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We’ve all been there: you understand your triggers intellectually, you’ve analyzed your childhood, and you know why you feel the way you do—but the physical feeling of anxiety or "stuckness" won’t go away. That is because traditional talk therapy primarily engages the neocortex (the thinking, language-oriented part of the brain). However, trauma and emotional dysregulation are often stored in the subcortical brain —the midbrain and brainstem. The "Bottom-Up" Advantage Brai

If you’ve ever found yourself "stuck" in a cycle of anxiety, trauma, or repetitive patterns despite talking about them for years, you’re not alone. Sometimes, the roots of our challenges aren't stored in the parts of the brain responsible for language; they are buried deep in the subcortical brain—the area responsible for survival, emotion, and memory. This is where Brainspotting comes in. What Exactly is Brainspotting? Developed by Dr. David Grand, Brainspotting is a powerf

By Jillian Hynynen, LCSW Eating Disorder and Trauma Therapist From Competitive Sports to Coastal Runs I grew up with a ball in my hands. I played sports throughout my childhood, eventually finding my rhythm in volleyball and later leaning into lacrosse while living on the East Coast. I never would have labeled myself a "runner," but that changed when my husband and I moved to Los Angeles for graduate school. Living near the coast, I found a community; my friends and I would r

You don't have to heal alone. By Jillian Hynynen, LCSW / Trauma Specialist When someone experiences trauma—whether through abuse, assault, loss, combat, or a life-threatening event—the effects often linger far beyond the initial moment. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) isn’t just about painful memories. It’s about how trauma changes the way we think about ourselves, others, and the world. That’s where Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) comes in. What Is CPT? Cognitive P