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- How Ho‘oponopono Helps Release Emotional Patterns You Didn’t Know You Were Holding
Written by Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar, Award-Winning Board-Certified Clinical Hypnotists | Board-Certified Coaches Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar are international bestselling authors and globally respected mentors in business, life, and relationship success. As the founders of Blissvana, a premier personal development and success studio, they have dedicated their lives to empowering others. Their proven coaching methodologies have consistently delivered exceptional results across all areas of life, from personal growth to professional achievement. Most people don’t realize they are carrying emotional patterns. They simply assume certain reactions are part of who they are. Irritation shows up quickly in familiar situations. Guilt surfaces without a clear reason. Resentment lingers even after conversations are resolved. Over time, these responses begin to feel normal, even inevitable. We often hear people say things like, “That’s just how I am,” or “I’ve always reacted this way.” Yet when we look more closely, these reactions are rarely rooted in the present moment. They are echoes of emotional experiences that were never fully processed, resolved or released. They live quietly beneath awareness, influencing behavior long after the original situation has passed. What makes this particularly frustrating is that many people experiencing these patterns have already done significant inner work. They have reflected, processed, and gained insight. They understand their history. And yet the emotional charge remains. This is where Ho‘oponopono, when understood and used correctly, becomes especially powerful. Not as a mantra or a spiritual shortcut, but as a practical way to release emotional residue that insight alone does not dissolve. What Ho‘oponopono actually addresses Ho‘oponopono comes from Hawaiian tradition and is often translated as “to make right” or “to restore balance.” In modern usage, it is frequently simplified into a set of phrases repeated without much understanding of what they are meant to do. At its heart, Ho‘oponopono addresses emotional responsibility rather than emotional analysis. It works with the idea that unresolved emotional experiences remain active within us until they are consciously released. These experiences may come from childhood, relationships, family dynamics, or even situations we barely remember, yet their emotional imprint continues to shape how we respond. Ho‘oponopono does not ask you to revisit the past in detail. It does not require you to justify emotions or explain them away. Instead, it creates a direct pathway to release emotional charge without needing to relive the original event. Why emotional patterns persist even after insight Insight is often mistaken for resolution. Understanding why something happened can be deeply relieving, but it does not always remove the emotional imprint. We see this frequently in practice. Someone understands that their defensiveness developed as a way to protect themselves from criticism early in life. That awareness brings compassion, yet the defensiveness still appears during disagreements. Another person realizes their guilt comes from family expectations rather than actual wrongdoing, yet the feeling remains whenever they prioritize themselves. This happens because emotional patterns are stored somatically and neurologically, not just cognitively. The nervous system learns emotional responses through repetition, and those responses continue until they are gently unlearned. Ho‘oponopono works at this level by allowing the emotional system to disengage from old patterns without requiring constant mental effort. Responsibility without blame: A crucial distinction One reason people hesitate to use Ho‘oponopono is misunderstanding the word “responsibility.” Many worry it implies fault or self-blame, especially in situations where they were clearly hurt by others. In Ho‘oponopono, responsibility does not mean saying, “This is my fault.” It means saying, “This emotional experience exists within me now, and I have the ability to release it.” This distinction changes everything. Blame keeps emotions stuck. Responsibility restores agency. When you stop arguing with the origin of the emotion and instead focus on releasing its charge, healing becomes possible without denial or minimization. Where Ho‘oponopono makes a practical difference in everyday life In relationships, Ho‘oponopono is often helpful when emotional reactions persist even after issues are discussed. A couple may communicate openly, yet one partner continues to feel resentment or irritation. The conversation resolves the logic of the issue, but not the emotional residue. Ho‘oponopono allows the emotional charge to release independently of the other person’s behavior. In professional life, people often carry emotional responses tied to authority, recognition, or self-worth. Someone may feel undervalued at work even when feedback is positive. Another may hesitate to assert themselves despite competence. These reactions often stem from older emotional imprints rather than current circumstances. Ho‘oponopono helps clear the internal response so decisions can be made from clarity rather than reaction. Guilt is another area where Ho‘oponopono proves effective. Many people have forgiven themselves intellectually but still carry emotional guilt that influences choices. Ho‘oponopono offers a way to release that emotional weight without revisiting the story repeatedly. How Ho‘oponopono works in practice In practice, Ho‘oponopono is not about creating a particular emotional state. It is about interrupting an internal emotional loop and allowing it to complete. Most emotional patterns persist because they are resisted, justified, or repeatedly analyzed. Ho‘oponopono takes a different approach. It allows the emotional charge to be acknowledged without argument. When an emotional reaction arises, whether irritation, guilt, sadness, or resentment, the instinctive response is often to explain it, suppress it, or direct it outward. Ho‘oponopono shifts attention inward, not to blame yourself, but to recognize that the emotional experience is active within you in that moment. This recognition alone begins to soften the charge. The phrases traditionally associated with Ho‘oponopono function more as emotional permissions than affirmations. They signal to the nervous system that it is safe to release what it has been holding. Over time, this repeated acknowledgment teaches the system that it no longer needs to remain alert or defensive around the pattern. What makes Ho‘oponopono especially practical is that it does not require special conditions. It can be used quietly, internally, and in real time. In moments of emotional activation, it offers a way to respond without escalating the experience or suppressing it. This allows emotional reactions to resolve rather than recycle. With consistent use, people often notice that emotional triggers lose their intensity. Situations that once provoked strong reactions begin to feel neutral. The change is not dramatic, but it is stable. The nervous system learns a new response, and emotional freedom becomes a lived experience rather than a temporary insight. Common pitfalls that reduce its effectiveness One common mistake is using Ho‘oponopono to suppress emotion rather than release it. When the practice is used to bypass discomfort, the underlying pattern remains intact. Another issue is expecting immediate transformation. Emotional patterns formed over years rarely dissolve in a single moment. Ho‘oponopono works cumulatively. Each sincere repetition loosens the emotional grip slightly. It is also important to recognize that Ho‘oponopono is not meant to replace all other forms of healing. It is most effective when used alongside awareness, reflection, and integration into daily life. Integrating Ho‘oponopono into daily experience Ho‘oponopono fits naturally into everyday moments. It can be practiced quietly when irritation arises, when self-criticism surfaces, or when emotional discomfort feels disproportionate to the situation. Rather than analyzing the emotion, the practice allows you to acknowledge it and release it without resistance. Over time, these small moments accumulate, and emotional reactivity softens. The power of Ho‘oponopono lies in consistency, not intensity. Practiced gently, it becomes a way of relating to emotional experiences with responsibility and compassion rather than judgment. When Ho‘oponopono is most effective Ho‘oponopono is most effective in situations where emotional reactions feel repetitive, persistent, or disproportionate to what is happening in the present moment. These are often signs that the emotional response is rooted in older experiences rather than current reality. It is particularly helpful when insight already exists, but emotional responses have not changed. Many people reach a point where they understand their patterns intellectually, yet still find themselves reacting in familiar ways. Ho‘oponopono supports the release of emotional charge at the level where understanding alone does not reach. The practice is also effective when communication has resolved the external issue, but internal tension remains. For example, a conversation may bring clarity, yet irritation or resentment lingers. Ho‘oponopono allows that emotional residue to clear without requiring further discussion or explanation. Ho‘oponopono can be especially useful during periods of stress, fatigue, or transition, when old patterns are more likely to resurface. In these moments, the nervous system seeks familiarity. Ho‘oponopono offers a way to respond with responsibility rather than reaction, helping prevent emotional regression during challenging times. It is important to note that Ho‘oponopono works best as a complement to awareness and integration, not as a replacement for them. It is not intended to bypass emotion or avoid necessary conversations. Instead, it supports emotional release so that insight can be lived more fully and choices can be made from clarity rather than emotional residue. A practical path to emotional freedom Ho‘oponopono does not promise instant peace or emotional perfection. What it offers is something more realistic: a way to release emotional patterns gradually, without force, blame, or endless analysis. By taking responsibility for emotional experiences without self-judgment, it becomes possible to create space where clarity and calm can return naturally. If you feel a resonance with this way of growing, consider it an invitation to continue the journey with greater intention and support. Connect with Kapil and Rupali If this article has opened something within you, trust that feeling. It is simply your inner self asking for a little more space to breathe and a little more compassion as you grow into a new chapter of your life. You may also enjoy our Color and Affirm book series . These books blend soothing illustrations with simple affirmations to encourage self-love, calm, and creativity. They make thoughtful gifts for anyone seeking peace or personal reflection. At Blissvana, we believe every person is an artist of their own life. Our programs and sessions are designed to help you shape your inner world with intention, clarity, and love. If you feel called to explore this work more deeply, we invite you to join us for a gentle, no-pressure conversation where we can explore what your next step may be . Say yes to your healing. Say yes to your awakening. Say yes to the life your soul has been waiting to live. Follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and visit our website for more info! Read more from Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar, Award-Winning Board-Certified Clinical Hypnotists | Board-Certified Coaches Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar are international bestselling authors and globally respected mentors in business, life, and relationship success. As the founders of Blissvana, a premier personal development and success studio, they have dedicated their lives to empowering others. Their proven coaching methodologies have consistently delivered exceptional results across all areas of life, from personal growth to professional achievement. With a unique blend of clinical hypnosis, coaching, and holistic personal development, Kapil and Rupali have transformed the lives of thousands worldwide. Their signature programs are designed to help individuals unlock their fullest potential, overcome limiting beliefs, and achieve sustainable success in every facet of life. Through Blissvana, they offer workshops, retreats, and one-on-one coaching that provide their clients with the tools and strategies to thrive in today’s complex, fast-paced world.
