Life by Design Therapy

Life by Design Therapy Life by Design Therapy offers Holistic and Somatic Psychotherapy In-Person and Online for those in CA

Burnout can make even the simplest parts of your day feel distant, especially if it’s work driving the exhaustion.You sh...
11/14/2025

Burnout can make even the simplest parts of your day feel distant, especially if it’s work 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 acknowledge, 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 - How to Manage Stress and Prevent Burnout in the Workplace.

Link in Bio!

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/how-to-manage-stress-and-prevent-burnout-in-the-workplace

Stress AwarenessAccording to OSHA, More than 80% of U.S. workers say they’ve experienced workplace stress, and over half...
11/13/2025

Stress Awareness

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.

We’re bringing this up because it’s 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.

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

Every time your phone buzzes, your body reacts, even if you don’t consciously notice it.A quick spike of adrenaline. A ...
11/12/2025

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.

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/therapy

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

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

11/10/2025

If your mind never seems to rest, it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.

Anxiety has a way of convincing us that we’re failing when really, it’s your body working hard to protect you.

When peace feels far away, it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your nervous system is doing its best to keep you safe.

The shift comes when we stop fighting ourselves and start meeting those moments with gentleness.

✨ Slow down. Inhale. Exhale.
This moment is enough. You are enough.

💬 Share this with someone who needs the reminder today. You don’t have to carry anxiety alone.

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

Do you ever wonder what happened to the days when it felt like we had more time?We used to have built-in transitions lik...
11/07/2025

Do you ever wonder what happened to the days when it felt like we had more time?

We used to have built-in transitions like commercial breaks between shows, quiet drives without constant notifications, and slow internet that made us wait (and breathe) for a moment.

We had pauses, natural breaks, and moments of togetherness that helped our bodies reset.

Now, everything is instant.
Every gap in our day gets filled…checking messages while waiting in line, scrolling while the coffee brews, or rushing straight from one task to the next.
Without realizing it, our nervous systems rarely get a chance to exhale.

What’s missing isn’t more hours, it’s transitions.
Those small pauses between what was and what’s next are where we recalibrate, reconnect, and remember how to be present.

✨ Take a few deep breaths before diving into what’s next.
✨ Step outside after work before shifting into home life.
✨ Give yourself permission to do nothing for a moment.

When we honor transitions, our days begin to flow with more ease and intention, and life feels a little less like it’s rushing past us. 💛

Read our latest blog for more on why transitions matter and how these small pauses can help you move through your day with calm and clarity. [Link in bio]

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

11/06/2025

5 Transitions To Reduce Stress

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. [Link in bio]

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

11/05/2025

Teen Stress Therapy in Berkeley

Did you know nearly 60% of students report feeling stressed every day?

For many teens, that stress doesn’t sound like “I’m overwhelmed.”
It looks like pulling away, staying in their room, snapping back, or sleeping more than usual. Beneath those behaviors is often a nervous system trying to keep up with the constant pressure of school, social media, and expectations from every direction.

As parents, one of the most powerful things you can do is shift from correction to connection. Your teen doesn’t need you to fix everything; they need to feel seen, safe, and supported.

Here are a few ways to help:
✨ Create space beyond screens. Invite your teen into moments that pull them into real life, like cooking together, taking a drive, or just sitting side by side.
✨ Support authentic self-expression. Show interest in what lights them up, even if it’s not your thing. Feeling understood builds confidence.
✨ Notice and celebrate everyday joys. Remind them that even on hard days, moments of laughter, music, or sunlight still matter.

There’s no perfect way to parent through stress, but showing up with curiosity, compassion, and presence makes all the difference.

💛 Want more ways to support your teen’s mental health? Read our latest blog for 10 practical tips to help your teen navigate stress and find balance. [Link in bio]

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/10-ways-to-support-your-teens-mental-health

I recently realized I had lost the ability to be still.Waiting for the coffee to brew? I’d scroll my phone.Walking to th...
11/04/2025

I recently realized I had lost the ability to be still.

Waiting for the coffee to brew? I’d scroll my phone.
Walking to the car? I’d put on a YouTube video.
Five minutes before a meeting? I’d squeeze in emails.

Every corner of my day got filled with something…some kind of noise, some kind of input.

At first, I thought this was a good thing. I was being efficient, right? Maximizing every spare moment. But beneath the surface, it felt different.

I started noticing a strange unease. Everything on my list felt urgent, but none of it felt meaningful. I was moving through life on autopilot, checking boxes without truly experiencing anything.

That’s when it hit me: I had removed all the open space in my day.

And without those moments, there was no room left to think, to be present, or to feel grounded.

That realization led me to what I now call intentional transitions.

To learn 5 simple transitions to shift from overwhelmed to present, click the link in my bio to read the full blog!

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

Address

2140 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA
94704

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+15106460046

Website

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Offering Well-Rounded Healing with Holistic and Somatic Psychotherapy

Life by Design Therapy was founded out of the need to bring holistic and somatic (body and mindfulness-based) psychotherapy to our diverse Bay Area communities. Our therapists value cultural and sexual diversity and we aim to provide our clients with a safe and supportive environment for growth, healing, and transformation. We have office locations in Downtown Berkeley and Richmond (near Hilltop). Please visit our website to learn more about holistic and somatic therapy can support you in creating a life you love.

Meet Our Team Melody Wright, LMFT #107069 - Founder and Somatic Therapist Ashley Gregory, LMFT #110299 - Somatic Therapist Dr. Nia Saunders, PSY#31472 - Clinical Psychologist Life by Design Marriage and Family Therapy, Inc. DBA Life by Design Therapy www.lifebydesigntherapy.com