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How to start over with a new therapist

Starting over with a new therapist? Learn how to transition smoothly, rebuild trust, and get the most out of your therapy journey. Explore this blog to know how to start over with a new therapist.

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The Role of Somatic and Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Insights from Jennifer Busco and Laura Greer

In today’s fast-paced and often overwhelming world, traditional talk therapy alone may not always address the full complexity of emotional distress. For many individuals, healing requires a deeper connection between the mind and body. That’s where somatic and mindfulness-based therapies come into play—approaches that integrate physical awareness and presence into emotional healing.

At Montgomery Counseling Group, two distinguished practitioners—Jennifer Busco and Laura Greer—bring these powerful techniques into their client work, helping individuals restore balance, resilience, and peace.

What Is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy recognizes that trauma and emotional pain are not just stored in our minds but also in our bodies. By focusing on bodily sensations, breath, and movement, somatic therapy helps clients release tension, regulate their nervous systems, and reconnect with their physical selves in a safe and supportive way.

“Our bodies remember what our minds try to forget,” explains Jennifer Busco, a certified Advanced Energy Healer and experienced yoga teacher. “Through intuitive and body-positive somatic practices, we allow the body to express what words sometimes cannot.”

Jennifer’s approach emphasizes gentle movement, breathwork, and energy healing to support clients with stress relief, chronic pain, and emotional blockages. Her sessions often create a deep sense of inner peace and grounding, particularly for those who feel “stuck” in their healing journey.

The Power of Mindfulness in Therapy

Mindfulness-based therapy encourages individuals to observe their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. This approach can significantly reduce anxiety, depression, and emotional reactivity while improving clarity and self-compassion.

Laura Greer, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) and Health at Every Size (HAES) practitioner, integrates mindfulness with other modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and somatic techniques. Her compassionate style fosters emotional regulation, body awareness, and healing from trauma, particularly for those navigating anxiety, grief, and disordered eating.

“Mindfulness is not just a practice—it’s a way of being,” Laura shares. “By learning to stay present with our experiences, we begin to treat ourselves with the same compassion we offer others.”

Who Benefits from Somatic and Mindfulness-Based Therapy?

These approaches are especially beneficial for individuals who:

Feel disconnected from their bodies or emotions

Have experienced trauma or chronic stress

Struggle with anxiety, depression, or grief

Seek holistic alternatives to traditional talk therapy

Desire a deeper understanding of their internal experience

Jennifer and Laura tailor their sessions to meet each client’s needs, using techniques that empower the body and mind to work together toward healing.

Final Thoughts

Healing isn’t always a linear path—and sometimes, words aren't enough. Somatic and mindfulness-based therapies provide an embodied route to transformation, allowing individuals to move from survival to self-awareness, from pain to peace.

At Montgomery Counseling Group, Jennifer Busco and Laura Greer are helping clients rediscover their strength from the inside out.

Interested in working with Jennifer or Laura?

Visit montgomerycg.net to learn more about their approaches and schedule a consultation.

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Meet Michelle Daley: Playful, Powerful Therapy for Children

Michelle Daley, LCMHC and Navy veteran, specializes in play therapy and EMDR for children and teens facing trauma, ADHD, autism, and parent-child challenges.

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EMDR Therapy in Charlotte, NC

Heal from trauma with EMDR therapy at Montgomery Counseling Group in Charlotte, NC. Expert care to help you process, recover, and thrive emotionally.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Charlotte, NC

Montgomery Counseling Group offers expert Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Charlotte, NC to help you manage anxiety, depression, and life’s daily challenges.

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EMDR Therapy in Charlotte, NC – Heal from Trauma & Anxiety

Experience effective EMDR therapy in Charlotte, NC, to overcome trauma, anxiety, and PTSD. Start your healing journey with expert-guided sessions today!

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Embracing Healing: Body-Positive Approaches in Therapy

Discover how body-positive approaches in therapy promote self-acceptance, healing, and emotional well-being through integrative and trauma-informed care.

Visit for more: https://montgomerycg.net/jennifer-busco/

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The Comparison Trap: How Social Media Affects Self-Esteem

Social media has revolutionized how we connect, communicate, and consume information. While it has many benefits, it also has a dark side: the comparison trap. With endless highlight reels of people's curated lives, social media often leads individuals to compare themselves to unrealistic standards, which can significantly impact self-esteem and mental well-being.

The Comparison Trap: What Is It?

The comparison trap refers to the habit of measuring oneself against others, often in an unfavorable way. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook create an environment where people showcase only the best aspects of their lives—filtered photos, career achievements, luxurious vacations, and personal milestones—leading others to feel inadequate or “less than.”

How Social Media Affects Self-Esteem

Unrealistic Beauty Standards

Filters and photo-editing apps create unattainable beauty ideals.

Frequent exposure to these images can lead to body dissatisfaction and negative self-image.

Highlight Reel vs. Reality

People post their best moments while struggles remain hidden.

Comparing one’s everyday reality to someone else's highlights creates a distorted perception of success and happiness.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

Seeing others enjoying social events or vacations can cause feelings of loneliness and exclusion.

FOMO can lead to anxiety and dissatisfaction with one’s own life.

