top of page
Latest Articles
Search


Five Mindfulness Techniques to Manage Stress and Overcome Racing Thoughts
Stress and racing thoughts can feel like a constant storm in your mind, making it hard to focus or find peace. When your thoughts spiral, it’s easy to get caught in a loop of worry and anxiety. Mindfulness is about noticing your thoughts without getting pulled into them. When stress hits, pause and watch your thoughts like clouds passing in the sky. This simple act of observation helps you stop rumination, the habit of replaying negative thoughts. Read more....
mrebekahshurtleff
5 days ago3 min read


Rebuilding Trust in Relationships Through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory, Part II
Trust is the foundation of any close relationship, yet it can be fragile and easily shaken by betrayal or trauma. When trust breaks down, couples often find themselves stuck in patterns of fear, avoidance, or conflict. Understanding how the nervous system influences trust and connection offers a new way to approach healing. Polyvagal Theory reveals how our bodies constantly scan for safety or threat, shaping how we respond to others. This post explores how betrayal affects th
mrebekahshurtleff
Jun 143 min read


Rebuilding Trust: How Your Nervous System Shapes Relationships and Healing Part 1
Trust is often seen as a choice or an emotion, but it is much deeper than that. It is a conclusion your nervous system reaches after gathering enough evidence that it is safe to trust again. This process happens beneath conscious thought, rooted in biology and psychology. Understanding how your nervous system evaluates safety and threat can change the way couples approach betrayal, trauma, and healing in relationships. Rebuilding trust after trauma or betrayal is a gradual pr
mrebekahshurtleff
May 312 min read


Breaking the Cycle of Codependency: Reclaiming Your Energy and Building Healthy Connections
Trying to heal someone else often leads to codependency. When you invest your emotional energy in managing another person’s feelings or problems, you give them power over your own well-being. This dynamic drains the energy you need for your own life and growth. Understanding why you are drawn to such relationships and learning how to set boundaries can help you break free from this cycle and build healthier connections. Understanding what draws you to codependent relationship
mrebekahshurtleff
May 173 min read


Weaving Forgiveness into the Fabric of Family Dynamics for Healing and Growth
Starting the journey toward forgiveness can feel overwhelming. Here are some practical steps families can take:
Acknowledge the pain: Recognize the hurt without minimizing it.
Express feelings: Share emotions openly with trusted family members or a therapist.
Reflect on the impact: Understand how holding onto resentment affects your life.
Choose forgiveness: Make a conscious decision to let go of grudges for your own peace.
Seek professional support through counseling.
mrebekahshurtleff
May 93 min read
Building Resilience: Five Essential Steps to Navigating Life's Challenges
Developing resilience is not about avoiding pain or difficulty. It is about expanding your capacity to face challenges with greater calm, clarity, and strength. By pausing before reacting, naming your emotions, focusing on what you can control, reframing challenges, and reconnecting with support, you build a foundation that helps you bounce forward. Trying to handle everything alone can increase feelings of isolation and stress. Reach out to trusted friends, family, or mental
mrebekahshurtleff
Apr 253 min read


Transforming the Belief of Not Being Good Enough into a Positive Mindset
Many people carry the painful feeling of not being good enough. This belief often starts early in life, shaped by childhood experiences, societal expectations, or constant comparisons with others. It can trap you in a cycle of self-doubt and negativity that limits your happiness and growth. Changing this belief is key to emotional well-being and personal development. Let’s explore practical steps to challenge this mindset and build a more positive story about yourself.
mrebekahshurtleff
Mar 253 min read


Raising Resilient Kids: Effective Strategies for Helping Children Tolerate Distress
Helping children tolerate distress is a vital part of parenting. Using positive descriptive acknowledgement, catching positive behaviors, and focusing on effort rather than just outcomes builds resilience. These parenting tips, combined with calm modeling and open communication, create a strong foundation for children to face life’s challenges confidently.
mrebekahshurtleff
Mar 23 min read


The Transformative Power of Self-Love in Nurturing Healthy Relationships
Self-love means appreciating yourself fully, including your strengths and weaknesses. It involves honest self-reflection and knowing what truly matters to you. When you consistently put others’ needs before your own, your well-being and relationships can suffer. Ignoring your emotional and mental health leads to feeling drained and overwhelmed.
mrebekahshurtleff
Feb 142 min read


Discover Your Self-Love Language and Transform Your Happiness Today
Just as people express love in different ways toward others, each of us has unique ways of showing love to ourselves. These personal self-love languages shape how we nurture our wellbeing and happiness. Understanding your self-love language can lead to a deeper connection with yourself and improve your overall quality of life. This post explores five self-love languages and offers practical tips to help you embrace them.
mrebekahshurtleff
Jan 283 min read


Breaking Free from the Cycle of Catastrophic Thinking and Anxiety
Catastrophic thinking can feel like a storm cloud hanging over your mind, ready to burst with anxiety and fear at any moment. When your brain senses danger, it doesn’t just wait for problems to arise; it starts imagining them. This habit of pondering “what if” scenarios comes from your nervous system’s instinct to brace for the worst. While this protective mindset can sometimes help, it often leads to a cycle of anxiety that is hard to escape.
Understanding this pattern to be
mrebekahshurtleff
Jan 123 min read


Coping with the Winter Blues
Many people experience a drop in mood as the days grow shorter and colder. This feeling, often called the "winter blues," can make daily life harder and less enjoyable. For some, these mood changes are brief and mild, but for others, they can be more serious and affect how they think, feel, and behave. Understanding these changes and knowing how to manage them can make a big difference during the colder months. SAD affects the body’s natural rhythms and the balance of seroton
mrebekahshurtleff
Jan 32 min read


Why Celebrating Past Achievements is More Effective Than New Year Resolutions
Celebrating your achievements, no matter when they happen, builds confidence and motivation. Reflection helps you see how far you’ve come and what you’ve learned. This positive reinforcement encourages steady progress.
For example, if you learned a new skill in October or improved your mindset in July, take time to acknowledge those wins. These moments more than any January resolution.
Instead of feeling pressured to make drastic changes every January, embrace a mindset of on
mrebekahshurtleff
Dec 25, 20252 min read
Content by Rebekah Shurtleff Marriage and Family Therapist
bottom of page
