Holistic Wellness for Health

Holistic Wellness for Health Welcome here! We have been a leader in providing quality mental wellness therapy for over 15 years.

"Sometimes 'I don't know' is just a freeze response. Your speech centres are offline because your brain is overwhelmed b...
08/20/2026

"Sometimes 'I don't know' is just a freeze response. Your speech centres are offline because your brain is overwhelmed by big body sensations." — Lori Gill 🧠🌿

Have you ever been in a moment of stress, and when someone asks you what’s wrong or what you need, you just... go blank? You feel the pressure, you feel the emotion, but the words simply won't come out.

You might feel frustrated with yourself, thinking you’re being "difficult" or "stubborn."

But here is the truth: You aren't being difficult. You are being protected.

When our nervous system hits a state of overwhelm, our "thinking brain" (and our speech centres) can go offline. It’s a biological freeze response. Your body is prioritizing survival over conversation.

Next time this happens, try to be gentle with yourself. You don't need to force the words. Just notice the sensation, take a breath, and know that your body is just doing its best to keep you safe. 🤍

In challenging times sometimes all we can do is pause to focus on the simple things that bring us joy amidst the overwhe...
08/20/2026

In challenging times sometimes all we can do is pause to focus on the simple things that bring us joy amidst the overwhelm.

Like many others, with the flooding, our house is in quite a state currently. Focusing on it as a whole feels like a bit much at times.

I went to look at my garden the other day and found some pretty new blooms - don’t look too closely as I have weeded for weeks as we’ve been taking up flooring! Thought I would share them here incase they bring someone else some joy too. Feel free to share your photos of what helps bring you joy also. We would love to join in celebrating your joy filled moments with you - and are also here to walk through the difficult ones with you.

Anyways, little moments of pause, presence, pleasure, gratitude sprinkled throughout the day amidst the stuff that feels unmanageable can help weave in some genuine relief and hope. Even just pictures of these things (actual photos or visualizing them) can help too!

Wishing you a gentle day today with some things that bring you joy and pleasure sprinkled throughout your day as well 🩷🌸.

The "Double Standard" of Self-Compassion 🌿🤍Do you ever notice that you are your own harshest critic, but your friends' b...
08/19/2026

The "Double Standard" of Self-Compassion 🌿🤍

Do you ever notice that you are your own harshest critic, but your friends' biggest cheerleader?

If a friend came to you and said, "I’m feeling so overwhelmed, I think I’m going to take an hour to myself to rest," or "I’m going to invest in something that makes me feel like 'me' again," what would you say?

You’d probably say: "You deserve that. Please, go take care of yourself."

So, why is that same kindness not applied to you?

Many of us carry a "service-first" identity. We feel guilty for taking a break, for spending money on our own wellness, or for simply existing without "producing" something. We feel like we need permission to value our own well-being.

Here is the truth: You do not need permission to be a human being who needs rest. You do not need to "earn" the right to be kind to yourself.

The next time you feel that pang of guilt for investing in your own peace, pause and ask: "If my best friend were in my shoes, would I judge them for this?"

If the answer is no, then that guilt isn't a fact—it’s just an old, outdated pattern. It’s time to start treating yourself with the same grace you so freely give to everyone else. 🕊️✨

🔗 Ready to learn how to prioritize your own healing? Book a session: www.holisticwellnessforhealth.com

Spotlight on Clinical Technique: The Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM) 🧠📈At Lori Gill Psychotherapy, we utilize the Com...
08/15/2026

Spotlight on Clinical Technique: The Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM) 🧠📈

At Lori Gill Psychotherapy, we utilize the Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM) to utilize internal resourcing to help client's move through and expand their ability to tolerate distress.

The Clinical Value of CRM: CRM is a neurobiologically-based modality that prioritizes the creation of internal "resources"—physiological and psychological states of safety—that allow the client to remain in their "Window of Tolerance" during trauma processing.

Key Clinical Components:
🔹 Somatic Anchoring: Utilizes specific breathing patterns and somatic grounding to stabilize the autonomic nervous system.
🔹 Resource Integration: Helps clients access and embody states of safety, which are then used as a "home base" during the processing of traumatic memories.
🔹 Attachment-Based Safety: Leverages the neurobiology of attachment to provide a secure container for the client’s internal work.

By integrating CRM into our ITATM™ framework, we ensure that our clients are not just "talking about" their trauma, but are actively building the physiological capacity to resolve it.

🔗 Explore our specialized clinical frameworks: www.holisticwellnessforhealth.com

"What might a child need in that situation? Can you imagine offering yourself that?" — Lori Gill 🌿✨We are often our own ...
08/13/2026

"What might a child need in that situation? Can you imagine offering yourself that?" — Lori Gill 🌿✨

We are often our own harshest critics. When we look back at our past mistakes or painful moments, we tend to judge ourselves through the lens of our adult expectations.

But what happens when we shift the perspective?

When you imagine a child in that same situation, the judgment usually melts away, replaced by a natural, protective instinct. You see their vulnerability. You see their need for safety, for comfort, or for someone to simply say, "I’m here."

The bridge to healing is realizing that the child you are imagining... is you.

You don't have to be the adult who judges the past. You can be the adult who finally offers the child within the kindness they were waiting for. 🤍

Spotlight on Technique: The "Scoot" Technique 🧠➡️🌿We’ve all been there: You’re in a session (or just reflecting on your ...
08/12/2026

Spotlight on Technique: The "Scoot" Technique 🧠➡️🌿

We’ve all been there: You’re in a session (or just reflecting on your own), trying to get to the root of a feeling, but your "thinking brain" keeps getting in the way. You’re analyzing, explaining, and trying to make sense of your trauma.

