Life by Design Therapy

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Life by Design Therapy Life by Design Therapy offers Holistic and Somatic Psychotherapy In-Person and Online for those in CA

We’ve all been there: your to-do list is growing, your phone won't stop buzzing, and your mind is already ten steps ahea...
10/23/2026

We’ve all been there: your to-do list is growing, your phone won't stop buzzing, and your mind is already ten steps ahead of your feet.

Whether you are navigating a high-pressure career, the mental load of parenting, or a demanding semester, it’s easy to feel like you’re floating somewhere above your own life.

When the world feels like too much, you don't need a complicated plan.

You just need to come back to the center.

At Life By Design Therapy™, our therapists support clients in moving from "survival mode" back into their bodies.

We often see that the most effective way to quiet a racing mind is to give the nervous system a direct signal of safety.

Here are 5 grounding tools to help your nervous system find its way back to calm:

Start by letting your body orient. Take a second to look around the room and notice where you are.

Feel the ground supporting you. Notice the literal connection between your feet and the floor.

Use your breath to signal safety. A slow exhale tells your brain the "emergency" is over.

Bring in temperature or texture. Splash cold water on your face or hold something soft to reset your senses.

Let your body move a little. A gentle stretch or a walk can help release built-up tension.

Grounding isn't about ignoring your responsibilities.

It’s about making sure you are actually present enough to handle them.

🌿 Ready to find your footing again?

If you are in California and looking for tools to manage the overwhelm, we are here to walk with you. Book a free phone consultation via the link in our bio to learn more about our therapy options.

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

The therapy industry might hate me for this but…Talking about your struggles isn’t the same as healing them.For years, t...
10/22/2026

The therapy industry might hate me for this but…

Talking about your struggles isn’t the same as healing them.

For years, therapy has focused on talking…processing emotions logically, reframing thoughts, and shifting behaviors.

And while that can be helpful, it’s not enough for deep healing.

Did you know your body holds onto trauma?

Your nervous system reacts before your mind catches up.

And no amount of talking can fully release what’s stored in your system.

This is where somatic & holistic therapy comes in. ✅

Holistic therapy is a mind-body approach that acknowledges that healing isn’t just about what you think, but also about what you feel and how your body responds.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in therapy, gaining insight but not feeling real relief, it’s not your fault.

You might just need an approach that works with your whole self.

Curious to learn more? Read our latest blog about how holistic therapy can help! The link to read is in my bio!

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/therapy-blog

Where you receive therapy is just as important as the type of therapy you choose. Many people feel frustrated with thera...
10/21/2026

Where you receive therapy is just as important as the type of therapy you choose. Many people feel frustrated with therapy, not because it doesn’t work, but because the system itself can make it harder to heal.

Large, corporate, and insurance-based therapy practices often prioritize efficiency, which can sometimes lead to:

• Limited sessions based on insurance policies rather than actual need

• High caseloads that make personalized care difficult

• A feeling of being just another number rather than a person with unique needs

While not every large practice operates this way, these systemic challenges can make it harder to receive the deep, transformative care you deserve.

Here at Life By Design Therapy™, we do things differently. We offer:

• Personalized care – You aren’t rushed through sessions or treated like just another client. Your healing journey is at the center of our work.

• More freedom & flexibility – Since we don’t rely on insurance to dictate care, we can focus on what’s actually effective for you.

• A deeper connection with your therapist – Healing happens in relationships, and we ensure that you have the time and space to feel truly supported.

• A holistic approach – We integrate the body, mind, and nervous system to create lasting healing rather than just addressing surface-level symptoms.

When you’re working through something as deep as trauma, anxiety, or emotional pain, you deserve a space where you are truly seen, heard, and supported.

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

Therapy isn’t always about “feeling fixed” overnight; it’s about noticing steady, meaningful shifts in your daily life. ...
10/20/2026

Therapy isn’t always about “feeling fixed” overnight; it’s about noticing steady, meaningful shifts in your daily life. 🌿

With somatic and holistic therapy, those shifts often begin in the body. You might notice…
✨ Tension that feels easier to release
✨ A steadier nervous system, fewer extremes in mood or energy
✨ Healthier ways of coping that feel natural, not forced
✨ Relationships improving as you hold clearer boundaries
✨ A growing sense of trust in yourself and your ability to handle what comes

These are signs that therapy is working, even if the process feels slow at times.

Somatic and holistic therapy go beyond understanding your thoughts; they help you connect with your body, too.

By bringing your body, mind, and emotions into alignment, this approach creates change that feels deeper and more lasting, not just surface-level.

