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Misty Slopes

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:

Understanding the effects of trauma on the nervous system and relationships
Finding freedom from anxiety, guilt, and shame
Supporting healing if you live with dissociation or Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
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.

Silhouetted woman in striped dress lounges on chair by large window, casting bright light. A plant and decor on the side create a calm mood.

Silhouetted woman in striped dress lounges on chair by large window, casting bright light. A plant and decor on the side create a calm mood.

Dissociation Explained: Why Your Mind Leaves When Things Feel Too Much

Dissociation is not a conscious choice. It’s an automatic response. Often, dissociation develops in childhood when a child cannot leave a situation and cannot change it. The body learns that staying present is too costly, so it finds another way to survive.

Trauma Complexities

4 days ago2 min read

Person with hands grasping hair, head down, appearing frustrated. Monochrome setting, dark clothing, and plain background.

Person with hands grasping hair, head down, appearing frustrated. Monochrome setting, dark clothing, and plain background.

How Childhood Trauma Shows Up in Adulthood (In Ways You Might Not Expect)

Trauma is not defined by the severity of an event. It’s defined by the impact on the nervous system.

Trauma Complexities

Jan 102 min read

Notepad titled "New Year Resolutions" on dark wood. Blank checklist with a pen. Bright lighting creates a reflective surface.

Notepad titled "New Year Resolutions" on dark wood. Blank checklist with a pen. Bright lighting creates a reflective surface.

Why New Year’s Resolutions Can Be Triggering for Trauma Survivors

Trauma changes the way the nervous system responds to pressure, expectation, and evaluation. Even when those expectations are self-imposed, your body may interpret them as threat. The nervous system doesn’t distinguish between “helpful motivation” and past experiences of being pushed, judged, or unsafe. It simply reacts.

Trauma Complexities

Jan 72 min read

Book titled "Permission to Heal" is shown against a black-and-white geometric backdrop. A potted plant and an arch-shaped object are nearby.

Book titled "Permission to Heal" is shown against a black-and-white geometric backdrop. A potted plant and an arch-shaped object are nearby.

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.

Permission-Based Healing

Dec 27, 20253 min read

Hanging ornaments with red, gold, and silver tones sparkle against blurred festive lights, creating a warm, holiday atmosphere.

Hanging ornaments with red, gold, and silver tones sparkle against blurred festive lights, creating a warm, holiday atmosphere.

Why the Holidays Feel So Hard When You Have Trauma

The holiday season is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” right? But for trauma survivors — especially those healing childhood trauma, relational trauma, religious trauma, or people-pleasing patterns — this season can bring up everything but joy.

Trauma Complexities

Dec 13, 20254 min read

Small snow-covered pine tree with blurred warm white lights in the background, creating a peaceful winter scene.

Small snow-covered pine tree with blurred warm white lights in the background, creating a peaceful winter scene.

DID and the Holiday Season

The holiday season can be complicated for anyone healing from trauma — but for individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), this time of year can bring unique challenges.

Trauma Complexities

Dec 5, 20254 min read

A cup of frothy coffee on a wooden table with red berries, yarn, and a star ornament, creating a cozy, festive mood.

A cup of frothy coffee on a wooden table with red berries, yarn, and a star ornament, creating a cozy, festive mood.

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.

Trauma Complexities

Nov 28, 20254 min read

A woman's hand touches a rain-specked glass, her face partially visible behind it. The mood is contemplative and serene.

A woman's hand touches a rain-specked glass, her face partially visible behind it. The mood is contemplative and serene.

Reclaiming Your Body’s Wisdom After Trauma

Your body records everything — sensations, emotions, memories. When trauma floods your system, the nervous system tries to protect you by dulling those signals. That’s why survivors often say, “I feel nothing,” or “I can’t tell what I need.”

Trauma Complexities

Nov 21, 20252 min read

Close-up of a person's eye with sunlight casting a shadow. Green iris and detailed skin texture, creating an intense, focused mood.

Close-up of a person's eye with sunlight casting a shadow. Green iris and detailed skin texture, creating an intense, focused mood.

What Integration Really Means in Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

People often think integration means merging parts into one neat personality. It’s not .Integration means connection — internal cooperation instead of chaos. It’s when your parts can communicate, share memory, and trust one another without fear.

Trauma Complexities

Nov 14, 20252 min read

Close-up of a person holding a newborn wrapped in a white blanket with colorful footprints. Intimate, warm setting.

Close-up of a person holding a newborn wrapped in a white blanket with colorful footprints. Intimate, warm setting.

Birthing Trauma: When a “Normal” Birth Still Hurts Your Nervous System

Birth trauma isn’t limited to catastrophic emergencies. It happens any time you felt powerless, unheard, or unsafe while giving birth — even if the medical chart says everything went smoothly.

