When we talk about the current political climate, the focus is often on thoughts, opinions, and beliefs. For many people, especially those in targeted or historically excluded communities, politics is not only cognitive. It is lived in the body. You may notice your heart racing when you see a specific headline. You may feel tense, irritable, or on edge.  Or you might experience a heavy numbness or a sense of spacing out after being under constant stress for too long. These ar

A Gentle 5-Minute Practice to Help Your Body Settle If your body often feels tense, wired, shut down, or overwhelmed, this short practice is designed to be supportive without being complicated. You do not need to understand the nervous system for this to be helpful. You only need a few minutes and a willingness to move slowly. Why Your Body Feels Tense and How to Help It Your body has a built-in calming system that helps it settle after stress. One important part of that syst

For many people, December does not feel bright or celebratory. It feels heavy. It can carry the weight of who is missing, what has changed, or what never quite healed. When grief is present, the holidays can amplify it rather than distract from it. A “blue Christmas” is a natural response to loss. That loss might be a death, an estrangement, a divorce, a change in health, the loss of a role, or the quiet grief of realizing that life looks different than it once did. Grief doe

A Look Back at the Four Patterns Throughout this series, we’ve explored four common relational habits that can subtly undermine your well-being: People-Pleasing:  Prioritizing others' comfort above your own needs, often leading to resentment and exhaustion. Perfectionism:  The relentless pursuit of flawlessness, often driven by the fear that if you make a mistake, you won’t be worthy of love or belonging. Conflict Avoidance:  Minimizing, ignoring, or fleeing from disagreement

You’re the dependable one—the person everyone can count on. You step in before things fall apart, notice what others miss, and hold everything together when no one else seems to. Being responsible feels like second nature. But lately, it’s starting to feel heavier. You might feel drained, unappreciated, or quietly resentful, wondering why doing the “right thing” leaves you so exhausted. This is the hidden cost of responsibility—when care and competence cross into over-functio

Welcome to your EMDR resourcing kit! The goal of resourcing is to help you build an internal foundation of strength and calm  that you can access immediately when you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or triggered. These resources are tools we use to help you stay within your Window of Tolerance —the state where you feel regulated and capable of handling challenges. 1. Guided Meditations and Stabilization Techniques These are direct links to guided exercises you can use to calm you

You said "Yes"  when you meant "No." You bit your tongue in a meeting. You gave in to keep the peace. In that moment, it felt like the right thing to do—a way to stay safe, keep the harmony, or avoid the stress of a fight. But that silence comes with a price. Avoiding conflict may seem like the safest choice in the moment, but it can quietly create imbalance, hiding resentment, unmet needs, and disconnection from yourself and others. While it may temporarily reduce tension,

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed, shut down, or constantly on edge without knowing why? These intense physical and emotional states are signals from your body's survival system. The Polyvagal Theory, as explained in the Polyvagal Institute’s video “Trauma and the Nervous System: A Polyvagal Perspective,”  provides a clear map for understanding these reactions. It shows that trauma and chronic stress are biological experiences embedded in your body—not simply psycholo

When we talk about perfectionism, we often picture someone disciplined, organized, and always achieving. But in reality, perfectionism...

It can feel rewarding to meet others’ needs, but there’s a hidden cost. Constantly putting everyone else first can quietly drain your energy, blur your sense of self, and build frustration or resentment—even toward the people you care about most. What begins as a caring, supportive habit can gradually turn into a pattern that keeps you from expressing your own needs, making choices freely, or setting healthy boundaries. Noticing this pattern is the first step toward reclaimin

What is Codependency? When you hear the word codependency , what comes to mind? Maybe you picture someone who’s needy or can’t function...

Even when chaos feels familiar, we can start practicing calm. Calm might feel unfamiliar at first, because your nervous system is still...

A Moment to Breathe Breathing is one of the simplest, most accessible tools for calming your nervous system and supporting emotional...

Why We Seek Chaos, Even When We Long for Calm Clients often describe a deep desire for calm—less stress, fewer conflicts, and a calmer...

Feeling tense, drained, or anxious? Your nervous system doesn’t always get a break—but small, intentional actions can help you reset and...

Do you ever feel like you’re “on edge,” even when nothing dangerous is happening? That constant tension isn’t just stress—it’s a nervous...

The holiday season is often associated with togetherness, family gatherings, and festive celebrations. However, not everyone has the...

The holiday season is often portrayed as the most magical time of the year—filled with sparkling lights, family gatherings, and...

The holiday season, often associated with joy and connection, can also be a source of stress when dealing with family members who are...

Many of us have heard the term "codependency," often linked to unhealthy relationships and toxic behaviors, but the roots of codependency...