Life By Design Therapy

  You tug at your clothes, cross your arms, shift your posture. You find anything to distract others from the parts of yourself you can’t stop criticizing. And it doesn’t just happen in the mirror. It follows you into photos, into conversations, even into the way you carry yourself through a crowded room. Even when others don’t notice, your mind zooms in on the details like your hips, which you think are too wide, arms that don’t look toned enough, or skin that never seems smooth enough. This isn’t just about confidence, it isn’t vanity… Read More https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/heal-your-body-image-with-these-body-based-tools

  When you’re weighed down by depression, even daily life can feel like too much. Because your nervous system is in survival mode, structure can feel like pressure. Motivation disappears. Everything feels far away. When your nervous system is in survival mode, structure can feel like pressure. Motivation disappears. Everything feels far away. That’s why body-based tools are so powerful. They help you connect, gently, from the inside out. 🌿 Notice what’s there: Tune in to your body without judgment. Start by naming simple sensations like tightness in your chest or heaviness in your limbs. 🌿 Create rhythms, not routines: Rhythms are forgiving. They bring gentle structure without the pressure. Think: opening a window in the morning or lighting a candle at night. 🌿 Gentle movement: Wiggle your toes. Sway in your chair. Stretch with soft music playing. No mirrors. No goals. Just reminding your body that it’s still here. ✨ These aren’t meant to fix you. They’re here to help you feel ...

  When you're living with depression, even the smallest tasks can feel heavy. Your body might feel disconnected, numb, or like it’s just going through the motions. That’s not failure, it’s your nervous system doing its best to cope. 💛 These gentle, body-based tips can help you begin reconnecting with yourself, one small moment at a time: ✔️ Notice what’s there – Tune into your chest, jaw, or stomach. Name what you feel. ✔️ Connect through sensation – Touch something grounding: a blanket, a warm mug, a pet. ✔️ Take moments to rest – Rest without guilt. You don’t have to earn it. ✔️ Create rhythms, not routines – Light a candle. Open a window. Let life move in small, doable ways. ✔️ Include gentle movement – Sway, stretch, or wiggle your toes. ✔️ Seek support – This step can be difficult for some, but I want you to know that you don’t have go through this alone. This isn’t about “fixing.” It’s about helping your body feel safe again. Working with a Somatic therapist can suppor...

  Psst..I have a secret… Did you know that just because it’s taking time, doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong? Healing your relationship with your body isn't about quick fixes or sudden breakthroughs, even though that’s often what we’re taught to expect. Somatic therapy invites something slower. Something deeper. It calls you to stay present with yourself, especially in the moments you want to shut down, avoid, or push through. Most of us were never taught how to listen to our bodies. We were taught to override discomfort, power through pain, or numb what felt too big. So when you start this work, it can feel unfamiliar…and maybe even frustrating. Every time you pause, breathe, or notice a sensation without judgment you're building trust and safety. Not just with your body, but with your entire being. And please remember that there’s no timeline for this, there’s only practice . 💬 Does this resonate with where you are right now? https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-s...

  Grounding isn’t just a mental exercise it’s a way to bring your whole self back into the moment, especially when you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected. When your nervous system is dysregulated, you can feel floaty, foggy, shut down, or completely overstimulated. Grounding helps you come back into your body and into now safely. 🌿 Grounding can look like: ✨ Pressing your feet into the floor ✨ Holding a warm mug with both hands ✨ Naming five things you can see, hear, or touch ✨ Taking one slow breath and noticing what it feels like It’s not about fixing the feeling. It’s about giving your body a place to land. You deserve to feel supported in your body, and grounding is a powerful first step. If you would like additional grounding tools, check out our free eBook , The MindBody Toolkit. Click the link in our bio to download! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/resources

  Depression is a dark pit. It can shackle you and hold you prisoner. The deep, negative feelings of sadness, rejection, regret, sorrow and misery have the power to take control of your life. Finding True Happiness with Depression Therapy . https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/depression-therapy

  There’s a certain kind of heaviness that’s hard to explain. It’s not always sadness. It’s not always tears. Sometimes, it’s just a sense of moving through your day with the volume turned down. A mind full of fog and a body that feels like it’s made of stone. As a therapist, I’ve worked with many people who’ve carried this invisible weight, often for years. They don’t always name it as depression at first. It might come out as “burnout,” or “being off,” or “not feeling like myself lately.” But beneath the surface, their bodies are telling a different story. READ MORE https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/nbspholistic-tips-for-healing-your-depression-7t7cg

  There’s a certain kind of heaviness that’s hard to explain. It’s not always sadness. It’s not always tears. Sometimes, it’s just a sense of moving through your day with the volume turned down. A mind full of fog and a body that feels like it’s made of stone. As a therapist, I’ve worked with many people who’ve carried this invisible weight, often for years. They don’t always name it as depression at first. It might come out as “burnout,” or “being off,” or “not feeling like myself lately.” But beneath the surface, their bodies are telling a different story. Read the full blog here. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/nbspholistic-tips-for-healing-your-depression-7t7cg

  “Buzzzz!” The alarm goes off. Another day begins, and you’re already counting down the hours until you can crawl back into bed. Between work demands, rising costs, the heaviness of the news cycle, and the constant juggling of your family’s needs, your mind feels scattered, and your body is worn out. Sound familiar? Read the full blog here. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/how-to-build-a-daily-routine-to-support-overwhelm

  I’ve noticed something again and again…trauma doesn’t always show up the way people expect it to. Sometimes it’s not panic or flashbacks. Sometimes it’s a constant tiredness you can’t explain, or the way your shoulders never quite relax. It’s the pressure to keep going, the discomfort with stillness, or the feeling that you have to stay on alert… even when things seem fine. Read the full blog here. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/7-hidden-signs-of-unprocessed-trauma

  ✨ Why somatic therapy at Life by Design? ✨ We believe that healing and transformation happen within present moment experiences, and use this belief to shape our work. Our goal as therapists is to guide you towards accessing more information and lead you to the path of experiencing wholeness. We believe this is the road to growth, paradigm shifts, challenging unhealthy patterns, and, most importantly, to the FREEDOM OF CHOICE. Somatic therapy encourages you to choose yourself, every day, by choosing to be aware of your body in the present moment. Contact Life by Design Therapy today to learn more about our openings for somatic therapy. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  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

  When something overwhelming happens and there’s no space to release it, no chance to run, cry, be held, or feel safe again, your nervous system holds onto that survival energy. It stays in your body, quietly shaping how you think, feel, connect, and cope. And even if the trauma is long past, your body might still be waiting for the signal: “It’s safe now.” That’s where somatic therapy can help. Healing and regulation starts when your body gets to complete what never got to finish, so you can finally return to a place of safety, presence, and peace. And please know that your body isn’t the problem. It’s part of the healing. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/somatic-therapy