Many people live with anxiety without realizing it may be connected to past experiences. What feels like constant worry, overthinking, or being “on edge” can sometimes be a trauma response, shaped by the body and brain’s attempt to stay safe. This doesn’t mean all anxiety comes from trauma — but for many people, trauma plays[...]
When anxiety rises, you’ll often hear advice like “be mindful” or “try grounding.” While both can be helpful, mindfulness and grounding are not the same thing, and one may be more effective than the other depending on what’s happening in your body. Understanding the difference can help you choose the right tool in the moment—instead[...]
Anxiety can rise quickly—your heart races, your chest feels tight, your thoughts spiral, and suddenly it feels hard to think clearly or stay present. When anxiety becomes overwhelming, you don’t need to fix it or make it disappear. What helps most is learning how to calm anxiety in the moment so your nervous system can[...]
Many people are surprised to learn that anxiety doesn’t just live in the mind. It often shows up physically—as muscle tension, headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, digestive issues, or a racing heart. In some cases, the physical symptoms of anxiety are so strong that people worry something is medically wrong, even when tests come back[...]
When anxiety feels overwhelming, your thoughts can spiral quickly—pulling you into worries about the future or replaying moments from the past. Grounding techniques for anxiety are simple, practical tools that help bring your attention back to the present moment so your nervous system can settle. These techniques don’t aim to make anxiety disappear. Instead, they[...]
When anxiety feels overwhelming, it can be hard to slow your thoughts or calm your body. The 3-3-3 rule for anxiety is a simple grounding technique designed to help interrupt anxious spirals and bring your attention back to the present moment—quickly and safely. The technique involves noticing three things you see, three things you hear,[...]
Many people use anxiety and fear interchangeably—but they are not the same. While they often feel similar in the body and can occur together, they are triggered by different processes in the brain and serve different purposes. Understanding the difference between anxiety and fear matters because each one requires a different response. When we misinterpret[...]
The Quiet Power of Mental Health in Daily Living Most of us go about our days without thinking about how our mental health influences everything we do. But the truth is, your emotional and psychological state affects more than just your mood — it shapes your habits, focus, relationships, and even your body. When mental[...]
Why Mental Health Deserves Just as Much Attention as Physical Health We’re taught early on to take care of our bodies — eat healthy, exercise, get enough sleep. But we rarely talk about the importance of mental health, even though it shapes everything else. Your mental health affects how you think, how you handle stress,[...]
The Importance of Mental Health in Everyday Life When most people think about health, they picture diet, exercise, or sleep — but the importance of mental health is just as vital. Your mind influences every part of your life: how you think, connect, and recover from challenges. Mental health isn’t just about “feeling okay.” It’s[...]
What Is Mental Health — Really? We talk about mental health all the time, but what is mental health? The definition of mental health goes far beyond “not feeling anxious or depressed.” Mental health is your overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being — how you think, feel, and relate to yourself and others. It’s what[...]
Understanding recovery, healing timelines, and what helps teens truly get better. Parents often wonder, “When does teenage depression go away?” The answer isn’t as simple as a calendar date or a set number of therapy sessions—because depression doesn’t disappear on command. For many teens, healing is a gradual process of rediscovering safety, hope, and connection[...]
Understanding the emotional, cultural, and biological pressures facing today’s teens. Parents often find themselves asking, “Why is depression so common among teenagers today?” The rise in teen depression over the past decade has been staggering — and it’s not because this generation is weaker or more emotional. The truth is, depression in teenagers often reflects[...]
Understanding why so many teens struggle with sadness, pressure, and disconnection today. Parents often ask, “What is the leading cause of depression in teenagers?” The truth is, there isn’t one single reason — but there is a common theme that shows up again and again: disconnection. Today’s teens are growing up in a world that’s[...]
Recognizing the emotional and behavioral signs that go beyond normal moodiness. Parents often wonder if their teenager’s behavior is “just a phase” — or something more. Between mood swings, attitude, and social withdrawal, it can be hard to tell when to worry. But knowing what teen depression looks like can make all the difference in[...]
