In the world of mental health, professional therapists are often viewed as neutral facilitators, guiding clients through their journeys toward healing. While maintaining professionalism and healthy boundaries are essential, there is a growing recognition of the importance of embracing the therapist’s humanity in the therapeutic process. This approach becomes particularly powerful when viewed through a holistic and trauma-informed lens because of the importance of trust and connection in the relationship between therapist and client.

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Kintsugi is not only a beautiful art form but also a philosophy that encourages us to embrace imperfection and find beauty in the brokenness. It teaches us that our scars and flaws are a part of who we are and should be celebrated rather than hidden.

Learn more about our retired service dog and the program she came from.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a type of therapy used to treat symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. It involves having the patient recall distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as following the movement of a therapist's finger with their eyes, to help process and integrate the traumatic experience. The theory behind EMDR is that the stimulation helps to "unlock" the memory and allow for more effective processing and healing.

Explore 10 benefits of therapy

Research shows that a teens relationship with their therapist is the biggest indicator of decreased negative symptoms and increased positive outcomes. Finding a therapist who has great clinical skills in addition to being relatable, down to earth and trustworthy make all the difference for teens.

Therapy can be a helpful tool for managing mood. Various types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to mood difficulties. Additionally, therapy can also provide individuals with coping skills and support to navigate difficult experiences and emotions. It's important to work with a qualified therapist who can tailor treatment to your specific needs.

It is important to listen to your body and pay attention to its signals in order to better understand and care for your physical and emotional needs. This can be especially helpful in the process of "reparenting" your inner child, which refers to the process of healing and addressing unresolved emotional issues from childhood.

When we reparent our inner child, we can learn to recognize and meet our own emotional needs in a healthy and supportive way. We become the safe, attentive and nurturing adult we needed when we were little. This is deeply healing and helps to restore your relationship to yourself and your ability to believe and value what you are feeling physically and emotionally.

The mind and body are connected, and this connection is particularly important when it comes to healing from trauma. Trauma can have both physical and emotional effects, and addressing both of these aspects can be crucial in the healing process.

One way to address the mind-body connection and work towards healing from trauma is through somatic practices. Somatic practices involve working with the body and its sensations in order to address physical and emotional issues.

There are many different reasons why someone might consider going to therapy. Some common reasons include experiencing significant stress or anxiety, struggling with relationship problems, feeling depressed or sad, struggling with substance abuse, dealing with a major life change or transition, or experiencing trauma. If you're not sure whether therapy is right for you, it can be helpful to consider some of the following questions:

The human experience is a difficult one. It is filled with joys and pains, beauty and despair…it is okay to need some help outside of yourself to navigate the very real hardships of life on this side of heaven.