So you've got H. Pylori, now what? (Spoiler: Kale isn't the only answer)

East Cobb Counseling

Let’s set the scene: You’re bloated, burping like a frat boy, and wondering if your stomach secretly hates you. Your doctor runs some tests and bam—Helicobacter pylori enters your life like that one ex who texts “U up?” at 2 a.m.


First, breathe. You’re not alone. H. pylori is a common bacterial party crasher in the gut. But here’s the twist: it doesn’t just make your stomach hurt—it can hijack your entire digestive vibe.


The Good News: This is totally fixable—with a little help from science, food, and maybe someone who knows what “methylation” means.


Step 1: Get a Nutritional Test (Not Just the Basic Kind)


Think of it as a blood test, but with a glow-up (that only requires a mouth swab!). Instead of just checking your iron or cholesterol, it dives deep—like “under-the-hood-of-your-DNA” deep.


Why? Because H. pylori doesn’t just throw your gut off—it can mess with nutrient absorption, detox pathways, and even your mood. Your body might be trying to do its job but running low on the building blocks it needs—like trying to bake a cake with no flour, eggs, or will to live.


This is where the  3X4 Genetic Blueprint Test   comes in.

It’s like getting a personalized manual for how your body wants to function. It tells you:

  • How your genes influence digestion, inflammation, and detox

  • If you’re a methylation rockstar—or if your pathways are more “Netflix buffering”

  • How you metabolize nutrients (spoiler: you and kale might not be a match made in heaven)


Quick methylation breakdown (without putting you to sleep):

Methylation is your body’s behind-the-scenes crew. It helps detox, repair cells, balance mood, and even produce energy. If it’s not working properly—thanks to genes, gut bugs like H. pylori, or nutrient depletion—you might feel tired, anxious, or just plain “meh.”


So while you’re healing from H. pylori, this kind of insight is gold. It helps your nutrition coach stop guessing and start customizing—because your gut deserves a healing plan as unique as your Netflix recommendations.


Step 2: Hire a Nutrition Coach (AKA Your Food Therapist)


After H. pylori, it’s tempting to panic-Google “anti-inflammatory superfoods” and build a diet based on kombucha and prayers. A nutrition coach helps you cut through the chaos and learn to love food again.


They’ll help you:


  • Rebuild your gut lining (think bone broth, not broken dreams)


  • Eat in a way that doesn’t trigger your already annoyed digestive system

  • Decode supplements without needing a PhD in biochemistry

  • Quit blaming gluten for everything (unless, y’know, it is the problem)


They also hold you accountable—because let’s be honest, left to your own devices, you’ll be Googling “Can I eat nachos on a gut-healing protocol?” And honestly, there most likely "is" a version of nachos that you can totally enjoy!


Step 3: Laugh (Seriously)

Gut health can be overwhelming, but stress makes everything worse. Laughter really is medicine (no copay required). Plus, nothing bonds you to your nutrition coach faster than admitting you ate a gas station burrito and now feel like a balloon animal.


Final Thought:  You’re Not Broken

H. pylori is a pain, but it’s also a wake-up call. With the right tests and the right coach, you’ll go from “Why does everything I eat hurt?” to “Pass the sweet potato, I’m thriving!”


So say goodbye to chronic indigestion, confusing food rules, and living in fear of your own stomach. You’ve got this. Your gut is about to make the ultimate comeback tour.

Seven Steps to Facing and Processing Disappointments

By Stephen Wise • January 30, 2025
Sometimes what didn't work out for you - worked out for you! By: Dr. Stephen Wise, PsyD, CCTP - Life is full of disappointments, ranging from minor letdowns to devastating blows that feel impossible to recover from. Disappointment is a complex emotion, often intertwined with sadness, a sense of loss, or even failure. While disappointments are inevitable, how we process and respond to them shapes our ability to move forward. As the image I posted reminds us, sometimes what seems like a setback may actually be clearing the way for something bigger and better. Disappointments arise when expectations go unmet—and let’s be honest, living without expectations is nearly impossible. From a young age, we are surrounded by societal, familial, and personal pressures that only grow as we navigate adulthood. These expectations drive us toward success and happiness, but they also make us vulnerable to disappointment when life doesn’t go as planned. To help you face and move through these moments of disappointment, I’ve outlined seven practical steps for processing emotions and moving forward productively: 1. Acknowledge and Feel Your Emotions The first step in healing is to allow yourself to experience the full range of emotions—sadness, anger, hurt, or even despair. Give yourself the space and grace to adjust to what has happened. While it’s important to feel your emotions, don’t let them consume you indefinitely. Healing begins here, but survival requires forward movement. 2. Practice Acceptance Denial keeps you stuck. Accept what happened so you can shift into a problem-solving mode. Reflect on past experiences where you overcame setbacks—what strategies helped you regain your footing? Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up; it means letting go of resistance so you can reclaim your momentum. Dwelling on negativity can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. A positive outlook can help you maintain emotional balance, reduce the mental toll of disappointment, and foster a sense of hope. 3. Resist the Trap of Self-Pity After acknowledging your emotions and accepting reality, avoid falling into self-pity. Dwelling on "why me?" will only drain your emotional energy and keep you from feeling empowered. Disappointments can actually empower growth and often reveal areas where you can learn, improve, or pivot. By focusing on the lessons within the setback, you turn what feels like failure into an opportunity for personal or professional growth. 4. Let Go of Self-Blame It’s easy to internalize disappointments and blame yourself, but often, many factors contributing to an outcome are beyond your control. Recognize the difference between accountability and unfair self-blame and show yourself compassion. 5. Keep Perspective Put this experience into context within the broader scope of your life. Ask yourself: how significant will this moment feel a year from now? Challenges are opportunities to grow stronger and more resilient. Life’s "speed bumps" may feel jarring, but they prepare us for navigating even greater challenges. 6. Reflect and Learn Every disappointment holds a lesson. What has this experience taught you about your goals, priorities, or values? In my own journey, a significant disappointment helped me realize what I truly wanted from my career, leading me down a new and fulfilling path. Give yourself time for reflection and be open to the possibilities that follow. 7. Take Action Channel your energy into identifying the next opportunity. The excitement you felt for what didn’t work out can resurface as you pursue new goals. Don’t let pessimism or fear of failure hold you back from future prospects. With each new step, you’re moving closer to something better. How you handle difficulties can inspire those around you. Demonstrating positivity can encourage others to face their own challenges with grace and determination. Summary Disappointments, while painful, can become turning points in our lives. By processing our emotions and staying focused on the bigger picture, we not only recover but often emerge stronger, wiser, and more prepared for what lies ahead.

