Danielle Dively, Psy.D.

01/22/2026

01/16/2026

Polyvagal Theory and Mental Health:

Understanding Your Nervous System

The Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, offers a profound understanding of how our autonomic nervous system influences our mental health, emotional regulation, and social engagement. It moves beyond the traditional "fight or flight" response, introducing a more nuanced view of our nervous system's three main pathways and their impact on our well-being.

The Three Neural Pathways:

* Ventral Vagal Complex (VVC): This is our most evolved pathway, associated with feelings of safety, connection, and social engagement. When our VVC is active, we feel calm, present, and capable of forming meaningful relationships. It's
the state where healing and growth occur.

* Sympathetic Nervous System: This pathway is responsible for our "fight or flight" response. When activated, it mobilizes us for action, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness. While essential for survival in dangerous situations, chronic sympathetic activation can lead to anxiety, panic, and stress-related disorders.

* Dorsal Vagal Complex (DVC): The most ancient pathway, the DVC is associated with immobilization, shutdown, and dissociation. This "freeze" response is a last resort when fight or flight is not possible, leading to feelings of numbness, hopelessness, and extreme withdrawal. It's often seen in trauma survivors.
How Polyvagal Theory Informs Mental Health

Treatment:

Polyvagal-informed therapies aim to help individuals regulate their nervous system by understanding and intentionally shifting between these states. The goal is to enhance the ventral vagal state, fostering resilience, emotional regulation, and a greater capacity for connection.

Here are some key aspects of polyvagal treatment:

* Mapping Your Nervous System: Therapists help clients identify their typical responses to stress and safety, understanding which neural pathways are most active in different situations.

* Co-regulation: Learning to engage in safe and supportive relationships that help regulate the nervous system of others, and in turn, our own.

* Neuroception: Understanding how our nervous system unconsciously assesses safety or danger in the environment, even before our conscious mind registers it.

* Vagal Toning Exercises: Practices designed to strengthen the vagal nerve, which is crucial for regulating the VVC. These can include:

* Deep, slow breathing: Particularly diaphragmatic breathing.

* Humming or singing: The vibrations stimulate the vagus nerve.

* Cold exposure: Splashing cold water on the face or short cold showers.

* Mindful movement: Yoga, walking, and other gentle exercises.

* Social connection: Engaging in positive and supportive interactions.
Benefits of Polyvagal-Informed Treatment:

* Improved Emotional Regulation: Greater capacity to manage stress, anxiety, and overwhelming emotions.

* Enhanced Social Engagement: Increased ability to connect with others and build healthier relationships.

* Reduced Symptoms of Trauma: Helping individuals move out of chronic fight, flight, or freeze states.

* Increased Resilience: Developing a stronger ability to bounce back from adversity.

* Greater Sense of Safety and Calm: Cultivating an internal state of peace and well-being.

Who Can Benefit?

Polyvagal-informed approaches can be beneficial for individuals experiencing:

* Anxiety and Panic Disorders
* PTSD and Trauma
* Depression
* Chronic Stress
* Relationship Issues
* Autism Spectrum Disorder

Understanding the Polyvagal Theory empowers us to work with our nervous system rather than against it, leading to profound shifts in mental health and overall well-being.

01/16/2026

As a clinical psychologist who's favorite animal and activity involves horses (horses are my therapy), I have always dreamed of providing equine assisted psychotherapy(EAP). Any clinicians out there providing this service? For those of you who are unfamiliar with EAP I thought I would share some information below.

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a specialized form of experiential therapy that incorporates horses into the therapeutic process to address mental health and emotional needs. Unlike traditional "talk therapy," EAP often takes place in an arena or pasture rather than an office, emphasizing non-verbal communication and physical interaction.

1. How the Therapy Works

EAP is built on the principle that horses are highly intuitive, social animals. Because horses are prey animals, they are hyper-aware of their environment and the emotional states of those around them.

* Mirroring: Horses often reflect the internal state of the person they are with. If a client is anxious but trying to appear calm, the horse may become restless. This provides immediate, "honest" feedback that a therapist can use to help the client recognize their own emotions.

* Ground-Based Activities: Most modern EAP models (such as the Eagala model) are strictly ground-based. Clients do not ride the horses; instead, they participate in activities like:

* Grooming and Leading: Building trust and rapport.

