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Our Team Stanley Psychology is a group of experienced, unique, and passionate employees who work together to create a welcoming and supportive therapeutic environment for you. Each staff member is committed to evidence-based practice and ongoing professional development. Please see below to learn more about the team! Dr. Amanda Stanley Supervisory Psychologist & Owner of Stanley Psychology Qualifications: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Sam Houston State University M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Sam Houston State University B.S. in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude, University of Houston 14 years of practice, 7 years as the owner of a private practice Selected Additional Trainings/Certifications: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Neuropsychotherapy Advanced Clinical Supervision Has instructed university-level courses in: Research Methodology Psychology and the Law Advanced Psychological Testing and Assessment Rape Law Expertise: Trauma Recovery & PTSD Substance Abuse & Addiction Abuse & Violence Psycholegal issues Psychological Testing & Evaluation Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, & Adjustment Disorders dr.stanley@stanleypsychology.com Dr. Amanda Stanley is a graduate of Sam Houston State University’s renowned Clinical Psychology doctoral program. During her tenure at SHSU, she published several articles in peer-reviewed journals on areas including trauma and psycholegal issues under her maiden name of Amacker, and worked as an instructor and peer supervisor for less-senior students. Her clinical experience spans areas including inpatient treatment, neuropsychiatrics, forensic psychology, outpatient clinics, and the federal prison system, where she worked in mental health services for seven years. Although she treats a wide range of clinical issues in her practice, areas of specialty include trauma recovery, substance abuse, and women's issues. Due to her training and research, she is an expert on sexual assault and has a passion for providing talks to groups on rape laws, psychological sequalae post-assault, and post-traumatic growth. She also enjoys providing talks to groups on substance abuse diagnostics and recovery. In addition, Dr. Stanley has developed expertise in conducting psychological evaluations and considers this a primary part of her clinical practice. In her free time, Dr. Stanley enjoys time with her husband, Adam, and their dog-children Roxy (15), Roux (5), and their latest addition, Raider (3); Riddle, also pictured, gained his angel wings in 2022, five weeks shy of 15. As an avid sports fan, she spends much of her down time watching New Orleans Saints football and Houston Astros baseball- she was born in New Orleans and grew up in Houston, hence the team loyalties. She relocated to the Dallas/Fort Worth area with her husband in 2016 and is happy to call this area home. Whenever possible, she enjoys spending time with her father, siblings, and kiddos of the family who range in age from 6 to 25 years old. The memory of her beloved mother, who passed in 2018, keeps her motivated to be the best she can be every day, in both personal and professional endeavors. Adam Stanley Co-Owner of Stanley Psychology Adam is a co-owner of Stanley Psychology, and as you may have guessed (or read above), Adam is Amanda's husband. Adam has an MBA from Texas Tech University and is an experienced strategic sourcing professional who currently works as a director for a large healthcare system. Additionally, Adam is often behind the scenes at Stanley Psychology, handling most of the business issues and allowing Amanda more time to focus on patient care. As a result you may see him in-office from time to time doing various tasks, such as checking the A/C system, running payroll, meeting with other professionals, and networking. In his spare time, Adam focuses on family time with Amanda and their dog-children. He also has a love for all things Texas Tech, his alma mater. As a sports-lover like Amanda, Adam's favorite time of year is the college football season, although he also promised to be a Saints fan for his NFL team in his wedding vows. The Stanley Psychology Team Proficient. Open-Minded. Empathetic. Dedicated. Veronica Guerrero-Quan, M.S. Licensed Psychological Associate - Independent Practice Veronica is a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) with Independent Practice (License # 38808), which is the most advanced Psychological Associate license. Click here to learn more about LPAs. Veronica attended Nelson University and earned her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies, and Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Veronica's clinical experience includes diagnostic testing and evaluation, trauma-informed therapy, assessing and addressing acculturation challenges, crisis intervention, family therapy, and spiritual integration. Additionally, Veronica has completed