Manes For Change

02/14/2026

Valentine’s Day can bring up a wide range of emotions—connection, grief, loneliness, or mixed feelings. There is no correct way to experience this day.

From a clinical perspective, emotional responses are shaped by attachment history, loss, and current stressors. All responses make sense in context.

Share some love with one another, today and every day 🥰

02/11/2026

You’ve been trained to stay strong. To push through. To handle whatever comes your way.

But what happens after the deployment ends—or after the call you can’t forget?

Trauma doesn’t always look like breaking down. For many in the military, it hides behind:
• Hyper-focus at work
• Irritability or snapping at those you care about
• Emotional numbness
• Chronic stress that never fully goes away

You’re still “functioning,” still doing your duty—but inside, your nervous system is stuck in survival mode, replaying what your mind is ready to forget.

Healing doesn’t mean losing your strength. It means taking back control, reclaiming your life, and giving your mind and body the chance to rest from battles that have already passed.

Through focused approaches like EMDR, you can reprocess the memories, release the hold trauma has on you, and finally feel like yourself again.

💙 You served your country. Now it’s time to serve yourself.

02/10/2026

February can feel heavy. The shortened daylight, ongoing stress, and lack of natural pauses this time of year can leave many people feeling emotionally and physically depleted.

If you’re noticing lower energy, increased irritability, or difficulty focusing, it doesn’t mean you’re failing—it may be your nervous system asking for more support.

Gentle awareness and compassion are often more helpful than pushing through. Rest, structure, and connection matter right now.

02/08/2026

💡 After EMDR Work: Supporting Your Nervous System

Trauma work is powerful, and your nervous system does a lot of heavy lifting during EMDR sessions. Afterward, it’s normal to feel tired, emotional, or “off balance.”

Here’s how to support yourself:

1️⃣ Rest: Give yourself permission to slow down. Even a short nap or quiet time helps your nervous system integrate the work.

2️⃣ Hydrate & Nourish: Trauma processing is physically demanding. Water, food, and gentle movement help your body recover.

3️⃣ Set Boundaries: Protect your energy. Say no to extra commitments or stressful interactions for the rest of the day if you need to.

✅ Remember: taking care of yourself after EMDR isn’t optional—it’s part of the healing process. Your nervous system needs this support to fully benefit from the work you’ve done.

02/07/2026

Moral injury is real—and it’s more common than you might think, especially in military service, first responders, and high-stakes professions.

It happens when experiences conflict with your values or sense of right and wrong, leaving a lasting emotional and moral burden. You might feel:
• Guilt or shame over decisions made in the moment
• Deep sadness or anger about what happened or what you witnessed
• Disconnection from yourself or others

Here’s the important part: moral injury is not a weakness. It’s a natural human response to extraordinary circumstances, often in situations where there were no “perfect” choices.

Healing is possible. Approaches like EMDR, therapy, and supportive communities can help process moral injury, reduce guilt, and allow you to reconnect with your values and your life. 💙

02/03/2026

Why Weekly Therapy Isn’t Always Enough

If you’re working long hours, rotating shifts, or carrying the weight of trauma, you might notice that weekly therapy feels… insufficient. And that’s not a failure—it’s just how the nervous system works.

Barriers like:
• Rotating or unpredictable shifts that disrupt consistency
• Burnout from work, family, or caregiving
• Avoidance of painful memories or triggers

…can make it hard for the brain to fully process trauma between sessions.

That’s where intensive EMDR therapy can help. By dedicating focused time in a safe, supportive space, your nervous system can:
• Process trauma more efficiently
• Reduce chronic stress and hypervigilance
• Begin to feel regulated in ways weekly sessions alone may not achieve

Therapy isn’t “one-size-fits-all.” Sometimes the fastest path to lasting change is a focused, intensive approach—not doing more, but doing it differently.

02/01/2026

01/30/2026

💡 Ways to Prepare Your Nervous System Before EMDR

Starting trauma work can feel intimidating—but preparation is key. Normalizing safety and readiness helps your nervous system feel supported before processing. Here are three ways to get ready:

1️⃣ Grounding & Breathing: Practice slow, intentional breaths or grounding exercises daily. This helps your nervous system stay regulated during sessions.

2️⃣ Check In With Your Support System: Make sure you have trusted people you can reach out to after a session. Feeling connected off the therapy table makes a huge difference.

3️⃣ Set Your Intention: Take a moment to acknowledge why you’re doing this work. Focusing on your goals—healing, relief, reclaiming your life—helps your nervous system feel safe and motivated.

✅ Trauma work isn’t about rushing—it’s about creating a safe container for healing. Preparing your nervous system before EMDR sets the stage for deeper, lasting change.

01/28/2026

💡 Why Trauma Doesn’t ‘Just Go Away’

Many people think that if they “ignore” trauma, it will eventually disappear. But the truth is… trauma doesn’t work that way.

Unprocessed trauma stays stored in the nervous system, often long after the event has passed. It can show up as:
• Anxiety or hypervigilance
• Emotional numbness
• Irritability or anger
• Difficulty connecting with others
• Chronic stress or tension

Even years later, your body and mind may react as if the threat is still present—your nervous system remembers, even if your conscious mind tries to move on.

The good news?!?! Trauma can be reprocessed and healed. Approaches like EMDR work with the nervous system to release stored trauma, so you can finally feel calm, present, and in control again.

Healing doesn’t mean forgetting—it means your body and mind can finally let go of the hold trauma has had on your life. 💙

01/25/2026

✨ Behind the Scenes: Why I Love EMDR Intensives ✨

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is witnessing the power of intensive EMDR therapy.

Intensives create a unique space—a focused, safe container—where people can fully engage with their healing. It’s different from weekly therapy because clients have the time, energy, and support to dive deep, process trauma, and create lasting change.

I love seeing clients experience breakthroughs that have been out of reach for months—or even years. The nervous system relaxes, old patterns shift, and relief sets in in a way that’s almost tangible.

Being part of that process is a privilege. It’s why I do what I do: helping people reclaim their lives, reconnect with themselves, and finally leave trauma where it belongs—in the past. 💙

01/22/2026

💭 Weekly EMDR vs. Intensive EMDR – What’s the Difference?

Trauma doesn’t look the same for everyone… and neither does healing. Here’s a quick breakdown:

✨ Pacing:
• Weekly EMDR = sessions spread over weeks/months
• Intensive EMDR = multiple sessions in just a few consecutive days

✨ Focus:
• Weekly = time to reflect and integrate between sessions
• Intensive = keeps your nervous system in a focused state for deeper processing

✨ Time Commitment:
• Weekly = fits around your busy schedule
• Intensive = requires dedicated days—but the payoff can be huge!

✨ Results:
• Weekly = steady progress
• Intensive = often rapid symptom relief

Both approaches work—but if you’re ready for concentrated healing, an intensive EMDR might be the right fit. 💙