Andelige Trauma Counseling & Consulting

02/22/2026

There's a shift happening in how we think about safety in healing spaces, and I want to name it because it matters so much.

Trauma-informed care isn't just about being nice or using gentle language. It's about fundamentally asking a different question. Instead of looking at someone's behavior and thinking "what's wrong with them," we pause and ask "what do they need to feel safe right now?"

This distinction changes everything.

When someone is defensive, withdrawn, or struggling to trust, their nervous system might be protecting them from something. A trauma-informed approach recognizes that. It doesn't pathologize survival. It creates the conditions where healing can actually begin.

I've seen this transform therapy. When clients feel genuinely safe, when they know their choices matter, when we work alongside them instead of telling them what to do, something shifts. They start to trust themselves again. They begin to believe their voice has value.

If you're seeking support, look for practitioners and spaces that prioritize your safety and choice. You deserve that. Your healing journey gets to be collaborative, not something done to you.

What does safety feel like for you? 🤍

02/22/2026

Mindfulness gets thrown around a lot these days, like it's a magic fix for everything. But I think we need to be honest about what it actually is and what it isn't.

Mindfulness isn't about achieving some perfect state of calm or erasing difficult emotions. It's not a quick fix for anxiety or trauma, and it's definitely not a replacement for real therapeutic work. What it actually does is help us build awareness of our patterns, create space between our thoughts and reactions, and gently soften that grip we hold on control.

The real magic happens when we approach it with genuine motivation and compassion for ourselves. Not as another thing we're "supposed" to do perfectly, but as a tool we choose to use because we're ready to sit with what's happening inside us.

I've seen people benefit deeply from mindfulness practice. I've also seen people use it as another way to avoid feeling their pain or to judge themselves for not "doing it right."

If you're exploring mindfulness or meditation, ask yourself: Am I doing this from a place of self-compassion, or am I adding another impossible standard to my life? There's a real difference, and it matters.

What's your honest experience been with mindfulness? I'd love to hear what's actually helped you feel more present in your own life. 🌿💚

02/22/2026

There's something I've been sitting with lately about how we approach self-care, especially around the holidays and those moments when we're supposed to be celebrating love.

We talk so much about doing things for ourselves, taking time to rest, creating space for healing. And those things matter, truly. But I've noticed something in working with clients: sometimes the most healing act isn't another task on our to-do list. It's not another productivity hack or wellness ritual we feel obligated to complete.

Sometimes it's simply giving ourselves permission to engage with something that brings us quiet joy. No performance. No optimization. Just... presence.

I think about coloring, journaling, creating something with our hands without it needing to be perfect or serve a larger purpose. These small creative acts can be genuinely restorative, especially for those of us who've spent years managing others' emotions or suppressing our own.

If you're healing from trauma or anxiety, you might notice that unstructured creative time feels different than other self-care. There's no pressure to be well by a certain date. No expectation of productivity. Just you, your chosen colors or words, and the gentle act of creating something that's entirely yours.

What small creative practice has surprised you with how grounding it feels? 🌼

02/21/2026

I've noticed something interesting about how we gather and celebrate together. There's often this underlying pressure to perform our identities, to fit into neat boxes, to be seen a certain way. Even in celebration.

What struck me while reading about themed gatherings is how much we crave spaces where we can explore different parts of ourselves without judgment. Where we can say, "This is who I am," and have that be enough.

Whether it's through shared interests, values, or even the stories we tell about ourselves, we're all searching for communities where we belong. Where we don't have to shrink or perform or earn our place.

If you've ever felt like you had to be a certain way to fit in, or if you're still carrying the weight of expectations placed on you by others, I want you to know that healing starts when we give ourselves permission to just be.

You don't have to earn your belonging. You don't have to be anyone other than who you are.

What would it feel like to gather in a space where you could show up as your authentic self? 💚

If you are a firm believer that everything is written in the stars – then hosting an astrological inspired celebration is sure to be on the cards. Whether you are a confident Leo or a loyal Ta**us – a zodiac-themed party will intrigue and enchant your guests. From dazzling decorations to celesti...

