Anchoring Hope Counseling of Wise and Abingdon, VA Competes on The Blox Online Series
Stephanie Strouth • June 27, 2025
In February, I (Stephanie) had the opportunity to compete for a week on a show called The Blox.
If you want to know how this applies to you as a client, skip to “Counseling For You”. The show is hosted by Wes Bergmann (The Real World, The Challenge, & House of Villains) is for entrepreneurs and basically makes business concepts fun by gamifying and filming the experience as a competition. Let me tell you, it was the most exhausting yet beneficial experience I’ve had in my professional life. Anchoring Hope Counseling and southwest Virginia was represented in Season 13 of the show and, in my humble opinion, did fairly well for a lady from a small town! You ate breakfast at 8am and laid down at 10pm (if you weren’t up til 3am tweaking your website because of the stuff you learned that day). I competed. I made connections and friends, and I left feeling not so alone on the entrepreneurial journey.
The competition setup was extremely fast-paced. You learned as a large group of about 100 people for two hours each morning on that day’s topic. After lunch, we were given a challenge for that day’s topic and typically had about 15 minutes to prepare. We were split into “pods” of about 10 people and each pod had a judge. Much of the time in the afternoon was doing your pitch, listening to others, and speaking with the judges. After dinner, there was… The Blox Off. Each judge scored us on a rubric we could not see and chose their winner for the day. Then, the top 9 or 10 people competed in the Blox Off that night. Points were kept the whole week and the winners were announced the final evening! Let me tell you, there are some awesome people out there. Some I saw on the stage, and others weren’t on the stage at all, but every single person who attending this thins is a winner to me. Just like the bravery it takes to do counseling, there are some brave people to take the leap we did… mainly because it could’ve been a huge human trafficking ring and we literally signed up for it. Okay, for real though- I’m proud of everyone and so thankful I got to meet some amazing people.
Counseling For You
How the experience translates for you… my favorite class at the show was Customer Success. Basically, its about retention (I will never forget that dang word) for most companies, but for Anchoring Hope, our goal isn’t to retain our clients forever. We want you to thrive and move forward on your own after we help you as much as you need and then send you to step into your next chapter with confidence. To increase our client experience, we started developing partnerships with local companies that offer complimentary services that pair nicely with therapy and self-care. Need a massage? Here’s a discount card. Need a gym? We got you covered!
But we ran into another problem. How could we give our clients better access to us without burning ourselves out in the process? The answer: an app. We developed an app with helpful coping skills conveniently located in one place just for you AND all of our clients get access for FREE! We want you to feel supported any day/any time and know that you are not a number. You are a human with amazing capabilities, so we hope to match your energy. If you can take the incredibly brave step to do counseling and take a risk on us as your provider, then we can take steps to ensure your success not just with your individual counselor but with our company as a whole. We want you to have a great relationship with your therapist, but we also want you to know AHC has your back… and your cousin’s back… and your mom’s back… and, well, you get the point.
Next Steps
As a result of the experience, I will be attending their “grad school” program because while you cover 5 classes at The Blox, there are actually 17 classes in total! I’ve already started on the content and am implementing what is covered, and let me tell you, if you completed our online new client form before, I’m so sorry. I really am. The new client form is now SIMPLIFIED and just as powerful as it was before. You can also take our “Do I Need Counseling” quiz to find out about options available even without becoming a client! I will be learning even more on my trip to Kansas City in September, so keep an eye on how we evolve moving forward.
Also, if you want to watch the show, they’ll drop it on “The Blox” app Sept. 1st- look for the astronaut! AND follow us on Facebook and Instagram for behind-the-scenes footage and discussions about the experience! OR join us for our watch party on September 8th at 4pm at AHC in Wise!