The Gut-Brain Axis: A Vital Link Between Gut Microbiota and Mental Health

By Laurel Clayton-Seheult • January 14, 2025
A Scientific Looks into How Your Gut Microbiome Affects Mental Wellness.

Origami for Mental Health

By Dr. Stephen WIse, PsyD • December 23, 2024
Origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, offers much more than beautiful creations—it’s a hands-on activity that fosters creativity, patience, and focus. For neurodivergent children , origami can be particularly beneficial as a therapeutic tool and a form of self-expression. Its structured yet flexible nature provides a calming activity that helps to develop fine motor skills, enhance spatial reasoning, and build confidence. Origami’s repetitive, step-by-step processes can be soothing for children who thrive on routine, while the tactile engagement of folding paper offers sensory input that can help with self-regulation. Additionally, completing an origami model provides a sense of accomplishment, boosting self-esteem and encouraging perseverance. Origami offers numerous benefits for adults , including stress relief, enhanced mindfulness, and a sense of relaxation. It improves cognitive skills like memory, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving while also enhancing fine motor coordination. Emotionally, origami fosters creativity, boosts self-esteem through a sense of accomplishment, and serves as a therapeutic tool for managing anxiety and trauma. Socially, it promotes connection through group activities and cultural appreciation. Additionally, it has practical uses in decoration and problem-solving, making it a versatile and enriching activity for adults. In this introduction, I will explore how origami can be adapted to meet the unique needs of neurodivergent children and adults. Improved Concentration and Mindfulness: Origami requires attention to detail and concentration. As you follow instructions and manipulate paper, your mind becomes fully engaged in the present moment. Practicing mindfulness through origami can enhance cognitive abilities and improve overall focus. Enhanced Fine Motor Skills: The delicate nature of origami encourages fine motor skill development. Precise folding and coordination between fingers improve dexterity. This benefit is particularly relevant for children and older adults who want to maintain or enhance their motor skills. Boosted Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills: Origami encourages creativity by allowing you to transform a simple sheet of paper into intricate shapes, animals, or objects. Solving folding puzzles and experimenting with different designs stimulate problem-solving abilities. Sense of Accomplishment and Self-Esteem: · Completing an origami project provides a sense of achievement. Even simple creations can evoke feelings of pride. · This boost in self-esteem can be precious for individuals dealing with anxiety or depression. Social Interaction and Bonding: Origami can be a social activity. Participating in workshops, classes, or group sessions allows people to connect with others who share their interests. Collaborative origami projects can strengthen relationships and create a sense of community. Therapeutic Applications: Origami is used in therapeutic settings for various conditions, including stroke rehabilitation, injury recovery, and mental health issues. It promotes cognitive function, hand-eye coordination, and emotional well-being. Cultural Appreciation and Connection: Learning origami exposes individuals to different cultures and their artistic traditions. It fosters an appreciation for the beauty of simplicity and minimalism. Stress Relief and Relaxation: The repetitive and focused nature of folding paper encourages mindfulness, helping to calm the mind and reduce stress. Engaging in a creative activity like origami provides a mental break from everyday concerns. Practical Applications: Origami pieces can be used for gifts, decorations, or personalized items. The principles of origami have applications in engineering, medical devices, and design. In conclusion, origami is a powerful yet simple tool that promotes mental well-being by fostering relaxation, mindfulness, and creativity. Its accessibility and versatility make it an effective practice for reducing stress, enhancing cognitive and emotional resilience, and facilitating social connection. Origami’s adaptability makes it a powerful tool for parents, educators, and therapists seeking accessible ways to support neurodivergent children and adults in their growth and development. By embracing this ancient art, we not only help children and adults build confidence and resilience but also foster a sense of accomplishment and wonder that carries over into all aspects of their lives.