Lauren Cozzolino, LPC -The Light Within Us Holistic Counseling

Lauren Cozzolino, LPC -The Light Within Us Holistic Counseling Holistic trauma-informed mental health counselor. Youth & families. LGBTQIA+ affirming. SSP certified

A Polyvagal Theory trained therapist’s thoughts on how to not betray our nervous systems while we process the killing of...
01/09/2026

A Polyvagal Theory trained therapist’s thoughts on how to not betray our nervous systems while we process the killing of Renee Good.

My deepest and truly heartfelt sympathy and solidarity is extended to Renee’s wife, child, family, and community. I stand in shock and heartbreak with you.

I’m tired.Tired of opening my phone and seeing someone’s last moments.I’m tired of violence being replayed, shared, deba...
01/08/2026

I’m tired.
Tired of opening my phone and seeing someone’s last moments.
I’m tired of violence being replayed, shared, debated, and consumed like normal news content.

Witnessing repeated images and videos of people being harmed or killed online is a form of collective trauma. Even if it didn’t happen to us directly, our nervous systems can still become flooded and overwhelmed. Witnessing trauma happening to someone else can impact us deeply, too.

This kind of exposure can deepen fear, grief, numbness, rage, or hopelessness. There is nothing wrong with you if you feel overwhelmed, activated, shut down, or exhausted. You are not “too sensitive”- These are normal protective responses.

A few trauma-informed ways to cope with the state of the world right now:
•Limit exposure: You are allowed to look away. Staying informed does not require consuming graphic content over and over and over, especially if you’re someone who is vulnerable to rumination.
•Ground the body: Slow breaths, feet on the floor, lay on your back, use your five senses to bring awareness to your presence in the here and now. Notice all the cues of safety around you to let your nervous system take a breather. Come back to the moment.
•Connect: Talk about how this impacts you with people who are safe for you. Collective trauma needs collective care. And good support is one of the most important protective factors against preventing traumatic responses to stressful things. We are vulnerable when we are alone.
•Rest is resistance: You don’t have to be “strong” all the time. Your nervous system deserves gentleness. This especially goes to advocates and people engaging in the “boots on the ground” work- rest is essential to prevent serious burnout.
•Find the common humanity: It’s critical in times like these to look around and notice all the great people doing great things. Humanity, kindness, and compassion are everywhere. May we never forget that. May we never stop paying forward to each other.

*Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy or mental health treatment. Social media cannot replace individualized care.*

❌ Why I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions ❌2026 is almost here, and I’m here to remind you that you get to make yo...
12/30/2025

❌ Why I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions ❌

2026 is almost here, and I’m here to remind you that you get to make your end-of-year reflection your own—without following trends.

Historically, New Year’s resolutions can often be shallow or overly optimistic. We might be influenced by what society says is a palatable or desirable goal—what we “should” be doing—or we might be listening to external voices rather than engaging in deep reflection about what goals would actually serve our highest good.

These goals often aren’t accompanied by the proper support needed to actually follow through. There’s also frequently a lack of deeper reflection around what aspects of our lifestyle or systems need to change in order for these goals to stick. This can be especially challenging for neurodivergent folks who struggle with the executive functioning skills required to set, plan for, and achieve goals—or for folks under significant stress, perhaps even in survival mode, where goals can feel more like a luxury. This often leads to disappointment, shame, and disconnection from ourselves.

There’s also the fact that it’s winter—and as beings of nature, we’re really meant to be slowing down, nesting, and retreating inward during this time of year (hello, hibernation). The Spring Equinox is a more energetically aligned time to begin taking action on specific lifestyle goals.

So instead of resolutions, I love the idea of setting New Year’s themes.

Think about what your body, mind, and soul want more of—and less of. What changes or shifts would truly serve your highest good? What would genuinely nourish you in mind, body, and spirit?

Here are some recent examples:
-less people-pleasing
-more boundaries
-less caring what people think
-more creativity
-less rushing and over-busyness
-more slowing down
-less judgment and criticism
-more cooking
-less ignoring my own needs
-more yoga

You might consider using Dr. Brené Brown’s Wholehearted Living Guideposts for inspiration when choosing your 2026 themes. Once you identify a theme, you can use it as an anchor to guide your decisions throughout the year. That’s how lasting shifts happen.