- Emotional Intelligence Assessment in Leadership Succession Management
Written by Daniela Aneva, Executive and Team Coach Daniela Aneva is widely recognized for helping leaders and teams perform at their best. She’s an executive and team coach, an OD consultant, and a small business owner, known for practical, people-centered work that drives real behavior change and measurable results. Emotional intelligence (EI) has quietly become one of the biggest swing factors in leadership succession, and one of the most mishandled. Most organizations say they want "emotionally intelligent leaders," but succession decisions still lean heavily on performance history, technical credibility, and executive presence optics. This creates a predictable failure pattern, you promote the strongest operator, then discover, late, that their emotional impact breaks trust, drives attrition, or destabilizes culture at scale. If succession is a risk-management discipline (and it is), EI assessment cannot be a vibe check. It needs to be measured with the same seriousness as financial acumen or strategic thinking, using fit-for-purpose tools, triangulated data, and clean governance. The evidence base is clear, EI can be assessed reliably when we stop pretending one measure can do everything and start matching the method to the purpose. Why EI is succession-critical Succession is not about selecting the "best person today." It is about selecting a leader who can perform under increased complexity, ambiguity, visibility, and relational load. As leaders move up, the work becomes less about individual execution and more about influencing without authority, setting the emotional tone across systems, navigating conflict and politics without combusting, making high-stakes decisions while regulated, building commitment across diverse stakeholders, and absorbing volatility without transmitting it downward. These are emotional demands before they are strategic demands. That is why EI often functions as a threshold competency in senior roles, you can be brilliant, but if you cannot regulate, read the room, and manage emotional dynamics, you become a reputational and operational risk. The EI trap in succession: Confidence gets mistaken for competence A common succession failure mode is confusing "high confidence and high visibility" with "high emotional capability." Many popular EI instruments are self-report measures, and self-reported EI often behaves less like intelligence and more like self-belief, motivation, and personality alignment. In corporate reality, that matters because confident leaders are often rewarded early, especially in cultures that prize speed, certainty, and charisma. So, if your succession process relies on self-ratings (or informal "EQ impressions"), you are structurally selecting for self-presentation skill, not emotional skill. You are also increasing the odds of derailment in the first 12-18 months after promotion, when role pressure, stakeholder scrutiny, and system resistance spike. What to measure: An EI capability profile for leaders Before you measure, clarify what you are measuring. EI is not one monolithic trait. Succession assessment should focus on the facets that most strongly predict leadership effectiveness at higher levels: Emotion perception: accurately reading stakeholders, teams, politics, and cultural signals. Emotion understanding: interpreting emotional patterns (what is driving resistance, fear, disengagement, or escalation). Self-regulation: staying effective under stress, pressure, public scrutiny, and setbacks. Other-regulation: de-escalation, motivation, restoring trust, and climate-setting. Attention regulation: not getting hijacked by ego, noise, provocation, or reactivity. This keeps EI assessment anchored to business outcomes, execution through people, sustainable performance, and cultural stability. The three-method model: Assess EI correctly in succession The state of the art in EI measurement in workplace settings can be organized around three methods, self-report, ability testing, and observer (360) report. Each has strengths and weaknesses. Succession-grade practice uses them intentionally, not interchangeably. 1. Self-report EI: Useful for development, not for selection What it tells you: how the candidate sees themselves, their confidence, and identity around emotional effectiveness. Where it fits: succession development and coaching, early diagnostic conversations, career decision-making. Where it fails: high-stakes selection decisions. Self-report is fast and scalable. It can also be useful for surfacing how a candidate narrates their leadership impact. However, two realities are hard to ignore. First, people are often not calibrated about their own emotional skill because they do not get direct, systematic feedback on EI the way they do on technical competence. Second, self-report is vulnerable to "fake good" when stakes exist. In succession management, stakes always exist, formally or informally. That means self-report EI should be treated like a mirror, not a scorecard. The value is in gaps, where self-view diverges from other evidence. Those gaps can reveal blind spots (overconfidence) and hidden opportunities (underconfidence). Smart practice: Use self-report to set a baseline, then compare it to ability and 360 data to identify self-awareness gaps that become the core of a development plan. 2. Ability-tested EI: The defensible signal for promotion decisions What it tells you: capability under structured demand, the candidate's maximum performance on emotion-relevant tasks. Where it fits: promotion decisions, external hiring into leadership, succession readiness validation. Primary advantage: better separation from personality and social desirability, far less gameable. Ability testing treats EI as a form of intelligence, performance-based tasks scored against criteria rather than agreement with statements. This approach is generally better at distinguishing EI from personality and social desirability, and high scores are harder to fake upward. Ability testing does come with governance considerations. It is typically more time-intensive and can be costlier than surveys. There are also legitimate scoring debates about what constitutes the "right answer" in emotionally complex scenarios (expert scoring, consensus scoring, or theory-based scoring). Finally, cultural fairness must be addressed in global organizations because emotional expression, interpretation, and "effective" regulation can vary by context. Still, in succession management, you do not need a perfect test. You need a better signal than politics and impression management. Used appropriately, ability testing improves defensibility and reduces the risk of promoting someone who looks good but cannot perform emotionally under pressure. Smart practice: Use ability testing as a core data point for promotion readiness, especially for roles where the cost of failure is high (enterprise leadership, turnaround, or high change load positions). 3. Observer (360) EI: the truth about impact and day-to-day leadership What it tells you: how the person lands over time, daily-average emotional behavior in real context. Where it fits: internal succession pipelines, readiness planning, targeted development, role-fit conversations. Primary advantage: captures real-world behavior and the interpersonal facets that tests struggle to simulate. Observer-rated EI is underused in succession, and that is a miss. Succession is ultimately about trust economics, who can mobilize people, build followership, and stabilize the system under pressure. Peers, direct reports, and cross-functional partners are often the best early-warning system because they see patterns, not one-off performances. However, the method has risks. 360 ratings can be influenced by halo effects and liking, as well as bias related to identity and cultural norms. They can also be manipulated if confidentiality is weak or if raters collude or retaliate. Smart practice: Use a well-designed 360 process with strong confidentiality, multiple rater groups, and behaviorally anchored items. Treat results as developmental and diagnostic, not as a standalone promotion gate. Triangulation: The succession-grade standard If you want EI assessment that can stand up inside succession, triangulate. Each method measures something different: Self-report: intention, self-belief, motivation, identity. Ability test: capability under test conditions (maximum performance). Observer report: real-world impact over time (typical performance). The highest value comes from the pattern across sources: High ability and low observer ratings: capability not translating into behavior, likely stress reactivity, political friction, or inconsistent application. High observer ratings and low ability: strong relational instincts, but potential limits in complex emotional reasoning, may struggle at higher scale. High self-rating and low ability/observer: classic blind spot risk, requires coaching and feedback integration before promotion. Low self-rating and high ability/observer: underconfidence, candidate may be overlooked, coaching can unlock readiness. This is where succession becomes strategic, you are not just selecting winners, you are building readiness with precision. Operationalizing EI assessment in succession To make this real in an organization: Define the EI success profile by level. Mid-level leadership and executive leadership are different jobs with different emotional demands. Standardize the measurement stack. For high-potential pools, consider a consistent bundle: self-report, ability test, and 360, scaled by role risk. Build governance. Establish clear rules for privacy, rater confidentiality, and what data is used for development versus selection. Train assessors and panel members. Avoid "EQ theater," where charm is mistaken for regulation and empathy language is mistaken for empathy behavior. Translate data into behavior change. Convert findings into measurable shifts, conflict responses, feedback behavior, escalation patterns, tone-setting, and repair after rupture. The ROI: Fewer succession failures, stronger culture, faster readiness EI assessment in succession is not about being "nice." It is about building a leadership bench that can execute strategy without burning the system. When you assess EI with rigor, using the right tools for the right purpose, you reduce derailment risk, improve retention of high performers, and strengthen culture as a competitive advantage. If your succession process is built on performance history alone, you are managing yesterday's success. If it includes a scientifically grounded EI assessment, you are managing tomorrow's leadership reality. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Daniela Aneva Daniela Aneva, Executive and Team Coach Daniela Aneva is an international executive and team coach, coaching supervisor, professional speaker, and author. With over 25 years of executive experience in multinational organizations, Daniela has supported the growth of more than 5,000 leaders and teams across the globe. She is a council member at Forbes, a mentor at Rice University’s Doerr Institute, and has co-authored books with Brian Tracy, Jonathan Passmore, and contributed to Team of Teams by Peter Hawkins and Catherine Carr.
