Blog
Notes on healing.
Reflections on trauma, therapy, and the everyday work of feeling more like yourself — from our clinicians.
October 20, 2026
Why Calming Down Does Not Feel Safe: Why Relaxing is Not Always Easy
Why can’t I relax, even when nothing urgently needs my attention? For some of us, slowing down does not immediately feel calming. It can bring restlessness, unease, irritability, shutdown, or unexpected ranges of emotion. We may reach for our phones, find another distracting task, or begin planning what comes next. This does not mean we are failing at rest. If our bodies once needed to remain alert, anticipate other people’s needs, or stay prepared for what might happen, calm will feel unfamiliar or even unsafe. Parts of us may keep moving, scanning, planning, or distracting because those responses once kept us safe and protected.
September 28, 2026
Beyond Wearing Orange: 6 Ways Therapists Can Support Reconciliation
How can therapists support reconciliation beyond Orange Shirt Day? Explore six meaningful actions, from learning local Indigenous history and practicing cultural humility to respecting Indigenous-led healing, reducing barriers to care, and supporting community priorities year-round.
September 8, 2026
The Mental Health Crisis Created by the Digital Age of Distraction
How social media, short-form content, and AI affect attention, critical thinking, and mental health. Learn how deep reading, reflection, and therapy can help.
August 27, 2026
Fall Transitions: Excitement, Anxiety, and Everything in Between
As summer shifts toward fall, many of us notice more than a change in the weather. New routines, rhythms, and beginnings can bring a blend of excitement and hope alongside anxiety, sadness, pressure, or uncertainty. This reflection explores why transitions can bring up so much within us, how our systems may recall earlier experiences of change, and how we can meet ourselves with curiosity, compassion, and a little more room to adjust gradually.
August 18, 2026
Becoming Your Own Secure Base
Building a secure base is at the heart of trauma healing. By developing a safe, trusting, caring, and reliable rhythm with our inner system we create a healing foundation for lasting change.
August 17, 2026
What Is Mindfulness? Benefits and How to Get Started
What is mindfulness, and how does it help? Learn the benefits of mindfulness, what to expect when you begin, and simple ways to build a daily practice.
August 12, 2026
Fawn, a.k.a Extreme Kindness: The Lesser Talked about Survival Response
Fawning is a lesser-talked-about trauma survival response that can show up as people-pleasing, caretaking, and constantly anticipating the needs of others. Learn why the fawn response makes sense, how it may have helped you survive, and how you can begin to set boundaries and reconnect with who you are.
August 3, 2026
Words I Return to Again and Again in Trauma Therapy: Things You Might Hear Me Say in Session
A trauma therapist shares the phrases she returns to in sessions to help clients understand nervous system responses, soften shame, and build self-compassion.
July 28, 2026
Trauma-Informed Case Formulation and Structural Stress
Learn how structural stress can shape trauma responses—and how therapists can build case formulations that avoid both over-pathologizing and under-recognizing clinical needs.
December 19, 2023
Taking Care of Yourself this Holiday Season
The holiday season is upon us! During this time many people have expectations of joy, celebration, and togetherness. Others may dread these coming days. Not all people who dread the holidays have a history of trauma; however, what we know to be very true and most humbling, is that for many individuals who have experienced trauma, and more specifically, complex PTSD, this time of year can trigger difficult emotions and memories. In this blog post, I’m going to explore the intersection of the holi
December 1, 2023
Self-Compassion Made Simple
“Can I accept myself as I am?” “Can I give myself permission to feel?” “Can I be patient?”Do you speak to yourself this way? Or are these words and thoughts so foreign and out of reach that there is no way you could imagine them applying to you?You are not alone!Self-compassion is hard for most people. Generally, clients say it feels strange, awkward and makes them feel vulnerable. Highly self-critical words, phrases, and actions may feel more accessible. A strong inner critic can protect you fr
November 3, 2023
On Being Stuck Part 2
In the previous blog post, we talked about identifying and noticing this ‘stuck’ feeling in our body, and explored the inner working system. At this point we might know where the feeling comes from, and we can start to apply some strategies like self-compassion and/or mindfulness to see if they help us get un-stuck. In part two of this blog post, I will walk you through goal setting and vision creation, as well as why and how seeking support might be a good resource for you. Set Goals and Creati
October 2, 2023
On Being Stuck Part 1:
We know life as being an epic journey full of all the elements, twists and turns. So it’s not uncommon or surprising to find ourselves feeling stuck at various points along our path.This sense of being trapped, immobilized or feeling stuck in a cyclical rut, can be quite disheartening and overwhelming. Features of anxiety, depression, fear, frustration, feelings of defeat, loss of self and sense of hopelessness are some of the possible emotions that can flood our inner system, leading to self-da
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