Validation Seeking Behavior

The pursuit of likes, comments, and shares can become a measure of self-worth.

When engagement is low, feelings of rejection or inadequacy may arise.

Decreased Life Satisfaction

Constant comparison can diminish gratitude and increase feelings of failure.

People may undervalue their achievements due to comparison with unrealistic social media portrayals.

How to Break Free from the Comparison Trap

Curate Your Feed

Follow accounts that promote positivity, authenticity, and self-love.

Unfollow pages that make you feel insecure or inadequate.

Limit Screen Time

Set daily limits for social media use.

Engage in real-life activities that bring joy and fulfillment.

Practice Gratitude

Focus on personal achievements and positive aspects of life.

Keep a gratitude journal to counteract negative thoughts.

Develop Self-Compassion

Acknowledge that nobody’s life is perfect.

Be kind to yourself and recognize personal progress.

Engage in Meaningful Connections

Spend more time building real-life relationships.

Have open conversations about the effects of social media with friends and family.

Conclusion

While social media is a powerful tool for connection and self-expression, it is essential to recognize its impact on self-esteem. Therapists in Charlotte, NC, emphasize that by adopting healthy habits and mindset shifts, individuals can avoid the comparison trap and cultivate a more positive relationship with both social media and themselves.

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Trauma Triggers and How EMDR Can Help You Overcome Them

Experiencing trauma can leave lasting imprints on the mind and body, often resurfacing as triggers—unexpected emotional or physical responses to reminders of past distress. These triggers can be overwhelming, affecting daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Fortunately, Therapy with John Burns offers Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a highly effective approach to processing trauma and reducing the power of these triggers.

What Are Trauma Triggers?

Trauma triggers are stimuli—such as sights, sounds, smells, or even thoughts—that evoke intense emotional or physiological reactions linked to past traumatic experiences. These reactions are often automatic and can bring up feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness, or panic.

Common Types of Trauma Triggers:

Sensory Triggers: Loud noises, specific scents, or physical touch.

Emotional Triggers: Feelings of rejection, loss, or abandonment.

Situational Triggers: Being in places similar to where trauma occurred.

Relational Triggers: Certain interactions, conflicts, or behaviors in relationships.

These triggers can activate the brain’s survival response, making it difficult to feel safe and in control. Therapy with John Burns utilizes EMDR to help individuals rewire their responses to these distressing reminders.

How EMDR Helps Overcome Trauma Triggers

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help people process traumatic memories and reduce the intensity of emotional triggers. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR directly targets how memories are stored in the brain.

How EMDR Works:

1️⃣ Assessment & Preparation: Identifying trauma-related memories and triggers.

2️⃣ Bilateral Stimulation: Using guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues to activate memory processing.

3️⃣ Memory Processing: Reframing negative emotions and desensitizing distressing memories.

4️⃣ Reintegration: Strengthening new, healthier associations to replace trauma-induced responses.

Through Therapy with John Burns, EMDR can help neutralize the emotional charge of triggers, allowing individuals to regain a sense of safety and control.

Benefits of EMDR for Trauma Recovery

EMDR therapy offers several life-changing benefits for individuals struggling with trauma triggers:

✅ Reduces Emotional Distress: Helps desensitize painful memories and reactions.

✅ Rewires Negative Thought Patterns: Replaces trauma-based beliefs with healthier perspectives.

✅ Decreases Anxiety & Panic Responses: Lowers stress-related reactions to triggers.

✅ Improves Emotional Regulation: Enhances the ability to manage difficult emotions.

✅ Accelerates Healing: Provides faster relief compared to traditional therapy.

With Therapy with John Burns, individuals can reclaim their lives by breaking free from the cycle of trauma-induced responses.

Is EMDR Right for You?

EMDR is particularly effective for individuals experiencing:

PTSD and trauma-related flashbacks

Anxiety and panic disorders

Depression linked to past experiences

Phobias or specific fears related to trauma

Difficulties in relationships due to emotional triggers

If trauma triggers are affecting your daily life, Therapy with John Burns can help guide you through the healing process using EMDR.

Getting Started with EMDR Therapy

Starting EMDR therapy involves:

1️⃣ Consulting a Certified EMDR Therapist – Schedule an initial session with John Burns to assess your needs.

2️⃣ Identifying Trauma Triggers – Recognizing the specific memories and patterns affecting your emotional health.

3️⃣ Engaging in Guided Sessions – Working through past trauma with safe, structured techniques.

4️⃣ Practicing Self-Care & Reinforcement – Strengthening new thought patterns through daily practices.

Healing from trauma is possible, and EMDR provides a proven pathway to relief.

Conclusion

Trauma triggers can feel like uncontrollable reminders of painful past experiences, but they do not have to define your life. Therapy with John Burns and EMDR offer a structured, science-backed way to reprocess trauma, allowing you to move forward with confidence, peace, and emotional freedom.

If you’re ready to overcome trauma triggers, take the first step today���healing starts here.

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Mental Health Counseling Charlotte

Montgomery Counseling Group offers expert mental health counseling in Charlotte, specializing in stress, trauma, couples therapy, and more. Take the first step toward healing—contact us today!