Healing Trauma

Healing Trauma Dr. Babbel practices as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Online & Teletherapy are is offered for residents in CA.

Individual therapy sessions are available to adults via in-person sessions located at my private San Francisco office or online.

A lot of “not being yourself” isn’t dishonesty—it’s nervous system overload. When you’re activated, you may say yes when...
02/19/2026

A lot of “not being yourself” isn’t dishonesty—it’s nervous system overload. When you’re activated, you may say yes when you mean no, overexplain, shut down, lash out, or abandon what you actually need. That’s not a character flaw. That’s a system trying to protect you.

Try this micro-practice: Name what’s here (one feeling) + locate it (where in your body) + offer it 10% more space (one slower breath). Then ask: “What would I do next if I trusted myself?” Not the perfect answer—just the next honest step.

Authenticity isn’t a personality trait—it’s a relationship. A relationship with your body, your emotions, your “yes” and...
02/17/2026

Authenticity isn’t a personality trait—it’s a relationship. A relationship with your body, your emotions, your “yes” and your “no.” For a lot of us, the hardest part isn’t knowing what we feel…it’s trusting it enough to let it shape our choices.

If you want a simple practice today: pause and ask, “What is my body already communicating?” Notice one sensation (tight, heavy, open, warm). Then ask, “If that sensation could speak in a sentence, what would it say?” You’re not forcing an answer—you’re listening for alignment.

I’ve always loved the idea of a “still, small voice” within—something subtle that doesn’t shout or demand, but whispers....
02/13/2026

I’ve always loved the idea of a “still, small voice” within—something subtle that doesn’t shout or demand, but whispers. And because it’s still and small, it asks for intimacy. It asks me to slow down, soften, and pay attention.

Inner listening starts in the body. It’s the difference between moving through life like a checklist… and moving with presence: breath by breath, sensation by sensation, moment by moment. Over time, that listening deepens. You begin to hear the mind’s narratives more clearly—self-judgment, fear, urgency—and you learn the quiet power of not getting hooked. When you don’t believe every story, things change. What felt fixed begins to move. Compassion becomes possible.

And sometimes, inner listening is practical. It’s the nudge that says “move now,” “pause,” “reach out,” “don’t.” It’s also creative. It’s the whisper of a first line, a new idea, a new way forward.

Lately, what moves me most is this: the next step is often already inside us. Not as a loud instruction—but as a subtle prompt that can only be heard when we relax, receive, and trust what’s holy in our inner experience.

Hope isn’t a mood. It’s a practice.It’s something you nurture when the world feels unstable—when the nervous system is f...
02/12/2026

Hope isn’t a mood. It’s a practice.
It’s something you nurture when the world feels unstable—when the nervous system is flooded, when the headlines keep coming, when your heart feels tender and tired.

For me, nurturing hope doesn’t mean pretending things are fine. It means staying close to what’s real without letting fear become the only organizing principle inside me. It means pausing the noise long enough to remember I have an inner life—an inner compass—something in me that can still sense truth, beauty, and direction.

This is not a call to disengage or “stay positive.” It’s a call to stay resourced. Because when we’re regulated enough to think, feel, and see clearly, we’re less likely to become reactive, numb, or cruel. We can stay open-hearted and effective. We can care and keep our footing.

Nurturing hope might look small today:
one breath, one honest feeling named, one moment of quiet, one step aligned with your values.
Not grand certainty—just a steady inner orientation.

Source inspiration: Sue Mehrtens’ essay “Jung on Having Hope for the Future,” quoting C.G. Jung.

Curiosity is one of the most underrated healing tools.Because the moment you get curious, you stop treating your inner w...
02/07/2026

Curiosity is one of the most underrated healing tools.
Because the moment you get curious, you stop treating your inner world like an enemy. You shift from “I need to get rid of this” to “I can be with this.” And that shift is powerful—especially if you grew up having to hide emotions, perform “fine,” or stay in control to feel safe.

This isn’t about indulging feelings or getting stuck in them. It’s about relating to them differently—so they don’t have to escalate to get your attention.

Try it this week: meet your emotions the way you’d meet a hurting child or a scared animal. Slowly. Softly. With respect.

Comment with one feeling you’re noticing lately (just one word). Let’s practice naming without fixing.