post-masters training to become a Certified Mindfulness-Informed Professional and integrates these skills into her treatment approach. veronica@stanleypsychology.com Veronica is very passionate about helping people heal from spiritual abuse and/or church hurt within Christian religious contexts. Veronica is currently a student at Dallas Theological Seminary (en Español). Her hope is to shed light on the psychological and social factors that lead to the tragedy of spiritual abuse, empowering clients to find their healing in the aftermath. Depression, panic attacks, anxiety, and spiritual confusion are not the end of the story. Veronica also loves helping people who find themselves struggling with eating disorders, anxiety disorders, depression/suicidality, and stress management. In her personal life, Veronica is happily married and loves spending time with loved ones. Meet her niece in the picture! She places a high priority on faith and family, because life is too short not to! Her greatest joys also include learning, travelling, playing board games, hiking, and spending time outdoors. Veronica is first generation bilingual Mexican-American, meaning she is the first in her family of origin to be born in the United States. For this reason, Mexico holds a dear place in her heart and she easily relates to people of Latino origin. Morgan Brown, M.S. Licensed Psychological Associate Morgan is a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA; License #40486). She earned her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at Nelson University and has worked at Stanley Psychology in progressing positions since 2022. She has a heart for helping others since childhood and has a desire to make sure people feel heard and supported throughout life. With this passion, she sought education for this career path, having completed her Bachelor of Science in Human Services and Psychology before enrolling in and completing her graduate studies. mbrown@stanleypsychology.com Morgan's clinical interests include anxiety disorders, self-esteem concerns, and Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder. She is well-versed in serving children/adolescents and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Although she is skilled with providing services to a variety of patients, Morgan specializes with children. In her personal life, Morgan loves spending time with her husband and her pug puppies, Frankie and Harper. Her hobbies include crocheting, painting, and jigsaw puzzles. Morgan Flores, M.S. Licensed Psychological Associate Morgan is a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA; License #40186). She earned her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at Nelson University and has worked at Stanley Psychology in progressing positions since 2022. Her desire in therapy is to meet people where they are and help them navigate life's challenges with effective tools for intentional healing and growth. While equipped to serve a variety of clients, she has a passion for conflict resolution in marital and family contexts, processing affair recovery, working with mothers of young children, as well as supporting foster & adoptive families. Morgan enjoys working with individual patients, couples, and whole families. mflores@stanleypsychology.com Apart from therapy, she also is competent in conducting psychological evaluations. Also, in addition to holding her LPA license, Morgan is also an ordained minister. She specializes in incorporating Biblical values into therapy, as requested, with an educational background in therapy from a Christian perspective. In her personal life, Morgan is happily married and has three children, all under three years of age. She comes from a family of one biological and three adopted siblings. She enjoys meeting new people, having a good cup of coffee, flipping things on Facebook Marketplace, playing strategic board games, and reading a variety of books whenever she has free time. Morgan is also bilingual, having lived in Central America, Nicaragua, for three years, and always welcomes a good conversation in Spanish and authentic Latino food. Erick Quan, M.S. Licensed Psychological Associate Erick is a Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA; License #40316). He earned his Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at Nelson University. Additionally, he obtained his B.A. in Business Management. Erick’s clinical experience includes administration and scoring of neuropsychological assessments for those with traumatic brain injury, neurocognitive disorders, and age-related disorders. He additionally obtained experience administering and scoring psychological assessments for trauma-related disorders, depressive disorders, and anxiety-related disorders. erick@stanleypsychology.com Erick is a Honduran-Chinese individual who speaks fluent Spanish and understands cultural factors that play significant roles in the situations, personalities, and lives of patients. He approaches patients with an understanding heart, while