Lei Rhyne, LPC, NCC, HCt

09/24/2026

This is how you know you’re overbooked and BUSY. 😂

I’m out of town today for an orientation with a new facility, and because we’ll be touring the campus and doing a LOT of walking, I had a plan: wear my comfortable white tennis shoes.

Great plan.

Except I packed in, no lie, about 15 minutes. I left the house yesterday in dark denim, a gray shirt, and my black Nikes… and never once thought to actually pack the white tennis shoes. 🤦‍♀️

So here I am today:
white outfit + black Nikes. 😂

And you know what? I’m going to wear them gratefully.

Because the reason life feels so incredibly busy right now is that some really exciting things are happening. Healing with Art n Sound and Barefoot Counseling & Wellness are growing. We’re being seen. New doors are opening. And we’re attracting the right people and the right opportunities.

So instead of worrying about whether my shoes match my outfit, I’m choosing gratitude.

I’m grateful for the growth.
Grateful for the opportunities.
Grateful for the people who believe in what we’re creating.
And incredibly grateful for where this journey is taking us.

Blessed, grateful…and touring the campus today in my white outfit and black Nikes. 😂🖤🤍

Sometimes growth doesn’t look perfectly put together. Sometimes it looks like mismatched shoes and a very full calendar. ❤️

09/11/2026

We remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, the families whose lives were forever changed, and the first responders and ordinary people who stepped forward with extraordinary courage.

Twenty-five years later, we also remember what emerged in the days that followed, the ways people reached for one another, gathered in community, offered comfort, and helped carry what was too heavy to carry alone.

At Healing with Art n Sound, we believe healing often begins in those same places: connection, community, compassion, expression, and simply being present with one another.

Today, we honor those we lost, those who survived, those who served, and all who continue to carry the impact of that day.

May we remember with compassion.
May we create space for reflection.
May we continue choosing connection.

🕊️ We remember. 9.11.2001

09/10/2026

I’m excited to finally share this conversation.

I recently had the opportunity to join Dr. Tyler Orr on his podcast to talk about two approaches that have become increasingly important to how I think about counseling and the therapeutic process: Constructive Awareness (CA and Expressive Art Therapy (EXAT).

One thing I continue to be fascinated by is what happens when we move beyond simply talking about an experience.

Expressive arts can give clients another language, through image, movement, sound, metaphor, creativity, and the body, for experiences that may be difficult to put into words. Constructive Awareness invites us to slow down and become curious about how we experience and make meaning of what is happening within us.

Bringing the two together creates space for something I value deeply in my work: awareness without judgment, curiosity instead of assumption, and the opportunity to experience ourselves in new ways.

Dr. Orr and I explored this intersection in Episode 7: Integrating CA and Expressive Arts Therapy. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have this conversation and to continue exploring how these approaches can inform counseling, counselor education, and the work we do with clients.

https://youtu.be/tfU4e-agvOk?si=p_BshwkkJ3DiMb42

Host: Tyler Orr, PhD, LPCGuest: Lei Rhyne, LPC00:00 Introdu...

09/02/2026

Meet Jessica McElroy ✨

We are excited to officially welcome Jessica McElroy to the Barefoot Counseling & Wellness!

Jessica works primarily with adults who are navigating grief, depression, significant life changes, and those moments when life simply no longer feels the way it once did.

Her work is especially supportive for individuals experiencing:

• Grief and loss
• Major life transitions
• Depression and anxiety
• Caregiver stress and burnout
• Cancer-related experiences
• Pregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum transitions
• Trauma and PTSD
• Stress, self-esteem, and emotional regulation

Jessica brings creativity into the therapeutic process through expressive arts and combines it with somatic, narrative, relational, existential, and person-centered approaches.

Her philosophy is rooted in the idea that healing does not always mean “moving on.” Sometimes it means rediscovering the parts of ourselves that have gotten lost along the way curiosity, creativity, connection, joy, and a sense of meaning.

Jessica is a particularly wonderful fit for adults who may be thinking:

“I don’t know who I am anymore.”

“My life changed, and I’m having trouble finding my footing.”

“I’m functioning, but I don’t feel like myself.”

“I’m grieving something other people may not fully understand.”

08/16/2026

Come join us

07/31/2026

Come join us for our monthly Sound Bath and Tea with Rooted Vines. Space is limited, so reserve your spot soon!

07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

Today we are reminded the freedoms that unite us, the resilience that has carried us through challenges, and that we are stronger together.

As you gather with family and friends, we hope you find moments to laugh, rest, reconnect, and appreciate the simple joys that make life meaningful.

From all of us at The Barefoot Counselor and Associates, we wish you a safe, joyful, and peaceful Fourth of July. May your day be filled with gratitude, hope, and memories that last long after the fireworks fade.

❤️ Happy 4th of July!

05/14/2026

Mental health matters every day, for every person. This month is a gentle reminder that caring for your mind is just as important as caring for your body.

Whether it is going to therapy, getting rest, setting boundaries, reaching out to someone you trust, or simply making it through a hard day, every step matters.

Check in on your friends, and check in with yourself. You never truly know what someone may be carrying in silence.

Let’s keep building a world where asking for help is seen as strength, not weakness. 💚

Drop a 💚 if you’re choosing to take care of your mental health today.

04/04/2026

04/02/2026

I’ve recently been exploring Constructed Awareness and have been impressed with its clinical utility and clarity as a framework. This technique was developed by Tyler Orr, who is a certified EMDR clinician and trainer.

It offers a structured way to understand how thoughts, sensations, and external cues interact to shape the client experience, while providing practical pathways for real-time intervention.

If you're interested in expanding your integrative work:
• You can review the model on the website
• Take the assessment to explore your own orientation
• Or join an upcoming Lunch & Learn for a more in-depth overview

CA Lunch & Learn: Understanding the Three Principles of CA - April 3rd, 2026