02/21/2026

There's something I've been sitting with lately, and I think it's worth naming: so many of us are carrying wounds we didn't even know we inherited.

You might feel anxious for reasons that don't quite match your own life experience. You might struggle with self-worth in ways that feel oddly familiar, like an echo from your family's story rather than your own. You might find yourself repeating relationship patterns or emotional responses that belonged to someone else first.

Generational trauma is real, and it's sneaky. It doesn't always announce itself as "this came from your grandmother" or "this pattern started in your parents' generation." It just lives in your body, your nervous system, your way of moving through the world.

But here's what matters: recognizing it is the beginning of breaking it. When you see these patterns clearly, you get to make a different choice. You get to decide what you're passing forward and what stops with you.

Healing generational wounds is some of the most profound work you can do, not just for yourself but for the generations that come after you. It's not about shame or blame. It's about compassion, awareness, and intentional change.

If you're noticing these patterns in yourself, that awareness is already a gift. A therapist who understands trauma can help you untangle what belongs to you and what you're carrying for others. 🌼

What patterns have you noticed shifting in your own healing journey?

02/21/2026

When someone's tried multiple antidepressants and therapy without relief, it can feel like you've exhausted every option. That hopelessness is real, and it matters.

What many people don't know is that ketamine therapy operates differently than traditional treatments. It works on your brain's neuroplasticity in ways that conventional medications don't, which is why it's showing promise for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

But here's what's important: not everyone is a candidate, and that's okay. Eligibility depends on your specific medical history, what you've already tried, your physical health, and whether you can commit to the treatment schedule. A thorough evaluation with a qualified provider is essential.

If you've been struggling with a condition that hasn't budged despite your best efforts, it might be worth exploring whether this could be part of your healing path. The right support looks different for everyone.

Have you ever discovered a treatment option you didn't know existed? Sometimes our healing comes from places we haven't looked yet. 🌱

Learn who is eligible for ketamine therapy, how doctors determine safety, and what conditions qualify for treatment in Florida.

02/20/2026

Creative expression during the holidays can be such a grounding practice, especially when life feels overwhelming. Whether you're coloring, painting, or crafting with loved ones, these moments offer something precious that often gets lost in the rush of the season.

There's real healing in slowing down to create something with your own hands. It quiets the noise, brings you into the present moment, and creates space for connection with those around you. If you're feeling the weight of holiday expectations or stress creeping in, consider inviting your family to do something creative together. No pressure, no perfection required.

Coloring pages, art projects, handmade gifts, or simple crafts can become a form of mindfulness and self-care during a busy time. They remind us that the most meaningful gifts aren't always store-bought. They're the time, attention, and love we pour into something with our own hands.

What creative activities bring you peace during the holidays? 🌱💖

Print Christmas Gifts Coloring Page for coloring. Free to print Christmas Gifts Coloring Page. Print it out now!

02/20/2026

There's something deeply healing about giving yourself permission to slow down in the middle of winter.

I've noticed that many of my clients struggle with this. They're caught between the pressure to stay productive and their body's natural need to rest. Winter invites us inward, but our culture keeps pushing us outward. The result? Exhaustion, disconnection, and that familiar ache of running on empty.

What if slowing down wasn't lazy? What if it was actually an act of self-respect?

When we create space for stillness, we give our nervous systems a chance to regulate. We allow old patterns to surface so we can finally process them. We remember who we are beneath all the doing.

This might look different for everyone. For some, it's sitting quietly with a warm drink. For others, it's engaging in something creative and tactile that calms the mind. For many, it's simply saying no to one more thing.

If you're carrying the weight of pushing yourself too hard, I want you to know that rest isn't something you have to earn. You're worthy of gentleness right now, exactly as you are.

What's one small way you could honor your need for slowness this week? 🤍

02/20/2026

Boundaries aren't walls you build to keep people out. They're actually invitations to show others how to treat you with the respect and care you deserve.