- Why Trauma-Informed Awareness Matters More Than We Think
Written by Andrea Byers, Holistic Wellness Practitioner Andrea Byers is an award-winning holistic wellness expert, Air Force veteran, and chronic illness warrior dedicated to redefining well-being through personalized care. As the founder of Chronic & Iconic Coaching, she empowers individuals to reclaim balance, purpose, and health through mindset, movement, and transformative coaching. “That’s not my experience.” It’s a phrase I hear often. Sometimes it’s said honestly. Sometimes defensively. Sometimes it’s used, intentionally or not, to shut a conversation down. While the statement itself may be true, the impact can still cause harm. Your experience being different does not make someone else’s experience wrong. When we forget that, we risk dismissing realities that don’t mirror our own. Trauma is not about what happened, it’s about what the body learned in response. Two people can live through similar circumstances and walk away with completely different outcomes, not because one is stronger, but because their nervous systems, support systems, and sense of safety were different. When someone says, “That didn’t affect me like that,” what they are often really saying is that their capacity, context, or support allowed them to process it differently. That difference is not a moral victory, it is simply the context of their lived experience. Too often, that gets weaponized. The phrase becomes harmful when it turns into dismissal. When it sounds like, “You should be over this by now,” “That wasn’t a big deal,” or “I went through worse, and I’m fine.” These responses don’t build resilience. They reinforce silence. And silence is where trauma stays lodged the longest. People stop explaining. They stop asking for support. They stop trusting that their reality will be respected. Instead, they learn to carry it quietly while continuing to function. From the outside, everything looks fine. On the inside, they are managing stress responses that never fully turn off. When we label these behaviors without understanding their origin, we don’t create accountability, we create shame. Shame doesn’t lead to change. It leads to the deeper need for protection. Trauma-informed awareness asks different questions. Not “What’s wrong with you?” but “What happened?” and “What do you need now?” It recognizes that people adapt to their environments, and that those adaptations don’t disappear just because circumstances improve. Behavior is often a response, not a personality flaw. Over-functioning, shutdown, hyper-independence, anger, and avoidance are not random traits. They are learned survival strategies, developed when safety was inconsistent, support was limited, or emotional needs went unmet. When we label them without understanding their origin, we miss the opportunity for meaningful and sustainable change. This awareness matters everywhere, leadership, coaching, healthcare, parenting, and relationships. Trauma-informed spaces do not reduce expectations. They create safety, which allows people to actually meet them. When individuals feel understood instead of judged, they stop performing strength. They stop bracing for criticism. They engage more fully. Growth becomes sustainable instead of forced. You don’t have to share someone’s experience to respect it. You can say, “That wasn’t my experience, but I respect that it was yours.” That single sentence can change the entire direction of a conversation. It tells someone they don’t have to justify their pain. It tells them their reality is allowed to exist. The goal isn’t to determine whose experience is the most right. The goal is to stop causing harm by insisting that everyone should respond the same way. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do isn’t explaining your own experience, it’s making room for someone else’s. Healing doesn’t require agreement. It requires safety. If this resonated, my book Trauma Bonded explores how trauma shapes our relationships, identity, and survival patterns, and how to begin breaking those cycles with clarity and self-trust. Available now on Amazon . Grab your copy and start reclaiming your story. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Andrea Byers Andrea Byers, Holistic Wellness Practitioner Andrea Byers is an award-winning holistic wellness expert, transformation coach, and decorated Air Force veteran with over two decades of experience in healthcare and integrative wellness. As the founder of Chronic & Iconic Coaching, she empowers individuals, especially those navigating chronic illness or burnout, to reclaim their health, purpose, and personal power through mindset, movement, and radical self-leadership. Known for her bold voice and compassionate approach, Andrea is a fierce advocate for sustainable healing, unapologetic self-worth, and whole-person wellness.
- Why the Electric Nature of Your Body Could Be the Key to True Healing
Written by Aniko Fisch, Holistic Healing Practitioner Aniko is the founder of Within, an integrative healing practice dedicated to helping individuals heal through gentle, noninvasive therapies and empowering education. She is a certified Spinal Flow practitioner, Face Up practitioner, BodyTalk practitioner, nutrition and mindful eating coach, and facilitator of Theraphi, a cutting-edge healing technology. What if your body isn’t just mechanical or chemical, but fundamentally electric? This article explores how understanding our energetic and plasma-based nature opens the door to powerful new healing methods that restore balance, activate self-repair, and align with the body’s true blueprint. We are electric: Understanding our true nature What if I told you that everything in this universe, including your body, is electric in nature? Yet, the prevailing paradigm in mainstream science is that we are chemical, mechanical beings. Through the lens of Newtonian physics, which is what we are typically taught in school, everything in this universe is made up of physical matter, all objects are separate from one another, and all space between objects is empty. But this perspective may actually be limiting us, especially when it comes to understanding health and healing. My theory is that clinging to this outdated paradigm is part of the reason why chronic illness and imbalance remain so prevalent in our society, despite major medical advancements. Flipping the script: Energy, waves, and the illusion of matter Modern science is now proving what ancient mystics have already known for millennia, everything is energy. More specifically, everything is waves. What we perceive as matter is actually just waves compressed to the point where they give the illusion of solidity. These waves are all part of an electromagnetic spectrum. Everything, from the chair you’re sitting on to the sun that gives life to the planet, to the body you’re inhabiting, is electromagnetic energy vibrating at different frequencies. Given this understanding, it’s time we reimagine the body and its healing potential. Why this paradigm shift matters for healing The future of healing depends on the lens through which we see the body. Western medicine, grounded in the Newtonian perspective, still views the body primarily as a mechanical system made up of chemical reactions. As a result, most treatments are mechanical, such as surgery, or chemical, such as pharmaceuticals. But this model only scratches the surface of who we truly are. If we are fundamentally energetic, electromagnetic beings, then healing must also take place at that level of understanding. By continuing to ignore the body’s electrical nature, we miss out on powerful, regenerative approaches that work to support the body on a deeper level. When we shift our paradigm to include energy, frequency, and vibration, we open the door to a more holistic understanding of health. This new paradigm empowers us to more effectively prevent illness, restore balance, and activate the body’s innate self-healing intelligence. Beyond Reiki and infrared therapy: What’s next? There’s a whole world of healing methods that already tap into the body’s energetic nature. Some draw from ancient wisdom, like acupuncture, Reiki, and sound healing, while others use cutting-edge technology, such as PEMF, infrared light, Rife frequencies, and Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM). But what if we could go even deeper, beyond frequency alone, to tap into something even more central to our electrical nature? Let’s explore a topic that is rarely taught or understood in conventional science, plasma. Going deeper: The power of plasma Most of us have been taught that there are only three states of matter in this world, solids, liquids, and gases. But did you know that there’s actually a fourth state of matter called plasma? Plasma makes up 99.99% of the universe. It is a supercharged gas that has been heated or energized so much that it starts to carry an electric charge. The stars in the sky, the sun, lightning, and auroras are all made of plasma. And so is the energetic field that surrounds our bodies. But plasma is not only around us, it is also inside of us, driving all biological functions. It can be used as a powerful healing tool to restore order and harmony within the body. Healing at the blueprint level Plasma is the fundamental substance from which matter takes shape. What makes plasma-based healing unique is that it doesn’t just affect the body on the surface, it interacts directly with the biofield, the energetic field that surrounds our bodies (also known by ancient yogis and mystics as the aura). Think of the biofield as a blueprint for the physical form, an invisible map that guides how your body is built and how it functions. When plasma interacts with this energetic blueprint, it can help restore balance at the foundational level, before physical symptoms even appear. This kind of healing can bring the body’s natural electrical and energetic rhythms back into harmony, improving how cells communicate, regenerate, and repair themselves. A glimpse into the future of plasma-based healing My introduction to this up-leveled approach to healing came during one of the most challenging times in my life. I was suffering from a mysterious, debilitating illness that turned my life upside down. I tried countless therapies, yet nothing seemed to offer real relief or answers. That changed when I came across a technology that opened the door to the incredible healing potential of plasma and frequency. This technology is called Theraphi, a breakthrough healing device that generates finely tuned plasma fields and electromagnetic frequencies to restore coherence within the body. Theraphi became the cornerstone of my healing business because it doesn’t just treat symptoms, it helps restore order to the body’s electrical and energetic systems, addressing imbalance at the root level. In many ways, Theraphi is a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern science. It represents the new paradigm of healing that recognizes the body not just as matter, but also as a dynamic dance of electrical frequencies. As more of us awaken to the truth that we are plasma beings living in a plasma field, technologies like Theraphi offer a glimpse into what’s possible, healing that addresses not only the physical body, but also the invisible energy fields that shape it. Where do we go from here? Now that we understand the body is not merely a mechanical system, but an electric, plasma-based organism, we’re invited to rethink everything we’ve believed about healing. For too long, we’ve been conditioned to seek solutions outside ourselves, without considering the body’s innate intelligence and capacity to self-heal. When we connect with our energetic nature and support the electromagnetic and plasma fields that govern our biology, we activate this innate intelligence. Plasma-based healing works differently because it doesn’t just target symptoms, it communicates directly with the body’s energetic blueprint. This is where the architecture of health begins, before imbalance even reaches the physical form. By supporting the body at this foundational level, we remind it how to heal, rather than forcing it to heal. When we begin to explore these deeper layers through emerging plasma-based technologies, our relationship with healing expands and becomes more holistic and aligned with our true nature. This is not just a shift in medicine, it is a shift in consciousness. In this new paradigm, we stop treating the body as broken and start honoring it as an intelligent, energetic system capable of profound regeneration. Follow me on Instagram and visit my website for more info! Read more from Aniko Fisch Aniko Fisch, Holistic Healing Practitioner Aniko is a holistic healing practitioner and founder of Within. Her journey in the wellness world began with a passion for food as medicine, leading to certifications in holistic nutrition and eating psychology. After experiencing a multi-year mystery illness, Aniko deepened her understanding of the body’s innate ability to heal and how to best support this self-healing capacity. She now integrates advanced modalities such as Spinal Flow, Face Up, BodyTalk, and Theraphi cold plasma frequency technology to help clients release nervous system stress and restore physical, emotional, mental, and energetic balance. Her mission is to help others reconnect with their inner healing wisdom and live in vibrant alignment with their true nature.
