Connecting Heals, LLC

Connecting Heals, LLC Connecting Heals, LLC is a small psychotherapy private practice located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We p

When our emotions feel intense, it can be hard to pause before reacting.The DBT STOP skill is a simple way to slow down ...
05/05/2026

When our emotions feel intense, it can be hard to pause before reacting.

The DBT STOP skill is a simple way to slow down just enough to respond instead of react:

S — Stop (pause, even for a moment)
T — Take a step back (don’t act immediately)
O — Observe (what am I feeling? what’s happening in my body?)
P — Proceed mindfully (choose your next step with intention)

You might notice you need this skill when emotions feel fast, overwhelming, or hard to control, like the urge to react immediately, say something you might regret, shut down, or act on impulse.

This doesn’t make the feeling disappear, but it can help you feel less swept away by it.

Small pause. Different choices.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.

Anger isn’t something to get rid of, it’s something to understand.It can signal that something matters, that a boundary ...
05/03/2026

Anger isn’t something to get rid of, it’s something to understand.

It can signal that something matters, that a boundary was crossed, or that something didn’t feel okay.

At the same time, anger doesn’t have to decide what happens next.

When we slow down enough to notice what it’s pointing to, we have more choice in how we respond.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.

Meet Bob.Bob wants to be kind, dependable, and there for the people in his life. So he says yes… a lot. Even when he’s o...
05/01/2026

Meet Bob.

Bob wants to be kind, dependable, and there for the people in his life. So he says yes… a lot. Even when he’s overwhelmed. Even when he doesn’t really want to.

Underneath it, Bob is thinking: “I don’t want to let people down.”

But constantly putting others first can come at a cost. Over time, it can leave us feeling drained, resentful, or disconnected from our own needs.

Saying no isn’t about pushing people away, it’s about being honest about what we can realistically give.

We can care about others and still have limits. Both can be true.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.

04/28/2026

“Follow the flame.”

A candle meditation is a simple way to slow down, steady your mind, and reconnect with the present moment. When your thoughts feel scattered or overwhelming, focusing on a single point can help bring you back.

Here’s how to try it:

🕯️ Find a quiet space and light a candle
🕯️ Sit comfortably and gently focus your gaze on the flame
🕯️ Notice the movement, the colors, the way the light flickers
🕯️ When your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to the flame
🕯️ If it feels right, begin to slow your breathing as you watch

You don’t need to “empty” your mind. The practice is simply noticing when your mind drifts and returning your focus, again and again.

With practice, candle meditation can:

✨ Improve focus and attention
✨ Support emotional regulation
✨ Create a sense of calm and grounding
✨ Help you feel more present in your body

Even a few minutes can make a difference.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.

Anxiety is trying to protect you, and sometimes it tends to overestimate what’s actually dangerous.Avoidance makes sense...
04/26/2026

Anxiety is trying to protect you, and sometimes it tends to overestimate what’s actually dangerous.

Avoidance makes sense. It can work in the short term, and it can also keep the cycle going.

Taking one small step (at your own pace) can help your brain learn something new.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.

Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong, it often means your system is overloaded.When everything ...
04/23/2026

Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong, it often means your system is overloaded.

When everything feels urgent, narrowing your focus can help break things down into smaller steps that feel easier to approach.

One small step is still movement.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.

Shame can feel incredibly convincing and incredibly isolating.It’s not a sign that something is wrong with you. It’s a s...
04/20/2026

Shame can feel incredibly convincing and incredibly isolating.

It’s not a sign that something is wrong with you. It’s a signal tied to our need for connection and belonging.

Even small moments of safe connection and compassion can begin to loosen its grip.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.

Progress isn’t always a straight line.Sometimes it looks like growth, then rest.Forward movement, then a step back.Momen...
04/18/2026

Progress isn’t always a straight line.

Sometimes it looks like growth, then rest.
Forward movement, then a step back.
Moments of clarity, followed by confusion again.

And it can look different for everyone because we all carry different experiences, capacities, support systems, and starting points. What feels like a small step for one person might be a huge leap for someone else.

Progress also isn’t just about what’s visible.
It can be choosing to pause instead of react.
Coming back after a hard day.
Trying again, even when it feels uncomfortable.

When we expect progress to look one specific way, it’s easy to feel like we’re falling behind. But when we allow it to be messy, uneven, and personal, we make more space to keep going.

