Machado Psychotherapy

07/07/2026

🌸 A heartfelt thank you to my wonderful colleague, Melanie Rodrigues, for brightening up our office space with these absolutely gorgeous fresh flowers. 💐

It's amazing how something as simple as fresh blooms can create such a warm, calming, and welcoming environment. Every client who walks through our doors deserves to feel safe, comfortable, and cared for—and thoughtful touches like these help make that possible.

Thank you, Melanie, for always thinking of the little things that make such a big difference. 💕

Machado Psychotherapy 🤍

07/07/2026

Sometimes the most powerful moment in therapy is not learning something new — it's finally having words for an experience you've been living for years.

Understanding relationship dynamics can reduce self-doubt, lessen self-blame, and bring clarity to confusing experiences.

Awareness is often the first step.

Knowledge is power. 💜

07/05/2026

💜 You do not need a diagnosis or label to take your experiences seriously.

If you find yourself:

• Walking on eggshells
• Going in circles trying to have your concerns understood
• Repeatedly seeking accountability or repair without resolution
• Questioning your memory, feelings, or perception of events
• Losing confidence in yourself
• Feeling increasingly confused about the relationship
• Changing your behaviour to avoid conflict or reactions
• Feeling responsible for another person's emotions or behaviour

It may be helpful to explore the relationship dynamics and their impact on your wellbeing.

Healthy relationships include respect, accountability, emotional safety, and the ability to repair after conflict. 🌱

07/04/2026

💜 Abuse and narcissism are not the same thing.

Someone can have narcissistic traits and not be abusive.
Someone can engage in abusive behaviours and not meet criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

The impact of the behaviour matters more than the label.

Abuse can take many forms, including:
• Emotional abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Financial abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Physical abuse
• Coercive control
• Digital or technological abuse
• Social isolation
• Spiritual or religious abuse

Abuse is often about patterns of power, control, fear, or manipulation rather than isolated incidents or conflict.

Understanding different forms of abuse can help people recognize unhealthy relationship patterns and seek support when needed. 💜

07/03/2026

🌿 Understanding Your Window of Tolerance 🌿

We all have a range where we feel most able to cope, connect, think clearly, and respond rather than react. This is called our Window of Tolerance.

🟢 Within the window:
✔️ Calm
✔️ Present
✔️ Able to problem-solve
✔️ Connected to yourself and others

🔺 Above the window (Hyperarousal):
• Anxiety
• Irritability or anger
• Racing thoughts
• Feeling overwhelmed or panicked

🔻 Below the window (Hypoarousal):
• Numbness
• Exhaustion
• Disconnection
• Shutdown or feeling "stuck"

Trauma, chronic stress, neurodivergence, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, and major life events can all make our window feel smaller.

The goal isn't to stay calm all the time. The goal is to notice when you've moved outside your window and gently find your way back through grounding, movement, rest, connection, and self-compassion. 💚

07/02/2026

🌿 Taking time for yourself isn't selfish — it's necessary.

Rest is not something you have to earn.

You are allowed to take a break, enjoy a quiet moment, say no to extra responsibilities, or spend time doing something that fills your cup without carrying shame or guilt.

When we care for ourselves, we often show up more present, patient, and connected in the parts of life that matter most.

💚 You deserve care too.

✨ What is one small thing you can do for yourself this week?

07/02/2026

06/29/2026

🍋 Why Do I Crave Sour Candy Before My Period?

Ever find yourself reaching for an entire bag of sour candy right before your period? You're not alone.

For many women, especially those experiencing PMDD, ADHD, or perimenopause, these cravings may be about more than just a sweet tooth.

✨ Sour candy can provide:
🍬 A quick dopamine boost
🧠 Sensory stimulation
🌱 A grounding experience for the nervous system
⚡ Fast energy when hormones are shifting

As estrogen levels drop before menstruation, dopamine can drop too. This can lead to stronger cravings, increased impulsivity, emotional sensitivity, and a desire for foods that provide comfort, stimulation, or regulation.

Sometimes what looks like a craving may actually be your nervous system asking for support. 💛

The goal isn't to judge the craving — it's to get curious about what your body might be communicating.

🍋 Do you reach for sour candy before your period too?

06/26/2026

💛 Two things can coexist.

Healing isn't always about choosing one truth over another. Sometimes growth comes from making space for both.

✨ You can love someone and still choose distance.
✨ You can appreciate the good memories while acknowledging that some experiences were harmful.
✨ You can have compassion for someone's struggles and still maintain healthy boundaries.

Two seemingly opposite truths can exist at the same time. Holding both doesn't mean you're confused—it means you're allowing yourself to see the whole picture.

If this resonates with you, know that healing often includes learning to accept complexity with self-compassion. 🌿

06/25/2026

💙 Have you ever been hard on yourself for changing your mind, running late, or cancelling plans?

These behaviours can have many explanations... including ADHD, autism, anxiety, executive functioning challenges, stress, changing priorities, or trauma. For some people, they may reflect a nervous system that learned to prioritize safety.

Understanding the *why* behind our patterns doesn't remove accountability, but it can replace shame with self-compassion.

Healing begins with curiosity, not criticism. When we understand our responses, we create space for growth, self-awareness, and lasting change.

✨ Which of these resonates with you?