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The Momentum Mindset:
Growing Motivation One Step at a Time | | |
There are moments in life when motivation flows easily, and other times when it feels quiet or harder to access. This is a natural part of being human. What many people discover, though, is that motivation often grows after we begin rather than before. A strong mindset is not always about feeling energized or confident; it is about believing in your ability to move forward, even in small ways. Each step – no matter how small – can help build momentum and remind us that progress is always possible.
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Developing a resilient mindset starts with treating ourselves with the same kindness, patience, and understanding we would offer someone we care about. Life’s challenges, responsibilities, and emotional struggles can sometimes lead us to doubt our abilities. Yet it is often through these difficult moments that growth occurs. When we respond to ourselves with compassion rather than criticism, we create space for healing, learning, and renewed motivation. Over time, a supportive inner voice can become one of the most powerful foundations for building resilience.
Another helpful shift is focusing on small, meaningful actions instead of waiting for “perfect” circumstances. Change is rarely the result of one dramatic step; more often, it grows from consistent and manageable choices made day by day. Taking a short walk, completing one task, reaching out for support, or simply acknowledging something you handled well today are all meaningful steps forward. Over time, these small moments build strength, reinforce self-belief, and remind us that we are capable of overcoming challenges.
If you are currently working through a period where motivation feels low, remember that this does not define your future. Every person has the ability to strengthen their mindset and reconnect with purpose over time. With support, reflection, and steady steps forward, motivation can grow again. Even during challenging periods of time, there are always opportunities for growth, renewed clarity, and positive change.
We are all human and walking this journey together. Our clients’ willingness to show up, keep trying, and take steps forward – even when things feel difficult – can be deeply meaningful to both the client and their care team members. This shared effort helps create a sense of partnership, where everyone works alongside one another toward healing and growth.
3 Steps to Build Your Motivation
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Know your "Why." Write down your personal reasons for wanting to change. What matters most to you? Feeling better? Your family/friends? Keep this list where you can see it.
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Start Small. Pick one change at a time. Instead of "I'll exercise every day," try "I'll walk for 10 minutes after lunch on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday."
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Plan for Obstacles. Think about what might get in the way and make a backup plan. For example: "If it rains, I'll walk inside at the mall instead."
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Change is a process, not an event.
- Small steps add up to big results.
- Setbacks are normal – what matters is getting back on track.
- Your healthcare team is here to help you.
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How Spending Time Outdoors Can Support Your Mental Health | | |
Longer days and warmer weather offer more than just a change of scenery. They can also provide meaningful benefits for your mental well-being.
Research has shown that spending time outdoors can help reduce stress, improve mood, increase energy levels, and support overall emotional health. Exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep and can contribute to a greater sense of balance and well-being.
You do not need to spend hours outside to experience the benefits. Even small changes can make a difference:
- Take a short walk during your lunch break
- Enjoy your morning coffee on the porch or patio
- Visit a local park or nature trail
- Spend time gardening or caring for outdoor plants
- Plan an outdoor activity with friends or family
As summer begins, consider making time outdoors a regular part of your self-care routine. A few extra minutes in the sunshine may be just what your mind and body need.
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Get Your Free Tickets to a Community Event!
Lakes Center is proud to be sponsoring the Food Court at this year's Rockin' Under the Stars event hosted by the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
This event is a great way for families, friends, businesses, and food vendors to come together for an evening of fun, live entertainment, and community spirit. We’re thrilled to support something that helps everyone connect and enjoy what our community offers.
You can find more details about the event here.
As part of our sponsorship, we have received complimentary tickets that we would like to share with our clients and their families. If you are interested in attending, please contact us at wellnesspartner@lakescenter.com to request tickets. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last
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We hope our LCMHN community members enjoy this special event and find new ways to connect, support wellness, and get involved.
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Lakes Center Mental Health Network invites our patients, families, friends, and community members to join Team LCMHN as we walk together to support mental health awareness, hope, and recovery through NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Together we will work to reduce stigma and create a world where no one faces mental health challenges alone.
When: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 8 am - Noon
Where: University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit, MI 48221
You can join and/or support our team by going to our Team LCMHN page.
There, you can click the “Join Our Team” or ”Support Us” buttons.
Whether you walk, donate, volunteer, or help spread the word, your support helps NAMI’s mission, as we work together for a stronger, healthier community.
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Healing In The LGBTQIA+ Community
The LGBTQIA+ community experiences higher rates of depression and anxiety than the community at large. It is vitally important for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to feel accepted in their mental health care. We do our best to use people’s chosen pronouns and names and honor all identities and lifestyles.
All the clinicians at Lakes Center are happy to work with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their families, however some of the clinicians have additional expertise and extensive experience with the issues and needs that are unique to this community.
