When it comes to healing from trauma, many people feel an overwhelming urge to “fix” themselves and get through it. The initial reaction is often to do more—to read every book, attend every workshop, and analyze every moment of their past in an effort to move beyond it. While education and active self-reflection have their place in making sense of what happened, one of the most underrated aspects of healing is the exact opposite: resting, doing less, and slowing down.

Individuation is the process of integrating all parts of yourself—your strengths and struggles, your conscious choices and unconscious patterns—into a cohesive, authentic identity. Jung believed that true psychological growth isn’t about “fixing” ourselves but about understanding and embracing all aspects of who we are. This means acknowledging both the light and shadow parts of ourselves, rather than rejecting or suppressing what feels inconvenient or uncomfortable. Individuation isn’t about becoming perfect; it’s about becoming whole.

Spiritual bypassing describes the tendency to use spiritual ideas or practices as an escape hatch from difficult emotions and unresolved wounds. Instead of addressing pain, grief, anger, or fear head-on, spiritual bypassing slaps a shiny, mystical band-aid over it and calls it “growth.” On the surface, it seems like healing. But underneath? Those emotions don’t go away—they just go underground, where they can quietly shape our patterns, relationships, and self-perceptions in ways we don’t even realize.

Anger isn’t inherently bad or negative—it’s a natural and necessary emotion. It signals to us that something important is happening, that a boundary has been crossed, that we feel unheard, unseen, or unjustly treated. Anger carries wisdom, but we can only access it if we slow down and get curious rather than react impulsively.

Confidence and competence are closely related but distinct concepts. Confidence refers to the belief in one’s abilities or the self-assurance to take action, regardless of the actual level of skill or knowledge. It is an internal state that can make a person appear poised and convincing, even when their expertise may be limited. On the other hand, competence is the actual ability, skill, or knowledge to effectively perform a task or understand a subject.

Therapy is a powerful tool, but it’s not magic. It’s a space to explore, understand, and practice new perspectives. The real magic happens when you take what you learn and bring it into your life. So, if you’re feeling stuck or wondering why change isn’t happening fast enough, know this: you’re doing it right. Growth takes time, and the small steps you take outside of therapy are the ones that lead to the biggest transformations.

Complex or developmental trauma is a type of trauma that occurs over a prolonged period of time, often in childhood, and involves repeated exposure to harmful events. This can include physical, emotional, verbal or sexual abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence. These types of difficulties and neglectful experiences disrupt natural development and make us adapt to our environment by creating strategies for survival. In a sense, we learn who we need to be in order to survive in our families of origin.

Depth and insight-oriented therapy offers a powerful pathway to self-discovery, enabling clients to delve into the layers of their experiences, beliefs, and conditioning. This approach emphasizes overcoming the influences of our past—family dynamics, cultural expectations, and early life experiences—that subtly shape our behaviors and perceptions in the present moment.

When was the last time you decided to try something for the first time, something you’ve never done before? What is the internal narrative that follows your desire - is it supportive and encouraging, or does something in you decides you shouldn’t even try, because “what’s the point?” If you notice that discouraging voice leading the show most of the time, you might be experiencing learned helplessness.

While TikTok and Instagram have opened up valuable conversations around mental health, they cannot replace the depth, structure, and safety that therapy offers. Mental health is complex, and it requires professional attention and individualized care. Relying on social media influencers for advice on issues as serious as trauma, anxiety, or depression can be dangerous and ineffective in the long run.

Post-traumatic growth refers to the positive psychological changes that can occur in individuals who have experienced a traumatic event. It involves the development of new perspectives, increased appreciation for life, and a deeper sense of purpose and meaning. While not everyone who experiences trauma will experience post-traumatic growth, it's a testament to the human spirit's incredible capacity for resilience.