Life By Design Therapy

  When was the last time you felt secure? Where were you? Who were you with? What did your body feel like? Resourcing is a somatic therapy technique that allows you to create a sense of stability and safety. Your past is full of emotional resources you can draw on to cope with distress in the present moment. These resources include visualizing (i.e. resourcing) a "safe place" or "protective figures" associated with positive memories in the mind and body. By remembering these positive people, places, and events from our past, we can effectively "download" the bodily sensations associated with calmer or happier times, to bring our minds and bodies back to a better place. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  🌻 "What does a good therapist look like?" 🌻 The truth is, therapy should feel like a safe and empowering space. A good therapist validates your experiences, listens with intention, and helps you uncover new perspectives. They aren’t there to “fix” you, they’re there to guide you, set goals with you, and encourage meaningful feedback along the way. At Life By Design Therapy , we’re passionate about creating spaces where you can feel seen, supported, and safe to grow. Whether you’re navigating life’s challenges or seeking clarity, our team is here to help you step into the life you deserve; one filled with intention, healing, and self-discovery. Ready to start your journey? Visit Holistic and Somatic Therapy | Berkeley & Online to learn more or book a free consultation through the link in our bio. What’s most important to you in a therapeutic relationship? Share your thoughts below! 🌱 https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  At Life By Design Therapy™, we believe that healing is more than just talking, it’s about feeling, experiencing, and transforming from the inside out. Too many people seek therapy hoping for relief, only to find themselves stuck in surface-level conversations that don’t fully address their pain. Our mission is to change that. We provide somatic and holistic therapy that integrates the body, mind, and nervous system into the healing process. Our approach isn’t just about managing symptoms, it’s about getting to the root of suffering and creating lasting change. If you would like to work with a premier therapy center in Berkeley, California, or just learn more about our approach to mental health, click the link in our bio to schedule a free phone consultation. We can’t wait to hear from you! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/therapy-phone-consultation

  Overwhelm isn’t just a sign that you have too much to do. It’s a signal from your nervous system that it’s carrying more than it can safely hold. When your body is stuck in survival mode, it doesn’t need more pressure, it needs regulation. Here are 6 somatic hacks I use (and share with clients) to help shift out of overwhelm and back into a sense of steadiness: 🌿 Start with grounding, not scrolling – Begin your day with breath, touch, or movement before diving into stimulation. 🌿 Anchor your day with regulation breaks – Tiny pauses between tasks help your system reset before it crashes. 🌿 Move your body in gentle, consistent ways – Think swaying, stretching, or slow walks. Not intensity, but connection. 🌿 Prioritize safety cues in your environment – Soothing light, soft textures, grounding scents…all of it matters. 🌿 Include transitions for emotional decompression – Create space between roles. Let your body exhale before shifting gears. 🌿 End the day with self-soothin...

  There’s a kind of exhaustion that doesn’t go away with more sleep. A kind of tension that lives in your shoulders, your jaw, or your gut, without any clear reason. Maybe you’ve tried deep breathing, journaling, even therapy, but something still feels stuck. Unspoken. Unresolved. In my work as a somatic therapist, I’ve learned that trauma doesn’t always arrive with obvious signs. Sometimes, it’s quiet. It hides in habits we’ve normalized, like always being on edge, needing to stay busy, or finding it hard to feel anything, or finding it hard to trust others. Trauma isn’t just about what happened to you; it’s also about what never got completed. What your body had to hold when things felt too fast, too much, or not enough. And when that process gets interrupted, the body stores the unfinished story, not necessarily in words, but in sensations, patterns, and protective responses. What makes this tricky is that the signs of unprocessed trauma don’t always look like trauma. They ofte...

  “This is just how I’ve always been.” Maybe you’ve said it without thinking. About being the calm one, or the capable one, or even the one who never needs much. But what if it’s not your personality? What if it’s actually a form of self-protection? So many trauma responses get mistaken for traits like: 😶 Emotional numbness ➡️ “easygoing” 💡 Hypervigilance ➡️ “detail-oriented” 🧍‍♀️ Freeze ➡️ “quiet” 🙋‍♀️ Fawning ➡️ “selfless” You didn’t choose these patterns. Your body adapted to keep you safe. And it makes sense if they’ve become familiar, so familiar, they feel like you. If you want to learn more about the hidden ways trauma shows up in everyday life, read the full blog: 7 Hidden Signs of Unprocessed Trauma [link in bio]! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/7-hidden-signs-of-unprocessed-trauma