Neuroception is a fundamental aspect of our nervous system that influences how we perceive and respond to the world around us. In somatic therapy, understanding neuroception is essential for creating safe therapeutic environments, regulating the nervous system, and facilitating healing from trauma and emotional challenges. By integrating practices that promote embodied awareness and regulation, somatic therapy offers a holistic approach to mental and emotional well-being.

Some practical somatic applications to try….

Grief is an unavoidable part of life. When we experience loss of any kind - whether it be the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or moving through different phases of life - grief will inevitably show up in one way or another.

While we all experience our grief differently, it can often feel overwhelming, isolating, and make it difficult to participate in daily life. When you are grieving, it is important to be gentle with yourself as you process the loss and adjust to a new way of being.

Source Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash

When someone is struggling with their mental health, the impact stretches beyond the individual to their loved ones. Loved ones can see their relationships, employment, and financial situation affected by their loved one's illness. Loved ones may experience various emotions, including sadness, fear, guilt, grief, resentment, fatigue, and anxiety for the future. Taking care of your mental health and well-being will allow you to support your loved one to the best of your ability.

Growing up in a narcissistic environment can deeply impact one's sense of self-worth and identity. Constant criticism, manipulation, and invalidation can leave individuals feeling lost, doubting their worth, and disconnected from their authentic selves. However, reclaiming your identity is not only possible but also essential for healing and living a fulfilling life.

The holiday season, with its festive celebrations and gatherings, often brings a mix of joy and stress. As we navigate the whirlwind of activities, it's essential to find moments of calm where we can reconnect with ourselves.

Somatic practices, which focus on the mind-body connection, can be powerful tools for cultivating a sense of serenity during this busy time.

Let's explore how incorporating somatic practices into your holiday routine can enhance your well-being.

In practicing therapy through a mindfulness-based lens, one of the foundations of my therapeutic work is learning to embrace the small and the big life changes instead of fighting against them. To accept change though, is an intentional practice that we must learn and just that, practice. 

Fall is a beautiful season that offers unique opportunities for self-care activities that can have a positive impact on mental health. It’s important to lean into self-compassion and relaxation through the ups and downs of the changing seasons.

Lean in to these practices to maximize your Autumn season mental wellness!

Ketamine Integrated Therapy is the healing alchemy that’s created when the medicinal aspects of ketamine are combined with the meaning-making experience of psychotherapy. Ketamine Integrated Therapy - The Ignite Way….

Group Therapy exists for a variety of concerns and populations such as substance use-specific groups, grief and bereavement groups, parenting groups, life-transition support groups, LGBTQIA groups,  or treatment support groups. Group Therapy is offered at a variety of mental health locations such as community mental health clinics, hospitals, and group practices (like Ignite!).

The Holidays can be a difficult time, even for those who are not experiencing grief. There are so many expectations, traditions and activities that must be met, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed. For those who are grieving, the holidays can be a particularly difficult time. Holiday stress can be even more acute for those who have lost a loved one, as the holidays are often filled with memories of happier times. It is important to remember that you are not alone, and there are many resources available to help you through this difficult time.

Are you feeling completely overwhelmed with everything on your plate? Are you counting the down the days till Winter break? The holidays and end of year festivities can really put many of us in a tailspin but then the stress of finals and work on top of it is a complete recipe for burnout. The good news is there are a few fairly simple tips that can help you manage your stress this winter!

If you are suffering from OCD, you’re likely a pro at masking your symptoms, making creative excuses to avoid things/people/situations, and white-knuckling through your triggers. Why? Because OCD is lonely. It’s a fair assumption that someone who does NOT have OCD might have difficulty understanding the nuances of your unique experience. Besides the widely-held misconception that OCD is just about being organized and tidy, there can be a lot of confusion about the recovery process as well.

Bringing baby home is an exciting and joyful time… right? What if it's not? While most new moms will experience some level of baby blues, 1 in 10 women will experience a postpartum mood disorder that impacts their experience during this time. The question though, is how to know the difference. What are "baby blues" and what is a potential postpartum mood disorder?

Your brain’s job is to protect your life.

Before Milo, I was emotionally safe and sound in my own self-absorbed pursuits, but the truth is, being in relationship with others puts us at risk for loss. Isn’t that one of life’s most confounding realities? In relationship with others, we are walking a tightrope across a deep canyon of human emotion with love on one side of the tension and loss on the other.

As a new(er) member of the Ignite team, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and provide an overview of my experience, background and specialties that fuel my passion for being a therapist, so that you, dear reader, can see if we may be a match!

With an ERP-trained clinician (Exposure and Response Prevention), P-OCD clients work towards engaging with their fears and tolerating distress without performing ritualized, compulsive behaviors.

For some, a traumatic experience could be the catalyst for professional help, while for others, the pain and intrusive disruption associated with a traumatic event can create a need to escape, avoid and numb. In these instances, drugs and alcohol provide a very convenient means to “cope” with the emotional pain the sufferer is experiencing.

However, the irony in this cycle is that rather than working to heal, repair and move forward, the individual that turns to drugs and alcohol to cope is merely prolonging the agony of what the trauma created by avoiding, compartmentalizing and checking out.

There is Hope

Therapy that is focused on getting to – and healing – the underlying drivers of the problematic behaviors results in a high level of success.

In today’s article, we are delving in to some of the most frequently asked questions about love and sex addiction from our talented therapist on the team, Mike Lyons, Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist Candidate. Let’s destigmatize this important topic!