PaxThera and You

Therapy with you in mind

Explore articles on mental health, EMDR, and virtual therapy. The PaxThera blog offers insights and resources to support emotional well-being and therapeutic growth, wherever you are.
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How Trauma Affects the Nervous System and the Body
Anne McGuire Anne McGuire

How Trauma Affects the Nervous System and the Body

Trauma is not just about what happened, but also about what remains in the mind and body. The experience stays not only in your memory but also in your nervous system, affecting how your body and mind respond to the world. Most people do not realize that symptoms like chronic stress, pain, fatigue, or anxiety can come from unresolved trauma.

Have you ever wondered why your body feels tense, tired, or on high alert even in calm moments? You are not alone. The nervous system plays a major role in how trauma shows up in our health, our emotions, and even our relationships. Understanding the connection between trauma and your nervous system can help you recognize what’s happening beneath the surface—and begin to heal with awareness and compassion.

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Health Anxiety: Simple Ways to Feel Better
Anne McGuire Anne McGuire

Health Anxiety: Simple Ways to Feel Better

Have you ever noticed a new ache, and your mind races to figure out what's wrong? You grab your phone and start searching symptoms online. One page says heart attack. Another suggests cancer. Panic sets in. You feel certain that something is seriously wrong or that something could be seriously wrong. Or does waiting for medical test results cause sleepless nights?

If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing health anxiety. This happens when worry about illness takes over daily life, even when doctors say you're fine. Some worry about health is normal, but health anxiety can feel like it's stuck on high.

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Radical Acceptance After Trauma: Steps to Heal and Build Resilience
Anne McGuire Anne McGuire

Radical Acceptance After Trauma: Steps to Heal and Build Resilience

What Is Radical Acceptance?

Radical acceptance invites us to acknowledge life as it truly is, which can sometimes include facing pain or injustice. We can do this by gently confronting those memories without letting the surrounding emotions overwhelm us.  When we practice radical acceptance, we create space to say, “This is what happened, and I’m ready to find a way forward with this reality.” It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean we have to like or agree with what occurred; rather, it’s about fully recognizing the truth of our experiences, which is a vital step toward healing.

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The Trap of Rumination
Anne McGuire Anne McGuire

The Trap of Rumination

Rumination? Do you do it? And what exactly is it?

Merriam-Webster defines rumination as "obsessive thinking about an idea, situation, or choice, especially when it interferes with normal mental functioning." It often shows up as constant thinking about the same distressing topics, such as past mistakes, future worries, or fears. We ruminate frequently in the hope that this continuous thinking and "problem solving" will result in a solution or reduce our anxiety. It's a cycle that feels productive, yet typically leaves us feeling more anxious, hopeless, and exhausted.​

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How Therapy Supports ADHD Burnout: Coping Strategies for Every Life Stage
Anne McGuire Anne McGuire

How Therapy Supports ADHD Burnout: Coping Strategies for Every Life Stage

ADHD burnout isn’t just exhaustion—it’s a full-body, full-brain crash. From students juggling school demands to adults managing work, parenting, and caregiving, the mental load of living with ADHD can become overwhelming. Therapy offers more than just coping skills—it creates space to unlearn shame, build self-compassion, and develop tools that actually work with your brain.

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