Laura Merritt, LCSW

11/08/2025

03/10/2025

Repressing emotions may feel like control, but real freedom comes from facing what you feel.

We’ve all been there—pushing emotions aside, thinking we’re keeping things “under control.” It’s easier to suppress what feels uncomfortable, what feels heavy. But here’s the truth: true freedom doesn’t come from avoiding emotions; it comes from having the courage to face them head-on.

When we repress, we’re not actually controlling anything. We’re simply building walls around our true selves, keeping us trapped in patterns of avoidance. Freedom comes from vulnerability. It comes from allowing yourself to feel without judgment, to sit with discomfort, and to let emotions flow instead of bottling them up.

By feeling, we allow ourselves to heal. We reclaim our power. When we stop running from our emotions, we can finally make room for peace, clarity, and growth.

So, ask yourself: What emotions am I avoiding? How can I start facing them with compassion and curiosity?

03/03/2025

Growth is in your nature.

I know this for a fact—growth isn't something you need to force. It’s already within you, waiting for the right conditions to thrive.

The question isn’t if you can grow, but what path, perspective, or movement will nourish that direction. Maybe it’s the mindset shift you've been avoiding, letting go of old beliefs that no longer serve you. Or maybe it’s allowing yourself the space to just be, rather than constantly pushing. It could even be in the way you move your body, tapping into the flow that helps you release the tension holding you back.

It’s not about doing more or being more—it's about finding the things that make you feel supported and aligned with who you really are. Growth happens when we stop fighting it and start nurturing it.

So, today—what’s one shift, however small, that you can make to align with your own growth? Maybe it’s simply acknowledging that you deserve to take up space, or letting go of one thing that’s been draining you.

02/25/2025

Healing doesn’t happen by pushing through, ignoring, or avoiding discomfort. It happens by listening—really listening—to what your body is telling you.

When we avoid or push through tough emotions and sensations, we’re only delaying the healing process. The body doesn’t forget. It holds onto what we don’t address. Instead of running from the discomfort, we need to learn to tolerate it.

Tolerating discomfort means allowing ourselves to feel what we feel without judgment. It’s not about “fixing” anything, but about creating space for the body to express what it needs. When we can stay present with the discomfort, the body begins to process, release, and allows you to make a decision in alignment with what matters to you now.

This is where real transformation happens—not by avoiding or pushing through, but by embracing the uncomfortable. Your body is trying to guide you. Tune in, listen, and allow the healing to unfold and feel home in your body again.

02/17/2025

The Five Things Technique: A Simple Hack to Stop Overthinking & Find Calm

Ever get stuck in your head, spiraling with anxious thoughts, or feeling totally disconnected? The Five Things Technique is a powerful grounding practice that can pull you back into the present moment fast. Whether you're overwhelmed, stressed, or zoning out, this exercise helps reset your nervous system and remind your brain: You’re safe. You’re here. You can breathe.

Here’s how to do it:

🔹 Look for 5 Things You Can See – Pick out colors, textures, or details you’d normally overlook. The more specific, the better!

🔹 Listen for 4 Things You Can Hear – Notice background sounds—birds, cars, a fan, even your own breath. This helps anchor you in your surroundings.

🔹 Feel 3 Things You Can Touch – Run your fingers over your clothing, touch a table top or hold onto something solid like a mug or a stone.

🔹 Smell 2 Things Around You – Take a deep breath and notice any scents—coffee, fresh air, or even your laundry detergent. If you can’t smell anything, grab a candle or essential oil.

🔹 Taste 1 Thing – Sip a drink, chew gum, or just notice any lingering taste in your mouth.

Why does this work? Your brain can’t be in panic mode about the future and fully engaged with your senses at the same time. By tuning into what’s real right now, in your immediate environment, you interrupt stress patterns and create a sense of safety in your body.

Save this for later and try it next time you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or dissociated.

02/11/2025

Rebelling with intention is not about creating chaos—it’s about taking the time to slow down and reconnect with what matters most to you.

In a world that moves fast, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of doing more, being more, and pushing harder. But true rebellion? It’s about refusing to live in a way that doesn’t align with your deepest values and purpose.

When you rebel with intention, you’re not running from something. You’re standing up for yourself, reveling in your aligned purpose—the things that truly matter. It’s about slowing down to listen, reflect, and take action that is deeply connected to who you are and what you stand for.

This kind of rebellion is a revolution of the heart. It’s about honoring your inner truth, making space for what nourishes you, and choosing to create a life that is meaningful and true to your soul.

So, ask yourself: What matters most to you right now? What’s the action you need to take to move towards it, even if it feels like an act of rebellion against the noise and pressure around you? Take that step. Rebel with purpose, and revel in your power.

02/04/2025

Signs You Might Be in Functional Freeze

Functional freeze is a nervous system response where you feel stuck in some areas but you're still able to go through daily life. Unlike fight-or-flight, which gears you up for action, functional freeze keeps you in a state of slowing down, disconnection, and overwhelm with limited capacity.

🔹 Chronic Exhaustion – No matter how much you rest, you still feel drained. When your nervous system is stuck in survival mode, your body burns through energy, making deep rest feel impossible.

