Melody Wright, Somatic Psychotherapy

Melody Wright, Somatic Psychotherapy Somatic Psychotherapist and Founder of Life by Design Therapy. Offering therapy and mental health education for all.

As a therapist, I work with so many people who feel completely exhausted, but quitting their job isn’t an option.Burnout...
11/24/2025

As a therapist, I work with so many people who feel completely exhausted, but quitting their job isn’t an option.

Burnout isn’t always about the work itself.
It’s about what happens when your nervous system never gets the chance to reset.

When stress becomes constant, your body stays in survival mode, where it’s alert, tense, and disconnected.

You start to feel like no matter how much you rest, it’s never enough.

But you don’t have to walk away from everything to recover.

You can begin by changing how your body experiences your day through boundaries, nervous system breaks, and moments of real restoration.

💛 You can read our blog for even more therapist-approved tips on creating balance that lasts. - Link In Bio!

Every time your phone buzzes, your body reacts, even if you don’t consciously notice it.A quick spike of adrenaline. A ...
11/20/2025

Every time your phone buzzes, your body reacts, even if you don’t consciously notice it.

A quick spike of adrenaline. A flicker of alertness.

Your nervous system can’t tell the difference between a true emergency and a notification.

When this happens all day, your body stays in a low-level stress response, tense, distracted, and on edge.

That’s why turning off notifications isn’t just about focus; it’s about regulation.

When you choose when to check your phone, you give your body permission to slow down.

Your breath deepens. Your shoulders drop. Your mind quiets.

Small changes like this are how you begin to move from constant reactivity to calm awareness. 🌿

✨ At Life By Design Therapy™, we help you reconnect with your body’s cues and find rhythms that support nervous system balance.

Burnout can make even the simplest parts of your day feel distant, especially if work is driving the exhaustion.You show...
11/18/2025

Burnout can make even the simplest parts of your day feel distant, especially if work is driving the exhaustion.

You show up, check the boxes, and get through the meetings, but somewhere along the way, you stop feeling connected to why you’re doing it all.

Reconnecting with your 'why' doesn’t necessarily mean you have to change jobs or take time off.

Sometimes it begins with making a conscious effort to become aware of the little things. Like noticing how the light hits your desk, the sound of your breath before the next task, or the relief of finishing one small thing.

These small moments are how your mind and body begin to regulate, find a place of purpose, and feel safe.

They signal to your nervous system that it’s okay to pause, to be present, and to come back to yourself.

Because the truth is, purpose isn’t something you have to chase; it’s something that has been there all along.

You only need to return to moments that remind you what matters.

You can learn more about how to manage stress at work by reading our full blog - 8 Ways to Manage Stress and Find Balance at Work.

Link in Bio!

I didn’t realize how much I had filled every quiet moment, checking emails while waiting, scrolling while the coffee bre...
11/17/2025

I didn’t realize how much I had filled every quiet moment, checking emails while waiting, scrolling while the coffee brewed, listening to something during every walk. I called it “being efficient,” but what I’d really lost was the ability to be still.

That realization led me to what I now call intentional transitions, the small pauses that help you close one moment before stepping into the next.

Here are five transitions that changed everything for me:

🌿 The Morning Transition — Begin the day without input. Just breathe and arrive in your body before the noise starts.
🌿 Transition Rituals — Mark the end of one thing and the start of another (washing your hands, lighting a candle, taking three breaths).
🌿 Pauses in Conversation — Let silence exist. It deepens connection and slows your nervous system.
🌿 Unscheduled Time — Leave open space in your day — that’s where your nervous system rests and creativity returns.
🌿 Turn Off Notifications — Protect your peace by deciding when you respond, instead of reacting to every ping.

Transitions don’t slow you down; they help you move through life with more presence, clarity, and calm.

💛 Read the full blog to learn how these daily transitions can shift your nervous system, bring intention back to your routine, and help you feel grounded again.

Did you know you don’t have to leave your desk to regulate your nervous system?Sometimes the most effective grounding to...
11/14/2025

Did you know you don’t have to leave your desk to regulate your nervous system?

Sometimes the most effective grounding tools are the ones that fit into the rhythm of your workday.

When stress builds, your body shifts into survival mode.

Tension rises, focus fades, and small frustrations start to feel heavier. But practicing nervous system regulation throughout the day helps your body return to balance before burnout takes hold.

Try this:
🪞 Visualize yourself turning down an emotional dial.
🔥 Rub your hands together and feel the warmth in your palms.
🌿 Inhale something grounding, like peppermint or eucalyptus.

These simple techniques support stress management and help you stay connected to your body, not just your to-do list. Over time, they can make a real difference in preventing burnout and keeping you grounded through the workday.

Save this post for the days when you’re stuck in go-mode and need a moment to breathe!

It started on a Wednesday.I was sitting at my desk, halfway through a meeting, when I realized I hadn’t stopped all morn...
11/13/2025

It started on a Wednesday.

I was sitting at my desk, halfway through a meeting, when I realized I hadn’t stopped all morning.

My inbox was overflowing, my shoulders ached, and my brain was locked on one thought: “Just get through the day.”

Sound familiar?

Workplace stress has become so normalized that many of us don’t notice how much it’s draining our energy and dysregulating our nervous system, until we’re completely depleted.

Many of us desire to be okay and live with a sense of purpose and peace, but it’s hard to regulate and find those moments in the midst of hustle culture.

If this is resonating with you, I want to remind you that you cannot continue to push through and find that sense of peace.

