Traditional talk therapy tries to untangle the mess using the brain’s higher functions—the parts responsible for logic and reason. But there’s a snag. The deeper parts of our brain, the ones wired for survival, they’re on high alert, scanning for danger at every turn.
When Words Aren’t Enough: The Shortcomings of Talk Therapy in Trauma Healing Read More »
When we’re experiencing the freeze response, it’s natural to feel compelled to urge our way out of it. But in reality, this can end up prolonging the duration and intensity of the freeze response and stunting our ability to naturally ride that wave of internal activation. Think back to a time when you were a child and feeling overwhelmed in a stressful environment. Maybe someone told you to “hurry up” or “push through it” despite your bodily discomfort. This conditioning can make us believe that we should always be pressing forward, even in moments when we need a break the most.
Surrendering to the Freeze Response: Why Slowness is Essential for Emotional Wellness Read More »
you may find yourself always feeling guilty for expressing your emotions, as if you’re being overly dramatic or sensitive. You may even convince yourself that you’re exaggerating your experiences, making mountains out of molehills. It’s like standing in front of a mirror, seeing a tear-streaked face, and telling yourself that you’re only crying because you’re weak, not because you’re genuinely hurting.
It’s important to recognize the difference between chronic fatigue within survival mode and exhaustion after overwhelm and limited capacity. Feeling burnt out is different from feeling raw. But when we do feel safe enough that our body craves slowness and rest, we should lean into it. It may feel strange at first to rest when our body is so used to constantly being in survival mode. But this feeling of freedom is what will help us improve our overall well being and change our thinking around self-care.
Its not uncommon that a child will drag their feet or even straight up refuse to go to therapy. In my experience I have found that this is typically due to two things : A misunderstanding of their rights to confidentiality. A misunderstanding of what therapy is like. A child’s understanding of the counseling process
My Teen Refuses to go to Therapy. Now What? Read More »
Keeping busy can feel comforting after a traumatic event, but it can also leave you feeling stuck and exhausted
Busyness Addiction as a Response to Trauma Read More »
Are you suffering from a hidden anxiety disorder? Online therapy or in person therapy can help you discover the roots of high functioning anxiety and find joy.
What is “High-Functioning” Anxiety? Read More »
I really dislike the winter. I enjoy the cheer around Christmas and Thanksgiving, but once all the fun is over, the Christmas tree is stored away, and every surface seems to be covered in rock salt residue- my mood shifts. Working with clients over the past seven years I began to see how not-alone I
Is Seasonal Depression a Thing? Read More »