Best Self, LLC- Walking Psychotherapy, ADHD Coaching, Wellness Coaching

09/11/2025

✨TBT— September 11, 2001 ✨

In 2001, I was 8 months pregnant. That morning I woke up to the news of the attacks and felt a wave of fear and uncertainty I will never forget. I remember taking the day off, letting my daughter dress me up like a “pregnant princess,” and trying to shield both of us from the heaviness of the world.

That day taught me what it feels like to be unsafe in a place that once felt steady. And while my fear lasted for a moment in time, so many live in that heightened state every single day—in war zones, after shootings, during fires and natural disasters.

It’s one of the reasons I’ve dedicated myself to using my skills to help others in crisis. Trauma rewires the nervous system—but with care, presence, and the right support, healing is possible. 🌱💛

09/06/2025

This Food Tree= mood balance, brain health, and energy.

👉 Which area of the tree are you leaning on this week?

09/03/2025

✨ Sometimes the best co-therapist isn’t on the screen at all. It’s the redwood trees, the sky, the fresh air. 🌲☁️

One of my clients recently captured this photo of me on Zoom, with the redwoods and sky overhead. It’s a reminder that therapy isn’t just about words. It’s about nervous system regulation, feeling grounded, and connecting with something larger than ourselves.

Nature has a way of holding space with us. When we slow down, breathe deeply, and take in the world around us, our brains and bodies shift into a calmer, more open state. 🌿💫

I love bringing nature into my work—whether it’s walk-and-talk sessions, eco-therapy, or simply letting the trees and sky become silent co-therapists during an online session.

👉 How do you let nature support your healing and thriving?

09/02/2025

Exercise makes trauma memories less intense!

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Consistent exercise may help the brain forget traumatic memories, according to a 2024 study by researchers from Kyushu University and the University of Toronto. The study found that regular physical activity stimulates the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for memory and emotional regulation. As these new neurons integrate into existing circuits, they can disrupt older pathways linked to fear and trauma, making those memories harder to retrieve.

According to the researchers, this process doesn’t erase memories entirely but reduces their emotional intensity, essentially helping the brain “let go” of them over time. Even moderate daily movement, such as walking or cycling for around 20 minutes, was shown to trigger these changes. The findings offer new hope for people dealing with PTSD and other trauma-related conditions, suggesting that exercise could be a simple, non-invasive way to support emotional healing

09/01/2025

✨ Readers are Raving! ✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This book is the whole package for mental and physical health. The food and mood chapter alone is worth it!”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Sherian’s style is compassionate and uplifting — every page makes you feel good about yourself.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “As a senior software developer, this opened my eyes to how therapy and lifestyle fuel peak performance.”

💛 If you’re ready to remodel your brain and thrive from the inside out, check out my book on Amazon: Remodel Your Brain

08/29/2025

Trauma changes your brain Therapy and lifestyle medicine Remodel Your Brain

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🧠 When home feels like a battlefield, the brain responds the same way war does.

Groundbreaking research from University College London and the Anna Freud Centre reveals that children exposed to family violence develop brain activity patterns strikingly similar to combat veterans.

Using functional MRI scans, researchers found that maltreated children show heightened responses in the amygdala and anterior insula—regions that detect and process threats—when viewing angry faces. These same regions are hyperactive in soldiers who’ve experienced combat, suggesting that repeated exposure to violence literally rewires a child’s emotional circuitry for hyper-vigilance.

While this adaptation may help children sense danger in the short term, it also primes the brain for anxiety disorders and long-term mental health struggles. Importantly, none of the children in the study had psychiatric diagnoses, highlighting how invisible these neural changes can be.

As Professor Peter Fonagy emphasized, protecting children from violence is not only a moral responsibility but also a scientific necessity—since the scars it leaves on the brain can endure for a lifetime.

Source: McCrory, E., et al. (2011). Maltreated children show same pattern of brain activity as combat soldiers. Current Biology.

09/09/2024

Here’s to healthy living and healthy aging! We also know that I process trauma is related to passing away 20 years earlier from cancer, heart disease, and alcohol/drug related issues.

Is anyone feeling older since 2020?

It's no revelation that the human body undergoes natural wear and tear as we age. But you might be surprised that this process isn't gradual.

05/31/2024

In a world heavy with stress and discord, I am introducing ecotherapy into my walking brainspotting psychotherapy practice. Amidst nature’s embrace, we find solace, learning to connect not just with the earth but with each other. Together, we embark on a journey of healing, nurturing our bond with the world and with one another. , , , , , , ,

03/15/2024

How cool is this fungi mushroom?!? One of the many benefits of practicing mindfulness while out in nature.

What treasures did you find today on your hike?