- Why Your Spine is the Key to Whole-Body Healing
Written by Aniko Fisch, Holistic Healing Practitioner Aniko is the founder of Within, an integrative healing practice dedicated to helping individuals heal through gentle, noninvasive therapies and empowering education. She is a certified Spinal Flow practitioner, Face Up practitioner, BodyTalk practitioner, nutrition and mindful eating coach, and facilitator of Theraphi, a cutting-edge healing technology. We often think of the spine as a simple structure that holds us upright, but its influence reaches far deeper. Housing the nervous system and acting as an energetic channel, the spine shapes how we feel, move, and heal. This article explores the physical, emotional, and spiritual power of spinal alignment and how supporting it can transform your entire well-being from the inside out. The spine matters more than we think How often do we stop to consider the quiet power that runs along the very center of our being? The spine is not just a stack of bones that keeps us upright. It is a living, intelligent system that influences how we think, feel, move, and heal. Ancient wisdom traditions have long revered it as the central channel of life-force energy, and now science is beginning to reveal just how essential it is to our overall well-being. When we begin to understand the true power of the spine, a whole new world of healing starts to open up. The spine: The body’s communication super-highway On a physical level, the spine is not just the body’s scaffolding. It also houses the spinal cord, a vital part of the central nervous system and the body’s central communication highway. With 31 pairs of spinal nerves branching from the spinal cord, it transmits vital signals to almost every region of the body, including the skin, muscles, organs, glands, and limbs. When the spine becomes rigid, misaligned, or blocked, whether through stress, injury, or poor posture, the flow of neural impulses, sensory signals, and autonomic messages becomes impaired. This communication breakdown can slow down or entirely prevent healing. Posture, emotions, and the story the spine tells On a mental and emotional level, the alignment of our spines and the mobility of our vertebrae give profound insights into our inner world. Imagine the classic grumpy old man, his back rounded and shoulders drawn in, as though his frustrations with the world have slowly bent both his mood and his spine. As Jungian analyst and yoga teacher Judith Harris writes, “In body language, we can think of the potential to experience life as resting in the spinal column, itself the backbone of life.” Our spines tell the story of our lives. Our tendencies to slump, to thrust our heads forward, or to stand unevenly are all reflections of inner states such as insecurity, disembodiment, or unprocessed emotions. On the other hand, when someone stands tall and rooted with an aligned, open spine, they exude an air of confidence, groundedness, and self-assurance. The spine as a sacred energy channel There is another aspect of the spine that ancient wisdom has always recognized, its role as a channel of energy. For millennia, yogis revered the spine as a sacred channel connecting us to a higher power. They invited us to see the spine not only as a physical structure but as a pathway through which life-force (prana), consciousness, and spirit could move. In yogic and Taoist traditions, the spine is called the celestial pillar, bridging the base of the spine (earth) and the head (heaven). When the spine is open and flexible, energy flows freely through it, and we gain access to both grounding and transcendence. As Paramahansa Yogananda stated: “The spine is the highway to the Infinite. The spine and brain are the altars of God. That is where the electricity of God flows down into the nervous system into the world.” Where ancient wisdom meets modern science: Chakras and nerve plexuses The spine is also closely tied to the chakra system. The chakras are energy centers that ancient yogis identified long before modern anatomy came along. What is fascinating is that science is now showing that major nerve plexuses branch out from the spine in the very same spots that these chakras are said to be located. These nerve hubs are buzzing with electrical activity, and many align almost perfectly with the traditional chakras, the heart chakra near the cardiac plexus, the solar plexus chakra right over the celiac plexus, and the sacral and root chakras connected to the hypogastric plexuses. The consequence of a blocked spine The life-force energy that moves through the spine is our body’s innate healing intelligence. When it cannot flow properly, healing does not reach the places that need it most. Blockage in the spine not only impedes nerve signaling, but it also silences the body’s healing wisdom. Simple ways to support a healthy, fluid spine So how can we support the health of our spines? By keeping them fluid, open, and aligned. Awareness of the spine’s importance can unlock an entirely new realm of healing, not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and energetically. In practical terms, bringing more awareness to the power of your spine means noticing when you slump or hunch. It also means cultivating practices that open the spine, such as yoga, Tai Chi, or Qi Gong. It could also mean honoring the sacrum (the base of the spine) as your root and the crown as your connection to something greater. Breathing life back into the spine To keep the spine fluid and energized, begin simply by bringing awareness to your back body throughout the day. One effective practice is a spinal-breathing meditation. Close your eyes and anchor your awareness at the base of your spine (your sacrum). On the inhale, imagine your breath traveling gently upward along the spine, around the back of your head, over your forehead, and arriving between your eyebrows. On the exhale, bring the breath back down the spine, returning awareness to the sacrum at the base. Continue this cycle for several minutes to create a sensation of spaciousness and flow along your spinal column. Hands-on therapies that restore spinal harmony For hands-on spine support, I highly recommend sessions that relieve tension and restore harmony within the spine and nervous system, such as Spinal Flow, chiropractic care, osteopathy, fascia release, or therapeutic stretching. Spinal Flow, in particular, is the modality I am trained in and deeply passionate about. It uses gentle touch to release blockages in the spine, reawaken the body’s innate healing intelligence, and dissolve stress stored within the central nervous system. Spinal Flow works by communicating directly with the central nervous system through specific points along the sacrum and cranium known as access points. The practitioner’s contact with these access points activates the body’s spinal wave, its built-in healing intelligence, and allows that wave to naturally travel up the spine all the way to the head. Unlike forceful adjustments, Spinal Flow does not externally impose change. Instead, it reminds the spine to realign itself and the body to activate its own healing process. As the nervous system unwinds and energy begins to flow freely through the spine, people often experience spontaneous releases, deeper breaths, emotional clarity, and a renewed sense of ease in both body and mind. It is a powerful yet gentle way to realign and open up the spine. A new paradigm of healing begins in the spine In today’s fast-paced, future-oriented world, we are almost always leaning forward. We hunch over our phones, drive with tense shoulders, and crane our necks toward computer screens for hours on end. We keep the front of our bodies active while entirely neglecting our backs. Yet the deepest healing often occurs in the spine. When we honor the spine, we reconnect with the very core of what keeps us physically, mentally, and emotionally aligned. The spine is more than just bones and nerves. It is the bridge between body and spirit, the highway of vitality that fuels every part of who we are. When the spine is free, so are we. A liberated spine awakens our bodies, anchors us in our power, and allows life to move through us in its fullest, most radiant expression. Follow me on Instagram and visit my website for more info! Read more from Aniko Fisch Aniko Fisch, Holistic Healing Practitioner Aniko is a holistic healing practitioner and founder of Within. Her journey in the wellness world began with a passion for food as medicine, leading to certifications in holistic nutrition and eating psychology. After experiencing a multi-year mystery illness, Aniko deepened her understanding of the body’s innate ability to heal and how to best support this self-healing capacity. She now integrates advanced modalities such as Spinal Flow, Face Up, BodyTalk, and Theraphi cold plasma frequency technology to help clients release nervous system stress and restore physical, emotional, mental, and energetic balance. Her mission is to help others reconnect with their inner healing wisdom and live in vibrant alignment with their true nature.
- How Color Shapes Your Mood, Space, and Daily Wellbeing
Written by Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer Monserrat is an entrepreneur, interior architect, and sustainability advocate, as well as the founder of Senom Design, a firm dedicated to merging innovative design with sustainable solutions. With over a decade of experience across residential, commercial, and international projects, she specializes in bringing clients’ visions to life through thoughtful, high-impact interiors. We spend nearly 90% of our lives indoors, yet color is often treated as decoration rather than what it truly is, a powerful design tool that shapes how we feel, function, and experience space. When used intentionally, color can improve well-being, change how large or intimate a room feels, and support how we live, without moving a single wall. Why color matters Color doesn’t just affect what we see, it affects how our brain and nervous system respond. Different hues can influence mood, energy levels, focus, sleep quality, and even heart rate. Because we’re exposed to interior colors for hours every day, their impact is cumulative, not subtle. Thoughtful color choices can: Make spaces feel larger or cozier Support rest, focus, or social connection Reduce stress and mental fatigue Improve comfort and daily performance How color shapes space Color can visually reshape a room: Light colors make spaces feel larger and brighter Dark or saturated colors create intimacy and depth Dark ceilings lower perceived height, light ceilings raise it Strategic accent walls can balance long, narrow, or oversized rooms Color contrast can highlight architectural features without adding construction These techniques allow designers to correct proportions and improve flow using paint alone. Choosing the right colors by room Each space benefits from a different color strategy: Bedrooms: Soft blues, blue-greens, and muted warm neutrals support relaxation and better sleep Home Offices: Medium blues and greens promote focus without fatigue Living Rooms: Balanced, neutral foundations allow flexibility for both socializing and relaxation Kitchens: Warm tones encourage energy, appetite, and connection Bathrooms: Energizing colors for morning use, spa-like tones for evening wind-down Beyond paint: A holistic color approach Effective color design goes beyond walls. Successful interiors coordinate color across: Furniture, textiles, and finishes Texture (matte vs. glossy, linen vs. velvet) Natural materials like wood, stone, and plants Lighting, which dramatically changes how color appears throughout the day Using principles like the 60-30-10 rule helps create balance and visual clarity without overwhelming the space. Culture, personal history & sustainability Color meaning is influenced by culture and personal experience, what feels calming or joyful to one person may not feel the same to another. That’s why conversation and context are essential in design. From a sustainability perspective, color choices also matter: Low-VOC and natural paints support healthier interiors Timeless palettes reduce the need for frequent renovations Natural pigments and dyes often age more beautifully and responsibly The takeaway: Color as care Color is one of the most accessible tools we have to create spaces that truly support well-being. When applied with intention, it becomes an act of care, for ourselves, our families, and the environments we live in every day. The most successful interiors aren’t defined by trends or price tags, but by how well they support human flourishing. Color, when understood and used thoughtfully, allows design to do exactly that. “Color meaning is never universal, it is shaped by culture, memory, and lived experience.” Monserrat M. Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Monserrat Menendez Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer Monserrat is an entrepreneur, interior architect, and sustainability advocate, as well as the founder of Senom Design, a firm dedicated to merging innovative design with sustainable solutions. With over a decade of experience across residential, commercial, and international projects, she specializes in bringing clients’ visions to life through thoughtful, high-impact interiors. She is the U.S. Brand Ambassador for U Green, an organization that helps companies become more profitable while empowering people and brands to follow a consistent path toward sustainability through transformative education and specialized consulting. As an Executive Contributor to Brainz Magazine, she shares her expertise in design, sustainability, and innovation. Her mission is to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also responsible and forward-thinking.
