Life By Design Therapy

  When every moment is filled with something, the next email, the next scroll, the next thought, your body never truly resets. It’s not just mental fatigue; it’s a physical response. Your nervous system stays on high alert, bracing for the next demand before the last one even ends. Over time, that constant activation leads to anxiety, tension, headaches, poor sleep, and eventually… burnout. But slowing down isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s how your body finds balance again. Pausing between tasks, stepping outside, or taking a few deep breaths aren’t small things; they’re signals to your nervous system that it’s safe to rest. ✨ At Life By Design Therapy™ , we help you understand what your body is trying to tell you, and teach you how to regulate, reset, and move through life with more calm and clarity. Visit the link in our bio to learn more about how somatic and holistic therapy can support your nervous system. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy, I know it can feel like a big decision. My role is to help make that process a little easier, and that starts with being honest about a few common mistakes I see people make before they begin. ✨ 1. Expecting quick results Therapy isn’t a one-session fix. It’s a process that unfolds over time, as you build trust with your therapist and start applying what you learn outside of session. ✨ 2. Settling for a therapist who isn’t the right fit You deserve to feel comfortable, seen, and supported. If the first therapist you meet doesn’t feel like a match, it’s completely okay to try someone new. ✨ 3. Overlooking what you want from therapy It’s okay not to have it all figured out, but reflecting on what you hope to gain can help guide your sessions and ensure your needs are being met along the way. ✨ 4. Not planning for the financial commitment Therapy is an investment in your wellbeing, but it doesn’t have to feel out of reach. Many therap...

  Parenting teens is both beautiful and hard. You want to protect them, but you also know they’re finding their own way, and that can feel like walking a line between holding on and letting go. When your teen seems moody, distant, or easily overwhelmed, it’s easy to wonder what you’re doing wrong. But often, it’s not about you; it’s their nervous system trying to keep up. Overwhelm can show up as irritability, withdrawal, or exhaustion. Sometimes, shutting down is their body’s way of saying, “I’ve reached my limit.” Your calm presence matters more than the perfect words. 🌻 Slow things down. 🌻 Offer rest. 🌻 Listen without rushing to fix. When you stay steady, you remind their body that it’s safe, and that they’re not alone in what they’re feeling. 💛 Read more therapist-approved ways to support your teen’s mental health in our latest blog — link in bio. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/teen-therapy

  Parenting a teen isn’t easy…especially when you can see they’re struggling, and you’re not sure how to reach them. But your teen doesn’t need a perfect parent; they need a steady one. Someone who listens without judgment, who reminds them they’re not alone, and who keeps showing up, even on the hard days. Every quiet conversation, every gentle check-in, every moment of patience matters more than you think. 🌿 Read more in our latest blog, 10 Ways to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health — link in bio. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/10-ways-to-support-your-teens-mental-health

  It’s okay to pause. 🌿 To slow down. To take a moment that doesn’t need to be filled or justified. We live in a world that rewards constant movement, but your nervous system was never meant to run without rest. Pausing isn’t falling behind. It’s how your body resets , how your mind softens, and how you return to the present moment. So today, give yourself permission to stop, even just for a breath, and remember that rest isn’t something you earn. It’s something you deserve. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  Have you ever caught yourself wondering… is this stress , or is it anxiety ? They can feel almost identical in your body…your chest gets tight, your thoughts start racing, your shoulders tense, your energy dips. And sometimes, you don’t even realize how much you’ve been carrying until you finally sit down at the end of the day. Here’s the tricky part: stress usually has a clear “why.” Maybe it’s a deadline, a packed calendar, or something unexpected happening in your life. Once the situation eases, your body can usually let go and settle. Anxiety, though, is different. It doesn’t always need a reason. You can wake up with it, feel it during a calm afternoon, or notice it creeping in when life should feel fine. This is where the DSM-5’s description of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) helps us understand the difference. According to the DSM-5, GAD involves excessive worry on more days than not for at least six months, and it’s paired with symptoms such as: Restlessness or feelin...

  There was a time when anxiety felt like it defined me. The racing thoughts, the tight chest, the constant edge of dread…it felt like that was who I was. But over time, I’ve learned that anxiety is only one part of my experience, not the whole story. My body wasn’t working against me; it was doing its best to protect me, even when it felt overwhelming. That shift, realizing I wasn’t broken, that my nervous system could actually learn safety , changed everything. It didn’t happen overnight, but it started with small reminders. Words I could return to when my mind wouldn’t stop spinning. Now, when anxiety shows up, I don’t see it as a failure. I see it as a cue to slow down, breathe, and remind myself that ease is still possible. At Life By Design Therapy™ , this is the work we do every day, helping you reconnect with your body, find safety again, and begin to write a new story with your nervous system. ✨ Save this reel so you have these reminders for the days when anxiety feels hea...

  Parenting a teen can feel like walking a tightrope between wanting to protect them and also needing to let them figure things out. And sometimes, it’s easy to forget that showing up is enough. I want you to remember… ☀️ You don’t have to have the perfect response. ☀️ You don’t have to fix every problem. ☀️ Your presence, consistency, and willingness to listen make more of an impact than you realize. Teens are navigating some of the most complex years of their lives, balancing independence with belonging, identity with expectation, and emotions that often feel bigger than their ability to manage them. And while they may not always say it, your steady presence helps anchor them through it. So on the hard days, when the eye rolls feel endless or conversations fall flat, remember your effort to stay connected still matters. Every time you pause before reacting, model self-compassion, or remind them they’re not alone, you’re teaching them how to regulate, repair, and reach for con...

