Life By Design Therapy

  Saying "I'm fine" when we're not might seem harmless, but when we do it too often, we may begin to lose touch with the way we truly feel. Instead of saying "I'm fine," practice honesty with your loved ones by saying "Actually, I'm feeling ___" today. By acknowledging your own feelings, you create a safe space for others to tell you how they feel in return 💛 https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-therapy

  BRAIN FOG AND ANXIETY: WHY IS IT HARD FOR ME TO FOCUS? As a result of the Covid pandemic, and its impact on our day-to-day lives, many of us have been experiencing increased levels of stress over the last couple of years. These heightened stress levels may have impacted or exacerbated areas of our lives related to our physical and mental health. For individuals that experience anxiety , high levels of stress can make anxiety levels worse. This increase in stress and overall levels of anxiety can affect our ability to focus, or create “brain fog.” WHAT IS BRAIN FOG?  “Brain Fog” is a term used to describe a lack of mental clarity, the inability to focus, feeling confused, or simply feeling “scatter-brained.” Brain fog can make it difficult to complete tasks that you previously may not have had any issues completing. It can also present itself as forgetfulness, or being easily distracted. Other characteristics of brain fog can include feeling fatigued, or having a hard time organizing

  SOCIAL MEDIA SADNESS: THE LINK BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND SOCIAL MEDIA Have you ever found yourself feeling particularly sad, frustrated, upset, or just overall drained after browsing through Instagram or Facebook? There’s a reason for that. Recent studies have shown a correlation between social media use and depression . While Social Media apps themselves may not be causing depression, the amount of media that we consume may leave us feeling more insecure, exhausted, and socially isolated due to a lack of direct social interaction with others. All of these factors can directly contribute to feelings of sadness and depression .  Spending an increased amount of time on Social Media apps can affect us in more ways than one. Depending on the accounts that you usually follow, seeing an influx of seemingly “perfect” individuals can affect how we perceive ourselves and our overall self-esteem. Constantly checking social media apps may also be creating disruptions in our day, which in turn cre

If you are seeking real relief from anxiety and want to gain essential tools to help manage the specific ways anxiety shows up in your life, our holistic therapists can help.   Life by Design Therapy is dedicated and committed to helping you heal and build a new foundation for growth and transformation. We offer holistic and somatic therapy and counseling for anxiety because we know that our history, our culture, and our unique life experiences shape us. If you’re ready to work on your anxiety in a healing, open, and honoring way, contact our Berkeley and Richmond holistic therapists for a free consultation . https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/anxiety-therapy

  "Abandonment issues," a.k.a. an insecure attachment style, can make a person fearful or avoidant in romantic relationships. They may find it difficult to trust others and struggle to get close to people as a result. Overcoming abandonment issues takes time, effort, and healing interpersonal connections. By learning to trust others and get your emotional needs met, you can rewrite your brain's unhelpful thoughts about attachment and relationships. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/marriage-counseling

  Somatic experiencing is a somatic therapy technique that involves gradual exposure to traumatic memories. As you recall elements of the traumatic event, you will be asked to observe your body's physical reactions and "pendulate" (or shift your attention) between this trauma response and a state of calm. To learn more about somatic therapy or try it for yourself, contact Life by Design Therapy today. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/somatic-therapy

Acceptance can help you "ride the wave" of challenging emotional experiences . You can achieve emotional acceptance in three steps: 1️⃣ Naming the emotion. 2️⃣ Recognize your emotions as normal. 3️⃣ Stop fighting them and allow them to pass with time. By practicing emotional acceptance, over time, you can come to a place where you can overcome any obstacle with resilience. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-therapy