The Goal Isn't to Be Calm. It's to Have a Choice.
Many people think a healthy nervous system is one that's calm all the time. But true regulation isn't about eliminating stress or activation—it's about developing the flexibility to respond with choice instead of automatic survival patterns. In this article, I explore why nervous system health is better measured by flexibility than constant calm, and what that looks like in everyday life.
Over-Functioning: Why You Feel Responsible for Everything
Overfunctioning isn't just "doing a lot." It's a nervous system pattern that can leave you feeling responsible for everything—and exhausted in the process. Learn what overfunctioning is, why it develops, and practical ways to begin carrying only what's truly yours.
Research Thursday: Mindfulness Isn't Just About Paying Attention. It's About What You Do Next.
Mindfulness has become a buzzword, but what actually makes it work? This week's Research Thursday explores what researchers found after analyzing 110 studies—and why what happens after awareness may be where the real change begins.
The Third 50: What the 200 Backstroke Taught Me About Moving Through Hard Things
There’s a point in almost every hard thing I do when I become convinced I’m not going to make it. The interesting thing is that I can usually predict when it’s coming. A lesson I learned from swimming the 200 backstroke has become a map for understanding how I personally move through challenges—and what helps me keep going.
“Wait, That's Anxiety?” — Naming Common Anxiety Behaviors, Part 2
Anxiety doesn't always look like worry. Sometimes it looks like snapping at the people you love, never being able to sit still, or saying yes when you mean no. Part 2 of this series names four more common anxiety behaviors — and reframes what they're really about.
“Wait, That's Anxiety?” — Naming Common Anxiety Behaviors, Part 1
If you've ever described yourself as an overthinker, perfectionist, or someone who struggles to relax, you may be surprised to learn that anxiety can sometimes wear these disguises. In this post, I explore four common anxiety behaviors that often go unnoticed and the strengths hidden inside each one.
Why I Started Sullivan Counseling Services (And What I Wish More People Knew About Anxiety!)
What if the things you struggle with aren't signs that something is wrong with you, but actually clues about what you need? Understanding ourselves is often the first step toward meaningful change!