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Hello!
As we step into a new year, many of us are reflecting on the goals and intentions we want to carry forward. Change is most meaningful when goals are thoughtful and achievable—which is why SMART goals are highlighted throughout this issue.
We’re also excited to share our newly released equine group therapy dates for the months ahead and don't forget to save the date for our biggest event of the year on March 7th!
This edition marks a transition for our newsletter as we welcome Sierra Sands, MS as our new editor and extend heartfelt thanks to Jaclyn Rink, MS for the many years she dedicated to shaping this space. We’re grateful to begin this new chapter together and to continue supporting your journey in the year ahead.
All my best,
Dr. Pam McCaskill
office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com
734-416-9098
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McCaskill Family Services Newsletter
Term: Winter | Issue 73| January 26th , 2026
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Setting SMART Goals
With the new year comes new goals. Did you know that around 90% of New Year's resolutions do not last past the second week of February? Jaclyn Rink, MS, LLP shares a helpful graphic on how we can use SMART goals to make our New Year's resolutions stick!
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At McCaskill Family Services, we specialize in working with adults, children, teenagers and families with various presenting issues. If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us. Our clinicians are trained in empirically-based techniques, and would be happy to promptly schedule an appointment in person or via tele-health. We can be reached by phone at 734-416-9098 or by email at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com.
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We are looking forward to our BIGGEST EVENT EVER in partnership with the Plymouth-Canton Schools:
Neurodiversity In Action on March 7th, 2026.
ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS FREE EVENT!
| | Cozy Recipes for January Self Care | |
Make January a little better by using cooking as a weekly self care ritual! Try out out some chili, homemade soup, or fresh-baked cookies. This taps into multiple mood boosters: leaving the house to get groceries, engaging in a warm indoor activity, and a reward at the end! It is a bonus if you cook with someone or invite them over to enjoy the meal!
Need some recipe inspiration? Try these!
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Food For Thought:
A monthly newsletter addition from our
Dietitian and Eating Disorder Recovery Team.
January: New Year, New Me, right? Wrong! Well, sort of.
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New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to kickstart new habits, however most resolutions do not last and are typically forgotten about by the end of January. This often stems from individuals having an all or nothing mentality with resolutions or setting too many, making them difficult to keep up with. Health related resolutions are most common but can be overwhelming, especially if it is a daily goal and something completely new to your life.
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Best practices to set sustainable resolutions include:
- Thinking of them as goals for the year
- Give yourself flexibility and do not expect perfection
- Use the snowball method - start small and build as you accomplish the goals
- Have a support system or accountability partners setting similar goals
- Set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time) goals for better structure
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A monthly addition from our team of relationship experts: covering important topics, information, and answering common questions about romantic relationships.
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January has a way of inviting reflection. The holidays are over, routines begin to settle, and there’s often a collective pause as we look ahead to the year to come. While many people focus on personal goals this time of year, January can also be a powerful opportunity to check in on the health of your romantic relationship.
After the busyness and emotional intensity of the holidays, couples may notice patterns more clearly—what felt supportive, what felt stressful, and where tensions may have lingered. This isn’t about assigning blame or creating a list of resolutions for your partner. Instead, it’s a chance to take stock with curiosity and compassion. However, it can be hard to initiate this conversation with one another without putting up our defenses.
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Did you know that MFS offers an easy, low commitment way of taking stock of your relationship health?!
It’s called a Relationship Checkup, and here’s how it works:
In just two appointments, you and your partner will work with a professional to:
- Identify your relationship’s strengths, patterns, and areas of concern
- Learn useful, specific suggestions and practical solutions for potential issues
- Grow towards deeper understanding, connection, and long-lasting relationship health
As a part of the checkup process, you and your partner will each independently complete a brief questionnaire about your relationship. Next, you will both meet with a professional (in-person or virtually) to discuss your relationship history, patterns, strengths, and areas of concern. After this appointment, your provider will create a personalized relationship report that contains actionable solutions for your relationship concerns. Finally, you will both meet with your relationship checkup professional again to review your report and receive feedback on how to maintain relationship strengths and address concerns in your relationship.
Many couples report benefits from completing a relationship checkup and there’s no commitment required beyond these two appointments.
A Relationship Checkup is a way for you and your partner to highlight what you are doing well and discover areas of your relationship that could be made even stronger. Similar to seeking a regular tune up for your vehicle, a regular tune up for your relationship can keep it running smoothly, so that small issues don't become big problems. If you and your partner are experiencing relationship distress, a relationship checkup can be a good first step towards working with a professional to repair/restore your relationship health.
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Hi there! My name is Sierra Sands and I'm a masters level clinician at McCaskill Family Services who specializes in the treatment of Anxiety, Body Image/Self-Esteem Issues, Depression, Interpersonal Conflicts, and Struggling to Launch/Survive for Young Adults. I am also part of our comprehensive psychological evaluation team.
I am so excited to take on the role of newsletter editor and share interesting tips, information about McCaskill Family Services, and community events with you.
Thank you so much for staying in touch with the practice and I hope that you can use some of the useful information from our newsletter. If you or someone you know would like to schedule an appointment with me, please contact our office at 734-416-9098 or email us at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com.
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409 Plymouth Road, Suite 250, Plymouth, MI 48170 • 734.416.9098
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