Anna Domiray, LCSW

05/29/2026

New Blog Post: Do I have anxiety?

Anxiety doesn't always look like panic attacks. Sometimes it shows up as overthinking, perfectionism, avoidance, reassurance-seeking, or a constant need for certainty. Learn how anxiety can quietly shape your life and what it takes to break free from its cycle.

Wondering if you have anxiety? Learn the common signs of anxiety, including overthinking, avoidance, reassurance-seeking, perfectionism, and difficulty tolerating uncertainty.

04/26/2026

Struggling with procrastination, low motivation, and feeling disorganized? Learn how ADHD, anxiety, depression, and stress can make simple tasks feel impossible. Executive dysfunction isn’t just being lazy and trying harder isn’t enough to fix it.

Struggling with procrastination, low motivation, and disorganization? Learn how ADHD, anxiety, depression, and stress can make simple tasks feel impossible and why just trying harder isn’t the answer.

04/09/2026

Why I give some clients “Anchors” for trauma healing. ⚓️
Ever feel like a difficult memory is pulling you under like a tide? In trauma therapy, we use a technique called Pendulation.
Think of a pendulum. We gently “swing” between a difficult feeling (the trauma) and a place of safety (the resource). This prevents the nervous system from getting overwhelmed and teaches your body that it can return to the present moment.
This custom-made Resin Diamond is a physical anchor for that swing. My client chose these symbols to represent their strengths and the traits they want to embody.
By touching the edges and focusing on these symbols, the brain gets a clear signal: “I am safe. I am here in the present. I am resilient. I love myself. I am healing. I choose to transform under pressure.”
This is Pendulation. It’s the rhythmic shift between internal distress and external safety.
How to use an anchor like this:
1️⃣ Notice the tension in your body.
2️⃣ Shift your gaze to the object.
3️⃣ Describe its textures, colors, and weight.
4️⃣ Feel your nervous system “drop” back into the present.
Has a physical object ever calmed your nervous system and brought you back to feeling safe within yourself?

04/05/2026

Free support lines 📳

04/03/2026

I am a 2004 graduate of Silver Creek High School. I, like so many others, was positively impacted by Mr. Day and deeply saddened to learn that he passed. I started my career as a high school English teacher in 2009 and taught for 5 years before I moved on to social work. He was my own inspiration for the type of teacher I wanted to be not because I taught math or wanted to be as funny as he was. It was because I remembered his kindness, his patience, and his enthusiasm for teaching. He could make a student like me (who always hated math) say his class was my favorite, because he made his classroom a welcoming and engaging place. Till this day with a master’s degree I’ve only ever needed college algebra, and Mr. Day got me through it and ready to take it again in college. The impact he had in his community is immeasurable.

With the type of work I do now as a licensed clinical social worker providing mental health therapy, I share these and other resources often. The type of grief we can experience after su***de or another type of loss that isn’t openly talked about is called disenfranchised grief. When there is stigma attached, we don’t feel free to fully express our grief. This can make it harder to heal. It was a brave and loving act his family did by releasing the stigma to openly share about the struggle that took him. That choice could very likely save other lives.

None of us are immune to falling into despair. Please reach out for help when you need it. Even if you feel lost, there will be someone to hold the light and walk with you to find your way back. You can find people who will know the way, because they’ve walked it themselves. I have found throughout my life that many of the kindest people I’ve known have also known deep sadness and pain. Take care of yourself and others. In the words of Ram Dass, “We’re all just walking each other home.”

03/22/2026

✨ Weekend Challenge: Imagine what would make your younger self happy and do that this weekend. Take some time to visualize and talk to your younger self. Look at old photos if it helps. Listen to what they have to say like you always wanted others to listen to you. Joy is healing and play is medicine. Allow yourself to take a break and enjoy something without judgement. Being the adult your younger self would trust and like is a great way to view success in who you ARE not just what you DO.✨

03/22/2026

Stop performing for approval.

People-pleasing once kept you safe. Now it’s keeping you stuck.
Exhausted, overextended, anxious… sound familiar?

Boundaries aren’t punishment. They’re protection.

📌 Save this to remind yourself: freedom comes when you stop bending to please.

03/16/2026

Seasonal changes can influence mood, energy, and motivation. Longer daylight hours, warmer weather, and increased time outdoors can support improved mood and emotional renewal. For many people, spring naturally brings a desire for change, growth, and reconnection.

03/15/2026

Spring has a way of inviting us back into rhythm with life. I wrote a new blog post about four books I’m reading/revisiting right now that explore Indigenous and cross-cultural thoughts on healing, sustainability, and connection.

Discover four powerful books about healing, nature, and personal growth. A therapist reflects on spring, seasonal rhythms, and reconnecting with yourself.

02/16/2026

Blog Post: "The Miracle Berry Effect: How Accepting Grief Creates a Fuller Life"
Grief is part of being human, but it doesn’t have to dominate your life. By embracing grief as it is, we can process loss, build resilience, and discover moments of sweetness even in sorrow. Learn how the 'miracle berry effect' shows us the power of perception and acceptance.

Discover how embracing grief, like the miracle berry transforms sour into sweet, can expand your capacity to feel deeply, build resilience, and experience life fully despite experiencing loss.