A woman with long dark hair and a white sleeveless turtleneck top sitting on a green chair in front of a white wall with a macramé wall hanging and a potted plant in the background.

a moment of clarity

All things trauma healing …

One of my passions as a trauma therapist is educating others on how life experiences shape the nervous system, influence patterns of behavior, and impact our sense of self. In this blog, I share tools, concepts, and mind-body practices that support trauma recovery, emotional resilience, and deep, embodied healing.

Must reads

Blog

Trauma Therapy Happens in Phases—And Slower Really Is Faster

[6-min read] Learn how trauma therapy works using a 3-phase approach rooted in Somatic Experiencing (SE), IFS therapy, and EMDR. Discover why slower is faster when healing from trauma, and what real trauma-informed therapy looks like—whether you're seeking parts work, inner child healing, or a trauma therapist near you.

Trauma Healing • Somatic Experiencing • Psychedelic Therapy • EMDR • IFS & Parts work • Energy Healing • From the Chair

Clara Mackinlay 5/3/25 Clara Mackinlay 5/3/25

Why Working with a Somatic Trauma Specialist Matters

[9-min read] Not all therapists are trained to treat trauma—because trauma healing isn’t just about being ‘trauma-informed.’ It requires specialized training, body-based approaches, and a deep understanding of how trauma lives in the nervous system. This blog explains why working with a somatic trauma specialist matters, what to look for, and how real healing actually happens.

“Big T” vs. “Little t” Trauma: The Spectrum of Experiences

[6-min read] Not all trauma looks the same—some wounds are loud and obvious, while others are quiet and cumulative. This blog breaks down the difference between ‘Big T’ and ‘Little t’ trauma, how both impact the nervous system, and why Somatic Experiencing® is a powerful healing tool for every point on the trauma spectrum.

Is Your Whole Personality a Trauma Response?

[6-min read] If anxiety, overthinking, people-pleasing, or chronic exhaustion feel like your entire personality—you’re not broken, you’re likely dysregulated. This blog unpacks how trauma and chronic stress shape your identity, behaviors, and worldview through the nervous system—and what to do about it.