using his logical and methodical strengths to provide optimum services. He strives to serve patients well by implementing his skills and experience in the clinical setting to contribute to accurate diagnostics and empowering evaluations. In his personal life, Erick loves going on adventures with his wonderful wife Veronica. He also enjoys playing sports, writing poetry, reading, traveling, and playing video-games. Petrona Kautz, M.A., M.S. Petrona graduated with a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Nelson University and holds a second master’s degree in organizational leadership. She additionally has credentials as an Ordained Minister and Career Missionary. As a minister, missionary, life and leadership coach, and mental health therapist, she has always felt drawn towards being a champion of others, someone who people can turn to when they need someone to listen and share insight. As a mental health provider, she specializes in spiritual recovery, dynamics of leadership, family therapy, trauma, and transitions. She is particularly well-versed in helping young adults and the unique challenges they face. Her goal is to help individuals discover their strengths, build resilience, and find the right therapies to be successful in everyday life. She is pursuing her license as an LPA and is only seeing clients currently under her coaching credentials when appropriate. pkautz@stanleypsychology.com Petrona understands the challenges that can arise as one works to find balance both in spiritual and mental health. Her passion is to help others discover the skills they need to be successful in overcoming difficulties. She strives to help others find awareness of the potential and abilities that lie within them in order to experience personal success. She also understands the dynamics that leaders encounter, whether dealing with pressure one experiences when given great responsibility or the need to understand how to better interact with team members. As a missionary, Petrona understands the intricacies of emotions that are involved when one goes through transition, be it through changes in life stages or transitions from moving cross-culturally. She is bilingual in Spanish and English, with a Mexican heritage, and has lived in Central and South America. Petrona was drawn to mental health services when she and her husband founded a community center in Medellín, Colombia. She recognized that many needed someone who could walk alongside them through healing and finding their own voice in the midst of oppression. She has a long history of working with children, teens, and young adults. In her free time, Petrona enjoys spending time with her family. She is married, has two adult children, two granddogs and a grandcat. She enjoys a good game night, especially if Catan is being played. She also enjoys running. Kyle Coolidge Practicum Student Clinician Kyle Coolidge is a practicum student clinician at Stanley Psychology. Kyle is originally from Ventura, CA. He is working on finishing his masters degree in clinical psychology at Nelson University. He has an associates degree in psychology from Ventura Community College, as well a bachelor's degree in Human Services - Psychology from Nelson University. Having lost his best friend to suicide in 2016, he has an intimate understanding and respect for the importance of mental health. Suffering this loss has driven and guided him through his educational journey in the field of psychology ever since. Because of this, his clinical interests and studies have most heavily rested on the experience of grieving the loss of a loved one by suicide and how mental health professionals can best assist those individuals, as well as those individuals who are experiencing suicidality at any level. Additionally, Kyle is also interested in and has focused his studies on various trauma, depressive, anxiety related mental health disorders, and sports psychology. In addition to psychology, he is also a baseball coach; he has been a graduate assistant coach at Nelson University since finishing his playing career in the Spring of 2021. Following graduation, his plans on continuing his education by pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology as well as continuing to coach baseball. In his free time he loves to spend time fishing, surfing, and doing anything that has to do with the ocean. Lisa Viviano Patient Care Coordinator Lisa Viviano, our Patient Care Coordinator, is dedicated to ensuring a smooth experience for all our clients, from scheduling appointments to managing the intake process. She is happy to assist with any challenges that arise. Lisa has over a decade of experience in administrative roles within healthcare and education, specializing in streamlining operations and enhancing client relations . Outside of work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and reading. info@stanleypsychology.com Norlisha Gistarb Billing Specialist Norlisha Gistarb, our Billing Specialist, has worked for over 18 years in