, , , , ,

So many of us were taught that big feelings mean something is wrong—so we rush to analyze, fix, explain, or “get over it...
02/05/2026

So many of us were taught that big feelings mean something is wrong—so we rush to analyze, fix, explain, or “get over it.” But emotions aren’t math problems. They’re experiences.

When you name what’s true without shaming yourself for having it, you create an internal environment where your system can exhale. You might still feel sad. Or anxious. Or angry. But you won’t be alone with it.

If you try this, notice: Does the feeling tighten under judgment… and loosen under kindness?

If this resonates, save it for the next time you feel overwhelmed—and share with someone who tries to “think their way out” of feelings.

, , , , ,

Staying informed doesn’t have to mean staying flooded. Choose a short window, one trusted source, and a clear “after” pr...
01/29/2026

Staying informed doesn’t have to mean staying flooded. Choose a short window, one trusted source, and a clear “after” practice (walk, shower, breathe, call a friend). This is nervous-system hygiene—especially for sensitive people.

And: if you’re directly impacted by what’s happening, you deserve extra care and support. If you’re not directly impacted and you have capacity, consider pairing your pause with a small act of solidarity. The goal isn’t to disengage—it’s to stay present for the long haul.

, , , ,

There are times when the world feels unbearable to witness. If you’re sensitive, empathic, or already carrying grief, yo...
01/28/2026

There are times when the world feels unbearable to witness. If you’re sensitive, empathic, or already carrying grief, your nervous system may register the news as danger—not “information.” That response isn’t weakness; it’s a sign you’re connected.

Taking a break from the news isn’t the same as not caring. It can be a trauma-informed way to stay responsive instead of flooded. If you have capacity, let rest be followed by one small values-based action: check on someone, give to mutual aid, show up locally, or share vetted resources. We don’t need perfect—just sustainable.

, , , ,

Resilience gets misunderstood as pushing harder. But the deepest resilience comes from living in alignment—when your act...
01/24/2026

Resilience gets misunderstood as pushing harder. But the deepest resilience comes from living in alignment—when your actions match your values, your “yes” is cleaner, your “no” is clearer, and your relationships get more honest. That’s authenticity: not a vibe, but a practice.

And self-compassion is what keeps you coming back when you drift. Not with shame. With a steady hand on your back that says, “Start again. One true step.”

, , , ,

Authenticity isn’t something you force—it’s something that emerges when your inner world feels safe. If your default mod...
01/23/2026

Authenticity isn’t something you force—it’s something that emerges when your inner world feels safe. If your default mode is self-criticism, your nervous system stays on alert…and it’s hard to access clarity, vulnerability, or truth. Self-compassion is the foundation that tells your brain and body: you’re not in danger here.

This week, practice “safety first.” Not perfection. Not performance. Just one moment where you meet yourself with kindness—and notice what becomes possible when you do.

, , , ,

Authenticity isn’t oversharing or having the “perfect” boundaries—it’s the quiet practice of not abandoning yourself. So...
01/20/2026

Authenticity isn’t oversharing or having the “perfect” boundaries—it’s the quiet practice of not abandoning yourself. So many of us learned to be acceptable, helpful, easy, high-performing… and we slowly lost the signal of what’s true. Coming back doesn’t happen in one big declaration. It happens in small moments of honesty.

Try this: before you reply to a text, agree to something, or push yourself through—pause and ask, “What would be honest for me in the next 10%?” Maybe it’s a kinder pace. Maybe it’s a clearer no. Maybe it’s admitting you need support. That’s the true self: not loud, not perfect—just real.

Self-compassion isn’t a personality trait—it’s a nervous system skill. It’s what helps you stay with yourself when your ...
01/20/2026

Self-compassion isn’t a personality trait—it’s a nervous system skill. It’s what helps you stay with yourself when your brain wants to criticize, rush, or “fix.” And you don’t need a perfect moment to practice it. The moment you notice you’re overwhelmed is the moment you can soften.

Try this today: one hand on your chest, one slow exhale, and a gentle statement that’s true—“This is hard.” That tiny act of acknowledgement can interrupt shame and bring you back to steady ground. One compassionate moment at a time is how trust with yourself is built.

Address

3727 Buchanan Street
San Francisco, CA
94123

Telephone

+14158786463

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Healing Trauma posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Healing Trauma:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category