🔹 Lack of Motivation – Tasks that once felt easy now seem overwhelming. Even enjoyable activities require effort because your body is conserving energy for survival, not engagement.

🔹 Loss of Interest – You feel detached from hobbies, relationships, or passions. This emotional numbness is a defense mechanism, keeping you from fully engaging when your system senses danger.

🔹 Poor Concentration – Focusing, remembering details, or following through on tasks feels harder than usual. Your brain may be stuck in hyper-vigilance or dissociation, making it difficult to think clearly.

🔹 Losing Time – You often zone out, miss details, or feel disconnected from time. This dissociative response is your nervous system’s way of shielding you from overwhelming stress.

If this sounds familiar, know that functional freeze isn’t permanent—you can learn to regulate your nervous system and reconnect with yourself.
Have you experienced functional freeze?

12/14/2024

Not your average gift guide! 🎁✨ The holidays are the perfect time to think about how we can support the healing journeys of those we care about—and ourselves!

In my view, healing in the modern world is all about blending science-backed products with the ancient practices that have stood the test of time. Therapy is great, but sometimes we need the perfect product to support us along the way.

In my newsletter this week, I’ll be sharing my Top 10 Favorite Gifts to give someone (or yourself!) who could use a little extra support on their healing path. From tools to relieve stress to items that promote better sleep and even supports in your psy!chedelic journey - these gifts are a thoughtful way to nurture mind, body, and soul. 🌿💖

💌 Sign up now to get the full list straight to your inbox this week!

11/15/2024

🌟 In the midst of turmoil, a moment of stillness can be your greatest friend.

When the world feels chaotic, taking a breath and grounding yourself can create a powerful shift. It's easy to get swept away by the noise, the news, and the drama that surrounds us. But in those moments, remember that you hold the power to pause.

✨ Why Stillness Matters:

Taking a pause allows you to reconnect with yourself and your body.
When you step back, you gain perspective on the situation.
Regular moments of quiet can build your capacity to handle stress and uncertainty.

Ultimately, this is what we need, to have the ability to tolerate stress and navigate it without collapsing and giving up or going into a fight unnecessarily.

Spend a few minutes observing your thoughts without judgment. Let them pass like clouds in the sky.

Notice your heart rate, your breath, are you hot or cold? Sweating?

Disconnect: Set aside your devices for a moment. Let the noise fade and the stillness fill your space.
In these tumultuous times, choosing stillness is not just a self-care practice; it's an act of rebellion against the chaos. Make it a daily ritual, and you’ll find strength in the calm.

🔗 Interested in more tools for navigating uncertainty? Sign up for my newsletter for insights and practices that help you cultivate peace in your life.

11/13/2024

Ever wonder why certain arguments go from zero to sixty or why you shut down or leave during conflict?

Understanding your trauma responses—Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn—can make all the difference in your relationship dynamics. When you recognize these patterns and understand the reason behind them, you can create a new dynamic in your relationships.

Swipe through to see how each response might look in a conflict. Awareness is just the first step. For quick tools to help you navigate these moments, join my newsletter for regular insights, or check out my mini-course for 3 practical strategies to manage emotions in real-life situations.

11/08/2024

Traditional therapy is valuable but often incomplete when it comes to trauma. Traditional therapy programs don't teach the unique elements of specialty treatment for trauma healing. What many therapists don't get is that trauma not only lives in the mind and body but it colors our daily life, and is often intertwined with our cultural and spiritual identity.

If these dimensions aren’t acknowledged, you might think therapy doesn't work but, that isn't the case.

Traditional therapy can sometimes feel disconnected or even repetitive and mundane. It often misses the vital cultural, spiritual, and ancestral influences that are deeply woven into both our wounds and our healing

Swipe through to see why working with a trauma specialist with a holistic approach that includes mind, body, and spirit, matters.

Ready for tools that work beyond the therapy office? Join my newsletter for practical tips, or explore my mini-course.

11/06/2024

Trauma isn’t just a mental experience; it’s deeply physical too.

1. Racing Heart
When your heart races, it’s not just your imagination. This response is rooted in your nervous system activating the fight-or-flight response. Your body releases adrenaline and cortisol, preparing you to either confront a threat or flee from it. While this response can be helpful in real danger, when triggered by past trauma, it can leave you feeling constantly on edge.

2. Muscle Tension
Ever notice tightness in your shoulders or jaw? This tension is a direct result of your body bracing itself against perceived threats. It’s an instinctive protective mechanism that, over time, can lead to chronic discomfort and pain.

3. Foggy Mind
That mental fog can feel frustrating and disorienting. This occurs when your brain is in survival mode, prioritizing immediate danger over cognitive clarity. This fog isn’t a reflection of your intelligence or capability, but rather your body’s way of trying to cope with overwhelming information.

4. Honoring Your Experience
These symptoms are not just "in your head." They’re signals from your body that deserve attention. By recognizing them, you can begin to reclaim your sense of safety and well-being.

Want to Learn More?
Join my newsletter for practical tools and insights on navigating your trauma responses. Let’s power-up your healing journey!

👉 Understanding your body’s responses is a crucial step toward healing. You are not alone in this journey.