* Obstacle Courses: Using the horse to navigate a "maze" that represents a real-life challenge (e.g., "getting through the work week").

* Observing Herd Behavior: Discussing how the horses interact to understand social dynamics and boundaries.

2. Key Benefits and Targeted Conditions
EAP is particularly effective for individuals who may feel stuck or resistant in traditional office
settings.

| Benefit | How it is achieved |

| Emotional Regulation | Learning to stay calm and focused so the horse remains calm. |

| Building Trust | Developing a bond with a 1,000-pound animal that has no "agenda." |

| Self-Awareness | Recognizing how body language and "energy" affect others. |

| Assertiveness | Learning to lead a large animal without being aggressive or passive. |

Commonly Treated Conditions:

* Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
* Anxiety and Depression
* Substance Use Disorders
* At-risk youth behavioral issues
* Eating Disorders

3. The Professional Team

EAP is not just "hanging out with horses." A legitimate session typically requires a collaborative team of three "partners":

* Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP): Manages the psychological treatment plan and processes the client’s emotions.

* Equine Specialist (ES): Focuses on the horse's behavior, safety, and physical needs.

* The Horse(s): Acts as a co-facilitator, providing the experiential feedback.

4. Leading Models & Certification
If you are looking into this professionally or for treatment, two major organizations set the global standards:

* Eagala (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association): Focuses on a team-based, ground-only approach. It is strictly for mental health and personal growth.

* PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship): A broader organization that includes therapeutic riding (for physical disabilities) as well as mental health services.

A Note on Science: While many participants report life-changing breakthroughs, EAP is still an "emerging" field in clinical research. Most studies show positive trends in reducing cortisol (stress) and increasing oxytocin (bonding), but researchers continue to call for more large-scale, standardized clinical trials to fully validate its long-term efficacy compared to other treatments.

01/14/2026

Today is a perfect day to pause and check in with the most important person in your life: you.
In the rush of productivity and the noise of our daily feeds, it’s easy to treat our minds like machines that just need more fuel. But mental health isn't about "fixing" yourself; it's about nurturing your inner landscape.

🌿 The Power of the "Micro-Break"

We often think self-care requires a spa day or a week off. In reality, mental resilience is built in the small, quiet moments. These "micro-breaks" help regulate your nervous system and prevent burnout before it starts.

* The 5-4-3-2-1 Technique: If you feel overwhelmed, ground yourself. Acknowledge 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste.

* The "No-Screen" Morning: Give your brain 15 minutes of peace before inviting the rest of the world (and its opinions) in through your phone.

* Permission to Pivot: If a task is draining you, give yourself permission to step away for five minutes. You aren't "quitting"; you're recalibrating.

💡 Changing the Narrative

The way we speak to ourselves matters. We are often our own harshest critics, using language we would never use with a friend.

| Instead of saying... | Try saying... |

| "I'm failing at this." | "I'm learning a new skill, and it takes time." |

| "I should be doing more." | "I am doing enough, and my rest is productive." |

| "Why am I so anxious?" | "My body is trying to protect me; I am safe right now." |

✨ A Gentle Reminder
Healing is not linear. Some days will feel like a leap forward, and others might feel like a crawl. Both are valid. Your worth is not tied to your productivity, your mood, or your "usefulness" to others. You are valuable simply because you exist.

"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." — Martin Luther King Jr.

Reach Out

If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that reaching out is a sign of immense strength, not weakness. Whether it’s a friend, a professional, or a helpline, you don't have to carry the weight alone.

01/13/2026

Trauma is a word we hear often, but it is frequently misunderstood. At its core, trauma isn't just about a specific event—it’s about how your nervous system processed (or couldn't process) that event.
Here is an educational breakdown of what trauma is, how it affects the body, and what the path to healing looks like.

🧠 What is Trauma?

Trauma is an emotional and physiological response to an event that is deeply distressing or disturbing. It occurs when a person's internal resources are overwhelmed by an external threat.

The Three "E's" of Trauma:

* The Event: A single incident (car accident), a series of events (prolonged abuse), or a set of circumstances (neglect).

* The Experience: How the individual perceives the event. Two people can go through the same event, but only one may experience it as traumatic.

* The Effects: The long-term impact on physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.

⚡ The Body’s "Smoke Alarm"

When we face a threat, our brain’s amygdala (the alarm system) takes over, triggering the Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn response.