✨Declare your themes in the comments!✨

Snow reminds us of the joy that can be found winter ❄️☃️🧣I had a long to do list in my mind for this morning, but playin...
12/14/2025

Snow reminds us of the joy that can be found winter ❄️☃️🧣I had a long to do list in my mind for this morning, but playing in the snow became immediate priority # 1! Don’t forget to find time for relaxation and play 🌊🌨️

Please join me in saying this prayer for trans and gender diverse people all over the globe. What should be a given, the...
11/20/2025

Please join me in saying this prayer for trans and gender diverse people all over the globe. What should be a given, the dignity and safety of all people, continues to still be desired goal. Let’s lock arms to generate a collective shift and create this reality for the beautiful trans humans all over the world who just want to exist in peace 🏳️‍⚧️🤍

If you need support, you can call the following hotlines. Many of them have chat or text options as well and are accessi...
11/19/2025

If you need support, you can call the following hotlines. Many of them have chat or text options as well and are accessible 24/7:

1. RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-HOPE

2. National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233

If you need support, you can call the following hotlines. Many of them have chat or text options as well and are accessi...
11/19/2025

If you need support, you can call the following hotlines. Many of them have chat or text options as well and are accessible 24/7:

1. RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline (youth) 800-656-HOPE

2. National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673

2. National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233

10/29/2025

✨Glimmers✨
A Polyvagal Theory informed concept and tool to help us notice cues of safety around us, especially if our nervous system has become stuck in a hyper-aroused, hyper-vigilant state in which we are constantly alert and scanning for all the danger and bad news around us.

Glimmers aren’t meant to ignore what’s hard, nor is it to minimize it or dismiss it. It’s not looking the other way. It’s to help our body find safety and homeostasis again, because we will become sick and disconnected if we stay stuck in a state of stress for too long with no breaks.

Wherever you are, whatever is going on, take time to pause and notice these little moments of safety and connection. Your nervous system will thank you for it ✨

✨ Integrating chakras into counseling ✨As a mind-body-spirit focussed counselor, I’m always trying to find ways to integ...
10/14/2025

✨ Integrating chakras into counseling ✨

As a mind-body-spirit focussed counselor, I’m always trying to find ways to integrate the “non-clinical” into my clinical work ethically and professionally.

Learning about the chakra system is an incredible way to re-connect with our bodies and our spirituality, to practice mindfulness and deepen self-awareness, and to tend to our needs in the deepest ways.

It is no coincidence that most trauma survivors I work with have lower back pain (safety in the root). The chakras are a way we can explore how trauma remains in our body, even after we’ve “talked it through” in counseling.

Each chakra represents a different layer of our human experience — from safety and creativity to love, communication, and intuition. When we bring awareness to these centers, we create space for balance and healing.

In practice: sit quietly and scan your body for any discomfort, restlessness, new sensations, or signs of unmet needs. Look up chakra mantras for that area of the body and meditate on them daily for a week. See what might shift within you, or what messages for healing your body is trying to tell you. Discuss these messages your body gives you in counseling to deepen the connection to yourself.

📸:

Welcome to the new office, newly renovated and nestled inside ✨ Complex trauma informed, nervous system focussed, LGBTQ...
10/13/2025

Welcome to the new office, newly renovated and nestled inside ✨

Complex trauma informed, nervous system focussed, LGBTQIA+ affirming, neurodiversity affirming, & mind-body-spirit healing awaits 🤲🏻

10/04/2025

✌🏻

Su***de is preventable.But it takes collective effort from all of us. It takes caring about each other. Being gentle. Be...
09/10/2025

Su***de is preventable.

But it takes collective effort from all of us.

It takes caring about each other. Being gentle. Being curious. Being considerate. Being kind. Being inclusive and accepting. Spreading love instead of hate.

It takes dismantling systems of oppression, laws, policies, and belief systems that cause people to feel hopeless, helpless, and alone.

It takes lifting each other up instead of tearing each other down.

It takes being willing to have uncomfortable conversations. It takes listening to each other.

It takes all of us. All of us to make a decision: Will we be the reason someone feels safe, supported, included, and loved today?

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Brielle, NJ

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