Abigail Fernald, LCSW

Abigail Fernald, LCSW LCSW in Virginia specializing in trauma-informed, nervous system-focused therapy.

Mental health writer and ghostwriter creating ethical, accessible educational content. I have experience providing end of life and grief support to patients and families in the hospital setting at the start of the COVID 19 pandemic. In 2021, I began providing talk therapy for children and families experiencing mental health and substance abuse challenges, as well as providing crisis support to cli

ents of all ages. I opened my own practice with the goal of providing support to clients who are experiencing health challenges. I work with clients ages 14 and up who are coping with chronic illness, depression, anxiety, stress, grief, trauma and other life changes. I utilize an individualized and integrative approach that draws from numerous theoretical frameworks to help clients feel empowered and supported on their journey. I work with clients to gain a holistic understanding of each person's unique situation and acknowledge the influence of the mind-body connection on symptoms and well being.

You don’t have to “win the morning” to support your nervous system. Even one intentional habit can help your body start ...
06/03/2026

You don’t have to “win the morning” to support your nervous system. Even one intentional habit can help your body start the day with a little more steadiness.

Sometimes it’s not that you don’t know what’s wrong. It’s that in the moment… you don’t know what to do.When you feel:Ov...
05/27/2026

Sometimes it’s not that you don’t know what’s wrong. It’s that in the moment… you don’t know what to do.

When you feel:
Overwhelmed
Anxious
Insecure
Or helpless

Your body can go into stress mode really quickly. And in those moments, big solutions don’t usually help. What does help is something small. Simple. Doable.

That might look like:
• Breaking a task into one tiny step
• Turning off notifications for a bit
• Taking a few minutes in a quiet space
• Moving your body (even just shaking out your arms)
• Grounding yourself in what you can see, hear, and feel
• Doing one small thing (like brushing your teeth or sending one text)

You don’t need to fix everything all at once. You just need something to help you move through the moment.

Because emotions can feel overwhelming…But they’re also temporary.

And sometimes the smallest action is what helps your system settle enough to take the next step. 💛

05/20/2026

Ride the wave 🌊

Emotions can feel intense, overwhelming, and sometimes never-ending. But most emotions, even the really strong ones, move more like waves than permanent states.

They rise.
They peak.
They fall.

The hardest part is often the middle, when the feeling is strongest and your body wants to react, escape, or shut it down. But you don’t have to fight the wave. You can learn to ride it.

That might look like:
• Pausing instead of reacting immediately
• Noticing what you’re feeling without judging it
• Taking a few slow breaths
• Reminding yourself: this will pass
• Letting the feeling move through your body instead of trying to stop it

You don’t have to do this perfectly. And you don’t have to feel calm right away. The goal isn’t to get rid of the emotion. It’s to stay with it long enough to move through it.

A well-known therapist named Irvin Yalom once said: “It’s the relationship that heals.”People often think therapy works ...
05/13/2026

A well-known therapist named Irvin Yalom once said: “It’s the relationship that heals.”

People often think therapy works because of advice, techniques, or coping skills. Those things can be helpful. But much of the change actually happens through the relationship itself.

Therapy creates a space where someone can speak openly, sometimes for the first time, and be met with understanding instead of judgment. Over time, that experience matters. Being listened to. Being taken seriously. Being able to talk about hard things and still feel accepted. Those moments might seem small, but they add up.

For many people, therapy becomes a place where they learn that their emotions can be held safely, that repair is possible after conflict, and that they don’t have to navigate difficult things alone.

Sometimes the most healing part of therapy isn’t a specific technique. It’s the experience of being in a relationship where you are consistently seen and supported.

05/03/2026

Today is World Laughter Day 😊

It might sound simple, but laughter can actually be really supportive for your nervous system.

When we laugh, even if it’s a little forced or doesn’t come naturally at first, it can help:
• Release built-up tension
• Shift the body out of stress mode
• Increase oxygen and circulation
• Signal safety to the nervous system
• Boost mood, even briefly

And here’s the part people don’t always realize: Your body doesn’t always distinguish between “real” and “intentional” laughter. Even a small smile, a light chuckle, or watching something funny can create a subtle shift in how your body feels. That doesn’t mean you need to force happiness or ignore what you’re going through.

