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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.
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.
19 hours ago2 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 312 min read
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.
Oct 252 min read
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.
Oct 181 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 111 min read
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.
Oct 42 min read
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.
Sep 302 min read
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.
Sep 262 min read
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.
Sep 232 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 193 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 162 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 122 min read
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.
Sep 92 min read
What Healing Truly Means
Healing isn’t a finish line. It’s a permission slip — one you write for yourself — to live in a way that honors your needs, your story, and your pace.
Sep 52 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 292 min read
Self-Compassion for the People Pleaser
People-pleasing often grows from childhood environments where love and approval were earned—not freely given. You may have learned to anticipate others’ emotions, walk on eggshells, or silence your own needs in order to avoid conflict or maintain connection.
Aug 262 min read
Quieting the Inner Critic: A Trauma-Informed Approach
When we internalize these messages, we carry them forward—not because we want to, but because at one point, they helped us stay safe or avoid conflict.
Aug 222 min read
How People-Pleasing Shows Up in the Body
Ignoring these bodily signals can worsen both physical and emotional health. Recognizing how people-pleasing manifests physically is the first step to healing. Learning to listen to your body and respond with self-compassion is crucial.
Aug 191 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 152 min read
The Science of Trauma: How it Shapes the Brain, Body, and Behavior
Trauma can lead to a dysregulated nervous system, where we either become hypervigilant (anxious, on edge) or hypo-aroused (numb, shut down). These aren’t signs of weakness. They’re your body’s way of keeping you safe.
Aug 122 min read
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