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

explore by topic

Trauma Therapy Happens in Phases—And Slower Really Is Faster

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.

Read More
What No One Tells You About Trauma
Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing Clara Mackinlay Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing Clara Mackinlay

What No One Tells You About Trauma

[5-min read] Trauma isn’t what happened to you—it’s what happened inside of you as a result. If you’ve ever felt stuck, shut down, anxious, or chronically overwhelmed, your nervous system might be holding onto more than you realize. This blog unpacks what trauma really is, why it gets stored in the body, and how somatic therapy helps you heal it at the root.

Read More
Why Talking About Trauma Won’t Heal It—And Here’s What Does.
EMDR, Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing Clara Mackinlay EMDR, Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing Clara Mackinlay

Why Talking About Trauma Won’t Heal It—And Here’s What Does.

[6-min read] You can’t think your way out of trauma—because trauma doesn’t live in the mind, it lives in the body. If you’ve been talking about the same wounds in therapy for years without feeling real change, this blog explains why that is—and what actually works when it comes to healing trauma at the root.

Read More
Why Working with a Somatic Trauma Specialist Matters
EMDR, Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing Clara Mackinlay EMDR, Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing Clara Mackinlay

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.

Read More
Trauma: The Reason Why Meditation is so F*cking hard
Trauma Healing Clara Mackinlay Trauma Healing Clara Mackinlay

Trauma: The Reason Why Meditation is so F*cking hard

[7-min read] If meditation makes you feel anxious, numb, or like you’re about to crawl out of your skin—you’re not doing it wrong, you’re likely carrying trauma. This blog explores why traditional meditation can be so hard for trauma survivors and how to make it work for your nervous system with somatic, trauma-sensitive practices that actually help you feel safe and grounded.

Read More
How Trauma Impacts Your Body—And How Somatic Experiencing® Can Help
Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing Clara Mackinlay Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing Clara Mackinlay

How Trauma Impacts Your Body—And How Somatic Experiencing® Can Help

[6-min read] Unresolved trauma doesn’t just affect your emotions—it impacts your entire body. Chronic illness, inflammation, fatigue, and pain can all be signs that your nervous system is stuck in survival mode. This blog explores how trauma disrupts your physiology and how Somatic Experiencing® can gently restore balance and healing from the inside out.

Read More
“Big T” vs. “Little t” Trauma: The Spectrum of Experiences
Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing Clara Mackinlay Trauma Healing, Somatic Experiencing Clara Mackinlay

“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.

Read More
How Does a Regulated Nervous System Look & Feel?
Trauma Healing Clara Mackinlay Trauma Healing Clara Mackinlay

How Does a Regulated Nervous System Look & Feel?

[4-min read] We often talk about what dysregulation feels like—but what about when your nervous system is actually working the way it’s meant to? This blog explores what nervous system regulation looks and feels like in your body, mind, relationships, and worldview—so you can start to recognize true safety, presence, and balance from the inside out.

Read More
Is Your Whole Personality a Trauma Response?
Trauma Healing Clara Mackinlay Trauma Healing Clara Mackinlay

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.

Read More

in-person

online

hybrid

Somatic trauma Therapy that fits your needs & schedule