There’s something uniquely disorienting about not being able to sleep. The rest of the world winds down, quiets, slips into rest—and yet, you’re wide awake. Maybe your body feels tired but your thoughts are racing. Maybe you dread the quiet because it gives your anxiety space to speak up. Or maybe you fall asleep, only to wake at 3 a.m. with your heart pounding and your mind tangled in worry.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Insomnia affects nearly one in three adults at some point in their lives. And while we often think of it as a simple sleep issue, insomnia is deeply connected to our emotional and mental well-being. The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Therapy can […]
The Flight Response: When Staying Still Feels Unsafe
Some of us don’t freeze when life gets hard.We run. We plan. We stay in motion so we don’t have to feel the ache. You may look like you have it all together. The to-do list stays checked. You’re the one people lean on. But inside, there’s a restlessness that never quite quiets down. You’re […]
You meant to answer that email. You needed to start the laundry, return the text, make the call.But instead—you sat there. Staring. Scrolling. Frozen.And now, the shame creeps in: Why can’t I just do the thing? What’s wrong with me?
Here’s the truth: There’s nothing wrong with you.What you’re experiencing isn’t laziness or lack of willpower—it’s the freeze response in action. What Is the Freeze Response? When we talk about anxiety, we often hear about “fight or flight.” But there’s a lesser-known response that shows up just as often: freeze. The freeze response is a survival strategy. It […]
Not Lazy—Just Frozen: Understanding the Freeze Response in Anxiety.
You meant to answer that email.You needed to start the laundry, return the text, make the call.But instead—you sat there. Staring. Scrolling. Frozen.And now, the shame creeps in: Why can’t I just do the thing? What’s wrong with me? Here’s the truth: There’s nothing wrong with you.What you’re experiencing isn’t laziness or lack of willpower—it’s the freeze […]
When Everything Changes: How a New Baby Reshapes the Brain—and the Family
Bringing home a new baby is one of life’s most transformative moments. The world feels both tender and overwhelming, filled with joy, uncertainty, and sleepless nights. While everyone is quick to focus on the baby, the emotional shift that happens for new moms and families often goes unseen. At Willow Bloom Counseling, we’re here to hold […]
When Every Day Feels Like a Marathon: Parenting a Child with ADHD
If you’re parenting a child with ADHD, you know that love can coexist with exhaustion. That deep admiration for your child’s bright, creative spirit often lives alongside daily overwhelm, frustration, and guilt. Parenting a neurodivergent child—especially one with an ADHD brain—isn’t like the parenting you see in books, blogs, or parenting groups. It’s louder, more […]
Brainspotting Therapy in Daphne & Mobile, Alabama: A Powerful Tool for Trauma & Emotional Healing
If you or your child is struggling with trauma, grief, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to talk through every painful detail to begin healing. Brainspotting therapy is a powerful, science-backed method that helps release emotional pain stored deep in the brain and body. It’s gentle, effective, and especially helpful for those […]
Stressful Summer Transitions Can Feel Like Sunshine
Stressful Summer Transitions Can Feel Like Sunshine The transition into summer should feel like a relief—longer days, no school drop-offs, and time to reconnect.But for many families, especially those with young children or neurodivergent kids, summer brings more than sunshine—it brings stress. The structure that once kept everyone grounded disappears overnight. Suddenly, routines unravel, bedtime drifts […]
The Power of Choice: A New Path for Parenting Strong-Willed Children
Parenting a child who pushes back, argues, or seems “defiant” can feel exhausting. You set a boundary, and they test it. You offer a plan, and they resist it. You try your best to stay calm, but by the end of the day, you’re wondering if you’re doing it all wrong. What if the struggle […]
Grief Is More Than Sadness—It’s a Whole-Body Experience
Grief is often described as the cost of love, but that description doesn’t prepare you for the tidal wave that loss can bring. Whether you’re grieving the death of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, a miscarriage, a life-altering diagnosis, or even the loss of a future you imagined, grief touches every corner […]