Understanding chronic psychological stress — the “silent normal” of modern life. If you’ve ever felt like stress is just a normal part of life, you’re not alone. In today’s world, we’re constantly connected, constantly striving, and rarely resting. The most common type of stress we face isn’t from one big event — it’s from the[...]
Types of Stress: Understanding the differences between acute, episodic acute, chronic, and traumatic stress — and how to heal from each. Most people use the word stress to describe anything that feels difficult or overwhelming — but not all stress is the same. The types of stress you experience affect your body, mind, and emotions[...]
Learn how to tell when normal stress crosses the line — and what your body is trying to tell you. Everyone experiences stress, but when is stress too much? It’s a question many people ask after realizing they can’t bounce back as easily as they used to. What once felt like healthy pressure now feels[...]
Definition of Stress: Understanding what stress really is — and how it affects your body, mind, and emotions. Everyone says they’re “stressed,” but few people stop to ask what that really means. The definition of stress goes far beyond feeling worried or overwhelmed — it’s your body’s built-in alarm system, designed to protect you when[...]
Understanding your trauma type helps guide the right approach to recovery. When people think about trauma, they often imagine major life events like accidents or abuse. But the truth is, there are several types of trauma, and they don’t all look the same. What matters most isn’t the event itself, but how your nervous system[...]
Recognizing emotional and physical symptoms that tell your body and mind something deeper is going on. When you’ve been through something hard, it’s not always easy to recognize the signs of trauma. You might just think you’re stressed, emotional, or not yourself lately. But trauma doesn’t always show up as panic attacks or flashbacks. Sometimes,[...]
Understanding acute, chronic, and complex trauma — and the difference between “Big T” and “little t” experiences. When most people think about trauma, they picture the big moments — accidents, abuse, or devastating losses. But the truth is, several types of trauma show up in many forms. Some are sudden and overwhelming, while others build[...]
What Qualifies as Trauma? Understanding the Spectrum of Emotional Wounds Most people think of trauma as the really big stuff — the accidents, assaults, sudden losses, or moments that make the world stop. And yes, those experiences absolutely are trauma. But there’s another side of trauma that’s easier to miss — the quiet, everyday wounds[...]
Trauma: Understanding how the mind, body, and heart experience what happens to us When most people hear the word trauma, they think of something catastrophic — an accident, abuse, or war. But trauma isn’t defined by the event itself. It’s defined by what happens inside of us because of that event — how our nervous[...]
Starting therapy can feel uncertain—for kids and parents. This guide walks you through the first three play therapy sessions for ages 7–12 at Sound Mind Counseling & Neurotherapy in Mooresville (Lake Norman), and explains exactly how parents are involved so progress continues at home and school. We serve families across Troutman, Davidson, Cornelius, Statesville, Sherrills[...]
Big Feelings At Home The end of the school day can be a stress spike for kids—new rules at home, hunger, noise, homework, siblings. If your 7–12-year-old melts down, shuts down, or argues after school, you’re not alone. The good news is that a few play-based routines can smooth the transition and build real regulation[...]
When big feelings show up in small bodies, kids don’t usually say, “I’m overwhelmed.” They show us—through behavior, play, and patterns at home or school. Play therapy gives children a safe, developmentally appropriate way to express what’s hard to say and to practice new skills for regulation, confidence, and connection. Our child counselors use play[...]
Boost Productivity for a Healthy Mind & Body Part 3 As we embark on a new year, it is natural to feel a sense of motivation and a desire to set goals and boost productivity. Health, fitness, career, and family are often at the forefront of our aspirations. In our ongoing series on a Healthy[...]
Healthy Mind & Body Part 2 Discover the Transformative Power of Sleep for Your Brain and Body: Welcome to part two of our Healthy Brain & Body blog series, where we delve into the profound effects that sleep has on our mental health and a simple sleep hack to help. In this installment, we’ll explore[...]
