Welcome to the Erica Barton Counseling Blog
A space for reflection, healing, and growth. Here you’ll find insights on trauma recovery, nervous system regulation, attachment healing, and somatic therapy written to support sensitive, intuitive people on their path toward wholeness. Explore topics like Anxiety, Relationships, Trauma, Brainspotting, IFS therapy, and embodied mindfulness practices that help you reconnect with your true, whole, authentic self.
Whether you’re seeking trauma therapy in Bend, Oregon, virtual therapy in Oregon state, or online Yoga Therapy anywhere you are, these articles offer guidance, education, and gentle encouragement for your healing journey.
When Anxiety Feels Like Disconnection and How to Ground Through Your Senses
Grounding is simply a way to help yourself feel more steady and connected when anxiety makes you feel out of place or untethered. Think of it like pressing a reset button for your mind and body. When you’re grounded, you feel more present—like your feet are firmly planted on the ground instead of floating away on a cloud of worry.
Healing from Home: Why Online Therapy Might Be the Safe, Supportive Space You’ve Been Looking For
I know how hard it can be to carve out space just for you, on top of everything else you have to do. But picture this: you’re in your favorite spot at home, maybe wrapped in a blanket or sipping tea, and instead of rushing across town to an office, you’re showing up for yourself with a simple click. Online therapy for women isn’t just about convenience; it’s about creating a space where healing feels accessible, comfortable, and—most importantly—possible.
How Trauma Impacts Self-Trust (and Gentle Steps to Rebuild It)
Trauma doesn’t just affect what happened in the past—it shapes how we experience ourselves and the world in the present. Whether it came from a single life-altering event, ongoing harm, or subtle but persistent wounds, trauma can disrupt our ability to feel safe within ourselves. It can leave us second-guessing our perceptions, disconnected from our emotions, and unsure of our own inner guidance.
what is emdr and how does it help with anxiety?
EMDR works with your brain to address the root causes of anxiety, not just the symptoms. Instead of just managing the anxious thoughts or sensations, EMDR helps uncover and reprocess the experiences or beliefs that might be fueling your anxiety.
What is functional freeze, and how does it relate to anxiety and stress?
Functional freeze is a protective response from your nervous system. When you face stress or danger, your body has a few options: fight, flight, or freeze. Freeze happens when neither fighting nor fleeing feels possible. You have high peaks (anxiety, panic, overwhelm), and low valleys (freeze). Your system "freezes" to keep you safe by conserving energy and avoiding harm.
Expanding your window of tolerance
Have you ever felt like your emotions are a rollercoaster, swinging from feeling super anxious to completely drained? Or maybe you feel stuck in one place—constantly on edge, or totally checked out. These feelings aren’t random. They’re connected to how your nervous system responds to stress and past experiences. Understanding something called the window of tolerance can help explain what’s happening and how therapy can make a difference.