July 2025 The term narcissist gets thrown around a lot these days—used to describe everything from a vain selfie-taker to a manipulative ex. But what does narcissism actually mean from a clinical perspective? How do professionals diagnose it, and how can we better understand (and deal with) people who exhibit these traits? Let’s break it down using the DSM-5, leading psychological research, and insights …
The Wisdom of Trauma: Finding Healing Through Connection, Embodiment, and Inner Knowing
May 2025 Trauma can feel like a rupture — a shattering of the trust we once had in ourselves, others, or the world. But within trauma, there is also wisdom. Not because suffering is noble, but because our pain holds clues to what we needed, what was taken from us, and — most importantly — what we still deserve. This …
Weathering the Season of Winter
January 2024 Winter is the coldest and darkest season of the year. The cold and darkness work to ground and calm our nervous system. Snow has properties that absorb sound which makes our surroundings 60% quieter. That quiet allows for winter to serve as a season of deep intentional rest. We can nurture and restore ourselves after the seasons filled …
6 Tools to Utilize During Stressful Situations
November 7th – 11th was International Stress Awareness Week. Stress affects all areas of life and most humans experience some form of stress on a regular basis. Even though stress may often times feel overwhelming, you have the ability to utilize tools to manage stress, maintain your mental health, and thrive. Implement the tools below to thrive, even during the stressful times.
Do you struggle with making decisions?
If you are one of the many who struggle to make decisions, and you look to others for advice, you are not alone. You’re probably indecisive because you’re not connected to your body, and you are attempting to live life through your mind. This is not your fault and simply a product of your human experience. You’re living in your …
Are you mentally healthy?
We focus on a holistic approach to mental health. Humans are complex and have multifaceted needs. Three core needs standout—safety, love & belonging, and boundaries. When we consistently have these needs met, we tend to be mentally healthy. As adults, we, alone, are responsible for getting these core needs met. Unfortunately, we might not know how especially if these behaviors …
Liberty, Love, and Learned Attachment Styles
Human beings are hard wired for social connection. We evolved as tribal beings. We relied on each other to survive. We need healthy social interactions in order to THRIVE. We often connect with others in adulthood the same way we did with our childhood caregivers. In the Still Face Baby Experiment video you can watch how hard wired we humans …
We are all recovering from something
We are all recovering from something. Addiction is a path many people experience. But what if addiction is not just confined to substance use. What if it exists in all of us, influencing our behaviors, relationships, and perceptions of the world? Renowned physician and author, Gabor Maté defines addiction as “any behavior that gives you temporary relief, temporary pleasure, …
Peaceful Communication
Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a compassionate and empathetic approach to interaction, holds a profound influence on fostering emotional well-being. By prioritizing empathy, self-awareness, and constructive dialogue, we can build the skills necessary to connect and interact with others. NVC focuses on acknowledging and understanding one’s feelings. This process of introspection can be profoundly transformative. Rather than suppressing or dismissing emotions, NVC …
Gratitude
The neuroscience of gratitude explores how expressing gratitude affects the brain and overall well-being. Research has shown that practicing gratitude can have a positive impact on various brain regions and neural pathways by rewiring the brain and strengheting neural pathways assocaited with positive thinking and resillience. Gratitude also reduces activity in the amygdala, the brain’s fear center, leading to decreased …