Trauma Complexities

Nov 7, 20252 min read

Blurred image of a foot in a blue shoe amidst green grass and scattered yellow leaves, creating a dreamy, ethereal effect.

Blurred image of a foot in a blue shoe amidst green grass and scattered yellow leaves, creating a dreamy, ethereal effect.

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.

Trauma Complexities

Oct 31, 20252 min read

Fence with "Sorry" graffiti and daisies, under a large tree. Shadows cast on sidewalk; pink building in background. Quiet urban scene. You apologize excessively.

Fence with "Sorry" graffiti and daisies, under a large tree. Shadows cast on sidewalk; pink building in background. Quiet urban scene. You apologize excessively.

3 Signs You’re Trapped in People-Pleasing and Don’t Even Know It

People-pleasing is sneaky. It creeps into your life so subtly that you may not even realize how deeply it affects your mental, emotional, and even physical health. The good news? Once you notice the patterns, you can begin to break free.

Breaking Free From People-Pleasing

Oct 25, 20252 min read

Woman with long hair touches her face, stands near frosted glass and white curtain. Warm lighting, introspective mood. giving herself permission.

Woman with long hair touches her face, stands near frosted glass and white curtain. Warm lighting, introspective mood. giving herself permission.

5 Ways to Give Yourself Permission to Heal Right Now

You don’t have to wait for a therapist, a perfect schedule, or the “right moment” to start your healing journey. Permission-based healing is about choosing to prioritize yourself — today.

Trauma Complexities

Oct 18, 20251 min read

Hands cradling a yellow daisy flower on a blurred background, conveying a sense of care and tranquility. Representing healing.

Hands cradling a yellow daisy flower on a blurred background, conveying a sense of care and tranquility. Representing healing.

Permission to Heal: Why You Don't Have to Earn Your Recovery

Use Permission-Based Affirmations: Statements like “I am allowed to heal at my pace” or “I do not need anyone else’s approval to take care of myself” help retrain your brain and nervous system to support your recovery.

Permission-Based Healing

Oct 4, 20252 min read

Woman in a field holding a large framed mirror. Cloudy sky reflected. Wearing a light dress. Calm, contemplative expression.

Woman in a field holding a large framed mirror. Cloudy sky reflected. Wearing a light dress. Calm, contemplative expression.

How to Rebuild Self-Trust After Trauma

Trauma disrupts your sense of safety — not just externally but inside your own body and mind. When the world feels unpredictable or unsafe, your brain goes into survival mode.

Trauma Complexities

Sep 30, 20252 min read

Person lies in bed under white bedding, holding black glasses. A pillow covers their face, creating a sense of rest or hiding.

Person lies in bed under white bedding, holding black glasses. A pillow covers their face, creating a sense of rest or hiding.

How to Rest Without Feeling Guilty

But shifting your mindset around rest takes practice — and permission. Permission-based healing means you get to define your own pace and needs, no guilt attached.

Trauma Complexities

Sep 26, 20252 min read

Orange cat sleeping in a fluffy white bed, one paw hanging over the edge. Peaceful and cozy mood with a plain background.

Orange cat sleeping in a fluffy white bed, one paw hanging over the edge. Peaceful and cozy mood with a plain background.

Why Rest is a Vital Part of Permission-Based Healing

Rest isn’t laziness. Rest isn’t selfish. Rest is medicine. And in permission-based healing, it’s not just allowed—it’s essential.

Permission-Based Healing

Sep 23, 20252 min read

Transparent white 3D brain model on a black background, showing intricate neural patterns and textures, with a scientific mood.

Transparent white 3D brain model on a black background, showing intricate neural patterns and textures, with a scientific mood.

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.

Permission-Based Healing

Sep 19, 20253 min read

Person holding a brown leather backpack, wearing a blazer, gray pants, and brown boots, stands on metal grating. Gray wall background.

Person holding a brown leather backpack, wearing a blazer, gray pants, and brown boots, stands on metal grating. Gray wall background.

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.

Trauma Complexities

Sep 12, 20252 min read

Person in sunglasses and "ALLOWED" shirt smiles amid a crowd. Background features blurred people in casual wear. Bright, outdoorsy vibe.

Person in sunglasses and "ALLOWED" shirt smiles amid a crowd. Background features blurred people in casual wear. Bright, outdoorsy vibe.

What Is Permission-Based Healing and Why It Changes Everything

Permission-based healing means giving yourself explicit permission to heal on your own terms — in your own time, your own way. It’s about letting go of external expectations, timelines, and pressure to “fix” yourself quickly or perfectly.

Trauma Complexities

Sep 9, 20252 min read

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