You can find/identify these clinician four different ways:
- Look for the rainbow circle icon featured on the bio page (see above)
- Visit our LGBTQIA+ page for the listing of the clinicians
- Use our Therapy Staff Chart to sort by the LGBTQIA+ option
- Call us at (248) 859-2457 and we can steer you to an appropriate clinician as well as help you to set up an appointment
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Mental Health Tip:
Celebrate Small Wins
It is easy to focus on what still needs to be done or where we wish we were. But mental well-being often improves when we shift our attention toward progress instead of perfection. Try to:
- Recognize one thing you accomplished each day
- Give yourself grace when things do not go as planned
- Focus on consistency rather than perfection
- Remember that growth often happens one step at a time
Progress is not about doing everything perfectly. It is about continuing to move forward, even when the steps feel small.
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Mental Health Tip:
Go to Bed 10 Minutes Earlier
It can be tempting to think that only big lifestyle changes will make a difference to your health – going entirely vegetarian or vegan, exercising five days a week, or going to bed several hours earlier, for example. It turns out, though, that when it comes to sleep, going to bed just 10 minutes earlier can make a substantial difference to your sleep patterns and rest.
Go to bed 10 minutes earlier. By the end of the week, you’ll get an extra 70 minutes of sleep. Keep it up all year, and you’ll have slept 60 hours more. Imagine how well rested you’ll feel!
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We provide comprehensive psychiatric and psychotherapy services for a vast array of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychotic illness, borderline personality disorder, substance abuse/addiction, trauma related issues, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and behavior problems. Call (248) 859-2457 to set up an appointment.
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Did you know? SPRAVATO® can have a rapid antidepressant response and is added on to an antidepressant and the rest of your regimen. It is the first new mechanism of action to treat depression that has come out in over 30 years.
There is hope for treatment-resistant depression. Call (248) 859-2457 to set up an appointment.
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Lakes DBT
We provide comprehensive DBT services to provide effective treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and other disorders involving emotion dysregulation, including co-occurring substance use disorders, major depressive disorder, and individuals with history of trauma. At Lakes DBT Center, we believe that with effective evidence-based treatment and a caring and coordinated treatment team, clients can create a life they love.
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Tuesdays, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Wednesdays 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
(Groups are ongoing)
Summer 2026 Schedule:
Groups meet weekly until June 17, then July 7th/8th, August 4th/5th and resume weekly in September.
Lakes Center, 2300 Haggerty Road, Suite 1170, West Bloomfield, MI 48323
Contact Josephine Salem at JoSalem@lakescenter.com or Catherine DuFresne at CDuFresne@lakescenter.com with any questions and/or to apply for membership.
This is an adult outpatient therapy group treating Depression and Anxiety related mental health disorders. Click here for more information!
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Tuesdays 12:00 - 12:45 pm
Wednesdays from 5:30 - 6:30 pm (NEW GROUP starting on June 24th)
Thursdays 12:30 - 1:15 pm
(All are Online only)
Contact Terrie Browning at TBrowning@lakescenter.com or (248) 342-9254.
To Sign Up: Call (248) 859-2457 or click here to fill out our Contact Form.
This group is open to people who have OCD, PTSD, Hoarding, Trichotillomania, Excoriation and Tics. We discuss how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) works to treat these as well as Generalized Anxiety and Panic Disorders. Since ERP can be difficult to maintain, sharing similar experiences with each other, as well as learning from the leaders will help you stay on the course.
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Olivia Burlison, LMSW
Clinical Social Worker
Olivia is a licensed master’s of social work and psychotherapist who graduated from Wayne State University in 2019 where she studied art therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. She has clinical experience working with children, families, and adults in outpatient, community mental health, school, and health care settings. As a nationally certified trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapist, she specializes in supporting children through post traumatic growth.
Olivia believes that all persons are resilient and capable of thriving when their needs are met. She utilizes attachment, trauma, art, CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and play therapy informed interventions to empower clients to strengthen relationships, enhance coping abilities, and expand insight.
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Kathleen Mahoney, LMSW
Clinical Social Worker
Kathleen Mahoney is a fully licensed clinical therapist who graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Master Degree in Social Work. Postgraduate she was a medical social worker in both hospital and homecare settings. These positions afforded her the opportunity to diagnose and treat many issues including chronic pain, heart disease, COPD, oncology, and hospice. This experience helps in her treatment process.
Before joining Lakes Center, she was a clinical social worker at A Healing Place, as well as at Henry Ford Jackson Behavioral Health. She practices from both a holistic and strength-based perspective to assist clients with creating personal goals that become actions to improve daily life.
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© Lakes Center, June 2026 | | | | |
