Robyn E Brickel MA, LMFT, LLC

12/28/2025

Change—whether personal or happening in the world around us—can stir anxiety, grief, and a sense of unsteadiness. If you find yourself on edge, overwhelmed, or slipping into survival mode (fight, flight, or freeze), know this: nothing is “wrong” with you. Your system is doing its best to protect you.

Uncertainty has a way of waking up old experiences and fears of the unknown. Gently notice what’s coming up for you—are these feelings about what’s happening now, or echoes from the past? Bringing curiosity (rather than judgment) to these moments can help you reconnect with a sense of agency and steadiness.

Even positive change can carry grief. New chapters often require letting go of what once was—roles, routines, identities, or expectations. Making room for that grief is not a setback; it’s part of healing and growth.

And remember - you don’t have to hold all of this alone. Supportive connection—whether with loved ones or a therapist—together it can cultivate an environment where laughter, understanding, and healing can thrive. Relationships can help to restore safety, perspective, and resilience. Healing does happen in relationships! https://ow.ly/TNa450XN0FB

12/26/2025

Brickel and Associates is currently accepting new clients for in-person therapy in Old Town Alexandria, VA, and throughout the Washington, DC area.

If you’ve been considering starting therapy, this may be the right time to take that first step. Our practice specializes in trauma-informed therapy, meaning we understand how past experiences can shape your emotions, relationships, and nervous system. We work at your pace to create a safe, compassionate space where healing and growth can unfold.

We support older adolescents, adults, couples, and families navigating trauma, anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, and emotional overwhelm. Whether you’re returning to therapy or starting for the first time, you don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out.

Our team is proud to serve the Old Town, Alexandria, VA and DC communities with thoughtful, evidence-based mental health care. To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit our website and take the next step toward support that meets you where you are. https://ow.ly/wTbL50XN0Fl

12/25/2025

For those celebrating Christmas, we wish you a holiday filled with warmth, peace, and meaningful connection.

Whether your day is quiet and restful or spent gathered with loved ones, we hope you find moments of comfort, presence, and care. May this season offer space to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the connections that nourish you.

Wishing you a gentle, joyful Christmas, and hope that the days ahead bring steadiness, gratitude, and a sense of ease.

12/24/2025

Robyn Brickel, MA, LMFT, will be out of the office for a few days in each of the last two weeks of the year.

During this time out of the office, she will be taking space to rest and recharge, honoring the importance of pause and restoration.

As the year comes to a close, we’re reminded that caring for mental health often includes stepping back, slowing down, and allowing ourselves time to reset. We encourage you to notice what rest and support look like for you during this season.

We look forward to reconnecting after the break and wish you gentle moments of care and ease during the holidays.

12/23/2025

For those traveling to see loved ones, hosting family or friends, or spending the holidays differently than expected, this is a gentle reminder to take care of yourself. Whether you’re navigating airports, preparing your home, managing family dynamics, or sitting with a quieter season than you imagined, the holidays can bring up a wide range of emotions. However it looks for you, your experience is valid.

Care might mean building in extra rest, stepping outside for a few deep breaths, setting boundaries around conversations, or giving yourself permission to step back from traditions that feel heavy this year. It may also look like creating new rituals that better reflect where you are now. There is no one “right” way to do the holidays - honoring your needs matters.

As you move through the days ahead, offer yourself grace and space. Release the pressure to make everything perfect and focus instead on what helps you feel grounded and supported. Wherever you are and however you’re spending this time, we hope you’re gentle with yourself and give yourself the care you deserve.

12/22/2025

“The goal is not to heal and then begin your life. The goal is to embrace healing as a lifelong journey and allow genuine connections to emerge organically along the way.” -

Healing isn’t a finish line you cross before you’re “allowed” to live fully. It unfolds in real time, through relationships, setbacks, moments of insight, and small choices that help you feel safer, more grounded, and more connected to yourself and others.

In trauma-informed therapy, we honor that healing doesn’t happen in isolation or all at once. It happens as your nervous system learns new patterns, as boundaries become clearer, and as trust, both in yourself and in others, slowly rebuilds.

You don’t have to wait until you feel “healed enough” to seek support or meaningful connection. If you’re in the DC or Virginia area and ready to explore healing as an ongoing, compassionate process, our team at Brickel and Associates is here to walk alongside you.

12/21/2025

Whether you identify as an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between, connection is essential, we’re all wired to need community. During the holidays, stress, loneliness, or overwhelm can feel especially heavy. But even small moments of connection can make a meaningful difference for our mental health and well-being.

Connection looks different for everyone. It could be meeting a friend for coffee, volunteering at a local shelter, or simply calling a loved one to check in. These moments not only nurture your own well-being but also strengthen the ties that make our communities supportive, resilient, and caring.

