Sequoia Behavioral Health

07/30/2025

“You’re too sensitive.”
No.
You are attuned.

If you grew up around unpredictability, conflict, or emotional disconnection, your nervous system adapted to pick up on even the smallest shifts in mood or tone. Because it had to.

You’re not too much. You’re not broken.
Someone else’s “too sensitive” could never have walked a mile in your shoes.

Trauma survivors aren’t fragile, they’re powerful.
It’s time we change the language around mental health.

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07/24/2025

🧠 Reframing Self-Care 🧠

Self-care is often portrayed as indulgent—spa days, facials, or a luxurious escape from the day-to-day. While those things have their place, true self-care is much more complex and courageous.

At its core, self-care is about intentional acts of self-preservation and self-respect. For many, especially those healing from trauma, it can mean:

• Setting boundaries even when it feels uncomfortable
• Saying no without over-explaining
• Doing the laundry, answering the email, or finally calling the doctor
• Prioritizing rest without guilt
• Making space for your emotions without judgment

It’s not always pretty. Sometimes it’s sitting with discomfort, unlearning old patterns, or showing up for yourself in small but consistent ways.

Self-care is not selfish—it’s foundational.
It’s how we stay connected to ourselves in a world that often demands disconnection.

Take a moment today to ask:
What does caring for myself look like right now—without shame or performance?

07/02/2025

🌱 What Is Masking? Understanding the Hidden Struggle 🌱

Masking—also known as camouflaging—is the mental and emotional equivalent of "putting on a costume." It's when someone suppresses or alters their true thoughts, feelings, or behaviors just to fit in or avoid judgment.

While masking might help things feel smoother in the moment, it often comes at a cost—leading to burnout, anxiety, depression, and a loss of identity.

At Sequoia, we help clients unmask and reconnect with their authentic selves through compassionate, evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and neurodivergent-affirming approaches.

🧠 Read more in our blog and learn how to reclaim your true voice:

You don’t have to hide, healing starts with the willingness to be seen. 💚

Making is a way to hide symptoms so a person doesn't feel "othered" or shamed. It's unhealthy and leads to burnout. Learn about why we do it and how to stop.

07/02/2025

🌿 Please join us in welcoming our new Director of Nursing, Taylor Smool, RN, BSN! 🌿

Taylor has been a dedicated registered nurse since 2017, bringing with her a wealth of experience from both hospital and outpatient settings. She is known for her evidence-based approach to care, her deep sense of compassion, and her commitment to patient-centered treatment.

Her passion for mental health and holistic healing aligns beautifully with our mission at Sequoia Behavioral Health. We’re honored to have her leading our nursing team and supporting the continued growth of our medical care.

Welcome to Sequoia, Taylor — we’re so excited to have you on the team! 💚

06/27/2025

🧠 PTSD Awareness Day | June 27 💙

Today, we honor the strength of those living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and reaffirm our commitment to trauma-informed, evidence-based care.

At Sequoia Behavioral Health, we understand that healing from trauma is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why we’re proud to now also offer Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) at our outpatient location— a groundbreaking treatment designed to help individuals process and resolve traumatic memories without having to re-live them.

🌿 What is ART?
ART is a short-term, structured therapy that uses eye movements and guided imagery to help the brain reprocess distressing memories and sensations. Many clients report significant relief in just 1–5 sessions.

✨ ART has shown promise in treating:
✔️ PTSD
✔️ Anxiety
✔️ Depression
✔️ Grief and loss
✔️ Performance anxiety
…and more.

If you or someone you love is struggling, know that healing is possible — and help is available.

You are not alone. 💙

06/25/2025

🌿 Exciting News from Sequoia Residential! 🌿

We’re thrilled to announce that Sequoia’s Residential Program has officially transitioned to a fully organic food service — in partnership with the incredibly talented Chef Natalie Abbott!

Chef Natalie is a dedicated organic meal prep chef with a passion for clean, whole foods and sustainable sourcing. Known for her work in corporate wellness catering, she’s now bringing her expertise to Sequoia — creating meals that fuel healing, support mental health, and taste amazing.

✨ All meals are:
✔️ 100% organic
✔️ Seed oil free
✔️ Locally Sourced
✔️ Dietitian-approved
✔️ Designed with mental wellness in mind

From vibrant, nutrient-rich ingredients to mindful preparation, every bite reflects our commitment to providing holistic care that nourishes body and mind.

We’re proud to offer our clients the best — because healing starts from the inside out. 💚

📞 Call: (480) 690-9234 to start your journey to mental wellness today!

06/05/2025

🌿 Now Offering Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) at Sequoia Behavioral Health – Outpatient Services! 🌿

We’re excited to announce that Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is now available at our Mesa outpatient location!

