Open-hearted therapist and private practice business coach shedding the chains of anxiety in life and in business.
03/09/2026
Sometimes healing starts with a simple (but not easy) shift: giving yourself permission to feel what you’ve been avoiding.
Our newest guest post is live: The Permission–Productivity–Positivity Framework: 3 Stages of Emotional Healing in Recovery by Kyara P. Beck, LPCMH.
In the article, she breaks down healing into 3 stages:
Permission (creating safety to feel)
Productivity (doing the real inner work)
Positivity (authentic, grounded — not toxic positivity)
If you’ve been pushing yourself to “stay positive” while feeling overwhelmed underneath… this will land.
Discover the Permission–Productivity–Positivity framework and practical things to work on in therapy to support emotional healing and long-term recovery.
03/02/2026
New guest blog is live 💙
My Husband Won’t Go to Couples Therapy: What Can I Do
by Kiri Jimerson, LMFT
This is such a tender spot for so many people — wanting support, wanting change, and feeling like you’re carrying the relationship alone.
Kiri explains common reasons husbands resist couples therapy (it’s not always “I don’t care”) and gives 4 real-world steps you can take right now, even if your partner isn’t ready — including how to stop the cycle and invite change without pushing.
If this is you, I hope you feel less alone reading it.
02/23/2026
💙 New guest blog is live on the Strong at the Core blog
“7 Signs You Might Benefit From Therapy for Anxiety”
by Stephanie Mastorio, MSW, LCSW or Real Talk Therapy
I love this article because it speaks to something so many people experience: anxiety doesn’t always look dramatic. It can look like overthinking, tension, sleep issues, always feeling on edge, or feeling exhausted from managing it all alone.
Stephanie shares clear signs to look for + gentle, practical tools to support yourself.
And if it resonates, feel free to share it with someone who may need it. 💙
In reality, therapy for anxiety is often structured, collaborative, and skill-based. Depending on the approach, therapy may include...
02/22/2026
Grab a seat (and your favorite takeout). 🥡
We’re booking the next season of Therapy, Tech, and Takeout! We explore the messy, fascinating intersection of technology and mental health, and we want your voice in the mix.
Are you a researcher, a therapist, or a tech-enthusiast with a story to tell?
👇 Comment GUEST below for more info!
02/01/2026
Somatic therapy can take different forms. It is not just one thing. In my latest blog post I do a deep dive into Brainspotting, a somatic approach that lets the body guide the way. Click on the link below to read the article.
What is Brainspotting? This grounded guide explains how Brainspotting therapy works, what sessions feel like, and who it can help with trauma and anxiety.
01/24/2026
Starting therapy can feel so awkward—like, “Hi, stranger… here are my deepest feelings.” 😅
If you’re feeling nervous about your first session, you’re not alone.
I just published a new blog post that walks you through what to expect, including:
✨ what the first session usually includes (confidentiality + logistics + getting to know you)
✨ what to do if you’re doing telehealth (tech tips + “turn off self-view”)
✨ how much you do and don’t have to share (yes, you can go at your pace)
✨ why fit matters—and how to speak up if something feels off
If your new year's resolution was to start therapy, you might want to know what to expect in your first therapy session. Read on...
11/21/2025
If your heart has been whispering that it’s time for a pause… a deeper breath… or a moment to truly listen to yourself, I want to share something meaningful.
The Opening the Heart Workshop at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health (Jan. 9–11) has been one of the most impactful experiences in both my personal life and my work as a therapist. It offers a quiet space to explore what’s been held inside—grief, tenderness, unanswered questions, or simply the desire to reconnect with the part of you that wants to live more fully.
This isn’t a “fix yourself” kind of retreat. It’s a compassionate, spacious invitation to soften, to notice, and to be held in a community of people doing their own inner work.
If you’re longing for:
✨ A sense of meaning returning to your work or relationships
✨ A deeper understanding of yourself
✨ A safe place to tend to the feelings you haven’t had room to process
✨ A reset for your heart as you step into a new year
…this workshop might be exactly what you need.
You can read the full description at the link, and if you’ve been wondering whether something like this could support you, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to share my experience or help you figure out if it’s a good fit.
