Dr. Nate Therapy LLC

07/29/2025

Have you ever found yourself questioning your identity after leaving a religious community?
Maybe you were taught to push down your feelings, doubt your instincts, or live in fear of judgment. Now that you’ve stepped away, you might be feeling a mix of grief, relief, anger, or maybe just deep confusion.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and there’s nothing wrong with you.

Leaving a faith tradition can shake your sense of self, community, and belonging. It’s not just about what you don’t believe anymore, it’s about who you are now and how to rebuild from here. What do you trust? How do you handle relationships that are still inside the faith? And how do you make sense of the pain without turning on yourself?

In this blog post, I explore the emotional impact of religious deconstruction from a therapeutic lens. We’ll look at what it means to grieve, to reclaim your inner voice, and to move forward with gentleness and intention.

You don’t need to have the answers yet. What matters most is that you give yourself permission to be in process.

🧠 Read the full post here: https://drnatetherapy.com/leaving-religion-therapy/
Have you gone through a similar journey? I’d be honored to hear what helped you along the way. 💬⬇️

07/21/2025

Have you ever felt unsure how to show up as a parent after divorce, especially when a new partner enters the picture?

Maybe you’re trying to balance your child’s feelings with your own. You might be feeling the pressure to protect, to blend, to smooth things over. Or perhaps you’re caught between guilt, hope, and confusion and are wondering, Am I doing this right?

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, there’s nothing wrong with you.

Navigating co-parenting after a divorce is already complex. When a new relationship begins, it can stir up even more layers: for your child, your ex, and yourself. What’s your role now? What’s theirs? And how do you move forward without causing harm or losing yourself?

In this blog post, I explore how to approach parenting after divorce when a new partner is part of the dynamic. From a therapeutic lens, we look at emotional safety, boundaries, and how to center your child’s experience while also honoring your own healing.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. What matters most is staying grounded in connection, care, and curiosity.

🧠 Read the full post here: https://drnatetherapy.com/parenting-after-divorce-new-partner/

Have you been in this situation as a parent, partner, or child? I’d love to hear what you’ve learned along the way. 💬⬇️

Parenting after a divorce can feel like learning how to walk all over again. Just when you’ve gotten the hang of balancing custody schedules, emotional transitions, and your child’s needs, a new challenge arises: introducing a new partner into the family. Blending families is rarely seamless. It...

07/09/2025

Have you ever found yourself grieving something others didn’t seem to understand?
Maybe you left a church, a spiritual community, or a belief system and part of you is still trying to make sense of the loss. You might feel relief one day and deep sadness the next. Maybe you're asking, "Was it even real?" or wondering why it still hurts when you chose to walk away.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and there’s nothing wrong with you.
Leaving a faith community, especially one that shaped your identity or sense of belonging, is a profound kind of loss. Even if you feel certain in your decision, the grief can still show up in quiet, complicated ways.

In this blog post, I explore the hidden grief that often comes with religious deconstruction. From a therapeutic lens, we look at how Emotionally Focused Therapy and narrative work can help you honor what was, make space for what’s still tender, and reclaim your sense of self outside of old belief systems.

You don’t have to choose between your healing and your history.
Grief is not a sign you’re going backward, it’s a sign you’re moving through.

🔗 Read the full post here: https://www.drnatetherapy.com/grieving-after-leaving-church/

Have you felt grief after stepping away from a faith tradition? I’d love to hear what that journey has looked like for you. ⬇️💬

07/07/2025

Have you ever struggled to explain what you’re feeling in a way your partner could truly understand?
Maybe you shut down, lash out, or try to hold it all together with a smile, even though inside, you’re exhausted. Or maybe you’ve been told you're “too hard on yourself,” but letting go of high standards feels too risky. It might feel like you could fall apart if you stop performing.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you’re not broken. What often looks like perfectionism on the outside is really a search for emotional safety on the inside.

In this blog post, I explore how perfectionism is less about being “the best” and more about protecting ourselves from feelings of shame, rejection, or uncertainty. When we treat perfectionism as a strategy rather than a flaw, we can begin to understand it with compassion, not just critique.

From an Emotionally Focused Therapy perspective, these patterns often come from early relationships where being “good” felt like the only way to feel loved or safe. Those strategies might have served us once, but now they can make it harder to connect with the people we care about most.

The good news is that you can learn to soften the inner critic without losing your sense of self. You can feel safe without being perfect.

Therapy can help you recognize what’s underneath the drive to perform and build safer, more emotionally honest connections with yourself and with others.

🔗 Read the full post here: https://drnatetherapy.com/perfectionism-emotional-safety/
Have you ever noticed your perfectionism showing up most strongly in your relationships? I’d love to hear how you’re learning to shift those patterns. ⬇️💬

Perfectionism is often misunderstood. From the outside, it can look like ambition, attention to detail, or having high standards. Perfectionists are often praised for their hard work, their reliability, or their ability to go above and beyond. But underneath the surface, perfectionism is not really....

