Can Your Curiosity Heal the World?
Discover how curiosity can calm your mind, ease stress, and foster deeper connections. It could even transform growth and heal the world....
Author: Heather Edwards
Oh, it’s on! Your holiday survival guide
Okay, let’s be real for a second—this year feels weird. Autumn in the Northeast is giving us summer vibes, and Thanksgiving is super late. Is it just me, or does it feel like the holiday season popped up out of nowhere? One second we’re sipping iced lattes in October, and the next, we’re defrosting turkeys and hunting for Black Friday deals. Whiplash anyone? Holiday survival guide, please. And now it’s time to head to Aunt Sally’s for the annual family extravaganza. You know the one: the same casserole dishes, the same arguments, and somehow, the same side-eye from Cousin Linda about your “life choices.” Family, am I right? But don’t worry—I got you. Whether it’s navigating surprise political debates, fielding awkward comments about your love life...
EMDR: A Life Changing Choice
Have you ever been stuck in a mental loop, replaying painful memories like a bad song on repeat? Or you've had moments where past trauma sneaks up on you, disrupting your present with anxiety, self-doubt, or emotional overload. If so, you're not alone—and there's a surprisingly effective tool that can help you break free from those patterns. EMDR: A life changing choice. What Exactly Is EMDR? EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Sounds technical, right? But don't worry, it’s not as intimidating as it seems. In essence, EMDR is a type of psychotherapy designed to help people heal from the symptoms and emotional distress caused by disturbing life experiences. The magic lies in how it helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer...
Empathy: Your Greatest Superpower That You Rarely Use
Grab Your Cape. Let's heal the world. In a world where scrolling through memes and cat videos consumes more time than meaningful conversations, it’s easy to overlook a superpower that we all possess. No, it's not flying or invisibility—though that would be cool. I'm talking about empathy. Empathy is like Wi-Fi for the soul: it connects us to the inner networks of other people's experiences and emotions. When working properly, it can create understanding, compassion, and, dare I say, world peace. Yet, much like Wi-Fi, it can sometimes be frustratingly unreliable. Picture this: You're at a party. You don't know many people, and you're nervously clutching your drink like it’s a life preserver. Suddenly, someone approaches and strikes up a conversation. Instead of the usual small talk, they...
EMDR: The Self Doubt Slayer
Imagine standing at the edge of a vast ocean, feeling the warmth of the sun on your face and the gentle breeze whispering words of encouragement. This is where your journey towards improved self-confidence begins—a journey guided by the transformative power of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. 1. Unlocking the Treasure Within: Picture yourself as a treasure hunter, with your therapist as your trusted guide. Together, you embark on an epic quest to unearth the hidden gems of your inner strength and resilience. Navigate the depths of your subconscious. Discover the treasure of self-confidence that's been buried beneath layers of doubt and fear. 2. Riding the EMDR Waves of Transformation: Just as a surfer rides the waves with grace and determination, you navigate the waves...
Resolutions for the New Year – 5 steps to success
New Year’s Day has come, and gone! As Mid-January looms, are you feeling restless, or resolute?2023 was akin to the “rebound boyfriend” year, after the worldwide break-up with COVID-19. And just like rebound dating, you threw yourself into the fray to make up for lost time. While it was exhilarating, it was also exhausting. So, pause. Take a deep breath. Begin the new year by looking back. Try these 5 simple steps to shoot for the stars in 2024. Pause. Take a breath. Begin by looking back. 1. Learn from the past 2023 encapsulates important lessons learned and hard victories won. Evaluate your relationships, self care, commitment to work, nutrition and exercise, your earnings and spendings, and anything else important to you. What was successful? Where did you fail? Are there outcomes you want more of? Is...
How to Flip Holiday Madness into Mindfulness
The magic of the holidays is upon us and behold, it can speed toward madness or mindfulness. Some call it the holiday bustle. Others call it pandemonium. Try these 7 tips. ...
EMDR Therapy: Pandemic trauma
Anger, fear, and powerlessness quietly pervade the consciousness of people around the world. Stress and burn-out, grief, loss and resentment abound. And what started as a temporary crisis has become a chronic problem with no end in sight. EMDR Therapy can clear the trauma of this crisis. For the past 2 years, the goal-post of safety and calm was jockeyed around. Just when a moment of respite was achieved, a tidal wave of existential threat emerged. So, how have you made it this far? You are resilient. Leverage your resilience. Wake up the parts of you that provide nurturing, protection, wisdom, and peace toward yourself. Strengthen your inner resources. EMDR therapy is not only a form of exposure therapy, but it’s a strength-based resilience building process. Change your...
The Normalcy Paradox: Is it too soon?
One year ago, after more than a month in lockdown, you yearned for a return to normalcy. However, weighing that desire against the real threat of death, you opted for safety and stayed home, many alone and in fear. Today, 128 million people are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United States, and 282 million are partially vaccinated. Mask mandates and social distancing requirements are loosening. For many, it’s a ticket to freedom. For others, to roam freely seems a scary and potentially deadly proposition. So, the normalcy paradox emerges. You want it and you fear it. You are having mixed feelings like excitement and reluctance, curiosity and hesitation. In my virtual therapy room, I’m hearing concerns like the following: I’ve changed and my body has...
CBT: Spring Clean Your Mindset
Spring has sprung! Just as Mother Nature ditches the dreary dormant season of winter, CBT can shift your mindset from doom to bloom. Think of it as a spring cleaning for your brain. So, grab the mental Swiffer and dust out the cobwebs. Spray the virtual Windex to clear the fog. It's time to blossom. It’s easy to fall into the habit of negative thinking. The shorter, darker, colder days of winter have a real effect on mood and energy. Over time, it can affect your attitudes, beliefs, feelings, and behaviors. You might begin to automatically assume worst case scenario's. That fearful belief provokes an anxious feeling that further validates the fear that something will go wrong. It’s a vicious cycle that feeds on itself. It’s partially rooted...