- Mental Health is Not a Diagnosis It Is a Lifelong Process
Written by Akira D Olsen, Bilingual and Bicultural Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Akira D. Olsen is a bilingual licensed clinical psychologist and Founder/CEO of JOURNEY HEALTH, specializing in anxiety, ADHD, trauma, Family, and holistic mental well-being. She integrates evidence-based therapy with Eastern mindfulness to support individuals, families, and professionals worldwide. In a world facing rising anxiety, burnout, loneliness, and grief, mental health care is at a crossroads. Traditional systems remain fragmented, reactive, and crisis-oriented, often disconnected from the realities of human development, family systems, culture, and community. Journey Health was founded to offer a different path by bridging clinical care, education, and culturally attuned community support in a way few providers do. Created by licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Akira Olsen, Journey Health is redefining mental health care through a lifelong, human-centered model that integrates clinical care, education, and community. With active platforms in California and Japan and global digital programs that reach beyond borders, Journey Health addresses mental well-being as a continuous journey shaped by relationships, culture, loss, and meaning. “Mental health is not a moment in time or a diagnosis,” Dr. Olsen explains. “It is a lifelong process influenced by how we live, love, work, grieve, and connect.” A regional approach rooted in community and culture Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, Journey Health is built on the belief that mental health must be grounded in local context. In California, Journey Health provides clinical services, mental health education, and digital wellness tools tailored to the diverse needs of those facing modern stressors. In Japan, the platform offers culturally adapted mental health education, emotional regulation practices, and community-based programming that address long-standing barriers to mental health literacy while honoring local values, social norms, and lived experience. By working within regional healthcare systems and cultural frameworks, Journey Health strengthens community-level resilience rather than focusing solely on individual symptom management. A lifelong mental health model informed by developmental psychology Journey Health’s core is a lifespan approach grounded in developmental psychology. Mental health needs change across life stages, and care must evolve with them. Journey Health supports individuals and families through: Childhood and adolescence Identity formation and early adulthood Midlife transitions, caregiving, and work-life stress Parenting, family systems, and relational health Loss, grief, and meaning-making in later adulthood Emotional dignity, connection, and well-being in aging and old age This model sees mental health as relational and intergenerational. Family-centered care addresses shared stress and grief, healing rarely happens alone. Planetary mental health: Education for a global audience Journey Health also advances planetary mental health, recognizing the links between well-being, societal change, and global uncertainty. Through accessible online education, Journey Health offers programs that integrate: Evidence-based clinical psychology East–West contemplative and somatic practices Emotional regulation and self-connection skills Human-centered approaches to well-being in a rapidly changing world These programs aim to prevent burnout, strengthen resilience, and support lasting mental health for all. An integrated, human-centered digital platform Journey Health’s digital-first platform brings together: Licensed clinical psychologists and assessments Preventive mental wellness and emotional regulation tools Courses, education, and community membership AI-supported personalization Immersive VR and AR–based experiences All services are led by Dr. Olsen’s psychological framework from The Journey to Self, supporting a compassionate self-relationship at every stage. Rather than episodic care, Journey Health emphasizes continuity, meaning, and long-term engagement. “Human-centered mental health care honors the full arc of a person’s life and their connections to others,” says Dr. Olsen. “That is the future we are building. About journey health Journey Health is a digital mental health company dedicated to advancing mental health through care, education, and community. Founded by Dr. Akira Olsen, a licensed psychologist with 17 years of experience, it combines clinical excellence, cultural sensitivity, and technology to support people at all life stages. U.S. platform Japan platform Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Akira D Olsen Akira D Olsen, Bilingual and Bicultural Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Akira Olsen, Psy.D., EMBA, is a licensed clinical psychologist in California and Nevada, international thought leader, and advocate for planetary mental health and wellness. Her work focuses on the intersection of psychological well-being, social systems, and sustainable human development. With over 17 years of clinical and leadership experience, Dr. Olsen integrates evidence-based psychology with holistic, cross-cultural approaches to mental health. She is the Founder and CEO of Journey Health and the author of The Journey to Self, where she introduces micro-routines as practical tools for building emotional resilience and self-connection in a complex world. Dr. Olsen also serves as a policy advisor and educator, contributing to conversations on mental-health accessibility, prevention, and long-term societal well-being.
- Helping Children Thrive Through Gentle Holistic Care – An Interview with Specialist Lara Cawthra
Lara Cawthra BSc, MChiro, MCSc (Paeds), FRCC (Paeds), MNRI Core Specialist is an experienced paediatric chiropractor and neurological development specialist based in Camberley, Surrey. With 30 years in practice, Lara has built a respected career centred on children’s health, early development, and holistic, family-centred care. Lara Cawthra, Paediatric Chiropractor and MNRI Core Specialist Who is Lara, and what do you do? Please introduce yourself. Lara Cawthra is an experienced chiropractor who has been providing high-quality personal care since 1996. She has a passion for holistic healing. She is one of the few chiropractors in the UK with formal training in Paediatrics and is the first MNRI Core Specialist in the UK. Lara also has postgraduate training in nutrition from the Australasian College of Nutrition and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM). She is a Fellow and former Chair of the Royal College of Chiropractors’ Specialist Faculty of Pregnancy and Paediatrics. What inspired you to specialise in chiropractic care and holistic health? Whilst studying a Bachelor of Science at Sydney University, Lara discovered a love of the function of the human body, and this led her to gain a double major in Anatomy and Physiology. During her time in her undergraduate studies, Lara also studied pharmacology. She decided that this was not the way she wanted to help the body heal. She had the opportunity to take a taster in Chiropractic. She was hooked. She found a practical way to apply her growing knowledge of human anatomy and physiology to help the body to heal. Studying the foundations of how the body worked, she knew from early on that in order for the body to heal, it needed to be looked at as a whole, not separate systems functioning independently of each other. In order for the body to function, it had to maintain balance; in other words, healing had to help the body maintain homeostasis. What makes your approach to chiropractic care different from traditional methods? Rather than the stereotypical image of a chiropractor which may involve a sound when an adjustment is made, Lara uses a technique called NeuroImpulse Protocol (NIP). These adjustments are low force by nature, the pressure used is similar to that used to check a ripe tomato. This gentle, neurologically precise, tonal technique is used on all ages, from babies to adults. Can you explain the Rebalance Programme and who it's designed to help? As a well-rounded, experienced Health Care Professional, Lara is able to put together the elements of posture, nutrition, and neurology so that a tailor-made programme can be designed for your child, helping your child to reach their full potential. Posture looks at alignment of the body, including the spine, joints, limbs and also cranial function. Neurology looks at age-appropriate neurodevelopment, including the primitive or primary reflexes. Nutrition proper nutrition should enable the brain and body to function optimally, without brain fog. The best fuel for the body is required for the brain to function at its best. What are the most common challenges your clients come to you with, and how do you help them? As a health care practitioner with expertise in posture, nutrition, and neurodevelopment, I commonly see children with neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioural disorders. These conditions can range from mild, where the child may not be able to concentrate in class, or may seem clumsy or unable to focus, to more challenging presentations where there might be cerebral palsy or brain injury at birth. With any presentation, the aim is to help them to reach their full potential. Often, the client presents with conditions that are multifactorial in nature. Looking at the foundations of their health status helps to build a management plan. An all-rounded health care package is tailor-made for your child. Holistic Paediatric Health care covers neuromusculoskeletal health, nutrition, and neurodevelopmental assessment, which means structure and posture, real foods, and the development of your child. The process starts with an assessment, which will be unique to your child’s needs. After our initial meeting, you’ll be given information as needed, along with any advice for follow-up. How does your experience with paediatrics and neurodevelopment shape the way you work with families? My expertise in paediatrics and neurodevelopment allows me to assess the foundations of a health problem. By understanding how the body develops from preconception to adulthood, it is possible to determine if neuromotor maturity is occurring as our blueprint has been designed to. Working with the family is important, as making changes requires consistency and input, often daily, for best results. Parents and carers are taught some simple techniques to use at home with their child to facilitate change and the maturity of development. What results or changes do your clients typically see after working with you? The changes seen depend on the starting presentation and the goals the client wants to achieve. However, it is often found that the child has better self-awareness, better emotional regulation, better attention and concentration, better posture, and better balance. Together with the child and their family, we are helping them to reach their optimal potential. How do you personalise treatment plans for each client's unique needs? Holistic Paediatric treatment plans are a tailored, child-focused health assessment combining multiple aspects of wellbeing, posture, nutrition, and neurodevelopment, to support healthy growth from infancy through adolescence. The assessment covers posture assessment, which evaluates structural and balance development appropriate to your child’s age and recognises