07/01/2025

Have you ever struggled to explain what you’re feeling in a way your partner could truly understand?
Maybe you shut down, lash out, or just go quiet, even though part of you longs to feel seen and safe. Or maybe you’ve tried to express yourself, but it comes out all wrong, and the distance between you only grows.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not broken. Sometimes we just need new tools to speak the emotional language of connection.

🦊 In this blog post, I explore how couples can use animal metaphors to express tricky emotional states that are often hard to put into words. For example, instead of saying “I’m overwhelmed,” you might say “I feel like a turtle right now,” to gently communicate a need to retreat and slow down. Or if you’re feeling edgy and protective, saying “I’m a porcupine today” can signal that you’re feeling tender and not quite ready to be close, even though you care.

These kinds of metaphors create a shared emotional shorthand. They make it safer to be honest without escalating tension or shutting down. They reduce the pressure to explain perfectly and invite empathy instead of defensiveness. Over time, this can help you and your partner navigate hard moments with more softness and understanding.

🛠️ Emotional communication doesn't have to be polished. It just has to be honest and rooted in care. Therapy can help you build that bridge.

🔗 Read the full post here: https://drnatetherapy.com/animal-metaphors-in-relationships/

Have you and your partner ever used code words, inside jokes, or metaphors to name emotions? I’d love to hear how it’s helped you feel closer. ⬇️💬

Have you ever wished your partner just knew what you were feeling without you having to spell it out? Maybe you've had a long day and all you want is to be held. Or maybe your skin feels tight with stress and you need space, but saying “I need space” feels

06/25/2025

Have you ever felt like setting boundaries with your parents would hurt them more than help you?

Maybe you second-guess yourself, wondering if you're being too sensitive or too distant. Or maybe you’ve been carrying the weight of guilt for wanting space, even when you know it's what you need to feel safe and whole.

If that sounds familiar, you are not alone, and you are not selfish for needing distance.

💬 In this blog post, I explore what it means to take a step back from a parent, why this can be a necessary part of healing, and how therapy can support you through the emotional complexity of it all.

🛠️ Boundaries are not about punishment. They are about protection, clarity, and self-respect.

🔗 Read the full post here: https://drnatetherapy.com/step-back-from-parents/

Have you ever wrestled with setting boundaries with a parent? What helped you find clarity or peace? I’d love to hear your experience below. ⬇️💬

If you're thinking about setting firm boundaries with your parents, or even stepping away from the relationship entirely, you’re not alone. Many adults find themselves in this difficult place, wanting to feel safe and respected, yet also carrying a deep sense of guilt, grief, or confusion. These f...

06/24/2025

Have you ever found yourself shutting down during conflict even when part of you wants to speak up?

Maybe your heart races, your thoughts go blank, or you suddenly feel the urge to just agree and move on. Or maybe you walk away from the conversation entirely, telling yourself it’s not worth it, even though something feels unresolved.

If this sounds familiar, you might lean toward an avoidant conflict style and you are not broken for doing so.

💬 In this blog post, I unpack how avoidant conflict resolution patterns show up in relationships, where they come from, and how therapy can help you move toward connection without overwhelming your nervous system.

🛠️ Conflict doesn’t have to mean chaos. With the right tools, it can become a doorway to deeper trust and intimacy.

🔗 Read the full post here: https://drnatetherapy.com/avoidant-conflict-resolution-relationships/

How do you typically respond to conflict? What helps you stay grounded when things get tough? I’d love to hear below. ⬇️💬

Have you ever felt like it’s hard to bring up something that’s bothering you in your relationship? Maybe conflict feels uncomfortable or even unsafe, so you decide to avoid it. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Recent research by Rackham et al., (2017) offers helpful insights into why ...

06/18/2025

Have you ever felt completely worn out, but your brain just won’t hit the brakes?

Maybe you lie in bed replaying conversations, planning tomorrow, or getting lost in late-night rabbit holes. Or maybe you fall asleep fast, but wake up in the middle of the night, wide-eyed and wired.

If you live with ADHD, sleep can be one of the hardest things to get right.
And you are not broken for struggling with rest.

💬 In this blog post, I explore ADHD-friendly sleep hygiene tips that actually make sense for neurodivergent brains. These aren’t rigid rules or one-size-fits-all solutions. They’re gentle, practical ideas to help your body and brain work with you, not against you.

🌙 You deserve rest that feels nourishing, not just more pressure to do things “the right way.”

🔗 Read the full post here: https://drnatetherapy.com/sleep-hygiene-tips/

What helps you wind down at night? What’s still a struggle? I’d love to hear your thoughts. ⬇️💬

We often treat sleep like an afterthought. We cram it between late-night emails and early alarms, assuming it should just happen naturally if we give it enough time. But what if the problem is not the number of hours we spend in bed, but how we relate to the entire process of sleeping?