  You don’t have to wait for things to fall apart to start therapy. Sometimes the first signs you’re ready are quiet; you feel stuck in patterns you can’t name, you crave a space to talk without judgment, or you just want to feel more like yourself again. Therapy isn’t about fixing what’s broken; it’s about understanding what your mind and body have been trying to tell you. At Life By Design Therapy ™ , our holistic and somatic therapists help you reconnect with your nervous system, rediscover balance, and move through life with more calm and clarity. ✨ Learn more or schedule a consultation with the link in bio! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  ✨ Please join us in welcoming Jhane Vargas, AMFT , to the Life By Design Therapy™ team! Jhane brings a grounded, compassionate presence to her work, helping clients slow down, reconnect with themselves, and explore the patterns that shape how they move through the world. She supports adults navigating stress, anxiety, life transitions, and identity exploration, and she’s passionate about creating a warm, safe space where clients can feel seen, understood, and empowered to grow. Jhane is currently accepting new clients with in-person, online, and evening appointments available. 💛 If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy or finding a therapist who truly meets you where you are, we’d love to help you connect with Jhane. [Link in bio or DM us for details] https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-somatic-therapists

  Some days it feels like the world is spinning faster than any of us can keep up. And for teens, the weight can feel especially heavy. Between school demands, pressure about the future, navigating friendships, constant social media exposure, and the endless stream of news…it’s a lot. As a parent, you might notice your teen pulling away by spending more time in their room, giving one-word answers, or meeting your questions with sass instead of conversation. Maybe they seem moody or unpredictable, and as a parent, it can be hard to watch and not know how to help. Your teen is in one of the most important seasons of life, discovering who they are, testing boundaries, and trying on different versions of themselves, all while the outside world keeps demanding more and more. Social media tells them who they should be. School tells them what they need to achieve. Friends and family may have expectations too. It’s no wonder so many teens are struggling with enormous stress, anxiety, and s...

  Behind every “boss” title is a human who carries a lot. You make decisions that ripple through others’ lives, constantly problem-solving, and carry the invisible mental load of leading well and caring deeply. If you’re in that role, this is your reminder: you deserve support too. You can take a breath, delegate, and let rest be part of your leadership. Protecting your mental health isn’t just good for you; it’s what allows you to lead with clarity, compassion, and presence. 💛 Today, we’re also celebrating our incredible founder and leader, Melody Wright, LMFT , whose vision, empathy, and authenticity make Life By Design Therapy™ what it is. Thank you for leading with heart and intention every day. If you’re ready to create space for your own mental health, our therapists at Life By Design Therapy™ are here to support you. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/melody-wright-mft

  If your depression feels invisible to everyone else, this is for you. Depression doesn’t always scream. Sometimes it whispers through silence, stillness, and isolation. This quote was written to honor that experience; to put words to what feels impossible to explain. 📌 Save this for the days you need to feel seen. And if you’re ready for support, we’re here when you are. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/depression-therapy

  There’s a common misconception that therapy is only for people in crisis, but I want you to know that therapy actually supports both the deep struggles and the quiet disconnects. Sometimes therapy is about learning how to breathe again after life has felt like too much. Those moments when anxiety, loss, or stress have taken over, and you just need someone to help you find your footing. Other times, it’s for when life looks “fine” on the outside, but inside you feel off, for when you are feeling distant from yourself, running on autopilot, or unsure why the things that used to bring joy don’t feel the same anymore. Therapy meets you wherever you are. You’re human, and there’s nothing wrong with that. 💛 If you’ve been wondering whether therapy might be right for you, our Client Care Coordinator, Kirsten , is here to help you take that first step and connect with a therapist who’s the right fit. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/therapy-phone-consultation

  I know what it’s like when anxiety feels heavier than usual, when your body is tense, your mind is racing, and even the smallest things feel overwhelming. 🌿 Right now, so many of us are living with more uncertainty, constant exposure to difficult news, and the weight of caring for others. Your nervous system wasn’t built to hold this much for this long, which is why it may feel like you’re always on high alert. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t mean you’re weak or failing. It means you’re human in a world that feels overwhelming. ✨ Therapy can help lighten that load. It gives you a safe space to process what’s weighing you down, learn how anxiety shows up in your body, and discover tools that bring steadiness back into your day-to-day. 💛 If your anxiety has been feeling heavier lately, know you don’t have to carry it alone. Support is here when you’re ready. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/therapy-phone-consultation

  I know what it’s like to live with anxiety; to feel your body tense up for no clear reason, to lie awake at night with your thoughts running in circles, or to carry that heavy sense of dread through your day. It takes me back to college during finals week. I can still remember the late nights with my roommates, trying to pull all-nighters, grabbing junk food and soda to push through, running on maybe four hours of sleep before doing it all over again. My body felt like it was in complete stress mode: exhausted, jittery, and constantly on edge. Read More https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/6-natural-ways-to-ease-anxietynbsp