When life feels stressful, slowing down may sound helpful, but it can also feel uncomfortable. You may feel like there is too much to do, too many people depending on you, or too many problems that need your attention. Even when you finally have time to rest, your mind may continue racing through responsibilities, worries, and unfinished tasks. Stress can create a sense of urgency. It can make your body feel alert and your thoughts feel difficult to quiet. Over time, you may become so used to operating under pressure that calm moments begin to feel unfamiliar. Instead of resting, you may find yourself looking for the next thing to fix, plan, or worry about. This pattern can be exhausting. When your mind and body rarely have time to recover, stress can begin affecting your mood, sleep, focus, patience, and overall well-being. You may still be functioning, but internally you may feel tense, overwhelmed, or emotionally worn down. Therapy can help you understand how stress is affecting your daily life and why slowing down may feel difficult. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can work with providers to identify stress patterns, build coping strategies, and create healthier ways to manage pressure without constantly living in survival mode. You do not have to earn rest by reaching complete exhaustion. Support can help you learn how to slow down, care for yourself, and create more balance in your life. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, & Pennington Gap, VA 📞 Call us for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034
Many people become used to being strong because they feel like they have no other choice. You may be the person others depend on, the one who keeps going, the one who handles responsibilities, and the one who tries not to let stress show. While strength can be valuable, constantly trying to stay strong can also become exhausting. When you are always holding things together, it can be difficult to admit when you are tired, overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally drained. You may feel pressure to keep functioning even when you need rest or support. Over time, this can lead to burnout, irritability, sadness, or a sense of disconnection from yourself. Being strong does not mean you have to ignore your own needs. It does not mean you have to carry everything alone. Sometimes strength looks like being honest about what you are feeling and allowing yourself to receive support. Therapy can provide a space where you do not have to perform strength. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can talk openly about what they have been carrying, better understand their emotional patterns, and develop healthier ways to manage stress and life’s demands. You are allowed to be strong and still need help. You are allowed to support others and still need support yourself. Your mental health matters too. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, & Pennington Gap, VA 📞 Call us for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034
Functioning is not the same as feeling well. Many people continue going to work, taking care of responsibilities, and showing up for others while quietly struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, or emotional exhaustion. From the outside, it may seem like everything is fine, but internally they may feel overwhelmed or disconnected. When you are focused only on functioning, it can become easy to ignore your own needs. You may measure how you are doing by whether tasks are completed instead of how you actually feel. Over time, this can create a pattern of pushing through without giving your mental health the care it deserves. Therapy can help shift the focus from simply getting by to feeling more supported and emotionally well. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can talk through what they have been carrying, better understand their needs, and build tools for managing life in healthier ways. You deserve more than just making it through the day. You deserve support, understanding, and care that helps you feel more grounded in your life. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, & Pennington Gap, VA 📞 Call us for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034
Losing motivation can be discouraging, especially when you are used to staying busy or getting things done. You may find it harder to start tasks, follow through on plans, or feel excited about things that once mattered to you. Even when you know what needs to be done, it may feel difficult to make yourself begin. Low motivation can have many causes. Stress, depression, anxiety, burnout, grief, poor sleep, and emotional exhaustion can all affect your energy and drive. Sometimes motivation decreases because your mind and body have been under pressure for too long and are asking for rest, support, or change. Therapy can help you explore what may be underneath the loss of motivation. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals work with providers to better understand emotional patterns, identify stressors, and develop realistic strategies for moving forward. Support can help you approach low motivation with curiosity and compassion instead of shame. You are not failing because motivation feels harder to find. It may be a sign that your mental health needs attention, care, and support. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, & Pennington Gap, VA 📞 Call us for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034
When you are overwhelmed, even simple tasks can begin to feel difficult. Answering a message, making a phone call, cleaning the house, completing paperwork, or making a decision may feel heavier than it normally would. This can be frustrating, especially if you are used to being productive and responsible. Feeling overwhelmed can affect your focus, motivation, patience, and energy. When your mind is already carrying stress, anxiety, or emotional strain, everyday responsibilities may require more effort than usual. This does not mean you are lazy or incapable. It may mean your mental and emotional resources are stretched thin. Therapy can help you understand why daily life has started to feel harder and what may be contributing to that sense of overwhelm. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can explore stressors, develop coping strategies, and learn practical ways to manage emotions and responsibilities more effectively. You do not have to judge yourself for struggling with things that used to feel easier. Support can help you rebuild capacity and begin feeling more grounded as you move through your day. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, & Pennington Gap, VA 📞 Call us for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
