A Brighter Day Wellness

06/17/2025

🧠 Struggling with OCD or eating disorder thoughts that just won’t let up?

You’ve probably been told to “challenge” or “reframe” them.
But what if… that’s the very thing keeping you stuck?

The truth is, for many people, traditional CBT doesn’t help.
In fact, thought-challenging can become a mental compulsion of its own.

✨ Instead of trying to fix your thoughts, what if you simply stopped engaging with them?

Thought-stopping—done right—isn’t about forcefully erasing your thoughts. It’s about letting them pass without debate. No proving, no correcting, no spiraling.

This is the approach I use in my work with OCD and eating disorders:
🔹 Let the thought come
🔹 Don’t analyze it
🔹 Don’t fight it
🔹 And let it float on by

You don’t have to win the argument in your head to heal.
Sometimes, doing less is actually the most powerful thing of all.

🤍 If you’re ready for a new way to relate to your thoughts, I’m here to help.

Check out my new blog post further discussing this topic! https://www.abrighterdaywellness.com/post/title-rethinking-ocd-and-eating-disorder-treatment-why-traditional-cbt-falls-short-and-what-actual

☀️A Brighter Day Wellness

05/29/2025

Exciting news — I’m now officially trained in EMDR!

☀️Completing the basic training has been both a professionally enriching and personally meaningful experience. EMDR offers a powerful, evidence-based approach to helping individuals process trauma, and I’m deeply grateful to be adding this modality to my therapeutic work. I’m looking forward to integrating it into sessions and walking alongside clients in their healing journeys with even greater support.

05/15/2025

✨ It’s okay to want your body to change.
✨ And you still deserve love right now.

In eating disorder recovery, you might hear: “Just accept yourself.”
But what if you don’t? What if part of you does want change?

That doesn’t make you shallow. That makes you human.

The goal isn’t to erase the desire to change—it’s to expand your compassion. To hold two truths:

☀️I want to feel different in my body
🌻I still deserve care, food, rest, and kindness today

You don’t have to wait until you “love” your body to begin healing.

You’re worthy now.

Read the full post on the blog- https://www.abrighterdaywellness.com/post/it-s-okay-to-want-change-and-still-deserve-love-right-now.

By Allison Summer, LPC | Specializing in OCD & Eating DisordersIf you’re in recovery from an eating disorder, you’ve probably heard it before:“You just need to accept your body.”“Love yourself exactly as you are.”And maybe when you hear that, you feel a mix of emotions: resistance, frust...

05/08/2025

🧠☀️Movement and Nourishment in Recovery

When you live with OCD or an eating disorder, movement and food can feel more like a battlefield than a path to wellness. What’s meant to support your mental health can become entangled with shame, pressure, or compulsion.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

🌿 In my latest blog post, I explore:
✨ How OCD and EDs complicate movement and food
✨ When “healthy habits” hurt more than help
✨ Ways to gently reintroduce movement and nourishment
✨ Why recovery isn’t about control — it’s about connection

You deserve a relationship with your body rooted in care, not fear.
Let’s rethink what healing can look like — one grounded step at a time.

📖 Read the full post here: https://www.abrighterdaywellness.com/post/movement-nutrition-and-mental-health-navigating-the-challenges-with-ocd-and-eating-disorders

By Allison Summer, LPC| Specializing in OCD & Eating DisordersIn the world of mental health, we talk often about self-care—but one area that tends to come with both benefits and complexities is movement. Research consistently shows that physical movement supports mental well-being by reducing stre...

04/30/2025

Shame and OCD often go hand in hand—and that silence can be heavy.

Many people living with OCD carry shame for thoughts they never asked for and don’t align with their values. That shame can make it even harder to ask for help.

But here’s the truth:
🧠 Intrusive thoughts don’t define who you are.
💛 Shame loses power when we bring it into the light.
🌱 Healing starts with compassion—for yourself, your mind, and your journey.

I wrote a blog exploring the connection between OCD and shame—why it’s so common, how it keeps us stuck, and what healing can look like.

📖 Read it now: [link in bio]
💬 Save this for when shame speaks too loudly. You’re not alone.

04/21/2025

🧠💬 Ever wonder how binge eating and OCD might be connected?

As a therapist who specializes in both, I see how these struggles often overlap in ways that aren’t talked about enough. Obsessive thoughts, emotional distress, and compulsive behaviors can create cycles that feel impossible to break—but there is a way forward.

I just shared a new blog post that explores the link between OCD and binge eating—and why compassionate, targeted treatment makes all the difference.

✨ Tap the link in my bio to read the full post!
✨ Save this if it resonates or send to someone who might need it 💛

03/20/2025

🌷 Welcome Spring: A Season for Renewal! 🌱 As we celebrate the arrival of spring, let’s take a moment to focus on our mental health during this transformative time. 🌞 Discover how nature can enhance your well-being at A Brighter Day Wellness.

02/19/2025

For individuals navigating OCD, the concept of control often plays a significant role in their daily experiences. Direct communication can serve as a powerful tool in reclaiming a sense of agency and empowerment amidst the uncertainties of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

Embrace the power of voicing your truth, seeking help when needed, and embracing the journey towards greater self-awareness and resilience. You are worthy of support, compassion, and growth. 💙

07/16/2024

Happy Monday everyone! I would like to introduce the newest addition to A Brighter Day Wellness, Makiah Stewart! She is a practicum student attending GCU. She has immediate availability via telehealth to see both children and adults at a reduced rate!🙂

Meet Allison Summer and our compassionate cognitive therapists at A Brighter Day Wellness. Discover our stories and how we prioritize your well-being and mental health.

03/11/2024

03/01/2024

☀️ Setting healthy boundaries is an act of self-care and self-love. It allows us to protect our energy, prioritize our well-being, and maintain positive connections with others. Remember, it’s okay to say no and establish limits that promote your happiness and peace of mind. Embrace the power of healthy boundaries and watch your life flourish! 🌻

02/28/2024

✨Taking a moment to ground ourselves in nature can have a positive impact on our mental health. Whether it’s feeling the earth beneath our feet, listening to the sounds of the trees, or simply taking in the beauty of the natural world, connecting with nature can provide a sense of calm and clarity. ☀️Take some time today to step outside and appreciate the grounding effect of the great outdoors.