Melody Wright, LMFT

If being around family feels draining, tense, or emotionally layered, your body is responding to something you may not be aware of.

The holidays can activate old patterns: the parts of you that had to stay quiet, manage emotions, keep the peace, or shrink to feel accepted. When those memories and dynamics resurface, your nervous system notices.

Feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, guarded, or simply exhausted around certain relationships is not a flaw in you. It’s often a sign of past relational wounds, unmet needs, or a body that’s learned to brace in order to feel safe.

You are allowed to honor what you need this season, whether that looks like rest, space, shorter visits, firmer boundaries, or creating new traditions that feel more supportive. And you are also allowed to hold grief for what you wish your family could be, while caring for the version of you that exists now.

I’m wishing you a holiday that is gentle on your nervous system, kind to your emotional history, and rooted in connection that feels safe and mutual, whether that connection comes from family, friendship, community, or within yourself.

Save this for the moments that feel heavy.
And if you want support navigating complicated family dynamics, therapy can offer the space and clarity you deserve.
Link in bio.

#holidayboundaries #familydynamics #nervoussystemawareness #emotionalsafety #healingrelationships #somatictherapy #mentalhealthsupport #holidaystress #selfprotection #innerchildhealing #gentleholidays #relationalhealing #traumainformed #selfcompassion #therapyworks

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22 minutes ago | [YT] | 0

Melody Wright, LMFT

During the holidays, I’ve learned that my body needs as much care as my schedule, my family, and all the moving pieces of the season.

So this year, I’m honoring my body in simple, grounding ways, and I invite you to try them with me:

✨ I’m pausing throughout the day to check in with myself, noticing my breath, my tension, and what my body is asking for.

✨ I’m creating small rhythms that help me feel steady, even when plans get busy; consistent meals, a slow morning, a short walk outside.

✨ I’m letting my boundaries be body-led by paying attention to when I feel overstimulated, tired, or stretched too thin.

✨ And I’m making space for quiet moments… the kind that let my nervous system settle and help me come back home to myself.

If your body has been whispering (or shouting) for a little more care this season, this is your reminder that you’re allowed to slow down.

You’re allowed to honor what you need, gently, intentionally, and without guilt. 💛

#holidaywellbeing #nervoussystemcare #somatichealing #gentleseason #mindbodyconnection #selfregulation #mentalhealthawareness #slowdownpractice #bodyledboundaries #restandrestore #holistictherapy #selfcompassion #presentmomentliving #emotionalwellness

1 day ago | [YT] | 0

Melody Wright, LMFT

Around this time of year, I often hear similar reflections from clients in session.

They look forward to the holidays, to the connection, the warmth, the traditions… and yet, they’re also quietly holding overwhelm, emotional fatigue, grief that resurfaces, or the pressure to make everything feel meaningful for everyone else.

And I tell them what I’ll tell you: it’s normal to feel both.

The holidays tend to amplify whatever is already living inside us, joy and nostalgia, yes, but also the ache of what’s changed, the stress of doing more than you can hold, or the tender hope that this year might feel different.

From a nervous system lens, this season can be a lot.

Travel, plans, stimulation, expectations, disrupted routines, old emotional patterns, they all pull on your energy in ways that aren’t always obvious. If you’ve noticed tension in your body, irritability, fogginess, emotional sensitivity, or simply feeling “off,” it’s your system asking for care, not criticism.

That’s why tending to your mental health during the holidays matters.
It’s about checking in with your body, honoring your limits, protecting your peace, and choosing connection that feels nurturing rather than depleting. Boundaries aren’t distance; they’re what help you stay rooted in yourself while still showing up with love.

Inside this carousel, I’m sharing therapist-backed ways to protect your mental health during the holidays, gentle practices that support regulation, grounding, and clarity when life gets busy, emotional, or overwhelming.

Because caring for your well-being isn’t selfish.
It’s how you stay present, connected, and compassionate, both with yourself and with the people you care about.

Swipe through for tools that honor your nervous system and help carry you through this season with steadiness, softness, and intention. 💛

Read my blog for more tips on how to prioritize your mental health this holiday season.