Healthy Mind & Body Part 1 The Brain, Substances & Overwhelm: As a mental health professional, I am genuinely fascinated by the human brain. Our overall well-being depends on the integration of a healthy mind, body, and soul – a delicate balance. When one element suffers, it affects the rest of our being. It is[...]
Joy & the Brain When it comes to our overall health and well-being, having a healthy joy center in the brain is essential. This part of our brain is responsible for numerous aspects of our lives, including the development of our identity, how we interact with others, and our resilience in the face of difficult[...]
Joy & the Brain: Part 2 In the last blog of this series, (Joy: A Necessity for Life), we examined some ways in which joy is not only powerful, but also necessary for secure attachment, healthy emotional development, and robust identity formation. We also saw how joyous moments help to strengthen the brain’s neuropathways as[...]
Joy & the Brain: Part 1 Playing with a baby is one of the most joy-filled experiences! The back-and-forth laughter and smiles continue as we make silly noises or tickle our baby’s tummy. When we engage in this type of play, everyone involved experiences an elated feeling of joy. Sometimes playtime turns into a time[...]
Part 3 of a Series on Emotion Regulation In my previous two blog posts, I talked about the importance of emotional regulation and how it can help us lead happier lives. Today, I will be discussing three habits that resilient people have in common. These habits are important because they help to keep our emotions[...]
Part 2 of The Series on Regulating Emotions One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is the gift of a healthy relationship with your emotions. When you have a healthy relationship with your emotions, you are able to acknowledge, feel, and express them in a way that is supportive and beneficial to you.[...]
Part 1 of How to Stop Ignoring Emotions & Learn the Risks We have all heard the phrase “don’t let your emotions get the best of you.” This phrase means it is a bad idea to allow your emotions to control you. Emotion regulation has become a popular topic in recent years as we see[...]
Part 3 of Calming the Anxiety Monster The first two parts of this blog series introduced you to a different way to approach anxiety. Part one focused on communicating that all anxiety inhibits cognitive functioning and productivity, and how dismissing and judging your anxious self keeps you trapped in a constant anxiety cycle. Part two[...]
How to Master Techniques for Calming Anxiety: Part 2 In part one of the blog series Taming the Anxiety Monster, we examined how a flawed 1950s study led to decades of misinformation about the relationship between anxiety, executive functioning, and performance. Research now confirms that even small amounts of anxiety impair focus and productivity, making[...]
How to Master Effective Techniques for Calming Anxiety – Part 1 I recently asked friends and family on social media what mental health topic they would like to learn more about, and the resounding response was calming anxiety. In the United States, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness (1). In the first half[...]
Here’s A Better Way to Approach New Year Goals January is about beginnings! It’s the start of a new year, and many of us established goals and resolutions to accomplish. Most of us are eager to put 2020 behind us and hoping for the best in 2021. However, we are also apprehensive about what it[...]
Improve Your Focus During COVID-19 When You’re Anxious The current pandemic has forced many people to stay home, leaving some feeling anxious, isolated, and easily distracted. Increased anxiety and lack of routine can make it hard to focus on work or school responsibilities. This video shares practical tips to help you stay productive, focused, and[...]
Connecting With Your Spouse During COVID-19 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of our nation—and the world—has been under a stay-at-home order. Being confined at home can increase stress and tension within families, especially in your marriage. In this brief video, I share practical tips to help you strengthen your marriage, communicate more effectively, and[...]
“Push yourself to be someone, and then someday you will be someone.” -Super Bowl Kia Commercial The annual Super Bowl gives companies willing to spend big money the chance to promote their brands to millions of viewers. In recent years, these creative and often hilarious ads have carried deeper messages. This year, Kia aired an[...]
Why Being Seen By Others Leads To A Happy Life The process of seeing that you are being seen is so important for your health. When we look into another person’s eyes our mirror neurons begin to fire. These mirror neurons are located in the identity center of the brain. The interesting fact about these[...]