Life By Design Therapy

  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 like 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 . https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/blog/10-ways-to-support-your-teens-mental-health

  Behind every session is a therapist who truly cares. 💛 At Life By Design Therapy™ , our team believes healing isn’t about “fixing” yourself, it’s about coming home to who you already are. We show up as humans first, therapists second. We’ve sat where you are, searching for calm, clarity, and connection, and we know how powerful it can be when you finally feel seen. ✨ Meet the team that holds space for your healing, one nervous system at a time. We offer in-person therapy in Berkeley, CA, and online sessions throughout California , so you can begin your healing journey wherever you are. Ready to start? Book a free consultation and see what it feels like to be supported by a team that truly understands. Link in bio! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-somatic-therapists

  Meet Rachel Eisenstat, AMFT 🌿 Rachel creates a calm, grounded space for clients to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and explore what’s beneath the surface. Her work blends warmth, curiosity, and somatic awareness, helping clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and bodies. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, or a season of transition, Rachel supports you in building awareness, regulation, and self-trust. She offers in-person and online sessions and is currently accepting new clients. If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy, this might be your sign to reach out and begin your next chapter of growth and healing. 💛 ✨ Learn more about Rachel and schedule a consultation at the link in bio. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/rachel-eisenstat-amft-apcc

  Did you know you don’t have to leave your desk to regulate your nervous system? Sometimes the most effective grounding tools are the ones that fit into the rhythm of your workday. When stress builds, your body shifts into survival mode. Tension rises, focus fades, and small frustrations start to feel heavier. But practicing nervous system regulation throughout the day helps your body return to balance before burnout takes hold. Try this: 🪞 Visualize yourself turning down an emotional dial. 🔥 Rub your hands together and feel the warmth in your palms. 🌿 Inhale something grounding, like peppermint or eucalyptus. These simple techniques support stress management and help you stay connected to your body, not just your to-do list. Over time, they can make a real difference in preventing burnout and keeping you grounded through the workday. Save this post for the days when you’re stuck in go-mode and need a moment to breathe! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  Burnout can make even the simplest parts of your day feel distant, especially if it’s work driving the exhaustion. You show up, check the boxes, and get through the meetings, but somewhere along the way, you stop feeling connected to why you’re doing it all. Reconnecting with your 'why' doesn’t necessarily mean you have to change jobs or take time off. Sometimes it begins with making a conscious effort to become aware of the little things. Like noticing how the light hits your desk, the sound of your breath before the next task, or the relief of finishing one small thing. These small moments are how your mind and body begin to regulate, find a place of purpose, and feel safe. They signal to your nervous system that it’s okay to pause, to acknowledge, to come back to yourself. Because the truth is, purpose isn’t something you have to chase; it’s something that has been there all along. You only need to return to moments that remind you what matters. You can learn more about ...

  According to OSHA, More than 80% of U.S. workers say they’ve experienced workplace stress, and over half share that it impacts their life at home. We’re bringing this up because it’s a good time to pause and ask yourself… how is stress showing up in your body? Workplace burnout has become so normalized that many of us don’t notice the signs until we’re completely depleted. The tension in your shoulders, the racing thoughts, the constant “just get through the day” mindset…those are all signals from your nervous system asking for care. At Life By Design Therapy ™, we help you learn how to regulate your nervous system, manage stress with awareness, and rebuild a sense of peace that doesn’t depend on productivity. Your body isn’t asking you to do more; it’s asking you to slow down. If you’re ready to move from burnout to balance, book a call with us today to start therapy. Let’s help you find calm again; one breath, one session, one step at a time. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.c...

  Every time your phone buzzes, your body reacts, even if you don’t consciously notice it. A quick spike of adrenaline. A flicker of alertness. Your nervous system can’t tell the difference between a true emergency and a notification. When this happens all day, your body stays in a low-level stress response, tense, distracted, and on edge. That’s why turning off notifications isn’t just about focus; it’s about regulation. When you choose when to check your phone, you give your body permission to slow down. Your breath deepens. Your shoulders drop. Your mind quiets. Small changes like this are how you begin to move from constant reactivity to calm awareness. 🌿 ✨ At Life By Design Therapy ™, we help you reconnect with your body’s cues and find rhythms that support nervous system. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  Today, we pause to honor and thank all veterans for their courage, resilience, and selfless service. Your sacrifices have shaped our nation’s story and continue to remind us of the strength found in dedication, community, and compassion. To every veteran, past and present, we are deeply grateful for your service. Happy Veteran’s Day! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  If your mind never seems to rest, it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. Anxiety has a way of convincing us that we’re failing when really, it’s your body working hard to protect you. When peace feels far away, it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your nervous system is doing its best to keep you safe. The shift comes when we stop fighting ourselves and start meeting those moments with gentleness. ✨ Slow down. Inhale. Exhale. This moment is enough. You are enough. 💬 Share this with someone who needs the reminder today. You don’t have to carry anxiety alone. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/anxiety-therapy