#holidaymentalhealth #nervoussystemcare #holidaystress #emotionalwellbeing #gentleholidays #selfcompassion #mentalhealthawareness #holidayboundaries #somatichealing #groundedliving #seasonalwellness #therapistinsights #protectyourpeace #holistictherapy #mindfulholidays

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2 days ago | [YT] | 0

Melody Wright, LMFT

The holidays always bring a mix of emotions for me: joy, nostalgia, stress, excitement, and sometimes overwhelm.

I’ve learned that when I try to push through everything without pausing, I end up feeling disconnected from myself.

These are the gentle reminders I come back to every year.

They help me stay grounded, honor my limits, and choose the kinds of connections that actually feel nourishing.

If you’re moving through a lot this season, too, I completely understand.

I want you to know that it’s okay to slow down, it’s okay to set boundaries, and it’s more than okay to take care of your mental health.

If you need support as you move into the new year, therapy can be a grounding place to land. 💛

#holidaymentalhealth #seasonalselfcare #gentlereminders #slowdownseason #nervoussystemcare #emotionalwellness #holidayboundaries #mentalhealthsupport #selfcompassion #groundingpractices #therapycanhelp #holistichealing #endofyearreflection

5 days ago | [YT] | 0

Melody Wright, LMFT

If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy, this is your gentle reminder that now is the perfect time to start the year off right with support, clarity, and care for your mental health.

For a limited time, we’re offering $40 off your therapy sessions for your first 4 months when you book a free consultation by 12/31.
This discount is our way of making therapy more accessible as you move into the new year with intention and steadiness.

Here’s what your savings can look like:

✨ 1 month of therapy → $125 saved
✨ 2 months → $250 saved
✨ 3 months → $375 saved
✨ 4 months → $500 total savings

We want this to be the year you feel supported — not overwhelmed.

How to claim your discount:

Book a free phone consultation with our Client Care Coordinator by 12/31 (link in bio).

Mention the promotion when scheduling.

Begin therapy with one of our clinicians.

Receive $40 off each session for your first 4 months of therapy.

If you’re ready to start the year off right — grounded, supported, and moving toward the changes you want to make — we’re here to walk that path with you.

💛 Book your consultation today.

#emotionalhonesty #relationshipcommunication #couplestherapy #emotionalintimacy #authenticconnection #vulnerabilityinrelationships #relationshiphealing #nervoussystemawareness #mindfulcommunication #attachmenthealing #therapistinsights #relationshipgrowth

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6 days ago | [YT] | 0

Melody Wright, LMFT

Every year, it sneaks up on you. One moment you’re lighting a candle or hanging the first ornament, and the next, your mind is already spinning with the gifts to buy, people to please, and plans to finalize.

You tell yourself you’ll slow down after all the boxes are checked on your list, but “after” never seems to come.

You want to feel present, grateful, even, but underneath the to-do lists and family dynamics, something feels off. Maybe you’re holding grief that no one talks about.

Maybe you’re stretched thin trying to make things “special.” Or maybe you just feel disconnected from the joy everyone else seems to be having.

If that’s you, I want you to know it makes sense.

The holidays have a way of amplifying what’s already inside us, the love and nostalgia, yes, but also the exhaustion, loneliness, or ache for things to be different.

This year, instead of pushing through, what if you cared for yourself the way you care for everyone else?

So keeping the busy you in mind, here are ten gentle ways to tend to your mental health this season, and guess what, it’s not by doing more, but by coming home to yourself.

To keep reading the full blog, click the link in our bio!

#holidaymentalhealth #selfcare #mindfulness #emotionalwellness #mentalhealthmatters #selfcompassion #stressrelief #holisticwellness #nervoussystemregulation #wellbeingtips #mentalhealthawareness #personaldevelopment #selflove #healingjourney #therapysupport

1 week ago | [YT] | 0

Melody Wright, LMFT

Have you ever wondered why you crave closeness… or pull away when things start to feel too close in your relationships?

Did you know that the way you connect with others often reflects the ways you’ve learned to protect yourself.

Maybe you learned to chase love because you feared losing it.

Maybe you learned to stay guarded because safety never felt guaranteed.