differences between babies, toddlers, and teenagers. Nutritional advice offers guidance for healthy eating to support bone, muscle, and cognitive development, based on Lara’s postgraduate nutrition training. Neurological evaluation includes age-appropriate developmental testing, including primitive or primary reflexes, to check whether neurological milestones are on track. Non-invasive techniques are used. Report and follow up includes verbal and visual feedback about findings and recommendations for next steps tailored to the child’s needs, followed by a written summary with recommendations. Referral when needed is provided, as Lara is a registered healthcare professional and can identify issues needing urgent referral and suggest appropriate care. The holistic service aims to integrate posture, nutrition, and neurological insights to help children reach their full developmental potential. Why is early postural, neurological, and nutritional support important for children? Postural, neurological, and nutritional support is important because childhood is a period of rapid growth when the body and brain are highly adaptable. Support at this stage can influence lifelong health, development, and resilience. A child's spine, joints, and movement patterns are constantly developing up until the age of 25 years old. Early postural imbalances can affect coordination, balance, breathing, and discomfort as a child grows. Addressing posture early may help promote efficient movement, reduce strain, and support healthy musculoskeletal development before compensations become ingrained. The nervous system develops fastest in infancy and early childhood, laying the foundation for movement, learning, emotional regulation, muscle tone, focus, and attention. Early assessment of reflexes, coordination, and sensory processing can highlight areas where development may need support. Gentle, age-appropriate input can help optimise brain-body communication during key developmental windows. Nutrition fuels the growth of bones, muscles, organs, and the brain. Early nutritional habits can influence immunity, energy levels, cognitive development, and long-term metabolic health. The combination of a holistic view of posture, neurology, and nutrition allows early identification of potential issues, timely preventative care rather than reactive treatment, and a stronger foundation for physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Early holistic support helps children build strong foundations that support healthy growth, learning, and wellbeing throughout childhood and into adulthood. How can someone know if your services are the right fit for them or their child? To find out if my services can help your child, start with a free 20-minute advisory telehealth consultation. Get to know the practitioner, ask the questions you need, and find out if it is the right combination of therapy for you and your child. There is no obligation to start care. What is one important piece of advice you would give to someone seeking better health through chiropractic and holistic care? When looking for a practitioner to work with, make sure they have the relevant experience and qualifications. Children are not just little adults, they have different needs at different stages of development. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Lara Cawthra
- How to Support Your Anxious Child and What Really Helps
Written by Katrina Batey, Anxious Children Parent Coach Katrina Batey specialises in how parents can support their children with anxiety. She is a trained S.P.A.C.E. anxiety treatment provider and mental health coach, working with parents across the UK and internationally to help their anxious children overcome anxiety and build confidence. When your child is anxious, every instinct tells you to fix it, soothe it, or make it disappear. But what if real, lasting change doesn’t come from eliminating anxiety, but from helping your child learn they can handle it? This article explores what truly helps anxious children build confidence, resilience, and a sense of safety, starting with how we, as parents, show up for them. Struggling to help your anxious child? Learn how to support anxious children in ways that create real, lasting change. Parenting an anxious child is hard When your child is struggling with anxiety, it is natural to want to make it stop. As parents, we often focus on reducing, eliminating, or “fixing” anxiety as quickly as possible. We reassure them. We avoid triggers. We step in. We try to protect our child from discomfort, because watching them struggle feels unbearable. But here is the paradox that most parents of anxious children are not told. The more we try to shut anxiety down, the more power it gains. Helping a child with anxiety does not mean eliminating anxious feelings. It means helping them learn that they can handle those feelings, and that they are safe even when anxiety shows up. Below are five core principles I teach parents who want to support their anxious child in a way that actually leads to long term change. You are the number one priority Parenting an anxious child is emotionally exhausting. What others do not see is: The constant mental load. The rehearsing of conversations. The planning ahead for every scenario. The worrying about what to say, what not to say, and whether you are making things better or worse. Caring for your own wellbeing is not indulgent, it is essential. Anxious children are highly sensitive to their primary caregiver’s nervous system. When we are tense, overwhelmed, or walking on eggshells, our child’s brain reads that as a sign that the world is not safe. This is not about blame. Your child’s anxiety is not your fault. Feeling worried about your child is your nervous system doing exactly what it evolved to do. But when you prioritise your own calm, regulation, and support, you send a powerful message of safety, often without saying a word. Your calm presence is one of the most effective tools you have. The anxiety is not the problem This can feel counterintuitive, but the real issue in childhood anxiety is not how much anxiety a child feels, it is how well they can tolerate it. Anxiety is uncomfortable. But when a child believes, “I can’t handle this feeling,” they will avoid anything that might trigger it. Over time, this leads to: Avoidance. Reduced confidence. A narrowing of their world. This might look like refusing clubs, struggling with separation, or needing constant reassurance, particularly at developmental stages where independence would usually be expected. Instead of seeing anxiety itself as the enemy, shift your focus to the impact of anxiety. The goal is not to remove anxious feelings, but to help your child learn, “I can feel anxious and still cope.” In each anxious moment, quietly hold the belief that your child will be okay, because they will. Dr. Eli Lebowitz, creator of the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions program, summarises it like this, “Think of tolerating your child’s distress as a lesson you are teaching your child. It is as though you are saying, ‘This makes me very uncomfortable, but I am able to cope with it because I know I have to,’ which is precisely what you want your child to be able to say about her own anxiety. It makes me uncomfortable, but I can tolerate it because I know I have to.” – Eli R. Lebowitz, Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD: A Scientifically Proven Program for Parents Stop trying to control your child’s anxiety When anxiety feels dangerous, our instinct is to rescue. We distract. We reassure. We problem-solve. We rush in to make the feeling go away. Although this comes from love, it unintentionally teaches children that anxiety is something they cannot tolerate. Instead of trying to stop the anxiety, your role becomes this. To stay calm and present while your child feels it. Anxiety works like a wave. It rises, peaks, and falls. When we try to control it, to grab hold and steer it, we only increase our own stress and reinforce our child’s fear of the feeling. Let go of the imaginary reins. Ride the wave with them. Your steady presence shows them that anxiety can be experienced without danger. Stop telling your child there is “no need to be scared.” Logically, we know our child is not facing real danger. But anxiety does not operate on logic. To your child’s brain, the threat feels as real as a sabre-toothed tiger. Telling a child that something “isn’t scary,” comparing them to other children, or pushing them to just do the thing they are nervous about often backfires. Instead of building confidence, it can create shame, pressure, and a sense of not being understood or accepted. Validation is far more effective. Validating does not mean agreeing that something is dangerous. It means acknowledging your child’s emotional experience without judgement. For example, “I get that this feels hard. New situations can feel really uncomfortable.” Feeling seen and understood helps anxious children regulate their emotions and builds the internal safety they need to face challenges over time. Protect them less (even though it’s hard) Validation is crucial, but so is allowing children to feel discomfort. When we remove every obstacle or “snowplough” the path ahead, we unintentionally send the message that our child is not capable of coping. Instead: Step back from fixing everything. Allow uncertainty. Stay present while they experience big feelings. Express your confidence that they can find a solution. This is how anxious children build resilience. Not by avoiding discomfort, but by learning they can survive it. What overcoming childhood anxiety actually looks like The goal is not to raise a child who never feels anxious. That is neither realistic nor helpful. Children who learn to tolerate anxiety grow into adults who can navigate uncertainty, change, and challenge without being controlled by fear. As one parent of a ten-year-old shared with me, “She started going for runs around the park with a neighbour. The strange physical sensations made her anxious, but she went again the next day.” That is real progress. Overcoming childhood anxiety does not happen overnight. It is a gradual process that requires consistency, compassion, and the right support. But the results are life-changing. Start your journey today If your child’s anxiety is limiting their life, and you feel like you are constantly second-guessing yourself, walking on eggshells, and wondering if you are helping or making things worse, you do not have to do this alone. I help parents understand childhood anxiety at its roots and use practical, evidence-based strategies that bring calm back into the home, without fighting or fearing anxiety. Because your child does not need anxiety to disappear. They need the confidence to handle it. Find out more at Parenting Anxious Children . Follow me on Instagram for more info! Read more from Katrina Batey Katrina Batey, Anxious Children Parent Coach Katrina Batey understands childhood anxiety not just professionally, but personally, as she has been on this journey herself. It can feel bewildering, isolating, and overwhelming. This led her to train in effective and evidence-based techniques that parents can use to support their child to overcome childhood anxiety. She has seen firsthand the transformative role parents can play in easing anxiety and building resilience. Katrina is passionate about reframing the narrative around parenting and anxiety because parents are not the problem, but they can be the solution.