Take a look through the slides to see just a few examples of what progress can really look like, and remember: however your progress looks right now… it still counts.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.

04/16/2026

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” - Jon Kabat-Zinn

Strong emotions and urges can feel like waves. They can feel intense, rising, and sometimes overwhelming. Our first instinct is often to fight them, avoid them, or struggle to keep our head above water.

But what if, instead of fighting to stay afloat, you rode the wave?

“Riding the wave” means noticing what you’re feeling without immediately reacting. It’s allowing the emotion to rise, peak, and pass because it will pass. Like waves in the ocean, emotions are temporary, even when they feel powerful.

When we pause, breathe, and stay present:
• We create space between feeling and action
• We reduce the urge to react in ways that don’t serve us
• We build confidence in our ability to handle discomfort

Next time a strong feeling shows up, try W.A.V.E:
🌊 Welcome the emotion instead of pushing it away
🌊 Attend to what’s happening in your body and mind
🌊 Validate the feeling (“It makes sense I feel this way”)
🌊 Exhale, slow your breath and ride it out

You don’t have to control the waves. Just learn how to ride them.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.

Setting boundaries isn’t always easy, especially if you’re used to being the one who says yes, keeps the peace, or puts ...
04/15/2026

Setting boundaries isn’t always easy, especially if you’re used to being the one who says yes, keeps the peace, or puts others first. It can feel uncomfortable, guilt-inducing, or even a little scary at first.

But here’s the truth: boundaries aren’t about pushing people away, they’re about taking care of yourself. They help protect your time, your energy, and your emotional well-being. And you’re allowed to have that.

You’re allowed to say no without overexplaining.
You’re allowed to ask for space.
You’re allowed to change your mind.
You’re allowed to prioritize your needs.

Boundaries are a skill, and like any skill, they take practice. Start small. Be gentle with yourself. And remember: choosing yourself doesn’t make you selfish, it means your needs matter too.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.

Life is full of contradictions. Sometimes our thoughts and feelings feel conflicting, and we may believe it must be one ...
04/07/2026

Life is full of contradictions. Sometimes our thoughts and feelings feel conflicting, and we may believe it must be one or the other… but it can be both.

Dialectics means two seemingly opposing views can coexist.
And when we learn to hold both, we create more space for understanding, flexibility, and change. Instead of getting stuck in one truth, we can respond more effectively to what’s actually happening.

Dialectics teach us that:
-There is always more than one way to see a situation and solve a problem
-All people have unique qualities and different points of view
-Change is the only constant
-Two things that seem like (or are) opposites can both be true
-We can honor the truth on both sides of a conflict without giving up our values

Thinking dialectically can help us:
-Expand our thoughts and ways of considering life situations
-“Unstick” conflicts and standoffs
-Be more flexible and approachable
-Avoid assumptions, blaming, or “all-or-nothing” thinking
-Respond in ways that support both acceptance and change

Tips for Thinking and Acting Dialectically:
1) Move to “both-and” thinking and away from “either/or” thinking. Avoid extreme words like always and never.
2) Look at all sides. Be curious, generous, and dig deep. Ask: What is being left out?
3) Remember: No one holds the absolute truth. Stay open to alternatives.
4) Use “I feel…” statements, instead of “You are…”, “You should…” or “That’s just the way it is” statements.
5) Accept that different opinions can be valid, even if you do not agree.
6) Check assumptions. Do not assume that you know what others are thinking.
7) Do not expect others to know what you are thinking.

Disclaimer: Content shared on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.

The "How" Skill Part 3 of 3EffectivelyWhat if you focused on what works, instead of what’s “right”?Acting effectively me...
04/05/2026

The "How" Skill Part 3 of 3
Effectively

What if you focused on what works, instead of what’s “right”?

Acting effectively means responding to the situation in a way that actually helps rather than getting stuck in shoulds or frustration.

It’s about meeting the moment as it is.

Take a look at the slides to see how to apply this in real life.

Disclaimer: Mindfulness practice can sometimes bring up uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations. If this is your experience, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional in your area for support.

Content shared on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment.

Address

2075 W. Stadium Boulevard #1671
Ann Arbor, MI
48106

Telephone

+17342243544

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Connecting Heals, LLC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Connecting Heals, LLC:

Shortcuts

Share

Category