It just means that small moments of lightness can exist alongside hard things.

If it feels accessible today, you might try:
• Watching something that makes you laugh
• Sending a funny video to a friend
• Letting yourself smile at something small
• Or even just noticing what feels a little lighter

Just a moment of laughter can be enough to remind your body that not everything is threat.

And sometimes, that small reminder matters more than we realize. 💛

Nervous system dysregulation doesn’t always look dramatic. Often, it shows up quietly as restlessness, fatigue, irritabi...
04/29/2026

Nervous system dysregulation doesn’t always look dramatic. Often, it shows up quietly as restlessness, fatigue, irritability, or the need to stay constantly busy.
These patterns aren’t character flaws. They’re signals that your system may need more support, safety, or rest. Small, repeatable practices can make a difference over time.

Which of these signs feels familiar right now?

With Earth Day here, I’ve been thinking about something simple that often gets overlooked: spending time in nature can s...
04/22/2026

With Earth Day here, I’ve been thinking about something simple that often gets overlooked: spending time in nature can support your nervous system.

We often focus on what’s happening internally when it comes to mental health. But the environment around us can play a big role too. There are practices like grounding (sometimes called earthing), which can be as simple as walking barefoot in the grass, sitting outside, or placing your hands on the ground.

And something called forest bathing, which just means slowing down in nature—taking in what you see, hear, and feel without rushing or needing to “do” anything.

For many people, especially when things feel overwhelming, being outside can offer:
• A gentle way to feel more present
• A break from constant stimulation and screens
• A chance for the body to slow down naturally
• A sense of connection to something steady and alive

Sometimes regulation doesn’t come from trying harder. Sometimes it looks like:
Stepping outside.
Feeling sunlight on your skin.
Listening to the wind or the birds.
Noticing what’s growing around you.

Even a few minutes can make a difference. 🌿

If sleep feels hard, you’re not broken. Your nervous system may just need clearer signals that it’s safe to rest.What’s ...
04/15/2026

If sleep feels hard, you’re not broken. Your nervous system may just need clearer signals that it’s safe to rest.

What’s one small shift that might help your body wind down tonight?

I come back to this quote often. But if I’m being honest, that “space” doesn’t always feel easy to find. When you’re ove...
04/07/2026

I come back to this quote often. But if I’m being honest, that “space” doesn’t always feel easy to find. When you’re overwhelmed, stressed, or triggered, reactions can feel automatic. Fast. Intense. Out of your control.

Sometimes it can feel like there is no space at all. And that doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It often means your nervous system is trying to protect you.

Over time, though, something can begin to shift. With support, practice, and awareness, that space starts to grow.
Maybe it looks like:
-A breath before responding.
-A moment of noticing what you’re feeling.
-A small pause instead of reacting right away.

You might think:
“I’m really upset right now.”
“I don’t have to respond immediately.”

That pause might only be a few seconds at first. But those few seconds matter. Because that’s often where change begins. Not by getting rid of your emotions,
but by creating just enough space to respond differently.

Growth often looks like slowly building the ability to pause, notice, and choose...even in small ways. And over time, that space becomes a place where you have more say in how you respond, instead of feeling like your reactions are in control of you.

A lot of people think therapy is “just talking about your feelings.” And while talking is part of it, there’s actually a...
04/02/2026

A lot of people think therapy is “just talking about your feelings.” And while talking is part of it, there’s actually a lot more happening.

One of the ways I like to explain therapy is through something called top-down and bottom-up processing.
Top-down work focuses on the mind. This is where you talk things through, understand your patterns, and make sense of your experiences.
Bottom-up work focuses on the body. This includes your nervous system, your stress responses, and how your body holds and reacts to what you’ve been through.

Many people already understand why they feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck. They can explain it clearly, but they still feel it. That’s not because they’re doing something wrong. It’s often because insight alone doesn’t always change how the body responds.

Real change usually happens when both pieces come together:
• Understanding your experiences
• And helping your body feel something different and safer over time

Therapy isn’t just about thinking differently. It’s also about feeling differently. Because healing doesn’t just happen in your thoughts. It happens in your body, your relationships, and your lived experience.

Address

421 West Main Street Suite 205
Waynesboro, VA
22980

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