The combination of trauma healing + brain retraining  is what built our life back brick by brick, as we stepped out of the roles we had been playing for so long, and into our true selves--- free, whole and healing. Luke’s depression hasn’t returned, and he has learned how to support his nervous system so anxiety no longer rules his life. Lauren's 70+ symptoms have reduced dramatically, she's lost diagnoses, and went from tolerating only 10 foods to eating everything!  Learning about trauma and healing really DOES matter. We champion you as you try to understand yourself, your story and your body- may the healing flow!

In Healing and Wholeness,

Lauren + Luke

EXPLORE

TRAUMA EFFECTS

THERAPY

Grief

ABUSE

Attachment

SAFETY

NERVOUS SYSTEM

BOUNDARIES

IFS

Mind BODY

HEALING

BEAUTY

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

NEUROSCIENCE

This quote goes well with a concept about parts we’ve been mulling over. It goes like this: “If a part of a person/personality is really extreme, it’s likely to be burdened.” I’m sure there are exceptions to this idea, but it seems like for the most part when you see extremeness in yourself, a system […]

Emotional Health, Healing, IFS, Trauma Effects

March 18, 2024

Extremes in Personality- IFS Insight

Having fights and tension between burdened internal parts is JUST as common as having them in your actual family system! While managers and firefighters are both protective parts— they handle the pain of our vulnerable parts VERY differently. Managers try to be proactive and preventative…..but when the pain of our wounds inevitably seeps into the […]

IFS, Therapy, Trauma Effects

February 20, 2024

When Your Parts are Angry At Each Other

Fear is a powerful lens that potently shapes what we view through it.

Emotional Health, Healing, Nervous System, Trauma Effects

November 23, 2023

Fear is a Powerful Lens

It can be absolutely terrifying getting to know certain parts. While they have served important purposes in your internal system, you still might not be well acquainted with them. Often the very opposite is true. The secrets of when they formed, why they were needed, what compels them, and how they’re trying to help you […]

Attachment, Healing, IFS, Safety

November 20, 2023

Parts Want to Be Known

IFS is a modality used inside and outside of therapy that facilitates the strengthening of relationships between the parts within your internal system. It is non-pathologizing, and while it recognizes the impact of burdened parts can be harmful, it reminds us the intention behind the part is somehow for your good. BASIC MODEL: It is […]

Healing, IFS, Mind Body, Therapy

October 25, 2023

What is IFS? (Internal Family Systems)

The brain is an association drawing MACHINE. This is life-saving and life-preserving. Usually. However, like many of the other mechanisms of the brain, this function can be hijacked by a nervous system sensitized by stress and trauma. If you have good evidence that your physical conditions are mind-body in nature, attempting to draw associations between […]

Mind Body, Nervous System, Neuroscience, Safety

October 25, 2023

Stop Drawing Associations

This shield was for your protection, but once the actual threat has passed, it becomes a hindrance to your flourishing. (The memory of the threat stays alive and active in the body long after the acute threat has passed, until it experiences resolution). Not only are the hard emotions like grief, shame, regret, heartache, (sometimes […]

Trauma Effects, Uncategorized

April 3, 2023

Trauma’s Shield

Become the primary caretaker of your own parts, so that your partner is freed up to become the secondary caretaker. Richard Schwartz So much of the pain caused in relationships is because you want your partner to do what only you can do for yourself. YOU are the one who you can venture inside and […]

Attachment, IFS, Uncategorized

March 30, 2023

Becoming the Primary Caretaker of Your Parts

Humans need 4 things from an attachment standpoint, according to Dr. Dan Siegel, founder of the remarkable field of interpersonal neurobiology (also known as relational neuroscience). To be: 1.) Safe2.) Seen3.) Soothed4.) Secure These needs are present from the very beginning and depending on how they are responded to and how consistently they are met, […]

Attachment, Emotional Health

March 30, 2023

Attachment Needs

We have worked hard to become “abuse-informed”, as “trauma-informed” is simply not enough. Trauma happens in the absence of relational safety and connection, so understanding the many nuanced ways humans can be unsafe for one another, and the power dynamics that amplify this, is vital. Most people we work with have experienced abuse (many different […]

Abuse, Therapy, Uncategorized

March 30, 2023

Working with Trauma + Abuse Victims