A fantastic read… in Healing The Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors, symptoms of trauma are explored as expressions of our traumatized “parts”. Janina Fisher, PhD, sheds light on the importance of becoming familiar with these different parts of ourselves and speaking with them compassionately. Building insight and befriending our parts in this way allows us to regain our functioning self while loosening the grip of automatic trauma responses (anger, self-loathing, shame, numbness, depression) that hijacks us when triggered. I highly recommend this to therapists who are looking to deepen their understanding and practice of treating trauma.

#traumainformedcare #traumarecovery #trauma #therapy #mentalhealth #mentalhealththerapy #traumatherapy #attachmenttheory  #mentalhealththerapist #janinafisher  #psychotherapy Sent from my iPhone

When you start down a new road in life, it’s normal to experience uncertainty and self-doubt. Those feelings can either serve to halt our progress or they can motivate us towards growth. Don’t forget that negative emotions serve a purpose… don’t ignore them, don’t amplify them either, just listen carefully to the needs they are communicating. Just some thoughts on my walk today with Luke ❤️

#positiveselftalk #positivethinking #therapist #therapy #mentalhealth #mentalhealththerapy #selfcare

Emotions are like waves… they come and go. Find the courage to sit with them awhile… for the emotions to pass, you will need to experience them.
#charlesbukowski #dbt #stayinthemoment #beinthemoment #emotionregulation #innerstrength #mentalhealththerapist #selfregulation #bepresent #mentalhealth #mentalhealththerapy #therapy #inspiration #inspirationalquotes

We can choose between two outcomes when digesting the progress that others have made; we can compare ourselves to them and decide that we are less than while making excuses or we can use their gains as a source of inspiration! Or perhaps a third option?… compare yourself with.. yourself! One could argue that comparing yourself to others is illogical as we are different in every conceivable and should therefore not begin to impose others’ values on ourselves by making these comparisons.

Instead, ask yourself what is meaningful to you… create your goal… and set out to kick your own ass! There is nothing more meaningful than choosing a path, picking it up to contend with daily and struggling through the challenges to find yourself achieving beyond your own expectations. Don’t forget to enjoy the process of struggle in the name of your goals; progress is not easy! Reframe the suffering in the moment into something that will fuel you; this is the stuff of real growth and progress!

#progress #workhard #kickass #dedication #bossbabe #selfimprovement #reachyourgoals #mentalhealththerapist #willpower #selfcare #mentalhealth #persistence #dontcompareyourself #therapy #therapist #fitnessgoals #fitness #fitnessmotivation #runner

Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday! Something about cuddling up on the couch under the blankets, watching scary movies with loved ones, candles lit, and trick or treaters at the door, is simply is so hyggeligt! (As we say in Danish)

Hygge is a Danish concept that doesn’t really have a direct English translation. Hygge is about having an intimate, peaceful experience, whether it is enjoyed in solitude or in the company of others. It’s about feeling safe and comfortable, it’s about enjoying a shared experience, it’s a time of reflection with one another or oneself and it certainly always involves good food and drink!

Sean was unfortunately scheduled to fly over Halloween so I decided to put on a little Halloween hygge before he left❤️ I baked a Danish lagkage and we watched a really weird and scary movie called Hereditary. Highly recommend it! Happy Halloween everyone!!! 🎃 👻

#hygge #halloween #wellbeing #selfcare #selflove #beintbemoment #bepresent #mindfulness #mindful #inspiration #mentalhealth #mentalhealththerapist #hereditarymovie #hereditary #lagkage #mentalhealththerapy

Stay present and look for the wisdom that every moment offers!

I remember this moment very well… it was week one of our road trip.. a whirlwind of chaos was finally behind us; I had been consumed with work, packing, studying for the national MFT exam and suddenly, just like that, I was sitting at our picture perfect campsite in northern WA with my pup peacefully at my side. My stress saturated brain kept looking for problems and wondering what I could have done better, how I could possibly be deserving of this idyllic scene… As I observed these automatic thoughts and feelings, I gently redirected myself over and over until I was able to rest and enjoy the moment. It’s not always gonna stick the first time! Practice willingness to redirect yourself in the moment and you will slowly build more positive neural pathways!!! It’s science! 🧠 🧬
#therapy #mentalhealththerapist #staypresent #mindfulness #bepresent #gratitude #mentalhealth #mentalhealththerapy #enjoylife #enjoythelittlethings #lifeisgood #gratitude

In my training I learned to screen for medical conditions such as diabetes and hypo/hyperthyroidism prior to beginning therapy with a client – why? Because often times symptoms such as depression and anxiety accompany these conditions. Surely, If a depression is rooted in a medical condition it makes sense to refer the client to doctor first.

Kelly Brogan (functional medicine Psychiatrist) takes it a step further and argues that depression and anxiety is not a chemical imbalance or disease but rather a symptom of inflammatory disorders caused by poor lifestyle choices (sedentary/poor diet/ high stress). In her book, A Mind of Your Own, Kelly talks about the connection between the gut and brain while revealing about the profit driven model of Psychiatry that serves to mask symptoms without treating the underlying problem and in many cases exacerbating symptoms due to side effects of psychotropic meds.

If you struggle with depression and anxiety, please do yourself a favor and self assess before you reach out to a mental health professional. What does your self care look like? Your diet and exercise regiment? Simple lifestyle changes are a crucial place to start! It is so empowering to realize and better yet, experience that your physical and mental health is in your hands and not something broken to be remedied by pills!
#functionalmedicine #kellybroganmd #mentalhealth #selfcare #diet #psychiatry #mentalhealththerapy #therapy #therapist #selfhelp #selflove

I was just sitting here… Missing my boys like crazy as I scrolled through the memories of our 1.5 month, once in a lifetime, adventure on the road… it got me thinking about gratitude.. not only for these two lovely souls, but also for the ability to accept life on life’s terms rather than fighting against it. We can create our reality based on how we choose to perceive and react to the ever changing circumstances in our lives.

Life takes some interesting turns sometimes… RIGHT as we had settled into our brand new, peaceful life in the woods of Olympia, Sean was displaced to a different base as a result of covid! Rather than giving into the frustration of the situation at hand, Sean and I chose to embrace it and make the best of it. After a few “whiteboard” discussions, as we call them, we packed up our little log cabin and hit the road with our baby Luke! Not only are we richer in experiences, love and memories after this trip, I was able to leave a job that depleted me more than fulfilled me and am now starting the practice of my dreams! #silverlining. And while commuting will present challenges to both Sean and our relationship, I am so happy that we were able to overcome and create the best outcome possible as a unit. Thank you Sean for always kicking my pessimist in the ass and turning “problems” into possibilities!

Make 🍹 out of 🍋 !!!!

#gratitude #silverlining #happiness #choosehappiness #positivevibes #positiveenery #positivepsychology #staypositive #selfhelp #reframeyourself #mentalhealth #therapy #mentalhealththerapist #creathappiness #lemonadeoutoflemons