Life By Design Therapy

  Naturally, many of us are spending more time online these days. Some forms of screen time, like endless hours of scrolling on social media, can be detrimental to our well-being. But one of the beauties of modern technology is that we have also developed so many tools to improve our overall health and happiness. Apps can help you maintain an organized record of your mood, your thoughts, and your habits to ensure you're taking care of your mind and body during quarantine. However, not all mental health apps are created equal. These apps have been reviewed and recommended by reputable organizations like the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and UC San Francisco: 💙 Stop, Breathe, & Think (iOS and Android, free) Track your mood and access tailored meditations selected especially for how you're feeling today. 💙 Sanvello (iOS and Android, free premium subscription during COVID-19) Access clinically validated techniques for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.

  ARE YOU SABOTAGING YOUR OWN RELATIONSHIP? RELATIONSHIP SUPPORT Sometimes, we run away from or reject relationships that are good for us due to our own limiting beliefs. Naturally, not all relationships are destined to work out. However, if you have ever chosen to start a fight or end an otherwise healthy relationship over something relatively unimportant, you might be guilty of self-sabotage.  We may or may not recognize when we are sabotaging our relationships -- but if we find ourselves in a pattern of failed relationships, it is worth examining our beliefs and behaviors to see if self-sabotage may be contributing. In this blog post, we'll discuss how to notice when you might be engaging in self-sabotage, the types of self-sabotaging behaviors that often impact relationships, and what to do if you want to stop sabotaging your relationships. WHAT IS SELF-SABOTAGE? Self-sabotage is the act of covertly damaging or ruining something we care about or that is beneficial to us, often

  OFFERING WALK-AND-TALK THERAPY IN SANTA CRUZ, CA Meet me at a local Santa Cruz County park or beach for your next therapy session. Therapy outdoors provides a connection with the natural world, and an opportunity to slow down and take in your surroundings, using your 5 senses. Movement-based therapy can also be a great way for you to, with my guidance, open up any of the emotional pathways where you're feeling stuck. Walk-and-talk therapy is the ideal setting for mindfulness and somatic-based practices, which can support you on your healing journey. Book a session with me now and lets explore how nature and therapy can work in conjunction to provide you with a truly holistic experience. INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT WALK-AND-TALK THERAPY IN SANTA CRUZ? Schedule your free phone consultation with Leah to discuss walk-and-talk therapy options today! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/walk-and-talk-therapy

  SUPPORTING ADULTS, TEENS AND FAMILIES CURRENTLY OFFERING ONLINE THERAPY FOR CA RESIDENTS Hello! My name is Krystal Williams (pronouns she/her/hers) and I am a Licensed Somatic Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Clinical Counselor. My background includes working with diverse communities including adults, children, teens, and families in various settings. I work holistically blending multiple forms of therapy including mindfulness, expressive art, and nature, with a focus on the mind-body connection. I strive to create a safe working relationship built on a foundation of trust where your truest self is welcomed and accepted. By working with me, you can create the space and time to feel understood and supported leading to capacity for change, healing and wellness. You are the expert on your life, and it would be my honor to join you on your journey of discovering the strengths and resilience already inside you so you can be the person you are meant to be and achieve the lif

  SUPPORTING ADULTS, TEENS, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN-PERSON THERAPY IN BERKELEY AND ONLINE THERAPY FOR CA RESIDENTS Hi I’m Christina ! I am an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. In my work I utilize a person-centered and collaborative approach to therapy and blend attachment theory and narrative theory . I am passionate about supporting youth, adults, and families with diverse backgrounds. I utilize different tools such as play, art, and mindfulness to support individuals in communicating and processing their experiences, challenges, and needs. I am patient and will always meet you where you’re at during your journey. I do my best to understand how you’re feeling, what’s going on in your life, and strive to create a safe environment and healthy relationship with you. I believe when one feels safe in therapy, transformation and growth can take place. UTILIZING A STRENGTHS-BASED APPROACH TO HELP INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH SELF-E

  When we think of trauma, most of us think of something truly horrific. Usually, it's an accident, disaster, or act of violence that's so terrible, most of us can't imagine living through it. In reality, there is not a list of events that makes up the definition of trauma. Any experience can be considered traumatic -- it's the body's response to that event that turns it from an adverse experience into trauma. Normal reactions to trauma include anxiety, hypervigilance, insomnia, nightmares, and panic attacks, among a whole host of other symptoms. When these experiences persist long after the triggering event, they become post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Whether you are navigating the immediate aftermath of trauma or can't seem to shake something that happened to you years ago, Life by Design Therapy can help. One of our specialties is providing trauma therapy to the Berkeley and Richmond communities. Contact us today to learn more about trauma and whether

  Relationships are such important parts of our lives that we're often willing to go to great lengths to make them work. But even for the strongest of couples, there are so many challenges that can get in the way of the bond you share with your partner. You may compromise too much, or too little. You may have certain beliefs or habits that are so difficult to break free from and restrict you from having a strong bond with your partner. You may carry old wounds into a new relationship, and have trouble forgiving or loving yourself making it almost impossible to truly love another. You may have struggled to understand your needs and wants, and that indecision is leading to mixed signals for a lover that needs clarity and healthy boundaries. You may suffer with poor communication, sometimes wanting to open up when the other person shuts down. Or get accused of things you do not believe are fair. Perhaps it just leads to stubborn arguments where neither partner is willing to back down?

