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...