Life by Design Therapy

02/06/2026

Have you ever felt like you’re going through the motions, but the real "you" is miles away?

Disconnection has a way of looking remarkably productive.

You can show up for every meeting, manage the kids’ schedules, and hit every deadline…

All while feeling quietly hollow inside.

It’s easy to mistake this numbness for strength or "just coping."

But often, checking out is the only way your nervous system knows how to handle the overwhelm.

It’s not a flaw. It’s a shield.

At Life By Design Therapy™, we often see that the way back to yourself isn’t about pushing harder or "fixing" your mindset.

It is about safety.

Our therapists support you in learning how to drop the shield safely.

We help you find the small, subtle cues like warmth, rhythm, or nature that remind your body it’s okay to stop running and start feeling again.

You don't have to carry the weight of "doing fine" all by yourself.

If you are in California, let’s talk about what support looks like for you. Book a free phone consultation at the link in our bio.

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

02/05/2026

I’ve noticed that when I’m having trouble focusing, it’s rarely just about distractions.

It’s often a sign that my nervous system is overstimulated, overwhelmed, or simply needs a moment of care.

In my work (and in my own life), I’ve found that focus isn’t just a mental skill…it’s a whole-body experience.

When we feel safe, regulated, and grounded, focus becomes much more accessible.

If you’ve been struggling to stay present or productive lately, these 6 nervous-system-based tools can help bring you back into balance:

1. Use your senses to support focus – Gentle sensory input like warm tea, textured objects, or calming music can help anchor you in the moment.

2. Let your body give you feedback – Tune into sensations like tight shoulders or a racing heart. These cues tell you what your body needs like rest, movement, or just a pause.

3. Use grounding practices to become present– Try orienting to your environment, deep breathing, or pressing your feet into the floor. These small practices help your system settle.

4. Help your nervous system feel safe – Safety isn’t just emotional, it’s physical. Create a sense of safety through soft lighting, supportive people, or predictable routines.

5. Work with your natural rhythms – Notice when your energy is highest or lowest during the day and plan accordingly. Working with your body’s rhythm makes a huge difference.

6. Bring your attention back when it wanders– Focus will naturally drift. The goal isn’t to force it—it’s to gently guide it back without judgment, like inviting a child back to the task at hand.

If focus feels hard, you’re not broken. You may just need to tend to your nervous system first.

Which of these feels most supportive for where you’re at today?

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

02/04/2026

Finding the line between professional responsibility and personal peace can be one of the greatest challenges in our modern "always-on" culture.

How do you signal to your brain that the workday is officially over?

Tips for your transition tonight:

📌 Create a Physical Signal: Change your clothes, take a walk, or put your phone in a dedicated drawer.

📌 Regulate with Rhythm: Use music to help your body physically decompress from the day’s pace.

📌 Release the Guilt: Practice viewing "unproductive" time as a vital investment in your mental health.

At Life By Design Therapy™, we believe that true restoration isn't just about closing your laptop; it’s about intentionally shifting your nervous system from a state of "doing" to a state of "being."

When we carry the mental load of the office into our evenings, our bodies remain in a high-alert state, leading to burnout and emotional exhaustion.

Our therapists support clients in developing personalized "shutdown rituals" that signal safety to the brain.

Whether it is through the regulating power of music or the practice of setting firm emotional boundaries, these transitions are essential for long-term well-being.

We often see that the biggest hurdle to resting is the guilt of being "unproductive."

However, we want to remind you that rest is not a reward for finished work…

It is a physiological requirement for a healthy life.

To learn more about how to actually disconnect after work hours, check our latest blog. Link in our bio.

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/therapy-blog

02/02/2026

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.

While many of us desire to be okay and live with a sense of purpose and peace, 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.

Regulating comes from slowing down, creating space for rest, and allowing your body to return to balance.

The good news? You can learn to manage stress and prevent burnout from work.

If you’ve been struggling to manage stress during the work day, I have come up with 7 ways (grounded in psychology, holistic health, and my own lived experience) to support nervous system recovery and help you restore balance at work.

Read the full blog here.

Manage stress and prevent burnout at work with therapist-approved habits that regulate your nervous system, support boundaries, and prevent burnout.

01/30/2026

I often see people come into sessions feeling defeated by their own inner dialogue.

They’ve tried to shift it by trying positive affirmations, but the words don’t seem to land.

If you’ve ever said an affirmation like, “I am enough,” only to feel discomfort, disbelief, or even shame in response, there are so many people who feel the same way.

However, I want you to know that you’re not doing it wrong.

The response you feel can be deeply informative.

It tells you something about your nervous system and how it’s been shaped by past experiences.

“Your self-worth isn’t just a mindset. It’s a lived experience in the body”

When your nervous system has learned to be hypervigilant, shut down, or stuck in survival mode, it’s not concerned with worthiness. It’s focused on protection. This means that trying to think your way into self-worth with affirmations can feel jarring, even threatening, if your body doesn’t yet feel safe.

As a somatic therapist, I’ve learned that healing isn’t just about thinking differently; it’s about feeling safer and more connected in your body.

Affirmations are just one piece, but when paired with nervous system awareness and gentle regulation, they can help us start to rewire those deeply held beliefs.

