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Journey to Healing:
Trauma • People-Pleasing • Relationships • Dissociation
Healing from trauma isn’t easy—but you don’t have to figure it out alone. This blog is a safe place to explore what it really means to recover from childhood wounds, break free from people-pleasing, and navigate the ups and downs of relationships after trauma.
As a trauma therapist serving women in North Dakota and Minnesota, I share insights, tools, and real-talk guidance about topics like:
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Understanding the effects of trauma on the nervous system and relationships
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Finding freedom from anxiety, guilt, and shame
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Supporting healing if you live with dissociation or Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
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Practical strategies to set boundaries, care for yourself, and move forward
Whether you’re searching for hope, wanting to understand yourself better, or curious about therapy, you’re in the right place. Healing is possible—let’s take this journey together.
Why I Wrote Permission to Heal
That’s why I wrote Permission to Heal.
Not as a textbook. Not as a pep talk. But as a soft landing place for the woman who’s tired of holding everything together, tired of blaming herself, tired of repeating the same survival responses she no longer wants or needs.
Dec 27, 20253 min read
Holiday Anxiety Is Real
The holidays are painted as magical, joyful, cozy, and warm. But for so many people—especially women who people-please, who carry trauma, or who live with chronic anxiety.
Dec 20, 20254 min read
Why You Dissociate More During the Holidays
Dissociation is an automatic survival mechanism. Your brain uses it when it senses overwhelm, emotional threat, shame, or danger… even if the danger is in the past.
Nov 28, 20254 min read
The Hidden Ways Childhood Trauma Follows You Into Adulthood
You might not remember chaos, but your body does. It remembers the tone of voice that made you flinch, the silence that meant danger, the moment you realized being good kept you safe.
Oct 31, 20252 min read
Saying No Is an Act of Self-Compassion: Here’s Why
If saying “no” makes you anxious, guilty, or afraid, you’re not alone. Many women have been conditioned to prioritize others at the expense of their own well-being. But here’s the truth: saying no is one of the most compassionate things you can do for yourself.
Oct 11, 20251 min read
The Science of Why Boundaries Help You Heal Faster
...here’s the truth: boundaries aren’t just about keeping things out. They’re about creating the safety your mind and body need to heal. And there’s actual science behind it.
Sep 19, 20253 min read
Why Saying No is an Act of Self-Compassion
Saying “no” isn’t selfish — it’s self-respect in action. And it’s one of the most powerful ways to practice self-compassion.
Sep 16, 20252 min read
5 Signs You’re Ready for Permission-Based Healing
permission-based healing might be the fresh start you need. This approach invites you to give yourself grace, rest, and freedom to heal at your own pace — without guilt or pressure.
Sep 12, 20252 min read
How to Find the Right Therapist (Even If It's Overwhelming)
Therapy costs and payment methods vary widely. Some therapists accept insurance; others are private pay only. Think about what works best for your budget and comfort around privacy (private pay often means more confidentiality). Don’t hesitate to ask upfront about fees, sliding scales, and insurance acceptance.
Aug 29, 20252 min read
How to Feel Safe Saying How You Really Feel
Feeling unsafe to express your feelings is often rooted in past experiences. Maybe you were told to “stop being so sensitive,” or that your emotions made others uncomfortable. These messages become internalized beliefs that speaking up will lead to rejection or harm.
Aug 15, 20252 min read
Trauma & the Workplace: How Unresolved Wounds Show UP on the Job
These aren’t personality flaws. They’re coping mechanisms that may have once protected you—especially if you experienced emotional neglect, high-conflict homes, or environments where safety, approval, or worth were conditional.
Aug 5, 20252 min read
Parenting After Trauma: Breaking Cycles and Building Connection
If you’re a trauma survivor raising children, you may feel the weight of wanting to do things differently—wanting to break generational cycles, show up with more patience, and build a safe and nurturing environment for your child. And yet, old wounds can sneak in. Your nervous system may feel constantly on high alert. You may second-guess yourself often. You may feel overwhelmed by your child’s emotions—especially if you were never taught how to handle your own.
Jun 24, 20252 min read
How People-Pleasing Shows Up in Relationships
People-pleasing isn’t about being nice—it’s about survival. Many of us learned to prioritize others’ emotions as a way to feel safe, accepted, or loved. But when that pattern becomes automatic, it can lead to resentment, burnout, and a loss of connection with your own needs.
May 25, 20252 min read
5 Subtle Signs You Might Be a People-Pleaser
These patterns were likely learned, not chosen—and that means they can be unlearned too. Healing from people-pleasing isn’t about becoming selfish or cold—it’s about coming back to yourself with love, boundaries, and a voice that’s finally heard.
May 18, 20253 min read
Why People-Pleasing Isn’t Just ‘Being Nice’—It’s a Trauma Response
One of the most important truths I want you to hear is this: You are not broken. Your people-pleasing isn’t a flaw—it’s a brilliant protective strategy that helped you survive. But patterns that kept us safe in the past can hold us back in the present.
Healing begins when we can approach these parts of ourselves with compassion. We can start learning that our needs matter too. That saying “no” doesn’t make us selfish. That we are allowed to take up space, have boundaries, & p
May 11, 20252 min read
Why Relationships Feel Hard When You Have a History of Trauma
When you've been hurt in the past, especially by people you trusted, it changes the way you view the world. Trauma can plant deep-seated beliefs like, “I’m not safe,” “I can’t trust anyone,” or “I’m not good enough.” Even when you consciously know a relationship is safe, your nervous system might still stay on high alert, scanning for signs of danger.
It’s not about being "too sensitive" or "overreacting." It's your brain and body doing their best to protect you based on p
May 6, 20252 min read
Debunking Common Myths About Dissociation
The truth is, dissociation is a natural response to overwhelming stress or trauma, and many people experience it to some degree.
Apr 29, 20252 min read
How Dissociation Shows Up in Romantic Relationships
This isn’t your fault. Your brain is doing what it was wired to do, but healing is possible.
Apr 25, 20253 min read
Triggers in Relationships: Why You're Not Overreacting
It’s not just about what’s happening right now; it’s about everything that moment reminds your nervous system of.
Apr 18, 20252 min read
The Invisible Struggles: Living With Relationship Trauma
It doesn’t always leave visible scars, yet it can shape how you see yourself, how you connect with others, & how safe you feel in the world.
Apr 11, 20254 min read
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