Heather Edwards, Author at Heather Edwards Mental Health Counseling

The In Between: How to Soothe Yourself Through Life’s Transitions

March 12, 2026

Spring is a time of change and transition. As the crocus sprouts, tiny buds on tree tips emerge, and the chill in the air softens, I am reminded of the in between's in life — those threshold moments when one significant period ends and a new one begins. These times stir up emotion. Excitement and hope on one hand, dread and sadness on the other. It's a familiar pattern, one that repeats whether the change involves a relationship, a career, a health journey, the clearing of old trauma, or simply the turning of a season. Transitions can feel deeply unstable and uncomfortable, no matter how many times we've been through them. You might notice a momentary personal regression — a seemingly child-like way of coping with the...

Making Magic Out of Holiday Stress

November 26, 2025

Managing the Holidays, Stress Management

The holiday season. Making magic out of holiday stress is the dream. It's a time for joy, connection, and celebration. Yet for many people, it becomes a perfect storm of work deadlines, family obligations, financial pressures, and social commitments that leaves you feeling more drained than delighted. If you're nodding along, you're not alone. The gap between the "magic" we're told the holidays should bring and the reality of what we actually experience can be particularly challenging for those of us juggling demanding careers, relationships, and the countless expectations that come with this time of year. Strategies for Managing Holiday Stress 1. Practice Mindfulness in Everyday Moments Mindfulness isn't about achieving a zen-like state or meditating for hours. It's simply about being present with what is, without judgment. During the...

holidays mindfulness relationships stress management wellness

Can EMDR Help You Find Love?

July 23, 2025

Uncategorized

Imagine this. You want love, but intimacy is dangerous. You want connection, but closeness feels cringey. You want a life partner & soul mate, but you can trust no one. Can EMDR help you find love? Forget about the limited dating pool, your trauma is limiting the odds of finding love before even saying, “Hello.“. Here’s how trauma can affect love and relationships: Abuse, neglect, bullying, perfectionism and overachieving can all be a cause or symptom of trauma. When trauma happens whether physical, emotional, or sexual, it sends your central nervous system into overdrive. This survival function keeps your safe. Thank your body for that! But, when it remains elevated, even when safe, outside your window of tolerance, you feel jittery, stressed, anxious, or sleepy. If you are constantly on...

You Are Not Broken: EMDR Integrates Mind, Body, and Spirit

May 14, 2025

EMDR, Trauma

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a doorway to freedom—a powerful process that helps the brain do what it naturally knows how to do: heal....

EMDR healing heather edwards mindfulness Psychotherapy self improvement trauma

Difficult Relationships 101: Want to scream into the void?

March 27, 2025

Relationships

As a therapist, I spend my days helping clients develop essential skills for healthy relationships—setting boundaries, practicing assertiveness, managing emotions, and communicating effectively. But like everyone else, I’m human, and lately, I’ve found myself challenged in all of these areas. It’s particularly difficult when someone close to you struggles with the fundamental qualities that make relationships work. It's as if they're treating basic emotional intelligence like an optional upgrade they refused at checkout. So, if you’ve ever found yourself clenching your jaw, contemplating a dramatic life change, or Googling “how to remain unbothered when people test your patience,” welcome to the club. Here’s how to handle difficult relationships with grace, integrity, and just enough sass to keep your sanity intact. 1. Feel Your Feelings (But Don’t...

#relationships heather edwards mindfulness psychology self esteem stress management

Four Keys to Deepen Your Love

February 13, 2025

Relationships

Love isn’t just something we find—it’s something we nurture, deepen, and grow. It's built through everyday moments...

heather edwards intimacy love psychology relationships self improvement

How Setting Boundaries is a Love Language

January 22, 2025

Anxiety, Relationships, Stress Management

Blurry Boundaries: There’s a quiet tension in undefined spaces. Seeing clear boundaries as a love language is counterintuitive. Let’s be real: we’ve all been there. You don’t want to say “no” because it feels mean or harsh, so you give a half-hearted “sure” or just leave things up in the air. And what happens? Everyone’s confused, tensions rise, and you end up feeling drained. Spoiler alert: trying to “soften the blow” by avoiding clear boundaries doesn’t work—it just makes things worse for everyone. Here’s the hard truth: blurry boundaries are messy. They tap into three of life’s biggest stressors—lack of information, uncertainty, and lack of control. If you’re avoiding the “no” because you think it’s kinder, you’re actually creating a situation where nobody knows what’s happening, and...

boundaries communication heather edwards mental health psychology relationships stress management wellness

Can Your Curiosity Heal the World?

December 11, 2024

Anxiety

Discover how curiosity can calm your mind, ease stress, and foster deeper connections. It could even transform growth and heal the world....

heather edwards mindfulness psychology Psychotherapy self esteem self improvement stress management

Oh, it’s on! Your holiday survival guide

November 28, 2024

Anxiety, Lifestyle, Managing the Holidays, Stress Management

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...

heather edwards holiday survival guide mindfulness psychology relationships stress management

EMDR: A Life Changing Choice

October 9, 2024

Anxiety, EMDR, Lifestyle, Self Esteem, Trauma

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...

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Author: Heather Edwards