💛 At Life By Design Therapy™, we specialize in somatic and holistic approaches that go deeper than “talking it out.”

If you’re ready to experience therapy in a way that truly supports your whole self, book a call with us today. The link is in our bio!

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-somatic-therapists

It’s okay if you didn’t realize this was happening to you.Emotional neglect often goes unnoticed because it’s subtle and...
10/19/2026

It’s okay if you didn’t realize this was happening to you.

Emotional neglect often goes unnoticed because it’s subtle and not always intentional.

You might have felt disconnected, misunderstood, or like your emotional needs weren’t met, but because it wasn’t obvious, you may have brushed it off or questioned yourself.

I want you to know that you are not alone.

Many people experience this, and it's okay to acknowledge it now.

If this resonates with you, our latest blog dives deep into understanding emotional neglect and how to begin healing from it.

Click the link in our bio to learn more.

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/therapy-blog

I used to think distraction meant I wasn’t trying hard enough, like I just needed more focus or better discipline.But I ...
10/16/2026

I used to think distraction meant I wasn’t trying hard enough, like I just needed more focus or better discipline.

But I realized that distraction isn’t always about willpower.

Sometimes, it’s your nervous system gently saying, “This is too much.”

When we’re in survival mode, whether from chronic stress, burnout, trauma, or just too much on our plates, our focus can slip.

Not because we’re lazy, but because our body is trying to protect us from overwhelm.

Instead of pushing through, it can help to pause and ask:

🌱 Have I actually rested lately?
🌱 Am I avoiding something that feels hard to face?
🌱 What have I been brushing past or stuffing down?

Distraction isn’t a flaw, but rather a message.
One that says: you’ve been carrying a lot, and it’s okay to slow down.

In my blog, I discuss more about this & ways you can support yourself when you’re feeling the need to distract and disconnect. You can find the link to read in my bio!

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/therapy-blog

If you find yourself zoning out, scrolling aimlessly, or jumping from task to task, it’s not always about “discipline” o...
10/15/2026

If you find yourself zoning out, scrolling aimlessly, or jumping from task to task, it’s not always about “discipline” or needing a better planner.

Sometimes, lack of focus is a nervous system response.

When your body feels overwhelmed, unsafe, or depleted, it can be nearly impossible to concentrate.

Your brain isn’t broken, it’s protecting you.

Swipe through to explore:
👉 The hidden link between focus + your nervous system
👉 Why stress and survival mode hijack your attention
👉 Somatic tools to gently bring your body back into balance

You don’t have to force focus through sheer willpower.
Start by listening to what your body is really saying 💛

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

When you're living with depression, even the smallest tasks can feel heavy.Your body might feel disconnected, numb, or l...
10/14/2026

When you're living with depression, even the smallest tasks can feel heavy.

Your body might feel disconnected, numb, or like it’s just going through the motions. That’s not failure, it’s your nervous system doing its best to cope.

💛 These gentle, body-based tips can help you begin reconnecting with yourself, one small moment at a time:

✔️ Notice what’s there – Tune into your chest, jaw, or stomach. Name what you feel.
✔️ Connect through sensation – Touch something grounding: a blanket, a warm mug, a pet.
✔️ Take moments to rest – Rest without guilt. You don’t have to earn it.
✔️ Create rhythms, not routines – Light a candle. Open a window. Let life move in small, doable ways.
✔️ Include gentle movement – Sway, stretch, or wiggle your toes.
✔️ Seek support – This step can be difficult for some, but I want you to know that you don’t have go through this alone.

This isn’t about “fixing.” It’s about helping your body feel safe again.

Working with a Somatic therapist can support you by working with your mind and body to create balance again. If you would like to know more about Somatic Therapy and how it works, click the link in our bio to book a call.

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/somatic-therapy-

You don’t have to wait for things to fall apart to start therapy.Sometimes the first signs you’re ready are quiet; you f...
10/13/2026

You don’t have to wait for things to fall apart to start therapy.

Sometimes the first signs you’re ready are quiet; you feel stuck in patterns you can’t name, you crave a space to talk without judgment, or you just want to feel more like yourself again.

Therapy isn’t about fixing what’s broken; it’s about understanding what your mind and body have been trying to tell you.

At Life By Design Therapy™, our holistic and somatic therapists help you reconnect with your nervous system, rediscover balance, and move through life with more calm and clarity.

✨ Learn more or schedule a consultation with the link in bio!

https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-somatic-therapists

Address

1525 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA
94709

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+15106460046

Website

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