Our Community

☀️ Good morning Sunshine! 🌞

I'm reposting from Rebecca Claiborne, a therapist in Hampton Virginia. It can be so difficult to honor our personal limits as we enter the holiday season.

"🌿Setting Boundaries This Holiday Season 🦃

As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m hearing the same question in therapy sessions over and over again:

“Is it okay if I… don’t?”
Don’t attend every gathering.
Don’t stay all night.
Don’t explain yourself to everyone who asks.

The answer is yes.
And it matters more than you think.

Boundaries are not about being difficult or punishing others—they’re about honest communication and protecting your mental health. When you’re clear about what you can and cannot do, you show up as your most grounded, regulated self.

Here are boundaries many clients are setting this year:
• “I’m only staying for two hours.”
• “I’m not discussing politics or my personal life.”
• “I need a 15-minute walk alone to recharge.”
• “I’m not hosting this year—I need a break.”
• “I’m declining events that don’t align with my energy or values.”

Why is boundary-setting during the holidays so hard?
• Family traditions can trigger guilt.
• “It’s only once a year…”
• Fear of disappointing loved ones.
• Cultural or religious expectations.

But here’s the truth:
You can love your family and need space.
You can be grateful and exhausted.
You can honor traditions and change them.
These are signs of healthy self-awareness, not selfishness.

✨ Practical Boundary Scripts
Try these:
• “I appreciate the invitation, but I won’t be able to make it this year.”
• “I’m planning to leave by 7pm to keep my routine intact.”
• “I’m not comfortable discussing that—let’s talk about something else.”
• “I need a few minutes of quiet. I’ll rejoin you shortly.”

No over-explaining.
No heavy apologizing.
No defending your needs.

To my fellow clinicians:
Your clients may need explicit permission to protect their wellbeing.
We can model that with clarity, compassion, and neutrality.

To everyone navigating the holidays:
If setting a boundary helps you show up more genuinely—even in smaller doses—that is a gift, not a problem.

What boundary are you setting this holiday season?"

#MentalHealth #HolidayWellness #Boundaries #TherapyTools #Wellbeing #HealthyRelationships

Come say hi and help build our community gratitude tree at the Hopewell Harvest Fair!
🍂 🍁 🍃 🎃

What simplicity habits make the most of your day? ☕️

This week starts our next Fall Womens group!! 🎨🎭🖌️🎶
Expressive arts can be such a powerful tool for healing and self expression. We will use modalities such as writing, visual art, movement, music and verbal processing to provide a space for women to connect with their inner world, imagination and each other.

This group is facilitated from a trauma informed lense and will meet WEDNESDAYS 7-8.
September 3rd - December 10th
Most major insurances accepted.

Group is open to new members throughout September.

Check out this blog by Danielle Costanzo LAC, DMT at healingrecoveryarts.com

“When the world feels too loud, your breath and body can bring you back to calm. Here’s a simple technique I share with clients to help release tension and find stillness anywhere.” - Danielle Costanzo LAC DMT. Follow the Link in bio to schedule with Danielle!

Check out this blog by healingrecoveryarts.com

ADHD and ADD are actually two names for the same disorder. ADD is an outdated term, and today, ADHD is the accepted moniker whether the person who has the condition exhibits hyperactive behaviors or not. If you're showing symptoms of ADHD, we've got you. Reach out to us today to set up an appointment with one of our mental health professionals.

Check out this blog by healingrecoveryarts.com