- Finding Safety in Emotions Through Emotional Regulation – An Interview with Somatic Coach Malak ElShazly
Malak ElShazly is a compassionate, certified guide in emotional regulation and mind-body connection, helping people feel their emotions safely and fully. Her work is rooted in personal experience, navigating her own challenges and discovering the missing link that transformed her life: the body. Over years of study, therapy, and self-exploration, she came to understand that the mind, emotions, and physical sensations are not separate, but part of one intelligent system. Malak empowers her clients to identify patterns, name emotions, and connect with their bodies, creating lasting shifts in how they experience daily life. She specializes in helping people navigate stress, trauma, and emotional overwhelm by teaching practical, individualized tools that honor the nervous system’s natural rhythms. With a focus on safety, consistency, and compassion, Malak shows that emotional regulation is not about being calm all the time, but about building the capacity to feel, respond, and move through emotions without fear. Her clients learn to trust themselves, reclaim agency, and experience the transformative power of living fully embodied. Malak ElShazly, Somatic Coach Who is Malak ElShazly? Malak ElShazly is a deeply curious and compassionate person who teaches what she once needed most herself. Her work is rooted in lived experience through personal hardships and a persistent sense that something essential was missing despite doing “all the right things.” Over time, Malak learned to express and name her emotions, but she noticed true change remained out of reach. The missing link was the body. Through years of exploration – from therapy to personal experimentation she discovered that emotions, physical sensations, and the mind are parts of one intelligent, interconnected system. This realization shifted how Malak saw herself and those around her. The more she learned, the more she stood in awe of how the mind, emotions, and body work together. Befriending the body became the turning point in her own healing. Today, she helps others reconnect with this missing piece, guiding them to feel safely and interpret their emotional and physical experiences as meaningful information, not problems to fix. What inspired you to start your journey in emotional regulation and balance? From a very young age, I was invested in understanding myself. I journaled, reflected, and analyzed my emotions relentlessly. But over time, I realized I wasn’t actually feeling my emotions, I was intellectualizing them. Half my life was spent understanding myself rather than living myself. When I finally turned toward the body, it felt overwhelming, like my system had been frozen in ice for years. As that ice melted, everything my body had been holding back surfaced. Awareness intensified before it softened. It got worse before it got better, and I almost gave up. That experience taught me one of the most important truths I now share with clients: healing is painful, but it’s always worth it. Pain cannot be avoided; it must be felt safely and consciously. After years of trying everything, a somatic approach became the missing piece. Once I began listening to my body rather than fighting it, my life shifted. I moved out of survival mode, fear lessened, and I found clarity. That became the foundation of my work. Can you share a breakthrough moment in your career that made you realize this work is your calling? The breakthrough came when I started working with clients and saw their transformations in real time. People began understanding themselves in ways they never had before, even after years of working with other professionals. The real shift happened when they understood that their nervous systems had been programmed from childhood and linked it to how they carry themselves now. Their bodies began to soften. Breath changed. Patterns that had felt permanent started to loosen. When clients received practical, body-based tools, they didn’t just understand intellectually, they felt change. Witnessing this repeatedly confirmed that this work was not just something I had learned; it was something I was meant to offer. What are the most common emotional struggles your clients face, and how do you help them overcome them? Many clients struggle to understand their patterns, especially how their nervous system responds to stress. They often resist feeling their emotions because it feels overwhelming. Naming emotions, noticing triggers, and understanding that contradictory emotions can exist simultaneously are common challenges. I help clients work slowly, often starting with simple, gentle practices from bed. I see every client who chooses to explore their emotions and work with their body as brave. Over time, they begin to feel grounded, less reactive, and more capable of meeting themselves with clarity and compassion. How do you tailor your approach to meet the unique needs of each client? I start by helping clients observe how they react to stress in real life, so we can identify which state their nervous system is in. This is critical because each state requires a different approach and different tools. What works for one person may backfire for another. By understanding whether someone tends to activate, shut down, or fluctuate between states, I can meet them where they are and provide tools that are safe and effective. This individualized approach helps regulation happen naturally, instead of forcing it. Can you describe the process your clients go through when working with you? From the start, I explain that my approach is different. We focus on the body, not just thoughts. Clients begin by noticing their responses to stress in real time. We then name emotions and connect them to patterns in their lives. As awareness grows, they start to feel tangible changes in their body and reactions. Progress happens slowly and consistently. The work becomes less about fixing and more about listening, responding, and staying present, where lasting balance develops. What tools or techniques do you use to help individuals better regulate their emotions? All clients work on identifying and naming emotions, noticing triggers, and enhancing the mind-body connection. For those in a sympathetic state, feeling anxious or on edge: we use grounding techniques, breath awareness, and mindfulness to help the nervous system settle. For those in a dorsal vagal state – experiencing numbness or disconnection: we use activation exercises to bring aliveness back into the body and reconnect with sensation. Every tool is chosen to meet the nervous system where it is, creating safety, trust, and sustainable regulation. How do you stay motivated and energized to continue helping others on their emotional journeys? I stay motivated by practicing my own daily regulation. Before sessions, I ensure I am present and able to notice subtle body language and what’s unspoken. There are moments when it’s challenging, I’m human too, but I love this work. Consistency with daily regulation tools is essential. Every client teaches me something new, and that ongoing learning keeps me energized and inspired. What advice do you have for someone who is struggling with emotional regulation but doesn’t know where to start? Start with safety. Safety is the foundation. Begin with tools that help you feel secure in your body, even in small ways. Patience and compassion are key. Shame often keeps people stuck, so I encourage noticing somatic patterns and triggers without judgment. Even two minutes a day of mindful practice can show the body it can exist in safety, not danger. Over time, emotions that once felt overwhelming become manageable, and the nervous system learns to trust itself. In your experience, what are some misconceptions about emotional regulation that you’d like to clear up? Many people think emotionally regulated people are always calm or “zen.” That’s not true. Regulation is a skill, not a permanent state. It’s about capacity: being able to feel the full range of emotions, from sadness to anger to joy, without being overwhelmed. Regulation also involves completing emotional cycles in the body so emotions don’t get stuck. Awareness and safety allow release to happen naturally, and over time, responding to emotions becomes easier and more integrated. What do you hope your clients take away from working with you, and how does it impact their daily lives? Above all, I want clients to feel hope. Emotions can feel unbearable, but change is possible. They can learn to love and forgive themselves after enduring pain. I want them to know it’s okay to feel and express emotions, even difficult ones. Over time, they develop self-reliance, emotional agency, and trust in their body. Emotional regulation becomes a lived skill, making daily life more manageable, connected, and meaningful. Follow me on Instagram , TikTok , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Malak ElShazly
- The First In-the-Moment Nervous System Support for Real Life
Written by Marie Keutler, Psychotherapist & Somatic Therapist | Yoga & Breathwork Teacher Marie Keutler is a psychotherapist, yoga instructor, and retreat facilitator, specializing in holistic wellness. Through therapy, yoga, and breathwork, she helps individuals shift from stress to balance. Her retreats and wellness programs are designed to inspire meaningful, lasting transformation. Why more moments at Baseline quietly transform your mind, body, and relationships. Most of us are very good at being “always on.” We keep going. We stay professional. We deliver. We adapt. From the outside, everything looks fine. Inside, a quiet cost is accumulating. It shows up in ordinary moments we rarely name: staring at an email and feeling your mind go blank, snapping at someone you love over something small, zoning out in conversations that actually matter, working twice as hard just to feel half as present, carrying tension in your jaw, neck, or chest that never fully releases, scrolling at night because your body won’t settle, saying “I’m fine” while your nervous system clearly isn’t. None of this looks dramatic. That’s exactly why it’s so costly. We live in a culture that rewards endurance and speed, and gives very little support for what stress actually does to our nervous systems in real time. We’ve been taught to manage, adapt, and push through rather than receive help in the exact moments stress takes over. Baseline was created because the quiet accumulation of stress, day after day, is not sustainable for our minds, bodies, or relationships. The hidden price of staying “always on” When stress remains elevated, its impact is not just emotional, it is biological. It changes how your brain operates, how your body regulates itself, and how you relate to other people. From a nervous-system perspective, this is not weakness, it is adaptation. The problem is this, our bodies evolved for short bursts of danger, not the steady drip of modern life. Yet your nervous system responds to a tense email in much the same way it once responded to a physical threat. The mental cost, what stress actually does to your thinking Under stress, your mind doesn’t shut down, it reorganizes. Your nervous system shifts priority from reflection to protection. The brain becomes fast and efficient rather than subtle and nuanced. Clinically, I often describe it to clients like this, life shifts from colour to black and white. Complexity drops away. Gray areas disappear. Everything feels urgent, binary, or all-or-nothing. This is intelligent biology, when your ancestors were running from danger, speed mattered more than perspective. But today, that same response is triggered by emails, deadlines, conflict, and social pressure. Your body treats them like threats even when they are not. Neuroscience shows that when stress chemistry is high, activity in the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that supports perspective, planning, and emotional regulation, decreases. At the same time, the brain’s threat systems become more active. In real life, that looks like: narrowed focus, unreliable memory, heavier decision-making, small tasks feeling disproportionately hard. Over time, this becomes a quiet mental fatigue, not dramatic burnout, but a steady background strain. You start spending more energy just managing your state than actually engaging with your life. The physical cost, more than just tension Your body rarely sounds an alarm. Instead, it stays in overdrive. When stress is chronic, your nervous system remains in a low-level protective state. This keeps stress hormones slightly elevated and your body primed for action, even when nothing is actually wrong. Research links this pattern to: higher inflammation, persistent muscle tension, disrupted sleep rhythms, and