  ASK A THERAPIST Q: Do I have agoraphobia? A: If you experience panic or fear when... 🚉 Using public transportation 🏡 Leaving the home 👥 Being in large crowds ✈️ Traveling to open or enclosed spaces ...you may be struggling with agoraphobia. Talk to Life by Design Therapy today to get in touch with a mental healthcare professional who understands what you are going through. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-somatic-therapists

  Mindfulness keeps us focused on the present instead of worrying about the future or the past. Instead of passing judgments on what's going on in your life, try noticing and describing exactly where you are and how you feel, without trying to change anything. For more useful coping skills & tips , follow us  @lifebydesigntherapy . https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  Self-soothing looks to our five senses for comfort. This might look like... 👁 Dimming the lights, making art with bright colors 👂 Listening to music, noticing sounds around you 🖐 Wrapping yourself in a soft blanket, holding a warm mug 👃 Lighting a scented candle, spraying your favorite perfume 👅 Savoring a piece of chocolate, grabbing a cup of coffee or tea For more useful coping skills & tips, follow us  @lifebydesigntherapy . https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  One of the most common questions we get asked is, "how do I know if I need to go to therapy?" Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be experiencing symptoms of mental illness to seek help from a therapist. People come to therapy to better themselves, whether that means understanding the impacts of your family and cultural history, overcoming specific systems of anxiety, depression, or trauma, or just wanting self-discovery, better understanding, and self-love. Therapy provides you with the opportunity to move forward from the places in your life in which you feel stuck, blocked, or under-supported. At Life by Design Therapy, we believe that anyone can benefit from therapy if they are willing to put in the work to better themselves. Whether you are experiencing specific symptoms, seeking personal growth and understanding, or just need someone to listen, our holistic therapists can work with you to make progress toward your unique goals. Contact us today to learn mo

  Sometimes, the best way to cope with our emotions is to seek respite from them. We can do this by employing distraction skills, such as engaging in a favorite activity or trying to replace one emotion with a different one (for example, by watching a funny video when we're sad). For more useful coping skills & tips , follow us   @lifebydesigntherapy . https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  Anxiety is becoming incredibly common. According to ADAA, anxiety disorders affect 18% of the U.S. population every year. Some signs that you might struggle with anxiety include: ✨ PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS ✨ Jitters, nausea, shortness of breath, restlessness, insomnia ✨ COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS ✨ Being obsessed with what others say about you, believing you will never accomplish enough in a day, comparing yourself unfairly to friends and coworkers, always imagining the worst-case scenario ✨ EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS ✨ Shame, inadequacy, dread, worry, isolation, feeling stuck If you identify with the symptoms of anxiety, you are not alone. Life by Design Therapy can help you take back your life from anxiety, so you can heal from in an open and honoring way. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/anxiety-therapy

  Many parents make the mistake of believing that children have nothing to worry about. But while they may have not matured quite yet in responsibilities like going to college, starting a career, buying their first home, or dealing with marriage or divorce - kids still hurt just like adults, even very little ones. So, parents: when does your child need to go to therapy? The answer is that it's different for every child. Children in distress may show many or few signs of their emotions. Like adults, they may withdraw from activities they used to enjoy, become tearful or emotional, or even seem irritable or angry. Or, they may regress to behaviors they previously outgrew, such as bed-wetting or throwing temper tantrums. Sometimes children need therapy for circumstances where healing is involved. For example, in the event of an unexpected loss, a child may have trouble dealing with grief and sorrow for the first time. On other occasions, holistic and somatic psychotherapy is extremely

  LGBTQIA rights are a mental health issue 🏳️‍🌈 The Family Acceptance Project found that highly rejected LGBTQIA youth are: 🌈 8x as likely to attempt suicide 🌈 6x as likely to report high levels of depression 🌈 3x as likely to use drugs 🌈 3x as likely to be at risk for HIV & other STIs As holistic therapists, LGBTQIA rights are absolutely our problem -- and we have a responsibility to be part of the solution. Part of Life by Design Therapy's commitment to culturally competent mental healthcare is our commitment to the LGBTQIA community. Our staff is comprised of queer and queer-allied holistic therapists who are informed about and sensitive to the complexities of treating LGBTQIA mental health. To learn more about who we are and how we support California's LGBTQIA community, contact Life by Design Therapy for a free consultation. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  BIPOC individuals face distinct barriers to accessing mental health treatment. For Black Americans, stigma appears to contribute greatly to reluctance in seeking help. This #MentalHealthMonth, follow influencers like  @therapyforblackgirls  and support organizations like the Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM) to educate yourself and help destigmatize mental health conditions in the Black community. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  Early-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most common mental illnesses found in children. 1 in 4 cases of OCD begin by age 14, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America. When a young person struggles with OCD, it can be confusing and scary for both the child and their caregiver(s). Therapy can help you and your family navigate your child's OCD and reduce conflict or power struggles related to its symptoms. Contact Life by Design Therapy today to learn more about how we can help children with OCD and other anxiety-related disorders reduce distress and lead happier lives. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/childtherapy

  Employers are increasingly recognizing the importance of workplace mental health, but many employees are still reluctant to seek help when they need it. According to the Mind the Workplace 2022 Report, only 38% of workers are comfortable accessing mental health services at their work. This Mental Health Month, try finding out what services are available in your workplace to help yourself or a coworker when needed. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-somatic-therapists

  Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈 At Life By Design Therapy we believe that every person deserves to feel safe and live without shame or guilt. We have the honor of working with the LBGTQ+ community and helping them heal from painful experiences. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  College students are one of the groups most impacted by #MentalHealthMonth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to factors like virtual schooling and lack of social contact, 72% of college students reported worsened mental health in the height of the pandemic. For more information (and to donate), look to organizations like the JED Foundation and Active Minds that are working to raise awareness of mental health issues on college campuses! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/teen-therapy

  When we're caught up in thinking about the past or worrying about the future, we forget to be grateful for where we are right now. Next time you find yourself obsessing over things you can't change or control, name a few things you are grateful for to recenter on the present moment. For more useful coping skills & tips , follow us  @lifebydesigntherapy . https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/mission