This holiday season, take a step, big or small, to connect. Reach out to a neighbor, attend a local event, or lend a hand to someone in need. Even just picking up the phone to call a loved one can help you feel grounded, supported, and less alone. Remember: connection matters, and it’s never too late to start.

12/19/2025

We’re currently accepting new clients.

If you’ve been considering starting therapy, this could be the right time to take that first step. Healing and personal growth aren’t linear, and sometimes just beginning the journey is the most important part. Our practice provides trauma-informed care, which means we understand how past experiences shape your emotions, behaviors, and relationships, and we work with you in building a compassionate, safe space.

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve experienced trauma. You don’t need to have everything figured out before coming in. We’re here to meet you where you are, honor your experiences, and help you explore your needs and boundaries at a pace that feels safe for you.

If you’re ready to start your journey, you don’t have to do it alone. Our team is here to support you, listen without judgment, and guide you toward healing and self-understanding. Visit our website to learn more and start your healing journey.

12/18/2025

Chasing happiness through bucket lists, experiences, or the pursuit of constant positivity often doesn’t bring lasting contentment. Research shows that our emotional highs and lows naturally return to a “set point,” meaning that extreme elation or misery fades over time. Instead of focusing on fleeting joy, it may be wiser to prioritize overall well-being, meaningful connections, and a balanced emotional life, recognizing that no single emotion should dominate our experience. Learn more, https://ow.ly/ry0N50XHXoN.

Our expectations of what we think will make us happy do not make us happy.

12/18/2025

The holidays are often pictured as joyful, festive, and full of cheer, but for many, especially trauma survivors, this time of year can also feel overwhelming, triggering, or lonely. Between social obligations, family expectations, and a seemingly endless list of tasks, it’s easy to forget one of the most important people: yourself.

This season, practice a little radical self-compassion. Ask yourself: What do I need? What do I truly want? Take a pause, even if it’s just for a few quiet moments, to notice how you feel. Maybe it’s rest, a calm morning in your pajamas, or time with a friend instead of a crowded event. Maybe it’s saying “no” to something you don’t have the energy for. Whatever it is, your needs are valid, and they deserve attention.

Once you notice your needs, hold them gently. Allow yourself the freedom to make choices that honor your well-being, even if it feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Speak up. Set boundaries. Give yourself permission to show up only in ways that feel safe and supportive. Compassion isn’t about perfection, it’s about recognizing your humanity and giving yourself the care you need.

Notice how it feels when you honor your needs. Celebrate the small victories: saying yes to yourself, stepping away from overwhelm, or choosing what truly brings you joy. This holiday season, the gift you can give yourself is the gift of presence, awareness, and compassion. You are allowed to prioritize yourself. You are worthy of care, comfort, and joy, even amid the chaos.

Learn more by reading our blog, How to Notice Your Needs This Holiday Season with Compassion, https://ow.ly/O4UT50XHXov.

12/17/2025

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, a reminder that the holidays can be both joyful and risky. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are statistically among the most dangerous times on the road, with preventable tragedies caused by impaired driving. As communities gather to celebrate, we all share a responsibility to help keep one another safe.

Planning ahead is one of the most effective ways to prevent impaired driving. If you plan to drink, make a transportation plan before the evening begins. Designate a sober driver, schedule a ride through a cab, Uber, or Lyft, or take public transit when possible. If you are hosting a gathering, consider offering a variety of non-alcoholic beverages so every guest can feel included without putting themselves at risk. Small steps like these help create safer, more supportive environments for everyone.

It’s also important to acknowledge that alcohol and other substances are sometimes used to cope with stress, grief, or overwhelm, feelings that are common this time of year. If you notice yourself or someone you love relying on substances to manage emotions, that may be a sign that more support is needed. There is no shame in seeking help. Therapy can provide a safe, compassionate place to understand what you are experiencing and build healthier ways to cope.

As we move through this season of celebration, connection, and reflection, let’s prioritize well-being, our own and our community’s. A safe holiday is a gift we can all give each other. If you are located in the Virginia/DC area and would like help navigating emotional stress, substance use concerns, or the challenges of the season, our trauma-informed therapists are here to support you.

12/16/2025

A new study on NPR shows that a one-week social media detox can reduce anxiety, depression, and insomnia in young adults. It highlights that it’s social media, not screens in general, that can impact mental health.

Experts recommend setting intentional limits, creating tech-free time before bed, and replacing scrolling with activities that engage your mind and body. For those experiencing heavier symptoms, professional support can be an important part of the solution. Learn more, https://ow.ly/fiff50XHXnu.

Young adults who took just a one-week break from social media showed improvement in depression, anxiety and insomnia symptoms, a new study says. Plus, tips for how to take a break from your feed.