In a healthy system, once the threat passes, the body returns to a state of "rest and digest."

However, with trauma, the alarm can get stuck in the "ON" position. This can lead to:

* Hypervigilance: Always being on the lookout for danger.

* Emotional Flooding: Feeling sudden, intense waves of anxiety or anger.

* Dissociation: Feeling "spaced out" or disconnected from your body.

🛠️ Common Misconceptions
| Myth | Fact |

| Trauma is only caused by violence. | Trauma can be "Small-t" (loss of a job, a breakup) or "Big-T" (natural disasters, war). |

| You should be "over it" by now. | Trauma is stored in the body's nervous system; it doesn't have an expiration date. |

| It's all in your head. | Trauma causes physical changes in the brain and can lead to chronic physical pain. |

🌱 Steps Toward Healing

Healing from trauma isn't about "forgetting" what happened. It’s about teaching your nervous system that it is safe in the present moment.

* Grounding: Using the five senses to stay anchored in the "now."

* Professional Support: Therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) or Somatic Experiencing focus on how trauma is stored in the body.

* Self-Compassion: Recognizing that your reactions are "normal responses to abnormal situations."

Reminder: You don't have to carry the weight of your past alone. Reaching out is a sign of immense strength, not weakness.

01/12/2026

The Magic of the "Right Now" 🌿

It’s easy to get caught up in the "what-ifs" of tomorrow or the "if-onlys" of yesterday. But the truth is, life isn't happening in your memories or your to-do list—it’s happening in the breath you’re taking right now.

Present orientation isn't about ignoring the future; it's about realizing that the best way to take care of the future is to be fully alive in the present. When we practice mindfulness, we stop "time-traveling" and start experiencing.
Why the Present Moment Matters

* Reduced Anxiety: Most worries are about things that haven't happened yet. Staying present keeps your mind where your body is—in a safe, manageable space.

* Richer Experiences: You can’t fully taste your coffee or hear a friend’s laughter if your mind is already at next Monday’s meeting.

* Better Clarity: When you aren't cluttered by past regrets, you can make more intentional, grounded decisions.

A 30-Second Grounding Exercise

If you feel your mind drifting, try the 3-2-1

Technique:

* Acknowledge 3 things you see (the light on the wall, a plant, your own hands).

* Acknowledge 2 things you feel (the chair beneath you, the fabric of your shirt).

* Acknowledge 1 thing you hear (the hum of a fan, birds outside).

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

Give yourself permission to just be. You don't always have to be "becoming" or "achieving." Sometimes, just "being" is the most productive thing you can do.

01/11/2026

Understanding the Spectrum: A Deeper Look at Autism

When we talk about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is common to hear the word "spectrum." However, many people visualize this as a linear scale—ranging from "not very autistic" to "very autistic." In reality, the spectrum works more like a color wheel or a dashboard of traits. Each individual has a unique combination of strengths and challenges across various domains.

Understanding autism through a mental health lens helps us move away from "fixing" a person and toward accommodating a different way of processing the world.

Key Areas of Neurodivergent Experience
Autism is a developmental condition that affects how a brain communicates and processes information. Here are three primary areas where autistic individuals often experience the world differently:

* Social Communication: This isn't just about being "shy." It involves processing social cues, body language, and the "unwritten rules" of conversation. For many, communication is very literal, and sarcasm or vague instructions can be confusing.

* Sensory Processing: The autistic brain often has a higher (or lower) sensitivity to environmental stimuli. A flickering fluorescent light or a distant humming refrigerator that others ignore might feel physically painful or overwhelming to someone on the spectrum.

* Executive Functioning: This refers to the brain's "management system." It can affect the ability to start tasks, transition between activities, or organize thoughts. This is why routine and predictability are often vital for emotional regulation.

The Impact of "Masking" on Mental Health
One of the most important topics in modern autism advocacy is masking. Masking is a social survival strategy where autistic individuals consciously or unconsciously suppress their natural traits (like repetitive movements, known as "stimming") to appear neurotypical.

Why it matters: While masking can help someone navigate a job interview or a party, it is incredibly exhausting. Chronic masking is strongly linked to autistic burnout, anxiety, and depression. Creating environments where people feel safe to be their authentic selves is a crucial step in supporting neurodivergent mental health.