reduced nervous-system flexibility, making it harder to truly “come down.” In everyday terms, this shows up as: shallow breathing you barely notice, a clenched jaw or tight shoulders that never fully relax, restless or light sleep, feeling “wired but tired.” Your system stays on alert, not in crisis, but in a slow, draining overdrive that accumulates over time. Your nervous system evolved to switch on and then switch off. Modern life often keeps the switch half-on. The social cost, what stress does to connection When your nervous system is in overdrive, connection becomes harder, not because you don’t care, but because your body is prioritizing safety over relating. You might: pull away when you want to reach out, react quickly when you meant to respond calmly, misread tone or intention, feel distant even in familiar relationships. This isn’t personality, it’s physiology. Over time, these small shifts quietly reshape relationships: less patience, less presence, fewer moments of genuine closeness, not from lack of love, but from nervous-system strain. The in-between cost, the most important one This may be the deepest cost of all. It ’s not about big crises. It’s about everyday states. It’s how you feel walking into a room. The energy you bring into a meeting. The state you carry home at the end of the day. These micro-states shape your life more than any single event, yet they are the moments where most people receive the least support. And these costs don’t come from one bad day. They come from thousands of small moments adding up in a nervous system that hasn’t caught up with the pace of modern life. Why knowing isn’t enough Most people already understand stress. They know they “should” breathe, pause, slow down, move, or regulate their nervous system. But knowing and accessing are not the same thing. When stress spikes, your brain shifts into protection mode. Reflection, choice, and clarity become harder to reach. The very part of you that could “use” your tools goes offline. This is biology, not motivation. That’s why advice so often disappears in the very moments you need it most. It’s not that you didn’t try hard enough, it’s that your nervous system needed support before thinking was available. The gap isn’t insight. The gap is state. What has been missing in wellbeing We’ve had meditation apps, mindfulness practices, breathwork, therapy, coaching, and self-help. All valuable in their place. What we haven’t had is something built specifically for the exact moment stress takes over. Not something you practice when you’re already calm. Not something that assumes clear thinking under pressure. Not something that requires preparation, discipline, or habit-building. What has been missing is in-the-moment nervous system support for real life. Baseline, support designed for the moment stress hits Baseline is the first nervous-system tool built for real time, not routines, not habits, not theory. It’s for when: your chest is tight, your mind goes blank, decisions feel impossible, and you need support but can’t figure out what to do. Baseline doesn’t ask you to remember techniques, analyze your feelings, track streaks, or try harder. Instead, it meets your nervous system exactly where it is, starting with the body, because the body changes state faster than the mind can reason its way out. This is not about “fixing” stress. It’s about restoring access: access to steadiness instead of reactivity, access to clarity instead of fog, access to choice instead of overwhelm, access to presence instead of distraction. More than an app, a new way of understanding stress Baseline is more than technology. It’s a shared language for understanding the nervous system, compassionate, scientific, and deeply human. A space where stress isn’t treated as a personal shortcoming, your nervous system isn’t something to control, and struggling in the moment isn’t framed as doing something wrong. Complex neuroscience is translated into ideas and experiences that make sense in everyday life, something you can feel in your body, not just understand in your head. And it’s becoming a community focused on creating more moments at Baseline, more presence, more vitality, more nervous-system resilience, and greater longevity of wellbeing, in a world that frequently drives our systems toward exhaustion. What a life with more moments at baseline looks like Imagine a life where stress is no longer running your days. A life where you can: walk into hard conversations feeling steadier, bounce back a little faster after tough moments, be more fully present with the people you love, sleep a bit more deeply at night, pause before reacting, carry less tension in your shoulders, jaw, or chest, and move through your day with a quiet sense of inner support. A life where your body isn’t constantly on high alert. Where you don’t need everything to be perfect, just more moments that feel grounded and steady. Moments where: your breath feels easier, your mind feels clear enough, and your body feels safe enough to be here. These moments add up. They shape how you show up at work, how you relate to others, how creative you feel, how resilient you are, and how at home you feel in your own life. This is what Baseline is meant to support, not a dramatic overnight transformation, but a quieter, steadier way of living over time. Why in-the-moment support matters Big-picture wellness ideas are important. But they don’t help when stress arrives suddenly, in a meeting, on a call, in conflict, or mid-day when your system is overwhelmed. What matters in those moments is support that: works when thinking is hard, meets your body first, and doesn’t require you to figure anything out. That is what makes Baseline different. It doesn’t replace therapy, movement, or reflection, it makes them more available by helping your nervous system settle enough to access them. A way back you can actually use, even on hard days. If you’ve ever thought: “I know what helps, why can’t I use it?” “Why do simple things feel so hard sometimes?” “Why do I lose myself in stress so easily?” Baseline was built for you. People who care deeply, think thoughtfully, and still struggle in the moment, not because they’re doing something wrong, but because they’re human. Baseline isn’t about being calm all the time. It’s about creating more moments of steadiness, access, and presence in real life. Baseline is the missing piece many people have been waiting for. We are launching soon, and early access will be limited. If you want support that meets your nervous system in the exact moment stress hits, not after, not later, not when you “have it together”, join the waitlist now. Your future self will thank you. Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Marie Keutler Marie Keutler, Psychotherapist & Somatic Therapist | Yoga & Breathwork Teacher Marie Keutler is a psychotherapist, yoga teacher, and wellness retreat facilitator dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with their minds and bodies. She combines evidence-based therapy, yoga, and breathwork to create accessible, science-backed tools for stress relief and well-being. Marie’s innovative programs, including the Pocket Reset Toolkit and Overdrive to Balance, provide practical self-care practices for busy lives. She also hosts transformational retreats in Greece, Portugal, and Africa, offering immersive experiences to foster deep healing and connection.
- How to Choose a Therapist That is Right for You
Written by Dr. Nadia and Dr. Debora D'Iuso, Psychologists, Founders Of Crosstown Psychology & Wellness Clinic Dr. Nadia D'Iuso and Dr. Debora D'Iuso are the co-founders and psychologists at Crosstown Psychology and Wellness Clinic. Their combined 25 years of experience as licensed psychologists and helping hundreds of clients have taught them one central truth-meaningful change starts with strong and trusting relationships. Choosing a therapist is a deeply personal decision, and for many, it can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Imagine sitting across from someone you’ve just met, trying to decide if this person is the one you’ll trust with your fears, hopes, and struggles. It’s a moment that can feel both hopeful and overwhelming. At Crosstown Psychology, we understand how vital it is to find a therapist who truly gets you, someone who listens without judgment, collaborates with you and creates a space where you feel safe to be yourself. So, how do you know when you’ve found the right fit? Let’s explore why the therapist-client relationship matters and what makes it so impactful. Why the therapist-client relationship matters Therapy isn’t just about techniques or theories, it’s about the partnership you build with your therapist. Feeling seen, heard, and understood forms the foundation for meaningful work and real progress. You’re not just looking for someone with the right credentials, you’re looking for someone who fosters trust and empowers you to explore your emotions and experiences. What to look for in a therapist When you’re choosing a therapist, keep these qualities in mind: Empathy and active listening: A therapist should listen without judgment, making you feel valued and understood. They meet you where you are and validate your emotions while guiding you forward. Collaboration and personalization: Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right therapist works with you to create a plan tailored to your unique needs, values, and goals. Authenticity and transparency: An authentic therapist builds trust by being genuine and approachable. This connection fosters a strong foundation for growth. What makes crosstown psychology unique At Crosstown Psychology, we pride ourselves on creating a warm, collaborative, and authentic therapeutic environment. Our therapists, Debora and Nadia, each bring their own strengths to help clients feel comfortable and empowered. Debora’s approach With firsthand experience as a dedicated mother, Debora brings a deep understanding of the challenges that come with balancing life’s responsibilities. Her empathetic nature and ability to validate her clients’ emotions create a safe space for them to explore their struggles. Debora’s authentic and approachable style makes it easier for clients to open up, helping them navigate stress and overwhelm with confidence and support. Nadia’s approach Nadia combines humour, relatability, and professionalism to create a dynamic and supportive therapeutic experience. Her approachable style fosters trust and engagement, whether she’s working with teens or adults. Nadia’s ability to connect on a personal level while addressing complex emotional challenges makes her a valued partner in guiding clients toward growth and resilience. At Crosstown Psychology, we don’t just see you as a client, we see you as a collaborator in the therapeutic process. We believe that you’re the expert on your life, and we’re here to help you navigate your path with the right tools and support. Practical tips for finding the right therapist If you’re still unsure where to start, here are some tips to guide your search: Reflect on your needs: Are you looking for emotional validation, practical tools, or a mix of both? Knowing your preferences can help you narrow down your options. Ask questions: During your first meeting, ask about their approach, experience, and how they plan to support you. A good therapist will welcome these questions and provide clear answers. Give it time: Building a strong therapeutic relationship takes time. If you don’t feel an instant connection, don’t worry. Focus on whether the therapist feels like someone who can grow with you on your journey. Taking the first step Finding the right therapist is a personal and deeply meaningful decision. It’s okay to take your time, ask questions, and explore your options. At Crosstown Psych, we’re here to make that process a little easier. Our goal is to create a space where you feel supported, understood, and empowered to make positive changes in your life. Whether it’s your first time seeking therapy or you’re looking for a better fit, we’re here to help. Ready to begin? Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Nadia and Dr. Debora D'Iuso Dr. Nadia and Dr. Debora D'Iuso, Psychologists, Founders Of Crosstown Psychology & Wellness Clinic Meet Dr. Nadia and Dr. Debora D'Iuso, sisters, psychologists, and founders of Crosstown Psychology and Wellness Clinic. As a sister team, we bring both professional expertise and a deep sense of empathy to our work. We believe effective therapy starts with genuine connection, care, and actionable strategies. Our mission? To offer compassionate, evidence-informed care that is deeply rooted in the therapeutic relationship. We know how important it is for clients to feel safe, seen, and supported in their journey.