Book My Free Phone Consultation

Explore how affirmations support self-worth through nervous system regulation. Learn why affirmations sometimes trigger discomfort and how to make them truly effective using somatic practices.

01/29/2026

There’s something about the quiet after the holidays that can feel both peaceful and heavy. The lights come down, the house feels still, and all that energy that carried you through December starts to fade. You might notice a dip in motivation or find yourself feeling flat, restless, or even a little lost. And you might have caught yourself wondering, Why do I feel this way after such a joyful time? Many people experience what’s often called the post-holiday slump, which is an emotional…

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Feeling off after the holidays? Learn why the post-holiday slump happens and gentle ways to reconnect with your body, rhythm, and sense of purpose.

01/28/2026

Emotional suppression can show up in subtle ways, like struggling to name what you’re feeling, feeling numb or disconnected, or even experiencing physical symptoms with no clear cause.

While it might feel like you’re protecting yourself, suppressing emotions often leads to overwhelm, stress, and disconnection from yourself and others.

Learning to expand your emotional vocabulary can help you recognize and process emotions instead of burying them.

It’s an amazing step toward healing, connection, and emotional freedom.

💛Remember, your emotions aren’t the problem, they’re the guide.

Which of these steps feels most helpful to you? Share your thoughts below!

01/28/2026

There’s a moment many people don’t talk about enough, in my opinion. The moment when nothing is technically wrong, but your body won’t settle. Work is over, yet your chest feels tight. You finally sit down, and your mind starts racing. You’re exhausted, but rest feels out of reach. If this sounds familiar, it doesn’t mean you’re bad at managing stress. It usually means your nervous system has been carrying more than it knows how to put down, and it’s asking for support. Not in the form of advice. Not in the form of “just relax.”

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Learn grounding techniques to calm your nervous system, reduce anxiety, and support healing through somatic and holistic therapy at Life By Design Therapy™.

01/27/2026

Did you know that emotions don’t just exist in your mind, they live in your body too?

Unprocessed emotions can linger in our muscles, nervous system, and even our posture, impacting how we feel physically and emotionally.

This guide highlights 6 powerful ways to let go of emotions stored in your body:

🖊️ Journal About It: Writing helps externalize what you’re holding inside, giving clarity and relief.

🤝 Seek Support: Sharing with someone you trust or a therapist creates space to process safely.

🌳 Connect with Nature: Nature’s grounding energy can calm your body and mind.

😂 Cry or Laugh Freely: Both release pent-up energy and stress, offering emotional reset.

🎨 Get Creative: Art, music, or movement taps into your subconscious for expression.

💃 Shake It Out: Physical movement, like dancing or stretching, can literally release tension.

BUT! If you’re ready to take it further, somatic therapy can help.

By focusing on the connection between mind and body, somatic therapy uses techniques like breathwork, mindfulness, and body awareness to release stored trauma and emotions.

It’s a powerful way to process what words alone can’t express, leaving you feeling more balanced and grounded.

Did you know that Life By Design Therapy™ specializes in Somatic Therapy?

If you live in California and would like to learn more, click the link in our bio to schedule a free phone consultation!

01/27/2026

I used to think disconnecting after work meant closing my laptop. Logging off. Turning notifications to silent. And jumping into the next duty of parenthood and partnership. But…my body didn’t get the memo. I’d be physically home, but mentally replaying emails. Emotionally bracing for tomorrow. Sometimes I’d find myself tense for no obvious reason and snapping at the people I loved most. If you’re anything like me, you may relate to the feeling that your workday has ended…

Learn why it’s so hard to disconnect after work and how to calm your nervous system with practical, body-based tools for real rest.

01/26/2026

How talk therapy may not be for everyone: My honest opinion…

Traditional talk therapy has helped many people, but for some, it falls short. That’s because it focuses primarily on thoughts and behaviors—helping you understand your struggles but not necessarily helping you heal them.

Holistic and somatic therapy, on the other hand, take a different approach. They view healing as a full-body experience, addressing not just your mind but also your nervous system, emotions, and stored trauma.

Here’s what this kind of therapy typically looks like:

🔹 Mind-Body Connection – Instead of just talking about emotions, you learn to recognize and release them from your body.
🔹 Real-Time Healing – Therapy isn’t just a place for insight—it’s a space for deep, experiential shifts that change how you feel in the moment.
🔹 Nervous System Regulation – Anxiety, trauma, and stress aren’t just mental; they live in your body. Somatic work helps you physically move out of survival mode.
🔹 Breaking the Cycle – If you’ve ever felt stuck in endless self-analysis but nothing changes, somatic therapy helps you get to the root of the issue.

This isn’t just about symptom management, it’s about deep, lasting transformation. Because true healing doesn’t happen in your head alone, it happens in your whole being.

At Life By Design Therapy™, we specialize in holistic and somatic approaches that go beyond traditional talk therapy.

Our team of expert therapists is here to help you regulate your nervous system, release stored trauma, and create real, lasting change, not just insight.

If you’ve felt stuck in therapy before, or if you’re ready to try an approach that treats you as a whole person, mind, body, and spirit we’re here for you. Click the link in our bio to book a free call today!