the field of Physician Revenue Cycle Management, developing a wealth of knowledge in the field of medical billing. She earned her B.S. in Psychology and her M.A. in Adult Learning and Development from Northwestern State University at Louisiana. She has a passion for applying the vast skills and knowledge she has gained over the years for such a meaningful role in assisting mental health providers. Stanley Psychology is very blessed to have her as a part of the team! As Norlisha works behind the scenes, please direct any billing questions to our Patient Care Coordinator, Kelsye, who can consult with Norlisha as indicated. Raider Stanley Certified G.B. (Good Boy) Raider Burreaux Stanley is our 45-pound bundle of love and goofiness. As proof of the Stanley love of sports, Raider is named after Adam's Red Raiders of Texas Tech and Joe Burrow ("Burreaux" is the Cajun way), a legend in Louisiana. Raider is a mix-of-mixes (our favorite kind) and the youngest pup in our pack. Raider has completed two initial trainings and is working towards certification as a therapy dog. Although a bit shy at first, when he warms up, he brings a calming presence. During remote sessions, Raider has strong instincts with when he makes an appearance, often popping up when hearing a patient emotional. If you see him, feel free to say hi! Raider spends his free time lounging on the couch, playing football fetch with his dad, and following his mama around. If Amanda says “let’s go do the therapy, buddy!” he runs with excitement to the remote therapy area and gets comfortable in his spot. I have seen many therapists and nobody has been able to help me...until I found Dr. Amanda Stanley. Dr. Stanley has brought light and hope into my frequently dark world. I finally have hope for a much happier and brighter life.

Testimonials Scroll down to view the incredible feedback Dr. Stanley and Stanley Psychology has received from patients and fellow professional clinicians. PATIENT TESTIMONIALS "I have experienced anxiety and depression for many years. I have seen many therapists and nobody has been able to help me ... until I found Dr. Stanley. I’ve been in her care for over 8 months. During that time, Dr. Stanley has brought light and hope into my frequently dark world. She has taught me how to deal with difficulties when they arise, and provided the tools to deal appropriately with life’s challenges and quickly recover. As a result my dark despair has lifted, and I finally have hope for a much happier and brighter life. I see Dr. Stanley virtually on my computer screen which is very convenient as I don’t have to travel to and from her office. Dr. Stanley is a kind and caring person, she listens, she helps. She has the highest credentials ….. and it shows. Dr. Stanley is, quite simply, the very best of the best!" "I have suffered from depression which at times has been completely debilitating. When I first met Dr. Stanley I wasn’t sure if she would be able to understand my issues since I am much older than she is. But, I needed a therapist and decided to give it a shot. That was a great decision! In the time that I have been seeing Dr. Stanley she has helped me redo my thinking patterns. I used to just spiral down when stress hit me, thinking there was no way out and that it would just get worse. Now I realize that Dr. Stanley has been guiding me to change my thinking patterns to more positive and healthy ways of dealing with life’s hard times. I am much more able to handle stress by thinking differently when the challenge first arises. I come up with healthier ways to look at the situation and come up with healthier alternatives. I am not “cured” and may never be, but I am so much happier and healthier than ever before. If you are looking for a very competent and caring therapist I definitely recommend that you give Dr. Stanley a call." "Dr. Amanda Stanley has been a godsend to me. Up until about a month ago, I was in a very emotionally abusive job. I was referred to Dr. Stanley who has helped me to realize that I AM a good and caring person. I was always doubting myself and feeling I was worth nothing to others. I could not sleep or eat, and dreaded going to a job that I once loved. After just a few sessions with Dr. Stanley, I realized I am a better person, have a lot to offer others and can begin believing in myself. She has helped me find the good in myself. She is kind, soft-spoken and is the greatest listener I have ever known. I will continue seeing Dr. Stanley, as it uplifts me more than anything else. I am forever grateful to have met her!" "I started seeing Amanda in May 2018. Our first meeting was not your typical 1st time visit. I had a major crisis (in my eyes) about seeing a family member in the next week. She calmed me down, gave me excellent advice and I survived. Now, years later, Amanda has been fantastic. She listens to everything I have to say and then explains everything I need to know about how to live my life without guilt, confusion, anger and helps me navigate to becoming a better