Rest, presence, and purpose aren’t things you earn; they’re things you return to when your body finally feels safe enough to slow down.

🪞 Read the full blog — 8 Ways to Manage Stress and Find Balance at Work for body-based tools to regulate your nervous system and begin healing from burnout.

According to OSHA, More than 80% of U.S. workers say they’ve experienced workplace stress, and over half share that it i...
11/12/2025

According to OSHA, More than 80% of U.S. workers say they’ve experienced workplace stress, and over half share that it impacts their life at home.

I’m bringing this up because it’s always a good time to pause and ask yourself, How is stress showing up in your body?

Workplace burnout has become so normalized that many of us don’t notice the signs until we’re completely depleted.

The tension in your shoulders, the racing thoughts, the constant “just get through the day” mindset…those are all signals from your nervous system asking for care.

At Life By Design Therapy™, we help you learn how to regulate your nervous system, manage stress with awareness, and rebuild a sense of peace that doesn’t depend on productivity.

Your body isn’t asking you to do more; it’s asking you to slow down.

If you’re ready to move from burnout to balance, book a call with us today to start therapy.

Let’s help you find calm again; one breath, one session, one step at a time.

11/11/2025

Today, we pause to honor and thank all veterans for their courage, resilience, and selfless service.

Your sacrifices have shaped our nation’s story and continue to remind us of the strength found in dedication, community, and compassion.

To every veteran, past and present, we are deeply grateful for your service.

Happy Veteran’s Day!

Parenting teens is both beautiful and hard.You want to protect them, but you also know they’re finding their own way, an...
11/10/2025

Parenting teens is both beautiful and hard.

You want to protect them, but you also know they’re finding their own way, and that can feel like walking a line between holding on and letting go.

When your teen seems moody, distant, or easily overwhelmed, it’s easy to wonder what you’re doing wrong.

But often, it’s not about you; it’s their nervous system trying to keep up.

Overwhelm can show up as irritability, withdrawal, or exhaustion. Sometimes, shutting down is their body’s way of saying, “I’ve reached my limit.”

Your calm presence matters more than the perfect words.

🌻 Slow things down.
🌻 Offer rest.
🌻 Listen without rushing to fix.

When you stay steady, you remind their body that it’s safe, and that they’re not alone in what they’re feeling. 💛

Read more therapist-approved ways to support your teen’s mental health in our latest blog — link in bio.

When every moment is filled with something, the next email, the next scroll, the next thought, your body never truly re...
11/07/2025

When every moment is filled with something, the next email, the next scroll, the next thought, your body never truly resets.

It’s not just mental fatigue; it’s a physical response.

Your nervous system stays on high alert, bracing for the next demand before the last one even ends.

Over time, that constant activation leads to anxiety, tension, headaches, poor sleep, and eventually… burnout.

But slowing down isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s how your body finds balance again.

Pausing between tasks, stepping outside, or taking a few deep breaths aren’t small things; they’re signals to your nervous system that it’s safe to rest.

✨ At Life By Design Therapy™, we help you understand what your body is trying to tell you, and teach you how to regulate, reset, and move through life with more calm and clarity.

Visit the link in our bio to learn more about how somatic and holistic therapy can support your nervous system.

Parenting a teen can feel like walking a tightrope between wanting to protect them and also needing to let them figure t...
11/06/2025

Parenting a teen can feel like walking a tightrope between wanting to protect them and also needing to let them figure things out.

And sometimes, it’s easy to forget that showing up is enough.

I want you to remember…

🌞 You don’t have to have the perfect response.
🌞 You don’t have to fix every problem.
🌞 Your presence, consistency, and willingness to listen make more of an impact than you realize.

Teens are navigating some of the most complex years of their lives, balancing independence with belonging, identity with expectation, and emotions that often feel bigger than their ability to manage them.

And while they may not always say it, your steady presence helps anchor them through it.

So on the hard days, when the eye rolls feel endless or conversations fall flat, remember your effort to stay connected still matters.

Every time you pause before reacting, model self-compassion, or remind them they’re not alone, you’re teaching them how to regulate, repair, and reach for connection too.

💬 We’d love to hear from you! What helps you stay grounded when parenting feels hard?

11/04/2025

Healing doesn’t start when everything feels perfect… it begins the moment you decide you’re ready for something different.

You don’t need all the answers or a clear roadmap. The first step can be as simple as noticing that something inside you is ready to shift. It could be reaching out for support, or finally giving yourself permission to be seen, held, and guided.

If you’re curious about starting your therapy journey, our holistic and somatic therapy practice offers online therapy across California and in-person sessions in Berkeley.

Remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Taking that first step is the beginning of reconnecting with yourself and living more fully.

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Berkeley, CA

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Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 7pm

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Our Story

Hi, I’m Melody Wright, LMFT. I am the Founder of Life by Design Therapy and a Licensed Somatic Psychotherapist.

I enjoy working with adults and couples and I’m passionate about supporting clients in healing old wounds, connecting with their deepest desires and creating lasting change that has the potential to impact generations to come.

I also support therapists, coaches and entrepreneurs struggling to feel empowered around money and their practice. I utilize 18+ years worth of business ownership, tax and bookkeeping knowledge to support you in creating a business that brings you joy and abundance!

Meet Our Therapy Team Melody Wright, LMFT #107069 - Founder and Somatic Therapist Ashley Gregory, LMFT #110299 - Somatic Therapist Dr. Nia Saunders, PSY#31472 - Clinical Psychologist