Either way, those patterns once kept you safe.
But now, they might be keeping you from the kind of connection you truly want.

Therapy isn’t about fixing your attachment style, but rather about helping your body and mind feel safe enough to experience love, trust, and closeness in new ways.

🌿 If you’re longing for healthier, more secure relationships, therapy can help.

Start your healing journey with Life By Design Therapy.

Book a call to find out more information today! Link in bio.

#attachmentstyles #relationshiphealing #somatictherapy #mindbodyconnection #secureattachment #healthyrelationships #emotionalwellness #traumainformedtherapy #healingjourney #nervoussystemregulation #therapistinsights #loveyourself #personaldevelopment #emotionalgrowth

1 week ago | [YT] | 0

Melody Wright, LMFT

If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy, this is your gentle reminder that now is the perfect time to start the year off right with support, clarity, and care for your mental health.

For a limited time, we’re offering $40 off your therapy sessions for your first 4 months when you book a free consultation by 12/31.
This discount is our way of making therapy more accessible as you move into the new year with intention and steadiness.

Here’s what your savings can look like:

✨ 1 month of therapy → $125 saved
✨ 2 months → $250 saved
✨ 3 months → $375 saved
✨ 4 months → $500 total savings

We want this to be the year you feel supported — not overwhelmed.

How to claim your discount:

1. Book a free phone consultation with our Client Care Coordinator by 12/31 (link in bio).

2. Mention the promotion when scheduling.

3. Begin therapy with one of our clinicians.

4. Receive $40 off each session for your first 4 months of therapy.

If you’re ready to start the year off right — grounded, supported, and moving toward the changes you want to make — we’re here to walk that path with you.

💛 Book your consultation today.

#emotionalhonesty #relationshipcommunication #couplestherapy #emotionalintimacy #authenticconnection #vulnerabilityinrelationships #relationshiphealing #nervoussystemawareness #mindfulcommunication #attachmenthealing #therapistinsights #relationshipgrowth

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1 week ago | [YT] | 0

Melody Wright, LMFT

It’s a quiet evening, and you and your partner are sitting side by side.

Maybe there’s something you’ve been wanting to say…something small, but real.

You start to open your mouth… and then pause.

The words get caught somewhere between your chest and your throat.

You tell yourself it’s not the right time.
You scroll your phone.
You change the subject.
You pretend you’re fine.

You’re not necessarily avoiding the conversation; you’re actually avoiding the feeling.

That uncomfortable flutter in your chest, the lump in your throat, the what-if that says:

What if they don’t get it? What if it pushes them away?

That’s what vulnerability feels like, the tension between wanting to be seen and wanting to be safe.

If this sounds like you, it might be time to explore what’s happening beneath that hesitation.

🪞 Read the full blog — “A Therapist’s Guide to Vulnerability in Relationships” — for practical ways to regulate your nervous system and build emotional safety in your relationships.

#vulnerability #emotionalintimacy #relationshiphealth #mindbodyconnection #attachmenthealing #couplestherapy #nervoussystemawareness #traumainformedrelationships #mindfulcommunication #healingtogether #relationshipgrowth #emotionalregulation

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

Melody Wright, LMFT

As a therapist, I’ve noticed something powerful in the way people talk to themselves.
It’s rarely the big, obvious thoughts that keep them stuck; it’s the quiet, everyday ones.

“I should be over this.”
“I’m too sensitive.”
“I just need to get it together.”

Those phrases might just seem like words, but your brain registers them as pressure, and that criticism tells your nervous system you’re not safe.

It keeps your body in a state of tension, even when your mind is trying to heal.

Reframing isn’t about pretending everything’s fine.

It’s about creating safety through language; speaking to yourself in a way your body can believe.

When you shift from “I need to fix this” to “I’m learning to care for myself,” your body begins to soften, and healing becomes possible.

Follow for more body-based tools and gentle reframes — and save this for the days your self-talk feels heavy. 💛

#somatictherapy #nervoussystemhealing #holistictherapy #mindbodyconnection #traumainformedcare #healingjourney #emotionalhealing #mentalhealthsupport #therapyworks #bodybasedhealing #regulatednervoussystem #innerhealing

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2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0