Judgment often shows up so fast we don’t even realize it’s happening. One small pause can change everything. . These questions are meant to help you slow down, get curious, and create a little space between you and the inner critic. . This month’s newsletter is all about practicing nonjudgment in real, human ways. If this resonates, you can find more reflections and simple practices in our newsletter. Link in bio to join.

Take a break from your day and practice 4-7-8 breathing.

Worry isn't always bad-- sometimes worry can help us prepare for stressful situations. For example, if you're worried about a job interview, worry can be helpful by leading us to research the company, practice answering interview questions, or look up directions to get to the interview. Worry becomes unhelpful, however, when it causes negative emotional states like anxiety, fear, or self-defeat. Use this chart to help you identify helpful versus unhelpful worry. For unhelpful worry, cognitive defusion can be useful. Cognitive defusion is creating distance between ourselves and our thoughts. There are many different ways to practice cognitive defusion, but this post offers numerous suggestions for de-fusing yourself from your thoughts. Which technique have you found useful? For more information on cognitive defusion, click the link in our bio to read the latest post. . . . #cognitivedefusion #acttherapy #mindfulnesspractice #anxietyrelief #overthinking #mentalhealthtools #somatictherapy #stressmanagement #intrusivethoughts #emotionalregulation #mindbodyconnection #therapytools #chicagotherapist #mentalwellness #embodiedwellnesscenter #chicagotherapist #chicago #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #chicagogram #therapist #anxiety #therapistsofinstagram #chicagowellness #holistictherapist #mentalhealththerapist #therapistsofig

Hi! I wanted to reintroduce myself and tell you a little of my story in case you’re new here. I’m Stephanie Rotman, founder, owner, and psychotherapist at Embodied Wellness Center. . I actually knew as soon as I entered high school that I wanted to become a therapist. I’ve always been drawn to understanding people, emotions, and what helps us heal. . Long before I opened this practice, I was a competitive figure skater. An intense spinal injury ended my skating career and significantly limited my physical activity for a while. At the same time, I was grappling with mental health difficulties that were a direct result of my injuries, a struggle I still deal with as I live with chronic pain. . Following my spinal injury, I turned to yoga because it was one of the few physical activities I could do given my physical limitations. Through my yoga practice, I gained so much more than a physical exercise, especially for my mental health. Yoga helped me process anxiety and trauma I didn’t even realize I was carrying. It changed my relationship with my body. It changed my understanding of healing. . Practicing yoga alongside attending therapy myself, I began to realize that healing didn’t have to be either physical or emotional. It could be both. That realization paved the way for Embodied Wellness Center. . I believe our lived experiences don’t just exist in our minds. They live in our bodies. We can’t simply think our way out of pain. Sometimes we have to feel, move, and gently reconnect. . We combine traditional talk therapy with somatic, body-based approaches to help you reconnect with your body and heal on a deeper level. We are also working on expanding our somatic offerings, and I couldn’t be more excited to share that with you all in the very near future. . In the meantime, if you’re curious about working together or learning more, you can reach out through the link in our bio. I’m so glad you’re here.

Getting stuck in your head can make everything feel louder, heavier, and more urgent than it really is. Cognitive defusion helps you create a little space between you and your thoughts so you can notice them without being controlled by them. For more information on cognitive defusion, click the link in our bio to read the latest post. . . . #cognitivedefusion #acttherapy #mindfulnesspractice #anxietyrelief #overthinking #mentalhealthtools #somatictherapy #stressmanagement #intrusivethoughts #emotionalregulation #mindbodyconnection #therapytools #chicagotherapist #mentalwellness #embodiedwellnesscenter #chicagotherapist #chicago #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #chicagogram #therapist #anxiety #therapistsofinstagram #chicagowellness #holistictherapist #mentalhealththerapist #therapistsofig

If your thoughts feel loud, repetitive, or overwhelming, you’re not alone. Most of us spend a lot of time believing everything our mind tells us, even when those thoughts are unhelpful or untrue. In our latest blog, "Feeling Stuck In Your Head? Try These Cognitive Defusion Exercises," we break down how to create space from your thoughts so they have less control over you. Read the full blog at the link in our bio.