version of myself. I’ve been to several counselors, and Dr. Amanda Stanley has been my life savior and I am forever grateful for the things she has taught me and I look forward to the many lessons she will help me with in the future." "I was lost and now I'm found. I fought our Department of Veterans affairs for over 13 years. What I was telling them was true, but the words that I was using were emotional. Dr. Amanda Stanley saved my life. She took an enormous amount of her time to test me, to learn who I am and to understand what combat in Viet Nam had done to my brain. She then compared those findings to world knowledge and put ink to paper in words that the VA could understand. After years of near death desires – the VA understood the clinical effects that over 300 days in combat had on my life. The VA granted me Service Connection for everything that she examined me for. I have referred other Viet Nam Combat Veterans to Dr. Stanley with the same results." I was very satisfied with my experience in therapy with Veronica! feel like our discussions led to deeper understanding of my anxiety, but also the root of it and how to cope in healthy ways. We had great talks about the brain, too, and I loved learning more about how the brain works in relation to anxiety. What we talked about were things I could relate to all areas of my life, too, and I've been able to share with others around me! Veronica did a great job of validating my feelings and anxiety. She had the perfect combination of allowing me to feel comfortable and validated, while also challenging me in gentle ways that I know was really helpful. I felt very comfortable and safe and never felt like I needed to hold anything back. I felt that I could be honest and vulnerable in each of our sessions. I'm very thankful for therapy. A year ago, I was in a place where I thought I would have this debilitating anxiety forever. I am a completely different person now and have grown immensely and am so excited to go through each day without the lingering anxiety I dealt with before. "One candle wipes out darkness. One step can start a journey. One voice can speak with wisdom. One life can make a difference….this is Dr. Stanley! Dr. Stanley has demonstrated to me that consistent hard work leads to success. She is kind and caring, and has helped me beyond measure in the toughest of times." "Dr. Stanley, thank you for your professional assessment and diagnosis. The judge issued a favorable decision and order of 100% Service connection for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. It is very clear that your report and diagnosis was a major factor in the judge finding in our favor. Without your professional evaluation, I am convinced all appeals would have been continually denied. Your patience, procedures, and detailed evaluations were excellent. You are a first class professional and psychologist." "Your encouragement and constant reminder to not put added pressure on myself to control every outcome has drastically changed my outlook on life. I am forever grateful for you seeing the need to change for the betterment of my mental health and pushing me to go after it." Morgan Brown has always been so patient with my kids and does well to connect and engage with them. "I cannot thank you enough for walking with me through the most difficult journey. You show me over and over that you will continually give your all & do everything in your power to help me, however you can, for as long as I need. I can’t explain how much you’ve helped me live a more normal life!" PROFESSIONAL TESTIMONIALS "I’ve had the pleasure to work with Dr. Stanley since 2018. The success of individuals participating in our program is dependent on competent, complete, and thorough assessments – Amanda has provided us with above-and-beyond competent, complete and thorough evaluations. Her level of knowledge, skill and expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of substance use disorders & mental health/personality conditions is exceptional and what I consider the “gold standard” in our field. Her report writing skills are fantastic and she always maintains excellent communication with me regarding our mutual clients. Without hesitation, I would recommend Dr. Stanley to provide the highest level of evaluation with integrity, attention to detail and professionalism.” Roland Rodriguez, LCDC, TPAPN Case Manager "Dr. Stanley is a highly skilled evaluator, diverse, and knowable on both DSM-V and ASAM criteria. As a professional in the field, Dr. Stanley has always been giving of her knowledge and expertise and as a case manager her services is greatly valued." Corinne Hernandez, MS, LCDC, TPAPN Case Manager I completed my Master’s-level Practicum and Advanced Practicum hours with Dr. Stanley at her private practice. During my time at Stanley Psychology, I learned a lot from Dr. Stanley’s previous experience and expertise in criminal psychology, substance abuse disorders, Veteran assessments for disability, testing/assessment including report writing, and therapy. It was such a delight being able to observe Dr. Stanley’s unique approach to every client based on case and client needs. I learned more about professional “tough love” with clients that tend to deceive or deny personal shortcomings. I LOVED IT. Dr. Stanley and I still maintain a positive relationship to this day. Veronica Guerrero-Quan, Licensed Psychological Associate, Former Practicum Clinician at Stanley Psychology MORE QUESTIONS? CONTACT US