Many people want to feel better long before they feel ready to ask for help. You may know that stress, anxiety, depression, or emotional exhaustion has been affecting your life, but still feel unsure about reaching out. Starting therapy or medication management can feel intimidating, especially if you do not know what to expect. It is normal to have questions before beginning mental health care. You may wonder whether your concerns are serious enough, whether you will know what to say, or whether support will actually help. You may also feel nervous about opening up to someone new. These feelings are common, and they do not mean you are not ready. They simply mean starting something new can feel vulnerable. Mental health care is not about having everything figured out before you begin. It is about having a supportive place to start. Therapy can help you talk through what you are experiencing, better understand your thoughts and emotions, and build tools for managing life’s challenges. Medication management may also be helpful for some individuals as part of their overall care. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals are met with compassion and support as they take the next step in their mental health journey. Whether you are seeking therapy, medication management, or both, care can be personalized to your needs. Wanting to feel better is enough reason to reach out. You do not have to navigate the uncertainty alone. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, & Pennington Gap, VA 📞 Call us for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034
Emotional exhaustion can be difficult to describe because it does not always look the way people expect. You may not be crying every day or unable to function. You may still be completing tasks, attending appointments, answering messages, and caring for others. But inside, you may feel drained, numb, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself. This kind of exhaustion can build slowly over time. Stress, caregiving, work pressure, family responsibilities, unresolved conflict, anxiety, grief, or major life changes can all take an emotional toll. When you continue pushing forward without space to rest and process what you are carrying, your emotional capacity can begin to wear down. One reason emotional exhaustion is hard to explain is because people often minimize it. You may tell yourself that you should be grateful, that others have it worse, or that you just need to keep going. While gratitude and perseverance can be valuable, they do not erase the reality of emotional strain. Therapy can provide a space to talk openly about what you have been carrying without needing to justify or minimize your feelings. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can work with providers to better understand their stress, recognize signs of burnout, and develop healthier ways to care for their mental health. You do not have to wait until you completely shut down to take emotional exhaustion seriously. Your feelings matter, and support can help you begin restoring balance. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, & Pennington Gap, VA 📞 Call us for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
Life transitions can bring a mix of emotions. Even when a change is positive, it can still feel stressful, uncertain, or overwhelming. Moving, changing jobs, starting school, becoming a parent, ending a relationship, adjusting to a new season of life, or facing unexpected changes can all affect your mental and emotional well-being. Transitions often require adjustment. They can challenge your routines, identity, relationships, responsibilities, and sense of stability. During these times, it is common to feel anxious, emotionally tired, or unsure of what comes next. You may feel pressure to adapt quickly while still trying to process everything that is changing. Therapy can provide support during these seasons. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can talk through the emotions that come with change, explore concerns, and build coping strategies for navigating uncertainty. Having someone to walk alongside you during a transition can help you feel more grounded and less alone. Support during change can make a meaningful difference. You do not have to have every answer right away, and you do not have to navigate a new season by yourself. Whether you are facing a planned transition or an unexpected one, your mental health matters through the process. Therapy can help you move forward with more clarity, stability, and support. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, & Pennington Gap, VA 📞 Call us for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034
From Overwhelmed to Empowered, We’ll Help You Get There
You don’t have to navigate life’s chaos alone. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, we guide individuals across Virginia, just like you, who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving. Whether you're seeking therapy, mental health medication, or simply a fresh start, we’re here to help you reconnect with your most authentic self and reclaim your peace of mind.
We Have Physical Locations in Abingdon, Pennington Gap, & Wise, Virginia.
You’re Not Alone, Let’s Start Healing, Together.
What If Peace Wasn’t Just Possible, But Within Reach?
When life feels chaotic or heavy, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are and what you need. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, we meet you exactly where you are, without judgment, and help you reconnect with your strength, clarity, and self-worth.
Whether you're struggling with anxiety, trauma, relationships, or simply feeling stuck, we offer personalized care that empowers you to take control, feel grounded, and move forward with purpose.
You don’t have to do this alone. Let us walk beside you.
Exclusive Benefits for Your Holistic Well-Being
As part of our commitment to your overall well-being, we offer more than just counseling and medication management. Enjoy exclusive perks like free access to our Anchoring Hope app, discounts with our trusted partners, and savings on transformative Soundbed sessions. We believe in a holistic approach to care, ensuring that you receive a truly unique and enriching experience every step of the way.
Perks to Support Your Journey
We understand that true healing involves more than just the time spent in session. That's why we provide our clients with awesome extras designed to enhance your overall experience. From tools to manage everyday stress to special offers that promote relaxation and wellness, our perks are crafted to meet your unique needs. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, we’re here to ensure that your path to well-being is as smooth and supportive as possible. With us, you have access to:
- In-house mental health medication management services
- Free access to our Anchoring Hope app for coping skills
- Special discounts with our trusted partner companies
- Savings on relaxing Soundbed sessions
Our perks are designed to complement your counseling journey, providing additional tools and resources to help you achieve lasting peace and balance.
Psst! Not a client and still want the app?