  Do you ever wonder what happened to the days when it felt like we had more time? We used to have built-in transitions like commercial breaks between shows, quiet drives without constant notifications, and slow internet that made us wait (and breathe) for a moment. We had pauses, natural breaks, and moments of togetherness that helped our bodies reset. Now, everything is instant. Every gap in our day gets filled…checking messages while waiting in line, scrolling while the coffee brews, or rushing straight from one task to the next. Without realizing it, our nervous systems rarely get a chance to exhale. What’s missing isn’t more hours, it’s transitions. Those small pauses between what was and what’s next are where we recalibrate, reconnect, and remember how to be present. ✨ Take a few deep breaths before diving into what’s next. ✨ Step outside after work before shifting into home life. ✨ Give yourself permission to do nothing for a moment. When we honor transitions, our days beg...

  I didn’t realize how much I had filled every quiet moment, checking emails while waiting, scrolling while the coffee brewed, listening to something during every walk. I called it “being efficient,” but what I’d really lost was the ability to be still. That realization led me to what I now call intentional transitions , the small pauses that help you close one moment before stepping into the next. Here are five transitions that changed everything for me: 🌿 The Morning Transition — Begin the day without input. Just breathe and arrive in your body before the noise starts. 🌿 Transition Rituals — Mark the end of one thing and the start of another (washing your hands, lighting a candle, taking three breaths). 🌿 Pauses in Conversation — Let silence exist. It deepens connection and slows your nervous system. 🌿 Unscheduled Time — Leave open space in your day — that’s where your nervous system rests and creativity returns. 🌿 Turn Off Notifications — Protect your peace by deciding...

  Did you know nearly 60% of students report feeling stressed every day ? For many teens, that stress doesn’t sound like “I’m overwhelmed.” It looks like pulling away, staying in their room, snapping back, or sleeping more than usual. Beneath those behaviors is often a nervous system trying to keep up with the constant pressure of school, social media, and expectations from every direction. As parents, one of the most powerful things you can do is shift from correction to connection . Your teen doesn’t need you to fix everything; they need to feel seen, safe, and supported. Here are a few ways to help: ✨ Create space beyond screens. Invite your teen into moments that pull them into real life, like cooking together, taking a drive, or just sitting side by side. ✨ Support authentic self-expression. Show interest in what lights them up, even if it’s not your thing. Feeling understood builds confidence. ✨ Notice and celebrate everyday joys. Remind them that even on hard days, moment...

  I recently realized I had lost the ability to be still. Waiting for the coffee to brew? I’d scroll my phone. Walking to the car? I’d put on a YouTube video. Five minutes before a meeting? I’d squeeze in emails. Every corner of my day got filled with something…some kind of noise, some kind of input. At first, I thought this was a good thing. I was being efficient, right? Maximizing every spare moment. But beneath the surface, it felt different. I started noticing a strange unease. Everything on my list felt urgent, but none of it felt meaningful. I was moving through life on autopilot, checking boxes without truly experiencing anything. That’s when it hit me: I had removed all the open space in my day. And without those moments, there was no room left to think, to be present, or to feel grounded. That realization led me to what I now call intentional transitions . To learn 5 simple transitions to shift from overwhelmed to present, click the link in my bio to read the full blog! h...

  We live in a world where it feels like we’re not allowed to slow down. Do you remember commercial breaks, waiting for a show to come back on, or scrolling, not even being an option? We didn’t realize it then, but those moments forced us to pause. They gave our minds a chance to rest and reconnect with the present. 🌿 Now, every quiet moment gets filled with noise, notifications, tasks, constant input, and our nervous systems never really get to exhale. That’s why transitions matter. They’re not wasted time; they’re how we regulate, reset, and return to ourselves. Here are a few therapist-approved transitions to bring back into your day: ☀️ Morning Pause — start your day in stillness before the world starts talking. 💧 Reset Rituals — wash your hands, light a candle, or change clothes to mark a shift. 🌿 Pausing in Conversation — breathe before you respond; it builds connection and calm. 📱 Turning Off Notifications — give your brain space to focus and your body permission ...