Care That Meets You Where You Are
Personalized virtual therapy
to help you build resilience, find balance,
and feel more like yourself again.
Photo taken by Heatherly Stevens, LCSW
Hello&Welcome
to Nourishing Therapy
I’m excited to be your guide for this part of your healing journey. The trail can get steep and a little tricky, but you will never be alone. I am Heatherly Stevens, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), with over 30+ years of experience in mental health. 2020 I launched Nourishing Therapy to offer truly personalized holistic online support, empowering you to take charge of your own health instead of relying on one-size-fits-all prescriptions that often offer temporary relief and introduce new issues. I offer a safe compassionate space where authentic connection fosters growth and practical tools build resilience, balance, and lasting transformation.
My approach weaves together trauma-informed somatic therapy grounded in neuroscience, biohacking insights, nutritional science, and nature-based mind-body tools to empower self-motivated adults through emotional challenges, parenting and partnership struggles, major life transitions, ADHD, complex and combat PTSD, sexual abuse thrivers, and layered autoimmune disorders, POTS, and cancer.
Drawing from my own healing journey and advanced clinical experience in complex-PTSD and nutrition, I integrate TF-CBT, EMDR, IFS, somatic therapy, mindfulness, movement and breathwork, into a personalized, holistic mind-body-spirit approach to lasting wellness.
Common Challenges in
Trauma Recovery
Common Challenges in Trauma Recovery
One of the hardest parts of healing from trauma is that we often avoid the very things that help us recover. Struggling to make time for yourself is a common symptom of post-traumatic stress — you are not alone.
Common Barriers to Self-Care:
• You resist self-care: Many of us grew up believing that taking time for ourselves is selfish or greedy. This can create shame or a sense of unworthiness.
New perspective: Self-care is not selfish — it is essential for your wellbeing.
• Fear of feeling overwhelmed: You may worry that slowing down or tuning into your body will flood you with painful emotions.
Helpful truth: Healing doesn’t mean constantly confronting your pain. You can choose where to focus your attention and move at your own pace.
• Feeling isolated: Trauma can leave you believing you don’t belong or are unlovable, leading to withdrawal.
Cultivating a Loving Relationship with Yourself
Trauma often leads us to internalize harsh, critical messages about ourselves. These negative beliefs can make it hard to feel deserving of love, kindness, or respect.
Speaking to yourself with kindness and compassion strengthens your nervous system, increases positive emotions, and can reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Creativity Helps You Heal
Creativity — through art, music, singing, dancing, or painting — is a powerful way to feel better. It reduces stress, anxiety, and pain. It helps you release difficult emotions, gain mental clarity, and feel more like yourself again.
Key Benefits:
• Mental & Emotional Health: Lowers stress, reduces anxiety and depression, and gives you a way to express feelings (like grief or anger) without needing words.
• Physical Health: Helps lower blood pressure, eases pain, and distracts from chronic illness.
• Brain Health: Keeps your mind sharp and supports healthy brain function.
• Social Connection: Builds community, reduces loneliness, and gives a sense of purpose.
• Self-Esteem: Helps you feel accomplished, confident, and more in control of your life.
Easy Ways to Get Started:
• Visual Arts: Painting, drawing, coloring, sculpting, knitting or quilting
• Music: Singing, humming, playing instruments, or listening
• Movement: Dancing, walking, swimming, or gentle yoga
• Writing: Journaling, song writing, or poetry
Simple, relaxing, and good for your whole well-being.
Painting of my beloved late dog, Russ 🤍
Painted & photographed by Heatherly Stevens, LCSW