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: For therapy inquiries: Providers who accept Aetna, Medicare, and self-pay patients have immediate openings available. Providers who accept BCBS and Scott & White insurances are on a brief wait list. Dr. Stanley is only accepting a limited number of self-pay patients at this time. We can assist with verifying out-of-network benefits for therapy if you have a different insurance plan. For testing/evaluation inquiries: We are able to immediately accept new requests using insurances we are in-network with and self-pay clients. Send us a message! First Name Last Name Email Phone Number How can we help you? How did you find us? Choose an option SEND Thank you for your message! We will contact you within 24 business hours. Come visit us at Stanley Psychology! 108 North 1st Avenue Mansfield, Texas 76063 Patient Care Coordinator: info@stanleypsychology.com Dr. Stanley: dr.stanley@stanleypsychology.com Office: (817) 592-0750 (call or text) Fax: (817) 259-2491

Veronica Guerrero-Quan, M.S., LPA-Independent Practice  Ah, the holidays—where your calendar fills up faster than your inbox, and your family starts planning Christmas dinner before you’ve even finished Halloween candy. If you’re already sweating over how to juggle a billion work meetings, 5 gift exchanges, and an endless supply of holiday sweets, it might be time to talk about the most important holiday tradition of all: setting boundaries. Because let’s be real, the only thing you should be spreading this season is holiday cheer, not your emotional bandwidth!   Why Boundaries Matter During the Holidays The holiday season often bring pressures including family dynamics, social obligations, and financial stress. It is precisely because of this that boundaries are so essential during the holiday season! I often describe boundaries to my therapy clients as the defining lines that determine our limitations and responsibilities as a human being. They are like having a fence and gate around a backyard; they keep the bad out while selectively letting the good in through the gate. Similar to a fence and gate guarding a backyard, boundaries purpose to protect your physical, emotional, mental, and emotional real estate. Let me give an example. I may have a limited amount of money to spend on Christmas gifts this year. To prevent myself from accumulating debt on a credit card by spending money I don’t have, I would need to acknowledge my financial limitation and set that financial boundary with myself and others during Christmas gift shopping. By setting a financial boundary, I would be protecting my financial wellbeing from being damaged. One point I’d like to highlight: boundaries are often seen as a “scary thing” to implement with family and friends, because it might feel unloving. However, nothing could be further from loving! Boundaries help prevent resentment by acknowledging our human limitations in finances, time, and emotional bandwidth. By acknowledging our limitations and implementing boundaries, we increase our ability to foster healthy interactions and connections with loved ones.   Practical Tips for Setting Boundaries During the holiday season, setting clear boundaries is key to avoiding burnout and maintaining your mental and emotional health. Start by assessing your commitments and recognizing areas where you might need to say "no," whether it’s turning down extra social invitations or delegating tasks. Practice using simple, assertive language like, "I can’t commit to this right now," or "I need some time to rest." Be honest about your needs and remember that you don’t owe anyone an elaborate explanation. Prioritize your time and energy—choose the events or gatherings that feel most meaningful and skip the ones that will leave you drained. Set limits on how long you’ll stay at family gatherings or social events and give yourself permission to leave early if you need to recharge. Lastly, don’t forget to schedule personal downtime, whether that’s reading a book, taking a walk, or enjoying a quiet cup of tea. Boundaries are about taking care of yourself, so you can be present and enjoy the holidays without feeling overwhelmed.   Overcoming Common Barriers to Boundary Setting Dealing with guilt: Many people struggle with guilt when setting boundaries, often fearing that saying "no" will disappoint others or lead to feelings of rejection. It's important to remember that setting boundaries is not an act of selfishness but an essential practice of self-respect. By prioritizing your own well-being, you are ensuring that you can show up fully for others when you are able to. In fact, honoring your boundaries creates healthier, more sustainable relationships, as it prevents burnout and resentment. Reassure yourself that it's okay to say "no"—it’s a way of taking care of your own needs so that you can engage with others in a balanced, positive way.   