The October Newsletter

Announcement:

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Trainings

For mental health providers, we are hosting an Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) training next year:

Advanced ART Training: March 11-13, 2026

You can find and sign up for the trainings at acceleratedresolutiontherapy.com.

Team Spotlight:

Ashley Jordan, OTD, OTR/L

As a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Ashley takes in the unique sensory needs of all her clients. Her goal is to help clients obtain the tools necessary to be successful and independent in their everyday occupations.

Ashley has experience assisting students with finding occupational balance by forming healthy habits and routines, environmental modifications, and navigating the “adulting” world.

She’s also very passionate about filling in the missing gaps of services provided for women’s health and wellness, based on her own experience navigating fertility and walking alongside friends as they transitioned into motherhood. Her wellness cup is filled by spending time with her husband, two dogs, reading, baking, exercising, and spending time in the sunshine.

MEET OUR TEAM

“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.”

Brené Brown

Healing Handbook:

The Nervous System: A guide to understanding and supporting your nervous system with compassion, balance, and care.

Your nervous system is the command center of your body, guiding how you think, feel, and respond to the world around you. For women, life’s many roles can place unique demands on this system. This handbook is designed to help you understand your nervous system, notice its signals, and nurture it with practices that support healing and balance.

Understanding Your Nervous System

Sympathetic (Fight/Flight): Mobilizes your body to respond to stress.

Parasympathetic (Rest/Digest): Brings calm and supports healing.

Dorsal Vagal (Freeze/Shutdown): Protects you when overwhelm feels too great.

Common Stressors Women Face

  • Postpartum changes and recovery

  • Hormonal shifts (PMS, perimenopause, menopause)

  • Caregiving responsibilities

  • Work-life balance pressures

  • Past trauma or chronic stress

Healing Practices for Your Nervous System

Sympathetic Nervous System (Fight/Flight)

  • Slow, extended exhales (inhale 4, exhale 6–8)

  • Enjoyable movement like dancing, walking, or “shaking it out” to release excess energy

  • Cooling practices: splash cool water on your face or step into fresh air

  • Progressive muscle relaxation (tense and release each muscle group)

  • Listening to calm, steady rhythms (nature sounds, soft instrumental music)

Parasympathetic Nervous System (Rest/Digest)

  • Gentle sunlight exposure to reset circadian rhythm

  • Small, purposeful tasks to build momentum (fold laundry, make tea, water plants)

  • Gentle movement to activate (slow walk, stretching, dancing to soft music)

  • Restorative body positioning: legs up the wall, supported child’s pose

Dorsal Vagal System (Freeze/Shutdown)

  • Reconnect with your body through warmth (wrap in a blanket, hold a warm mug)

  • Gentle rocking or swaying movements to invite safety

  • Reach out for safe social connection (text, call, sit near someone you trust)

  • Notice your environment: orient by naming colors, shapes, or textures around you

  • Engage in small sensory activities (hold ice, tap your fingers, brush your hair)

OUR SERVICES