Laughs to Your Day (Even When Life Is a Hot Mess)

Picture of 3 people sitting on a sofa, side by side, holding their sides because they are laughing so hard while there is a mess of clothes, twinkle lights and pillows strewn across the floor
​Let's be real – life can feel like a complete dumpster fire sometimes. Between work stress, family drama, financial pressures, and whatever fresh chaos the universe decides to serve up, finding reasons to laugh might seem about as realistic as finding a unicorn in your backyard.
​

But here's the thing: humor isn't a luxury you can only afford when everything's going perfectly. It's actually one of your most powerful tools for getting through the tough stuff. And the best part? You don't need a comedy special or a perfect life to add more laughs to your day.

​Why Your Brain Craves Laughter (Even When Everything Sucks)

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11/17/2025 0 Comments

Why Do We Cry When We're Not Sad? The Surprising Science Behind Tears of Anger and Joy

Picture of five teens sitting in a bit of a pyramid shap while huddled around a coffee table in a living room and crying tears of joy
You know that feeling when you're watching your favorite team win the championship and suddenly tears are streaming down your face? Or when you're so frustrated with your boss that you find yourself crying in the bathroom stall? If you've ever wondered why your body seems to have its emotional wires crossed, you're definitely not alone.
​

It might be natural to think that tears only come from sadness, but that's not always the case. The truth is, crying is way more complicated than we give it credit for, and understanding why can actually help us make sense of our own emotional responses.

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8/18/2025 0 Comments

Reframing Stress with a Smile: How Humor Changes Your Perspective

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​Stress is tough. I get it. Whether it's work deadlines, family drama, or that pile of laundry that seems to multiply when you're not looking, life has a way of throwing curveballs that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and defeated.
​

But here's something that might surprise you: one of the most powerful tools for managing stress isn't found in a prescription bottle or a meditation app. It's something you already have – your ability to laugh.

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4/7/2025 0 Comments

Humor Builds Resilience: How Jokes Can Make You Stronger

Group of people on a sofa laughing, reading a book, and playing with a clown nose.
Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them. Your car breaks down the day before a big presentation, your teenager decides to have a meltdown at the grocery store, or you spill coffee all over your laptop during an important video call. In moments like these, you have two choices: you can let the stress consume you, or you can find a way to laugh about it.

I know what you might be thinking, "Really? Laughter is supposed to help me handle stress?" But here's the thing: humor isn't just about feeling good in the moment. It's actually one of the most powerful tools we have for building genuine resilience. And I'm not just talking about putting on a brave face or pretending everything's fine. I'm talking about fundamentally changing how your brain and body respond to challenges.

The Science Behind Your Smile

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11/17/2024 0 Comments

Oops, I Laughed! Why Humor Helps Us Connect and Heal

Picture of four people around a table while sitting in the livingroom laughing.
​You know that moment when something terrible happens, and then, completely out of nowhere, you find yourself laughing? Maybe it was a nervous giggle during a stressful meeting, or perhaps you cracked a joke at the worst possible time. Your first instinct might be to feel guilty about it. Should I really be laughing right now?

Here's the thing: that spontaneous laughter isn't a character flaw. It's actually your brain doing something pretty incredible. When we laugh during difficult times, we're not being insensitive, we're activating one of our most powerful tools for connection and healing.
​

Let me share why that "oops, I laughed" moment might be exactly what you (and everyone around you) needed.

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12/5/2022 0 Comments

Boost Your Confidence in One Easy Mindshift

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By Dan Katz, LCSW
​So, what are you going to do............
Get up and get some exercise, or grab the remote and head for the couch?

We've all asked ourselves this question lots of times. If you're one of the people that usually gets up and gets going, that's great for your physical health, as well as for your mental health.  If you're one of the people that too often chooses the couch, I've got some interesting information for you.
 

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    The various therapists at Inspired Life Counseling contribute to this blog.  Please look for the author of each individual blog to be listed at the bottom of the page for each post.  Thank you.

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(530) 809-1702
[email protected]
Locations: 
​​1025 Village Lane, Chico CA 95926  
1610 West Street, Ste 4, Redding CA 96001

Inspired Life Counseling is NOT a crisis center and is not equipped with the necessary tools to help in an emergency.  Please click below for more information if you or your loved one is in crisis: Crisis Information.  
Crisis Information

By texting Inspired Life Counseling at ( 530) 809-1702, you agree to receive conversations (external) messages from Inspired Life Counseling.  We are NOT a crisis response.  If you are in a mental health crisis or feel you are a danger to yourself or someone else, please contact 911.  If you would like to no longer receive SMS correspondence Reply STOP to opt-out; Reply HELP for support; Message & data rates may apply; Messaging frequency may vary. Visit https://www.inspiredlifechico.com/contact to see our privacy policy and our Terms of Service.

MISSION: To provide a tranquil and healing space in which people in our community can find calmness internally through the relaxing atmosphere, along with respectful and engaging therapy conversations.  To contribute to happier and more secure families by helping individuals, couples, and teens heal within and thereby creating different ways of engaging with themselves, the world, and those they love.

VISION: Creating a new kind of therapy experience in the Chico and Redding areas in which therapists have smaller caseloads, giving them the flexibility to spend more time with clients as needed - longer sessions, phone calls, client-centered advocacy.  Creating a space in our community where clients can go between sessions to sit, linger, and re-center themselves when they're having difficult days.  A place to belong while they heal their hearts and relationships.  A therapy office that embodies the unconditional love of Christ, no matter what a person's gender identity, romantic disposition, or previous life hardships, experiences, or actions might have been.  To be a safe place.

Inspired Life Counseling
Inspired Life Counseling is owned and directed by ​Jessica Darling, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #104464. ​​
​
Office Hours: By Appointment                                            Contact us!
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