ART is an evidence-based, eye-movement therapy that helps individuals process and resolve trauma, anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, and more—often in just 1–5 sessions. Unlike traditional talk therapy, ART works by targeting the way distressing images and sensations are stored in the brain, helping you feel relief without having to relive every painful detail.

💡 Clients often describe ART as "fast, effective, and empowering."

If you or someone you love is seeking a new path to healing, reach out today to see if ART is the right fit.

📞 Call us at (480) 690-9234
🌐 Learn more at www.sequoiabehavioralhealth.org
📍 Now available at our outpatient center in Mesa, AZ

04/23/2025

📊 Trauma-Informed Truths (Backed by Research) 📊
Not just “fun facts”—important facts that can help us better understand trauma and those who live with it.

Trauma is more common than most people realize.
According to the CDC, about 61% of adults in the U.S. report experiencing at least one traumatic event in childhood. Trauma is not rare—it's widespread.

Trauma changes the brain.
Neuroscience shows that trauma impacts key brain structures like the amygdala (fear center), hippocampus (memory), and prefrontal cortex (decision-making)—which is why trauma responses aren’t just “emotional” reactions.

The body keeps the score.
As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk notes, traumatic memories are often stored somatically. This means trauma can show up as chronic pain, muscle tension, digestive issues, or fatigue—even if you’re not consciously thinking about the event.

PTSD isn’t the only trauma response.
Trauma can manifest as depression, anxiety, dissociation, irritability, substance use, or difficulty with relationships. PTSD is just one expression among many.

Trauma-informed care improves outcomes.
Research shows that trauma-informed approaches reduce re-traumatization, increase engagement, and support more effective healing—especially when clients feel safe, heard, and empowered.

At Sequoia Behavioral Health, we recognize trauma not as a diagnosis, but as a lived experience that deserves care, context, and compassion.

04/22/2025

🧠 Trauma isn’t just what happened to you—it's also what happens inside you as a result.

Trauma can fragment our sense of self, disrupt how we relate to others, and leave us feeling stuck in patterns that once helped us survive. But healing is possible—especially when we approach those experiences with compassion, curiosity, and support.

At Sequoia Behavioral Health, we believe trauma work begins with safety. We help clients build tools for regulation, reconnect with their bodies, and begin to gently understand their stories at a pace that honors their nervous system. Trauma-informed care means creating space that is nonjudgmental, empowering, and grounded in trust.

You don’t have to carry it alone—and you don’t have to rush the process.

At Sequoia Behavioral Health, we believe trauma work goes beyond symptom management. We help clients connect with the parts of themselves that were left behind—gently, intentionally, and with clinical support. When we understand the protective role of trauma responses, we can begin to reclaim safety, agency, and wholeness.

04/09/2025

Phones have become the copilots of our lives. Our personal secretary, entertainer, and for some, a ball and chain.

While there have been many good things to come with smartphones, there is also an underbelly of sticky content that intentionally keeps users where they don’t want to be.

Terms like doom-scrolling have become commonplace, yet not many people have the required knowledge or willpower to stop using their phones. Phone addiction is a very real problem that has more than half of Americans feeling like they can’t get out.

Over half of Americans are experiencing the intended addictive design of smartphones. This leads to other mental health struggles but it can be treated.

04/07/2025

🧠 Heard of CBT? It’s one of the most powerful tools for mental health—and we offer it at Sequoia Behavioral Health!

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) helps you recognize and change negative thought patterns that affect how you feel and behave. It’s practical, structured, and backed by decades of research. ✨

💡 Fun Facts About CBT:
✔️ It’s effective for anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, and more
✔️ It focuses on the “here and now” to create real-life change
✔️ Studies show CBT can actually rewire brain activity
✔️ It teaches skills you can use for the rest of your life

Whether you're working through big emotions or just feeling stuck, CBT can help you feel more in control—and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. 💬💚

📞 Ready to start? Contact Sequoia Behavioral Health today and take the first step toward healing.

04/05/2025

🌿 April is Stress Awareness Month 🌿

Let’s take a moment to slow down and breathe. 🧘‍♀️

Stress is something we all experience—but it doesn’t have to control our lives. This month is a powerful reminder to check in with yourself and prioritize your mental well-being. Whether it’s setting better boundaries, taking mindful breaks, asking for help, or simply saying "no" more often—every step toward managing stress is worth celebrating.

💚 You’re not alone. Let’s talk about it. Let’s support one another. And let’s make space for calm, even in the chaos.

Drop a comment: What helps you manage stress when life gets overwhelming? 👇