InsideOut Psychological Services

10/21/2025

My client Dan said just the other day, “Do I have to love myself to get better? Because if I do, I think it’s hopeless.”

I reassured him. “Do you love animals?”I asked.

“Of course.”

“Do you hate children or do you feel for them?”

“Of course, I feel for children—what kind of monster would I be if I hated kids?”

“OK, then there is no obstacle to your becoming the person you were meant to be. All you have to do is to be open to the young wounded children inside you instead of hating them or ignoring them. Are you up for that?”

“Yes,” and then there was a pause: “but I don’t have to love myself, do I?”

“No, you don’t—you just have to love the kids inside you.”

👉 Want to learn more? Read my full free ebook: Anatomy of Self-hatred: Learning to Love Our Loathed Selves.

https://janinafisher.com/resources/ebooks/anatomy-of-self-hatred/

10/08/2025

Children experience and react to in different ways. Understanding how a child’s age and level of development affect their reactions can help parents, providers, and communities know how to help. Download our new infographic here: https://bit.ly/3VV1Ww7

10/05/2025

Misophonia Might Be a Brain Regulation Disorder

Misophonia is more than just an aversion to sound—it reflects a pattern of emotional and cognitive inflexibility.

Individuals with misophonia struggle to switch between emotional tasks and often report rigid thinking and persistent negative thoughts.

A new study found that these traits are not simply side effects of anxiety or depression but may be central to the condition.

The results suggest misophonia may belong to a broader class of neurocognitive conditions defined by inflexible attention and emotional control.

06/07/2025

Another short routine to relieve anxiety. Holden QiGong

Want to naturally relieve anxiety while seated?Join Master Qi Gong Teacher Lee Holden for this 7-minute seated Qi Gong routine to clear anxiety fast. These s...

06/07/2025

Try this throughout the day.

06/06/2025

05/21/2025

05/11/2025

Verbal Abuse in Childhood Rewires the Developing Brain

New research reveals that verbal abuse in childhood can alter the developing brain, leading to long-term emotional and cognitive consequences.

Harsh, demeaning language from adults activates the brain’s threat system, making children more likely to interpret neutral cues as threatening.

At the same time, the brain’s reward system becomes blunted, reducing responsiveness to praise, affection, and positive experiences.

These neural changes can impair relationship-building, self-worth, and mental health well into adulthood.

Verbal abuse increases the risk of anxiety, depression, substance use, and difficulty with emotional regulation.

Experts urge greater awareness and prevention, emphasizing that nurturing, respectful language is essential for healthy brain development and lifelong wellbeing.

https://neurosciencenews.com/verbal-abuse-child-brain-28886/

04/05/2025

I was once asked in an interview what advice I would give to my younger self. This question immediately took me back to what I call being a ‘junior therapist’ as a child. So many of us come into this profession having already been precocious little therapists in our family of origin and so I would love to have told my younger self "Things may not be great right now, but you can use what you’re learning, in helping your family, to help other people and be appreciated for it." Because what my younger self didn’t know is that someday I would be valued deeply for trying to help people.

04/01/2025

03/28/2025

Healing from trauma starts with feeling safe, reclaiming control, and knowing your worth. Survivors should never feel small, less than, or ashamed. Every step toward healing is a step toward empowerment.

Explore my free eBook: Stages of Trauma Recovery, to learn more about how to navigate this journey. https://bit.ly/42lWNRF