I think about this distinction a lot in my work. So many of us carry shame around saying no or setting limits, as if boundaries are somehow selfish or unkind. But the truth is, when you honor your own needs, you create space for healthier, more authentic relationships.

The practical piece matters too. It's not enough to know you need a boundary. You have to communicate it clearly, stay firm when it gets tested, and trust that protecting your peace is an act of self-love, not rejection.

This might look like using "I" statements to express what you need. Or practicing what you'll say before a difficult conversation. Or visualizing yourself standing calmly in your truth, even when someone reacts negatively.

The resistance you might face when you set boundaries? That often says more about the other person's comfort with limits than it does about you.

What boundary have you been wanting to set but haven't yet? Sometimes naming it is the first step toward honoring it. 🌱

Boundaries are often misunderstood as selfish, yet they are one of the most empowering tools for protecting your emotional wellness and building healthier relationships. In this blog you’ll learn five transformative strategies for setting boundaries, using the Adult Chair® Model as a guide. 

02/19/2026

I've noticed something interesting about how we search for meaning and connection. Many of us look outward to the stars, to systems, to anything that might help us understand ourselves and our place in the world. That longing makes sense, especially if we've felt lost or unseen.

What strikes me is that while astrology can be a beautiful tool for self-reflection, the real healing work happens inward. It happens when we pause and ask ourselves honest questions about who we are, what we need, and why we make the choices we do.

If you're drawn to exploring your identity and patterns right now, that's worth honoring. Whether through astrology, journaling, therapy, or quiet reflection, that curiosity is often the first step toward understanding ourselves more deeply.

What draws you to seek self-understanding? Sometimes naming that can tell us a lot about what we're really looking for. 💭

If you are a firm believer that everything is written in the stars – then hosting an astrological inspired celebration is sure to be on the cards. Whether you are a confident Leo or a loyal Ta**us – a zodiac-themed party will intrigue and enchant your guests. From dazzling decorations to celesti...

02/19/2026

I'm noticing something with my clients who struggle most with anxiety, and it usually comes down to this: they've never learned how to pause.

Not in a meditation app kind of way. I mean actually stopping between one thing and the next. Between the email and the next task. Between waking up and diving into everyone else's needs. Between the moment something triggers them and the moment they react.

When you're running on fumes, your nervous system can't distinguish between a real threat and a demanding email. Everything feels urgent. Everything feels like it needs your immediate, perfect response. So you keep moving, keep doing, keep trying to outrun the anxiety instead of actually addressing what's underneath it.

The reset doesn't have to be complicated. It's not about finding an hour for yoga or a weekend retreat (though those are lovely). It's about two minutes. Breathing differently. Sipping water. Noticing where tension is living in your body right now. Asking yourself what you actually need instead of what you think you should be doing.

These tiny pauses are how we interrupt the cycle. They're how we give our nervous system permission to calm down. And when we do that consistently, everything else becomes a little more manageable.

What would change if you gave yourself permission to pause once today? Not to fix anything or solve anything. Just to pause. 🤍

02/19/2026

There's something I've been noticing in my practice that feels really important to name.

When couples come in feeling disconnected and stuck, there's almost always a pattern underneath. One partner reaches out, and the other pulls away. The more one tries to bridge the gap, the more the other retreats. It becomes this exhausting dance where both people feel misunderstood, and neither knows how to break the cycle.

What strikes me most is that both partners are usually doing the best they can with what they have. They're not trying to hurt each other. They're protecting themselves.

I've learned that healing in relationships often isn't about learning new communication techniques first. It's about understanding the emotions that drive our protective patterns. When we can name what we're actually feeling underneath the hurt and defensiveness, something shifts. Suddenly, there's room for compassion. Room for vulnerability. Room for real connection.

This doesn't happen overnight, and it requires both people willing to show up. But when couples can move from "you always do this" to "I feel scared when I can't reach you," the whole dynamic changes.

If you're in a relationship where you feel stuck in a negative cycle, know that you're not broken. Your nervous system is just trying to protect you. And that protection can be understood and gently rewired. 🌿

What patterns have you noticed in your own relationships? Sometimes naming them is the first step toward something different.