Find, Feel, and Release EmotionsThe Opening the Heart (OTH) philosophy sees true health holistically and uses an approach that includes the mind, body, and spirit. Positive change in a community where compassion thrives has been the key hallmark of the OTH workshop for almost five decades. Through a...
11/17/2025
Have you tried Google Ads but it didn't work for you? Hard truth. It's not Google Ads it's you. I know because it happened to me. Everything changed when I worked with Jamie. And I'm really bad at keeping secrets so I'm sharing him with you.
I teamed up with Jamie Reutershan of .marketing to talk all things digital marketing for therapists in this webinar.
If you want the link to this interview comment "SHARE" below and I will get it to you.
11/11/2025
Episode #10: Understanding Modern Masculinity: The Impact of Technology and Social Media on Young Men
💬 Ever wonder how social media shapes masculinity?
🤔 This week on the podcast, we dive deep into the impact of tech on our boys and how it can both harm and heal.
NEW EPISODE DROPS ON THURSDAY, 11/13
✨ Social media not only influences how boys see themselves but can also offer community and connection.
What are your thoughts on this? How do you think we can foster healthier spaces for our boys? Let’s talk!
10/23/2025
10/17/2025
There is a trend right now of people posting their "betrayal" list online. It is all tongue-in-cheek and seems like it is all in good fun. But I'm not doing it. I'm starting a Loyalty List Here's why...
1. I'm a trauma therapist. Look up who started the trend.
2. I'm a trauma therapist. I want to talk about and promote safety and trust.
3. I'm a trauma therapist and law of attraction nerd. Even tongue-in-cheek negativity attracts more negativity. I want to focus on the things I love so I can get more things I love in my life.
4. I'm a trauma therapist. I try to lead with an open heart so I can create a safe space for the people who need it the most.
09/24/2025
I'm excited to announce the soft launch of our Podcast: Therapy, Tech & Takeout!
Therapy, Tech & Takeout is a refreshing, boundary-blurring podcast that brings together the fast-paced, innovation-driven world of technology with the grounded, human-centric approach of mental health. Co-hosted by a tech entrepreneur with a sharp wit, honed on the stand-up stage, and a seasoned therapist, who mixes compassion with bold truths-and knows how to cut through the noise, this podcast offers a unique blend of humor, insight, and practical advice.
Episodes will drop every Thursday. Our first official episode will be out Thursday, Oct. 2nd.
Please take a listen, share and follow on your favorite place to listen to your podcasts. We are on YouTube, iTunes and Spotify. Here is a link to Spotify to check us out. We would love your feedback, too!
Podcast · Jackie Toale and Toni Teixeira · Therapy, Tech & Takeout is a refreshing, boundary-blurring podcast that brings together the fast-paced, innovation-driven world of technology with the grounded, human-centric approach of mental health. Co-hosted by a tech entrepreneur with a sharp wit, ho...
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We all live with pain. We lose. We hurt. We grieve. We suffer. I am just like you. I have not lived this life unscathed.
In my journey, I have realized there is so little we actually have control over. We twist the thoughts and worry over and over in our minds as if we can change something if we hold tight to our thoughts. In some ways, it’s all we got.
That very tight grip, that twisting of thoughts over and over, is actually doing more harm than good. It causes us to suffer even more. It sends us under the covers or into the refrigerator looking for comfort. It sends us into arms of the wrong person or into a “safe” job. It limits us, our choices, and our freedom to be who we want to be.
We become unhappy and hate everything about ourselves and our lives. We blame the stuff that is happening around us and to us. We crave perfect order, but are paralyzed to move forward. We feel like we have no control and have been hijacked by our thoughts and our heart-pounding, shaky-all-over, panicky, sick-to-the-stomach feeling in our body.
I have learned that bad stuff is going to happen no matter what and that I can still move forward in my life. It is possible to feel soothed, less scared, less panicky and like you can have a future where you are not constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. The work begins with opening up the heart and taking careful steps to be present with your heart, your thoughts, your feelings and all parts of the self.
I am so very glad you are here and hope you will visit and share.
Note: Please be mindful that although I am a therapist what I share here is for educational purposes only, and does not constitute therapeutic services.
Like our page and visit our website (www.strongatthecore.com) and start working on changing your life today!
