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

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.

“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.

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.