Breathing Through Hard Emotions with Water-Soluble Media: Notice where you feel the emotion in your body. Draw the emotion using lines and scribbles. Notice what’s shifted in your body. Use a wet paint brush to soften the lines of your drawing as you slowly exhale. Notice where feels even the tiniest bit more open. Feel the openness as you continue…
Tag: trauma
Slow Down
May we all find ways to slow down and re-discover our path. About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Registered & Board Certified Art Therapist, Provisional Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and a mixed-media artist at Mountain Creative Arts Counseling, in Hendersonville, NC.…
Trauma Spectrum
Comparing our functioning and capacity to others’ functioning and capacity keeps us locked into shame. These aspects of our experiences are on a spectrum, and where we are on that spectrum shifts throughout the month, phases of our lives, and phases of our healing. Can we please be more accepting and compassionate of our own internal maps? About the Author…
Endocannabinoid System
We all have an Endocannabinoid system, which is active whether or not you use cannabis. There’s a lot we don’t know about exactly how the ECS helps with sleep, mood, appetite, memory, immunity, and inflammation. However, we do know that having a balanced system involves managing a combination of lifestyle factors to support its optimal functioning. About the Author Kara…
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is the enemy of Creativity. Comparison is the fast track to dissatisfaction and disappointment. About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Registered Art Therapist, Provisional Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and a mixed-media artist at Mountain Creative Arts Counseling, in Hendersonville, NC.…
Be Seen
If we let ourselves be truly seen, then we can be truly loved. About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Registered Art Therapist, Provisional Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and a mixed-media artist at Mountain Creative Arts Counseling, in Hendersonville, NC. She provides…
Attachment-Trauma Cycle
There’s a way out of this cycle at every ramp. 1. Get in therapy and do your own healing work. Learn about your predominant attachment style and ways to feel more secure in relationships. Heal your trauma. Build a support system. Take care of your physical, mental, spiritual, and financial health. 2. Learn and practice healthy communication skills. Research the…
Support Systems
Who’s in your support system? There may be years where every bubble is filled, and others with many gaps. Which areas do you need more support in this year? About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Registered Art Therapist, Provisional Somatic…
Numbing
Our sense of selves is deeply rooted in our connection to our bodies. Numbing doesn’t just reduce our discomfort. It also reduces our capacity to feel joy and connection. About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Registered Art Therapist, Provisional Somatic…
Trauma Recovery Path
Trauma recovery is possibly. However, despite appearances, this path isn’t linear (and it sure isn’t easy). We’ll always be going back to safety. About the Author Kara Ashley-Gilmore believes in the use of our innate creativity for our wellness and healing. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Registered Art Therapist, Provisional Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and a mixed-media artist…