Graduation Season Is Here—And We’re Feeling All the Things!!

By Joanna Dixon, LMFT | Matters of the Heart Counseling

May has a funny way of sneaking up on us, doesn’t it?

One minute we’re easing into spring… and the next, we’re staring down the end of a school year, final report cards, graduation gowns, and big, beautiful transitions that can stir up every kind of feeling—joy, grief, pride, fear, hope, and a little bit of “how the heck did we get here?”

Whether your child is:
    •    wrapping up kindergarten and learning to tie their shoes without help
    •    preparing to start high school and asking bigger questions about identity
    •    or stepping across the graduation stage and getting ready to launch…

You may be noticing a bundle of emotions rising for them—and for you too.

Here are a few common things we see this time of year:
    •    Grief masked as irritability or withdrawal (change is hard one EVERYONE, even when it’s good)
    •    Anxiety about the unknowns (new schools, new roles, new friends, new pressures)
    •    Big feelings around identity (Who am I without my kids home every day? Who am I now that I’m leaving this season behind?)
    •    Parent/child power struggles (a lot of that is often fueled by fear—not disobedience)

***(Think DIFFERENTIATION… the process of uncoupling from your family/parents values and beliefs or previous career/schools values, and moving into your own idea of self or what is right for you)***

Here’s Some Quick Tips for the Season:
    1.    Name it to tame it. Let your grad—or yourself—feel what’s coming up without needing to fix it. Slow down and NAME the emotion. ALL of the emotions. Don’t judge them. Just notice them.
    2.    Create opportunities for closure. Write letters, revisit old photos, mark the moment meaningfully.
    3.    Hold space for bittersweet. It’s okay to feel pride and sadness at the same time.
    4.    Invite—not force—conversation. Kids often talk most when pressure is off. (Try the car, the porch, or a classic walk and talk.)
    5.    Take care of you too. Your nervous system matters. Grounding exercises, breathwork, or scheduling your own therapy session can help anchor you amidst the swarm of emotions.

And speaking of growth and change, we’re celebrating some of our own this month!

We are so proud of our three incredible graduate interns who have officially completed their master’s programs and will be staying on with us as full-time clinicians. These women are smart, skilled, and full of heart—and we couldn’t be more excited to have them continue their work at Matters of the Heart Counseling:

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Nathalie Nordstrom, LPC-Temp – Goodlettsville Office

Joining forces upstairs with child specialist Katherine Ruttenbur, Nathalie brings a fierce dedication to working with the Deaf and Blind community, special needs families, and end-of-life grief work. As a fluent ASL clinician, her advocacy is unmatched. Fun fact: Nathalie moved to Tennessee just to intern with us—and we’re so honored she’s now a permanent part of our team.

⸻

Haley Reed, LPC-Temp – Gallatin Office
From hairstylist to healer, this new mama brings warmth, depth, and sharp clinical instincts into every session. Sharing the “glam grandma suite” with Bethany Mackey, Haley specializes in trauma, anxiety, and codependency. Her Brainspotting work is powerful, and her compassion is the kind we all fight to soak up as colleagues.

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Mariah Thelen, Associate-MFT – Transitioning from Goodlettsville to Gallatin
A fierce mom of three and EFT-trained clinician, Mariah blends her deep understanding of attachment theory with lived experience and an unstoppable drive. Passionate about supporting families navigating neurodiversity and complex needs, Mariah’s ability to dig deep and advocate boldly makes her a true force in the therapy room.

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We’re cheering for you, grads—ours and yours.
No matter what season you’re stepping into, we want you to know: you’re not alone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or just in need of a place to process, we’re here.

Because if it matters to your heart… you already know—it matters to ours. 🫶🏻

xoxo-Jo