But here’s the truth: You cannot think your way out of a trauma response.

Trauma is stored in the body and the subconscious, not in the logical, analytical parts of your brain. When we rely too heavily on our "thinking brain," we often stay stuck in a loop of analysis rather than healing.

Try the "Scoot" Technique:

Visualize: Imagine your thinking brain—the part that needs to "make sense" of everything—as a bundle.
Invite it to Scoot: Gently, with kindness, invite that bundle to "scoot" to the side. You aren't getting rid of it; you’re just asking it to take a break.
Ask the Body: Now, ask your body (not your brain) for the answer.
Trust the First Hit: Take the very first thing that pops up—a sensation, an image, a color, or a word—even if it doesn't make logical sense yet.

Your body holds the map to your healing. Sometimes, you just have to ask the thinking brain to step aside so you can read it. 🤍

🔗 Ready to go deeper? Book your session: www.holisticwellnessforhealth.com

The ARC Framework 🧠📈Complex trauma in youth requires an intervention that is as multifaceted as the trauma itself. Tradi...
08/08/2026

The ARC Framework 🧠📈

Complex trauma in youth requires an intervention that is as multifaceted as the trauma itself. Traditional, symptom-focused approaches often fail to address the underlying disruptions in attachment and self-regulation.

At Lori Gill Psychotherapy, we utilize the ARC (Attachment, Regulation, and Competency) Framework—a components-based intervention designed to foster resilience in stress-impacted populations.

The Clinical Domains of ARC:
🔹 Attachment: Focuses on the caregiving system, enhancing relational resources and rhythm between caregiver and child.
🔹 Regulation: Cultivates awareness and tolerance of internal physiological and emotional states.
🔹 Competency: Promotes empowerment, decision-making, and the development of a coherent life narrative.

Why ARC is a Clinical Standard: ARC is listed as an Evidence-Based Practice and is highly effective across diverse developmental and cognitive levels. By weaving together engagement, psychoeducation, and routine, ARC provides a structured yet flexible pathway for youth to move from a state of survival to a state of empowered engagement.

We are proud to integrate ARC into our clinical practice to support the long-term resilience of the children and families we serve. Our team has been using the ARC model since 2015!

🔗 Explore our specialized clinical frameworks: www.holisticwellnessforhealth.com

"Setting a boundary can feel hard, and receiving a boundary can feel hard. But both are essential for a healthy relation...
08/06/2026

"Setting a boundary can feel hard, and receiving a boundary can feel hard. But both are essential for a healthy relationship." — Lori Gill 🌳✨

We often think that if we have to set a boundary, we’ve failed at the relationship. We worry that saying "no" or "I need space" will push people away.

But the truth is the opposite: Boundaries are the foundation of intimacy.

When you set a boundary, you are telling the other person: "This is what I need to stay healthy, present, and connected to you." When you receive a boundary, you are being given a roadmap for how to love that person well.

It’s okay if it feels uncomfortable at first. Growth is rarely comfortable. But keep practicing. The more you honor your own needs, the more room you create for genuine, authentic connection. 🤍

Why is it so much easier to be kind to others than to ourselves?In therapy, we often find that when we ask a client, "Wh...
08/05/2026

Why is it so much easier to be kind to others than to ourselves?

In therapy, we often find that when we ask a client, "What did you need as a child?", they get stuck. The question feels too big, too painful, or simply impossible to answer.

This is where the Distancing Technique becomes a powerful tool for healing.

By shifting the perspective to "What would a child of that age need in this situation?", we bypass the self-judgment and the "freeze" response. It allows us to view the situation with the objectivity and kindness we would naturally offer a friend or a child.

Try this today:

Think of a moment from your past where you felt unsupported.
Imagine a child of that same age in that exact situation.
Ask yourself: What would they need to hear? What would they need to see?
Offer that same answer to your inner child.

It’s a small shift in perspective that can lead to a massive shift in how you feel about yourself. 🌿✨

🔗 Learn more about our holistic approach to trauma: www.holisticwellnessforhealth.com

Spotlight on Clinical Technique: Attachment-Focused EMDR 🧠📈In the clinical treatment of complex trauma, the primary chal...
08/01/2026

Spotlight on Clinical Technique: Attachment-Focused EMDR 🧠📈

In the clinical treatment of complex trauma, the primary challenge is often the "stuckness" of traumatic memory. When the brain fails to integrate a traumatic experience, the individual remains in a state of physiological hyper-arousal, effectively "reliving" the past in the present.

At Lori Gill Psychotherapy, we utilize Attachment-Focused EMDR as a core component of our integrative approach. Lori had the opportunity to train with and receive supervision from Dr. Laurel Parnell, Founder of AF EMDR and has been using this since 2017.

Why Attachment-Focused? While standard EMDR protocols are highly effective for single-incident trauma, the attachment-focused lens allows our clinicians to address the developmental deficits and relational wounds that often underpin complex trauma presentations.

Clinical Benefits:
🔹 Memory Integration: Facilitates the movement of traumatic material from the emotional/limbic centers to the prefrontal cortex for cognitive integration.
🔹 Reparative Templates: Builds new, secure relational schemas that replace maladaptive attachment patterns.
🔹 Symptom Reduction: Significantly decreases the physiological "charge" associated with triggers, allowing for greater executive function and emotional regulation.

By integrating this modality into our ITATM™ framework, we provide our clients with a robust, evidence-based pathway to resolution.

🔗 Learn more about our clinical frameworks: www.holisticwellnessforhealth.com

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