top of page
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.
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.
4 days ago2 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
5 Questions to Ask When Setting Boundaries
What happens if I don’t set this boundary?
This helps you assess the cost of staying silent. Will you feel resentful? Burned out? Anxious? Recognizing the impact of not speaking up can give you the courage to do so.
Aug 82 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 52 min read
Why People-Pleasers Struggle with Boundaries
Many people-pleasers grew up in environments where being "good," helpful, or agreeable was how they kept the peace. Saying no or asserting needs may have triggered rejection, punishment, or emotional withdrawal. Over time, this survival-based pattern becomes deeply ingrained—and boundaries start to feel unsafe, selfish, or wrong.
Aug 12 min read
Cultural Perspectives on Trauma Healing
Healing from trauma isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our backgrounds, traditions, and communities shape the way we make meaning from pain—and how we recover from it. Western psychology often focuses on individual healing. But many cultures emphasize collective care, ancestral wisdom, and spiritual practices.
Jul 291 min read
How People-Pleasing Hides in Trauma Responses
What Is the Fawn Response?
It’s a lesser-known trauma response where someone copes by appeasing others to avoid danger, conflict, or rejection. It’s rooted in the belief: If I’m helpful, quiet, and agreeable, I’ll stay safe.
Jul 251 min read
What Recovery from People-Pleasing Really Looks Like
Recovery is full of small wins and hard moments. Sometimes you regress. Sometimes you speak up and feel awful. But over time, you start seeing progress...
Jul 181 min read
Community Support and Healing
You don’t need a huge circle—just a few safe, present people who hold space for your healing. Trauma may have taught you that you had to go it alone. Healing reminds you: you don't.
Jul 151 min read
From Exhausted to Empowered
The journey out wasn’t linear. I fumbled through setting boundaries. I cried after saying no. I wrestled with guilt, fear, and loneliness. But slowly, I started choosing myself—not because I stopped caring about others, but because I started caring about myself too.
Jul 111 min read
The Role of Nutrition in Trauma Recovery
Healing from trauma requires care for both your emotional and physical well-being. While therapy and support are essential, nutrition can also play a surprisingly powerful role in your recovery process. Trauma doesn’t just impact your thoughts—it affects your body, especially your nervous system, immune function, and gut health.
Jul 81 min read
Breaking the Cycle—How to Stop Putting Everyone Else First
For many, putting others first felt like the only safe option. Maybe advocating for yourself led to rejection, conflict, or guilt. But constantly putting yourself last can lead to chronic stress, resentment, and emotional fatigue.
Jul 41 min read
Understanding & Managing Flashbacks
Flashbacks are involuntary, intrusive experiences where past trauma resurfaces in a way that feels like it's happening all over again. For some, it's visual—seeing scenes from a traumatic event. For others, it's more emotional or sensory—smelling something familiar, feeling panic without explanation, or noticing your body stiffen or freeze.
Jul 12 min read
People-Pleasing vs. Healthy Compassion—What’s the Difference?
Many people confuse people-pleasing with compassion. They believe if they’re compassionate, they must say yes, avoid conflict, and always put others first. But healthy compassion looks very different.
Jun 272 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 242 min read
How to Start Setting Boundaries Without Feeling Like a Bad Person
People-pleasing is often a survival strategy—especially for those who grew up in chaotic, unpredictable, or emotionally unsafe environments. You learned that being agreeable and accommodating kept the peace. You learned that saying yes meant staying connected.
Jun 203 min read
bottom of page