How to Be an Effective Ally
Supporting the autistic community starts with neuro-affirmative thinking—viewing autism as a natural variation in the human genome rather than a deficit.

* Be Explicit: Avoid hints or "reading between the lines." Clear, direct communication reduces anxiety.

* Respect Sensory Needs: If someone needs to wear noise-canceling headphones or avoid eye contact to focus, understand that these are tools for regulation, not signs of rudeness.

* Listen to Autistic Voices: The best way to learn about the autistic experience is to read books, watch videos, or follow creators who are actually autistic.

​

01/09/2026

Understanding Bipolar Disorder: Beyond the "Mood Swing"

Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood as simple moodiness or being "flaky." In reality, it is a complex biological brain disorder that causes intense shifts in energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

The Two Poles of Experience

Bipolar disorder is characterized by two distinct emotional states: Mania (or Hypomania) and Depression.

| The High: Mania | The Low: Depression |

| Feeling "wired," euphoric, or extremely irritable. | Feeling "empty," hopeless, or incredibly sad. |

| Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired. | Excessive sleep or inability to sleep at all. |

| Racing thoughts and talking very fast. | Low energy and "slowing down" physically. |

| Increased risky behavior (spending, impulsivity). | Loss of interest in almost all activities. |

| Feeling overly powerful or "on top of the world." | Difficulty concentrating or making simple decisions. |

Key Facts to Remember

* It’s Not a Choice: You cannot "snap out of" a manic or depressive episode. These shifts are driven by brain chemistry and genetics.

* The "Middle Ground": Many people with bipolar disorder experience periods of euthymia—relatively stable moods where they feel like themselves.

* Spectrum of Types:

* Bipolar I: Defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days or are severe enough to require hospital care.

* Bipolar II: Defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes (less severe than full mania).

* Cyclothymic Disorder: More frequent but less severe mood shifts.

How to Support Someone (or Yourself)

"Stability is a journey, not a destination." If you or someone you love is navigating bipolar disorder, keep these pillars of management in mind:

* Professional Care: Medication and psychotherapy (like CBT or IPSRT) are the gold standards for treatment.

* Routine is Medicine: Keeping a consistent sleep schedule is one of the most effective ways to stabilize mood.

* Mood Tracking: Using an app or journal to track daily moods can help identify triggers before an episode becomes severe.

* Grace and Patience: Recovery involves setbacks. Healing isn't linear, but it is possible.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you aren't alone. Reach out to a mental health professional or a crisis hotline.

01/08/2026

🧠 Mental Health vs. Mental Illness: What’s the Difference?

We often use these terms interchangeably, but they aren't actually the same thing. Understanding the difference is the first step toward better self-care and supporting those around us.

1. Everyone has "Mental Health"
Just like physical health, everyone has mental health. It is your overall state of well-being—how you handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.

* Good Mental Health: Feeling capable, resilient, and connected.

* Poor Mental Health: Feeling overwhelmed, depleted, or "burned out," even without a medical diagnosis.

2. Not everyone has a "Mental Illness"
A mental illness is a diagnosable condition (like Depression, Anxiety, or PTSD) that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, or behavior for a sustained period.

The Key Takeaway: You can have "poor mental health" without having a clinical illness. Conversely, someone living with a mental illness can still have "good mental health" by managing their symptoms and maintaining a strong support system.

🚦 The "Mental Health Traffic Light" Check-in
Use this quick guide to see where you are today:

* 🟢 Green (Thriving): I’m sleeping well, feeling productive, and handling daily stressors with ease.

* 🟡 Yellow (Struggling): I’m feeling irritable, tired, or "on edge." I might be withdrawing from friends. Action: It’s time to prioritize rest and boundaries.

* 🔴 Red (Crisis/Burnout): I feel hopeless, overwhelmed, or unable to function. Action: It’s time to reach out to a professional or a trusted support person.

🛠 3 Small Ways to Boost Your Mental Health Today

* The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique: If you feel anxious, name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you can taste.

* Digital Detox: Set a timer and put your phone in another room for just 20 minutes.

* The "One Win" Rule: On hard days, pick just one small thing to accomplish (like making the bed or drinking a glass of water) and celebrate it.

💚 Remember: Seeking help is a sign of strength, not a lack of it. You don't have to wait until you are in the "red" to talk to someone.