Alice A. Amos, LMHC, CTP

11/24/2025

As we move through Thanksgiving week, let’s pause and reconnect with what truly matters. 🌿✨

Take a slow breath. Feel your feet on the ground. Notice the small moments of peace, gratitude, and presence all around you.

Grounding doesn’t have to be complicated—step outside, place your hand on your heart, or savor a mindful moment before the holiday rush.

This week, may you find calm in simplicity, gratitude in each breath, and grounding in the beauty of being here now. 🍁💛

11/24/2025

11/21/2025

✨ This weekend, give yourself permission to rest, breathe, and honor the person you’ve become. Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s a celebration of your growth, your strength, and every step you’ve taken to get here. You deserve peace, compassion, and acceptance. 💛✨

11/19/2025

In the 1960's, writer Anaïs Nin often reflected on the subjective nature of perception and the impact of personal experience on how we interpret the world. The quote, "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are," aligns deeply with Polyvagal Theory, which suggests that our perception of the world is closely influenced by our internal physiological and emotional states.

According to Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory, through "neuroception" we scan other people, our own body, and the environment for cues of safety and danger. If we are in a ventral vagal state—feeling safe, calm, and socially engaged—our perception of the world reflects this sense of inner security. We’re more likely to interpret situations positively, approach others with openness, and feel connected to those around us. Our inner state of safety and security colors our perception of people and situations, allowing us to see the world through a lens of safety and connection.

On the other hand, if we are in a sympathetic or dorsal vagal states and feeling unsafe, our perception of the world shifts accordingly. In these states, we tend to view our environment as threatening or overwhelming, even if nothing externally has changed. This happens because our nervous system’s state influences what we notice and how we interpret social cues, which leads us to experience the world in line with our inner anxiety or withdrawal.

Learn more about Polyvagal Theory and neuroception on our website at polyvagal.org where you'll find courses and trainings, free resources, an online global community, and more. We hope you'll join us to create a safer and more connected world.

11/18/2025

✨ When life feels overwhelming, come back to your body. Come back to this moment. ✨

Stressful triggers can send our mind racing into the past or into the “what ifs” of the future — but grounding techniques gently guide us back to safety, presence, and peace.

Try these simple grounding practices the next time you feel triggered:

🌿 5-4-3-2-1 Check-In
Name 5 things you can see… 4 you can touch… 3 you can hear… 2 you can smell… 1 you can taste.
A full-body reset that brings you back into the here and now.

🌿 Deep Belly Breaths
Inhale for 4, hold for 2, exhale for 6.
Let your exhale carry the tension out of your body.

🌿 Touch Something Solid
Place your hand on your heart, a cold surface, or the earth beneath you.
Let the firmness remind you that you are safe and supported.

🌿 Affirm Your Reality
“I am here. I am safe. I can move through this.”
Your words can become anchors.

✨ Grounding isn’t about avoiding the storm — it’s about rooting yourself deeply enough to weather it with strength and compassion.
Be gentle with yourself. Healing happens moment by moment, breath by breath. 💛

11/17/2025

The Stroll for Well-Being Winter 2026 Registration is now open until January 2, 2026🎍☀

This therapeutic garden walking program is designed for participants to immerse themselves in the natural beauty, peace, and serenity of the gardens. A study done in partnership with FAU’s College of Nursing back in 2006 showed that meditative garden walks contributed to reduced feelings of sadness, fear, and loneliness, leaving participants filled with a more joyful, renewed energy.

More information about program sessions and applications can be found at Morikami.org/stroll/
(link in bio🔗)

11/17/2025

11/16/2025

Feeling low? There’s always a way back❤️

11/13/2025

🌎💛 Happy World Kindness Day! 💛🌎

"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." – Mark Twain

Today, let’s remember that even the smallest act of kindness can ripple through the world in powerful ways — a smile, a gentle word, a helping hand. 💫

Kindness heals. It connects us. It reminds us that we’re all part of something greater — the shared humanity that thrives on love, compassion, and care. 🌿

✨ Be kind to others.
✨ Be kind to the Earth.
✨ And most importantly, be kind to yourself.

11/12/2025

Don’t forget to ask for help when you need it 🍁💛🍂

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 Honoring Our Veterans 🇺🇸

Today, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have served our country with courage, dedication, and sacrifice. Veterans Day reminds us of the strength it takes to protect freedom and the resilience it takes to come home and rebuild.

Let’s take a moment to express gratitude — not just today, but every day — for those who’ve worn the uniform. May we honor their service by living with compassion, courage, and purpose.

💙 Thank you, veterans, for your service and your sacrifice.