Handling pushback : When setting boundaries, it’s common to encounter pushback or criticism from family members or friends, especially if they’re not used to you asserting your needs. It’s important to stay firm and calm in these situations, remembering that their reactions are not necessarily a reflection of your worth or the validity of your boundaries. You can acknowledge their feelings without compromising your own needs, such as by saying, "I understand that this may be disappointing, but I need to prioritize my well-being right now." It’s helpful to stay consistent in your responses and avoid getting defensive. Over time, people will come to respect your boundaries as they see that you are committed to them, and your relationships will benefit from the clarity and mutual respect that boundaries create. Managing loneliness : Setting boundaries, especially during the holiday season, can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation, particularly if you find yourself turning down social invitations or spending more time alone to recharge. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and remind yourself that solitude doesn’t equate to being alone or unloved. Instead of isolating further, find ways to connect with others in meaningful, low-pressure ways, such as through a phone call, a small, intimate gathering, or virtual hangouts. Engaging in self-care activities like journaling, reading, or taking walks can also provide a sense of peace and reconnection with yourself. Remember, quality connections matter more than quantity, and nurturing your own well-being through intentional time alone can help you show up more authentically when you do choose to engage with others.   Takeaways Setting boundaries is a powerful way to create a more balanced and fulfilling holiday experience. By taking the time to define and honor your personal limits, you can reduce stress, prevent burnout, and protect your mental and emotional well-being. Boundaries help you prioritize what truly matters—whether it’s spending quality time with loved ones, engaging in self-care, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment to yourself. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the season, boundary setting allows you to navigate the holidays with more intention, confidence, peace, and joy. Remember, you have the right to create a holiday experience that feels nourishing and authentic to you, and setting boundaries is a key step in ensuring that happens.   As the holiday season approaches, take some time to reflect on your own needs and how you want to show up for yourself during this insanely busy time. Consider the areas where you may be overextending yourself and identify at least one boundary you can set that will honor your well-being. Whether it's saying "no" to a social obligation, prioritizing rest, or limiting the emotional energy you expend, setting a clear boundary will help you create a more peaceful and balanced holiday season experience. By committing to this small but meaningful change, you’ll not only protect your own well-being but also ensure that you can engage with the season in a way that feels authentic and fulfilling.   Veronica Guerrero Quan, LPA-Independent Practice * This post was generated with the assistance of an AI tool; Veronica is responsible for the final content

Welcome to Stanley Psychology! I'm Dr. Stanley, but I tend to be informal - most of my patients call me Amanda. I want to welcome you to our practice. I am excited to be establishing our practice in Historic Downtown Mansfield, Texas, to embrace the charm of the area and community culture. We want our practice to feel comfortable for our patients and like a second home, rather than having too much of a medical feel. I truly believe the best healing begins with being comfortable and that starts with the treatment environment. I am also happy to announce we will continue remote services for those who prefer to attend virtual sessions. Many psychology group practices focus on a single area of expertise throughout their clinicians; meaning, that the whole practice has a specific specialty. This works great for some practices. However, when expanding my practice, I wanted to embrace the diversity in specialties for clinicians, leading us to serve a wider range of patients. Individuals who practice in the mental health field tend to be generalists; meaning, they are equipped to treat a wide variety of issues, as we all are here. However, each clinician also brings specialties to the practice. For myself, I specialize in trauma and substance abuse treatment. Morgan Flores, one of our therapists, specializes with couples