06/13/2025

Have you ever felt like your mind just won’t settle down?
Maybe you’ve tried every planner, reminder app, or productivity hack but still find yourself overwhelmed, distracted, or burned out.
If you live with ADHD, you are not alone.
And you are not broken for needing different ways to cope.

💬 In this blog post, I explore how ADHD and chronic stress interact and why traditional coping strategies might not work the same way for everyone.
This is not about trying harder or fixing yourself. It’s about understanding your nervous system and creating tools that actually meet your needs.

🌱 Healing begins when we stop blaming ourselves and start building systems that support how our brains truly work.
You deserve to feel capable, supported, and understood.

🔗 Read the full post here: https://drnatetherapy.com/adhd-stress-coping-strategies/

Have you found tools or practices that help you cope with ADHD and stress? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you. ⬇️💬

If you live with ADHD, you probably already know that life can feel more stressful than it does for other people. You might feel like you're always behind, overwhelmed, or frustrated. Maybe you’ve been told to "just try harder," but that only adds to the pressure. You are not alone. And you're

06/08/2025

Have you ever felt like your body didn’t fully belong to you?
Maybe you were taught that your body was meant to serve others such as a partner, a parent, or a higher power and now you’re left wondering how to reclaim it as your own.

If you're deconstructing from a faith tradition that shaped your relationship with your body, you are not alone.
And you are not broken for wanting something different.

💬 In this blog post, I explore the journey of reconnecting with your body after years of religious messages that may have felt shaming, controlling, or confusing.

This is not about rejecting your past. It’s about gently making space for your truth now with kindness, curiosity, and care.

🌱 Healing begins when we listen to our bodies, honor our stories, and reclaim the right to feel, choose, and exist in a way that is fully ours.

You deserve to feel safe, seen, and sovereign in your own skin.

🔗 Read the full post here: https://drnatetherapy.com/your-body-your-own-reclaiming-autonomy-after-religious-control/
Have you been on a journey of body reclamation or deconstruction? What has helped you feel more at home in yourself? I’d truly love to hear. ⬇️💬

If you grew up in a religious environment that taught you your body belonged to someone else, you are not alone. For many people raised in purity culture or faith communities with strict gender roles, the idea of body autonomy can feel unfamiliar, confusing, or even wrong. You may have learned, eith...

06/06/2025

Have you ever found yourself wondering if breaking up has to be messy, bitter, or full of blame?
Maybe you’re facing the end of a relationship and want to move forward with clarity, care, and respect. Or maybe you're already separated but still feel tangled in guilt, resentment, or confusion.
Ending a relationship doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It might mean you're ready to grow in a different direction.

💬 In this blog post, I explore the idea of conscious uncoupling, a more intentional, compassionate way of navigating breakups.
It’s not about pretending things are fine. It’s about honoring what was, understanding what’s shifting, and choosing how you want to end things with dignity.

Letting go is hard, especially when there's still love, history, or hope.
🧭 Healing starts with gentle honesty, self-reflection, and space to grieve while still holding onto self-respect and care for the other person.

You deserve a breakup that doesn't break you. One that leaves room for healing, growth, and even gratitude.

🔗 Read the full post here: https://drnatetherapy.com/conscious-uncoupling/
Have you ever experienced an ending that felt more like a beginning? What helped you move forward with peace and intention? I’d love to hear. ⬇️💬

When a relationship ends, the story we’re often told is one of heartbreak, blame, and emotional chaos. Breakups are usually framed as battles or failures. But what if there’s a different way? What if the end of a relationship could still be an act of care? That’s the idea behind

05/30/2025

Have you ever felt like you’re always on edge, even when nothing seems obviously wrong?
Maybe you find yourself snapping at your partner, forgetting what calm feels like, or constantly bracing for the next thing to go wrong.
When life feels like one long emergency, it’s not just stress, it might be survival mode.

💬 In this blog post, I explore what survival mode really means, how it shows up in your body and relationships, and why it’s not something you can just will your way out of.
It’s not laziness. It’s not a personal failure. It’s your nervous system doing what it thinks it needs to do to keep you safe.

But staying in that state for too long can wear you down.
🧭 Healing starts with small, kind steps slowing down, finding little pockets of safety, and learning to listen to the parts of you that are just trying to cope.

You don’t have to earn your way out of survival mode. You deserve rest, connection, and peace, even when things are hard.

🔗 Read the full post here: https://drnatetherapy.com/when-you-feel-stuck-in-survival-mode-gentle-ways-to-move-forward/
Have you noticed yourself stuck in go-go-go mode without knowing how to slow down? What helps you come back to yourself? I’d love to hear. ⬇️💬

Have you ever felt like you're barely getting by, like you're just surviving instead of living? Maybe you're constantly overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or on edge. You might feel like you're always waiting for the next thing to go wrong. When you're stuck in survival mode, even the simplest task...