Healing Hearts VA, LLC

01/02/2026

For the Days When Faith Feels Fragile 💜

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

12/16/2025

Sometimes the hardest part of a relationship is not knowing what you feel or what you need. Individual counseling offers a space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with yourself so you can show up differently in your relationships.

12/12/2025

Even if it feels like your circumstances are not changing, remember to keep your eyes on Him. 🫶

12/12/2025

A warning about using ChatGPT as your therapist.

As a licensed therapist now for nearly 10 years, human connection will always be a part of the healing process. Remove human connection and you replace one problem with another..

12/10/2025

"Children who grow up in environments filled with constant criticism often develop an overactive stress-response system."

Children who grow up in environments filled with constant criticism often develop an overactive stress-response system. Their bodies and brains remain on high alert, reacting as if danger is present even when it is not. This persistent activation of fight-or-flight responses can affect emotional regulation, decision-making, and overall well-being.

When criticism is repeated over time, stress hormones like cortisol remain elevated, altering how the nervous system responds to future challenges. Children may appear anxious, reactive, or withdrawn, and they can struggle to feel safe or confident in everyday situations. The effects can last well into adolescence and adulthood if not addressed.

Supportive, encouraging interactions help children learn to regulate stress and build resilience. Positive reinforcement, empathy, and consistent emotional support signal to the nervous system that the environment is safe, gradually reducing hyperactive stress responses.

Understanding the impact of criticism on a child’s nervous system is essential for fostering healthy development. Shifting from constant judgment to patient guidance allows children to feel secure, explore safely, and grow emotionally strong. Small changes in how adults communicate can have lifelong benefits for stress regulation and mental health.

11/06/2025

What can you be grateful for waking up this morning? I'll go first --> a roof over my head, clean water, food to eat, and a coffee machine I couldn't live without. ☕️

Take a moment each morning to sit with the things we often overlook. It will help quiet the noise of not having or being enough.

10/30/2025

Anxiety is one of the most commonly shared mental health illnesses of our time, and it's nothing to be ashamed of. Therapists are no exception and so I've included a few ways to cope with my own when life feels heavy.

10/13/2025

New Blog Post: Taking Off the Armor: A Guide for Strong Women
Learning to Rest

Written by: Britney Wagoner M.S. LGMFT

We all know her. The woman who keeps everything together. She’s the go-to at work, the one who shows up for her family, the friend who always listens and has the right words. She’s
reliable, she’s capable, she’s strong.

But here’s the part most people don’t see:

We all know her. The woman who keeps everything together. She’s the go-to at work, the one who shows up for her family, the friend who always listens and has the right words. She’s reliable, she’s capable, she’s strong. But here’s the part most people don’t see: she’s tired. Behind the...

09/29/2025

Do you ever find yourself:
💭 Overthinking texts and responses
💭 Worrying if you’re “too much”
💭 Feeling anxious when your partner pulls away
💭 Craving closeness but fearing rejection
You’re not alone. ❤️

https://www.healingheartsva.com/store/workbook

09/25/2025

Pouring your heart out for others, hoping someone sees yours too. It’s okay to express your needs as clearly as you express your care.

09/15/2025

New Blog Post: Relational Trauma, More Common Than You Think

Relational Trauma can happen in any family, culture, or upbringing. If you grew up feeling like you had to earn love, constantly meet expectations, or carry the emotional weight of others, relational trauma may be shaping how you show up in the world — even if you’ve never considered yourself “traumatized.”

Some of the deepest wounds come from relationships that were supposed to keep us safe. When caregivers or loved ones leave us feeling unseen, unheard, or unworthy, this can lead to relational trauma. Relational trauma can happen in any family, culture, or upbringing. If you grew up feeling like you

09/04/2025

I’ve been mad at God plenty of times. There, I said it! Maybe you are too. Maybe you’ve prayed without ceasing, cried until your tears ran dry, begged for answers that never came, only to feel nothing but silence in return. Maybe life has blindsided you with heartbreak, loss, grief, or disappointment, and every time you look around, it feels like God is just watching it happen...

I’ve been mad at God plenty of times. There, I said it. Maybe you are too. Maybe you’ve prayed without ceasing, cried until your tears ran dry, begged for answers that never came, only to feel nothing but silence in return. Maybe life has blindsided you with heartbreak, loss, grief, or disappoin...