From Surviving to Living Hope, integration, and testimony Living does not erase survival. It integrates it. The parts of you that learned to endure do not disappear. They soften. They rest. They no longer have to lead. Integration means your past informs you without controlling you. It means safety becomes familiar. Your story holds testimony,… Continue reading From Surviving to Living
Tag: Healing Journey
You Woke Up Today…Now What?
You Woke Up Today...Now What? The Day After a Suicide Attempt If you’re reading this, it means you woke up today after a suicide attempt. First, take a deep breath. You are here. That matters more than you may realize. Right now, you may feel numb, angry, ashamed, relieved, or confused. Maybe you’re asking yourself,… Continue reading You Woke Up Today…Now What?
Hold On to Hope
When my son was diagnosed with Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome (OMS), the world shifted beneath our feet. It was one of those moments that divides life into before and after. Fear came crashing in, and the questions outnumbered the answers. The only phrase that permeated through my life was "Hold On to Hope." In the middle… Continue reading Hold On to Hope
Cultivating Positive Self-Esteem
Cultivating Positive Self-Esteem: Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes At some point in life, we all wrestle with how we see ourselves. Whether it’s the voice of comparison, past trauma, or the weight of unmet expectations, we can start to believe that we’re not good enough. That inner critic is loud, and sometimes it drowns out… Continue reading Cultivating Positive Self-Esteem
Understanding Unresolved Trauma
Understanding Unresolved Trauma: Naming the Wound, Beginning the Healing Trauma has a way of settling into the hidden corners of our hearts, often unnoticed but deeply impactful. It doesn’t always come from one big, catastrophic event. Sometimes, it’s the accumulation of smaller wounds—a childhood marked by emotional neglect, a betrayal by someone we trusted, the… Continue reading Understanding Unresolved Trauma
Silence with a Side of Stirring
Silence with a Side of Stirring There is so much I want to say, yet I remain silent, paralyzed by fears of judgment, isolation, and retaliation. It’s important to understand that just because someone is quiet doesn’t mean they’re ignorant, apathetic, or unintelligent. Silence does not equal a lack of depth or thought. Here is… Continue reading Silence with a Side of Stirring
Dear Amygdala
Dear Amygdala, You are not my friend, dear Amygdala. The emotions you project are not welcome. It has become clear that you are being used and manipulated. Past trauma is being stirred up, allowing old wounds to resurface and impact the present. Pain that should have remained in the past is now bleeding into new… Continue reading Dear Amygdala
Allow Yourself Joy
Allow Yourself Joy: You Deserve It Joy is a gift—one that we often hesitate to accept. In a world filled with negativity, chaos, and heartache, finding moments of happiness can feel almost wrong, as if experiencing joy somehow minimizes the struggles we or others face. But here’s the truth: you deserve joy. You deserve to… Continue reading Allow Yourself Joy
The Body Keeps the Score
The Body Keeps the Score: How Unresolved Trauma Manifests Physically We often think of trauma as something that exists only in the mind—something we can push down, lock away, and move past if we just “get over it.” But the truth is, trauma doesn’t just live in our thoughts; it takes root in our bodies.… Continue reading The Body Keeps the Score
Keep Moving Forward
Keep Moving Forward and You Will Never Have a Reason to Look Back Life has a way of throwing challenges in our path. Some obstacles leave scars—both seen and unseen. The weight of the past can feel overwhelming, making it tempting to dwell on what was, what could have been, or the pain we’ve endured.… Continue reading Keep Moving Forward
Not All Scars Can Be Seen
Not All Scars Can Be Seen Not All Scars Can Be Seen Scars tell stories. Some are visible, etched into our skin as reminders of battles fought and wounds healed. Others, though, remain hidden as they carve deep into our hearts and minds, shaping us in ways the world cannot see but are just as real.… Continue reading Not All Scars Can Be Seen
Not All Scars Can Be Seen
Not All Scars Can Be Seen Some wounds leave visible marks—reminders of pain, survival, and healing. But not all scars are on the surface. Some are hidden deep within, carried silently in the heart and mind. These invisible scars—of grief, trauma, betrayal, and loss—are just as real as any physical wound. The hardest part about… Continue reading Not All Scars Can Be Seen
Focus On the Step In Front of You
Focus on the Step in Front of You When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to get caught up in the big picture—the long journey ahead, the challenges still to come, the uncertainty of it all. But when you stand at the bottom of a staircase, you don’t climb it all at once. You take it… Continue reading Focus On the Step In Front of You
It is Okay to Ask for Help
It Is Okay to Ask for Help Somewhere along the way, we’ve been told that asking for help is a sign of weakness. That struggling alone is more admirable than admitting we need support. But that’s a lie. Asking for help is not weakness—it’s courage. Life can be overwhelming. Some days feel heavier than others,… Continue reading It is Okay to Ask for Help
Mental Health Check-In
Mental Health Check-In Hey, friend. Let’s take a moment for a mental health check-in. Life gets busy, overwhelming, and downright chaotic at times. But right now, pause. Breathe. This moment is yours. Give a Time for Yourself When was the last time you did something just for you? Not for work, not for your family—just… Continue reading Mental Health Check-In
Why Am I Feeling Anxious?
Why Am I Feeling Anxious? So, we am I feeling anxious? Leave comments below for why you are experiencing anxiety. Anxiety has a way of sneaking in, sometimes without warning. One minute, you’re going about your day, and the next, your heart is racing, your thoughts are spiraling, and a sense of unease settles in.… Continue reading Why Am I Feeling Anxious?
A Diagnosis Does Not Define You
A Diagnosis Does Not Define You As a therapist, I’ve had so many clients walk into my office carrying the weight of multiple diagnoses—some given by different providers, some self-diagnosed through online research, and some that may have been true at one point but are no longer relevant. It’s frustrating because these are people, not… Continue reading A Diagnosis Does Not Define You
You Don’t Need To…
What You Should Not Sacrifice When It Comes to Self-Care Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and spa days—it’s about protecting your well-being in all aspects of life. Too often, we sacrifice our own needs for the sake of others, for the pressures of daily life, or simply because we don’t believe we deserve care.… Continue reading You Don’t Need To…
Take a Breath
Take a Breath: You Are Not Alone Sometimes, we all need to take a breath. Life can be overwhelming—finances, family responsibilities, work pressures, church commitments, and the everyday challenges of simply existing can pile up quickly. It’s easy to feel like you’re drowning, trying to juggle it all while keeping a brave face. But here’s… Continue reading Take a Breath
Men’s Mental Health Matters
Men’s Mental Health Matters It takes so much courage for anyone to walk through my door, but when a man steps into my office, it always strikes a different chord. There is something profoundly moving about watching a man—who has likely been told all his life to “be strong” and “tough it out”—take the brave… Continue reading Men’s Mental Health Matters