The most radical thing I ever did was learn to rest without guilt. For years, I equated my worth with my productivity. If I wasn't doing, achieving, or pushing—I felt like I was failing. Then I discovered something that changed everything: Receptivity is not passivity. It's power. The divine feminine teaches us that there's wisdom in stillness. That answers come when we stop forcing. That our value was never meant to be earned. Rest isn't the reward for finishing. It's the foundation for beginning. What would change if you stopped treating rest like a luxury?

**“How’s That Working for You?”** ----- **“How’s That Working for You?”** You show up to therapy. You answer the questions. Maybe you even do the homework. But nothing changes. And somewhere deep down, you already know why. ----- **Resistance Doesn’t Always Look Like Refusal** **The Intellectualizer** — Talks *about* feelings instead of *feeling* them. Knows all the terminology. Stays safely in their head. **The Deflector** — Uses humor, changes subjects, always has a new crisis right when the real work begins. **The Yes-But** — Has a reason why every suggestion won’t work. Agrees in session, does nothing after. **The Performer** — Says all the right things. Appears to make progress. Has never actually been honest. **The Controller** — Steers away from threatening topics. Needs to run the session because vulnerability feels like death. ----- **What’s Really Happening** Resistance is protection. Your brain learned that certain feelings were too dangerous to access. Therapy asks you to take those walls down, and every part of you is screaming *no*. But here’s the hard truth: **You cannot heal what you refuse to feel.** ----- **The Question Worth Asking** If nothing has changed after months or years of therapy: *What am I protecting by staying stuck?* *What would I have to feel if I actually let this work?* Your therapist can’t do the work for you. They can only walk beside you while you finally do it yourself. So… how’s that working for you?

Every visit. Every time. When you're co-parenting, your time with your child with trauma is limited. You don't get to "make up" for a bad visit next week. You don't get unlimited do-overs. So here's the rule I give every co-parent I work with: Every time your child is with you, create at least one positive memory. Not an expensive trip. Not an elaborate activity. Not being the "fun parent" who avoids all discipline. Just one moment where your child feels: ✓ Seen ✓ Safe ✓ Loved ✓ Like they belong with you That might look like: → Reading together before bed → Cooking dinner side by side → Playing their favorite game (yes, even video games) → Watching something they love—and actually paying attention → A silly inside joke that becomes "your thing" → Just being fully present—phone down, eyes on them Your child didn't choose this situation. They didn't ask to split their life between two homes. What they need is to feel like BOTH homes are safe, loving places where they matter. They don't need you to compete with the other parent. They don't need you to be perfect. They need you to show up. Be present. Make it count. Every visit. Every time. What's one small tradition or moment you've created with your child that they look forward to?\ #coparenting #coparentinggoals #autismawareness #autismsupport #PTSDAwareness

The holidays can be joyful and meaningful but they can also be emotionally demanding. Being mentally well during this season does not require perfection. It requires intention. Protect your energy by setting limits and allowing yourself to rest. Keep simple routines that support sleep nutrition and movement even when schedules change. Stay connected with people who feel safe and supportive and reach out when you need help. Let go of the pressure to make everything perfect because presence matters more than appearances. Ground yourself through gratitude prayer reflection or quiet moments. Most importantly give yourself grace. Mixed emotions are normal and joy stress and grief can exist at the same time. Taking care of your mental health during the holidays helps you show up better for the people you love. Peace presence and connection matter most during this season.

Research shows reframing stress as “energy” boosts performance. ⚡ Stress isn’t always a negative thing. Research from Stanford shows reframing stress as energy instead of danger boosts resilience and performance. Next time your heart races before a speech, tell yourself, ‘This is energy helping me perform.’ That simple reframe actually changes your body’s response to stress. How do you reframe stress? Have you ever used stress to your advantage?