and families, Christian counseling, and women’s issues. Morgan Brown, one of our other therapists, specializes in treating anxiety, self-esteem concerns, and is our child expert in the practice treating children ages 4+. In addition, as clinicians trained in the science of psychology, we are all experienced in conducting testing or psychological evaluations, which is something unique to our specific field. We are also always looking to hire new clinicians to bring additional specialties to our practice. In our office, each therapist utilizes a base of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with additional modalities utilized depending on clinician and case circumstances. All treatment is supervised by me, allowing each patient to have access to both a psychologist and their treating therapist throughout their mental health journey. We are also excited to be offering group therapy for various concerns- keep an eye out on our social medias and in-office for information! We are delighted you are here- welcome in! Dr. Amanda Stanley

Amanda Stanley, Ph.D. Grounding is a technique used in mental health to help people come into the present moment with their senses. Mindfulness is described as being in the present moment, whereas grounding is used to get to the present moment. These terms are sometimes used interchangeably, and that is ok- there’s no quiz here! When we worry, we are focused about something that has happened in the past or thinking about something in the future . Grounding helps us stop this past/future focus and be in the present moment by engaging our five senses. Let’s talk about how grounding is classically taught first…and then I’ll tell you why I tell patients to “throw that out the window” when I teach grounding and what to really do, based on success in practice. The classic instruction is to use a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 strategy: First, we want to use sight . Look around and name five things you can see. Focus on the details of each object. Then, we use touch . Feel four things that you can touch. Really feel the texture of the item you are touching, and think about the sensations and temperature. Next is hearing . Name three things you can hear. You want to pay attention to sounds in your environment, such as a fan, birds, traffic, a clock, etc. Then, we use smell . Focus on any scents in the air such as with food or nature. Scented lotions work well too. Last, we want to taste . Get something nearby to taste that is pleasant, and describe the flavor and any other sensations you experience. Why is this difficult to do? Well, if you are already anxious or otherwise distressed, this can be overwhelming. Unless you are visually impaired, most people can complete the five things you can see. Four things you can touch are also typically easy for people. However, after that, it gets tricky! I don’t know about you, but unless I am out in nature, it is difficult to think of three things you can hear. This can induce pressure and panic to find an answer; now we are getting more worked up. Two things to smell? We don’t always have multiple pleasant smelling things around us. Lastly, for taste- if we do not have something to taste, this can induce more stress to try to find something to complete the task. Taken together, grounding in the classical sense can actually be counterproductive by adding to distress. If it works for you, great! But if not, here are some alternatives: The 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 strategy: just like above, but focus on only one thing for each sense. If you do not have something to taste nearby, you can imagine something pleasant to you. The 1-sense strategy: Pick your favorite sense, and use that! You can do 5 things you see and successfully ground yourself, as an example. Touch is another great one for the one-sense approach. The multi-sense item: Some people like having an established “grounding item” that engages multiple senses. Small lotion bottles are a great example- you can feel the texture of the bottle, the cap, and the actual lotion; you can see the writing on the bottle and then focus on the color of the lotion; and, you can smell the pleasant scent of the lotion. In our office, we offer scented dough balls (think of a more pliable stress ball) to help ground with multiple senses- next time you are in-office, feel free to ask for one! Regardless of how you approach grounding, a lot of individuals think that this just “won’t help” and disregard it before ever trying. I think that is typically due to improper expectations. Is grounding going to solve your problem? No, of course not! But, does it allow your mind to take a “brain break” and focus on something pleasant in the moment to take the edge off? Yes, it does. When you return to thinking about the stressor, you can usually do so from a calmer place with more clarity. Try it out, let us know what you think, and watch future blog entries and posts for more anxiety management strategies! -Dr. Stanley