The Coffee Cup Mantra

Why a Coffee Cup?

I’m sure a few of you had the same thought right away: Why a coffee cup for a logo?

The answer goes back further than I initially realized. The coffee cup isn’t just a logo—it represents the entire philosophy behind what we aim to embody as a wellness company. I know it may sound a bit contradictory at first, but stay with me.

In 2022, I was working as a school counselor at a local high school. Anyone who has lived that life knows the final days before winter break feel like being stuck upside down on a Ferris wheel; chaotic, loud, and impossible to escape. As someone who has navigated ADHD and anxiety for most of my life, the ever growing to-do list felt completely overwhelming. And, as many inattentive minds do under pressure, I became sidetracked.

I decided to make a cup of coffee.

I took a few deep breaths, tried to regain focus, and quietly reminded myself, Just get through this list and then you have two weeks off. As I inhaled again, something shifted. I noticed the smell, cinnamon bun. The coffee was brewing in the Keurig just a few feet away. I watched the cup fill, listened to the sound of the liquid hitting the mug, and pressed “cancel” before it finished.

I picked up my all time favorite mug, my Betty White cup that reads “Can I ask a dumb question?” (a reference not a single teenager who stepped foot in my office ever understood, but one that always made me smile).

I felt the warmth of the cup in my hands and took another slow breath, letting the scent settle. I closed my eyes, took my first sip, and in that moment, if magic ever felt real, it was then. Almost instantly, I felt relief. The overwhelm softened. I felt capable, grounded, and ready to tackle what moments earlier felt impossible.

And that’s when it hit me: I hadn’t done anything extraordinary. I had simply identified one of my own personalized grounding techniques, a “coffee cup thing,” if you will.

In clinical terms, this is what we refer to as grounding. Any skilled cognitive behavioral therapist will intentionally integrate grounding techniques into their work because regulating the nervous system is often the quickest way to help someone truly engage in the therapeutic process. When we’re dysregulated, nothing sticks and everything goes in one ear and out the other. But when we return to baseline, connection and insight become possible.

For those who haven’t yet joined us at Modern Counseling and Wellness Co., our coffee cup logo isn’t just branding, it’s a reminder. Our slogan, “Brewing connection through coffee and curiosity,” reflects the heart of our work. I often tell our interns that during their first few weeks, there are three things I want them to focus on above all else:

Coffee. Connection. Curiosity.

Coffee
As I’ve mentioned before, coffee shop vibes have a way of regulating even the most dysregulated nervous systems. From the very first moments with us, we want our clients to feel seen, heard, and undeniably supported. Creating the right environment is essential, especially when it may have taken weeks, or even months, for someone to make that first phone call. A warm, grounding space sets the tone for trust, safety, and healing.

Connection
Relationship and rapport are everything. For so many of life’s moments, celebrating a win (big or small), working through differences, or reconnecting after time has passed, the coffee shop has always been the place to gather. At Modern Counseling and Wellness Co., we want our clients to know that we prioritize relationship above all else. No matter the conversation or challenge, we are here to walk alongside them and offer support throughout life’s journey.

Curiosity
Clients may not always have the words, but we do. I encourage our clinicians to remain curious, a value instilled in me by one of the most influential professors I’ve ever encountered. No slides. No textbooks. Just real, meaningful conversations about what it means to be a therapist. Even when silence feels daunting, staying curious and continuing to gently explore the client’s world fosters deeper connection and sustained investment in the therapeutic process.

Healing doesn’t always begin with something big or complicated. Sometimes, it starts with noticing what’s already in your hands.

I think I can speak for most people when I say that one of the safest places to decompress is over a cup of coffee, in a cozy café, with some ‘90s pop gently echoing in the background. At Modern Counseling and Wellness Co., we strive to create that same sense of comfort and support.

I emphasize this concept in every intake session. I encourage clients to identify their own “coffee cup” moments and to intentionally weave these grounding rituals into their daily lives.

Because sometimes healing starts with a cup. And regardless of your reason for embarking on this journey, one thing remains true:

“You can’t pour from an empty cup.”