Brain and Heart: I'm Okay: Understanding hidden feelings, masking, emotional safety.

Aqua smiles a lot.But one day at the playground, everyone was laughing.Aqua thought they were laughing at Aqua.Then someone asked:"Are you okay?"Aqua smiled."I'm okay."But Aqua wasn't okay. Aqua's tummy felt funny.Aqua didn't want anyone to know.SMILE. SMILE. SMILE.Then Heart came close.Heart didn't ask Aqua to cheer up. Heart didn't need Aqua to keep smiling.Heart simply said:"You don't have to pretend."And Heart stayed.Aqua was still a little worried. Aqua still wanted to play.But Aqua's body felt softer.Aqua didn't have to smile.Aqua could be Aqua.Brain and Heart: I'm Okay is a felt-illustrated story for kids who sometimes say they're okay when something inside doesn't feel okay-and the grown-ups who want them to know they never have to pretend to be loved.Written by licensed therapist Ryan Peterson, LCMHC, for kids with hidden big feelings and the grown-ups who love them.