The Wellspring
a blog by Dr. Elizabeth Miller and WMB Team

Reflecting on Growth: Embracing the Journey and Setting Intentions for the New Year
As the year comes to a close, many of us naturally reflect on what we’ve experienced and how we’ve grown. At Well Mind Body, we believe this time of year offers an opportunity for intentional self-reflection—an opportunity to celebrate victories, learn from challenges, and set meaningful intentions for the year ahead.
Reflection isn’t about dwelling on what didn’t go perfectly; instead, it’s about honoring your journey and the progress you’ve made, even if it doesn’t feel monumental. Let’s explore how to approach this process with mindfulness and self-compassion.

Tips for Navigating Holiday Family Gatherings
The holidays bring opportunities for connection, tradition and so much more!
However the expectations, the underlying family dynamics and the overwhelm of the holiday season can also lead to challenges when gathering with loved ones.
As therapists, we know the holidays can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with the right tools, you can create a more connective experience for yourself and your loved ones. Here are therapist-approved tips to help you approach holiday gatherings with calm and confidence:

Ketamine + Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a therapeutic approach that combines the administration of prescription ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, with psychotherapy to address mental health challenges.


National Grief Awareness Week: A Path to Understanding and Healing
Grief is not a linear path—it’s a journey, and every wave of emotion is valid. This National Grief Awareness Week, we’re sharing tools to help you navigate grief with compassion and care, whether you’re healing yourself or supporting a loved one.

Grief
GRIEF is the normal and natural reaction to loss of any kind. Grief is not depression…it is painful. GRIEF WORK means that you have to mourn what you have lost before you go forward. Grieving people want and need to be heard and not fixed. In our society, we are often told that “time heals all wounds”. Time itself does not heal but it is what you “do” within time that will complete the pain caused by loss. RECOVERY means claiming your circumstances instead of your circumstances claiming you and your happiness.

Gift Guide for Mind and Body Wellness: Products We Love
At Well Mind Body, we believe in holistic wellness. That’s why we’ve curated a collection of trusted products that support your mind, body, and spirit. Our thoughtful gift guide is perfect for your wellness focused loved one. Let’s explore how they can help you prioritize self-care and balance.

Agreeing to Disagree Respectfully in Political Conversations
Are your relationships with your loved ones suffering because of political conversations? Dive in as Alberta Totz, JD, LPC discusses ways to have healthy discussions while also setting boundaries.

Can Weather Change Affect Our Mood?
It has been rainy and gloomy here in Houston for the last week! I have received so many calls regarding behavior changes that parents have seen in their kiddos this week so I thought I would address the age old question of, “Can the weather affect our moods?”.

How Daylight Saving Time Impacts Your Mental Health & How to Adjust
Twice a year, we adjust our clocks for Daylight Saving Time (DST), often without realizing the potential effects on our mental and physical health. Even a one-hour shift can disrupt sleep, mood, and energy levels, affecting our well-being in subtle but significant ways. At Well Mind Body, we believe that understanding these effects—and knowing simple ways to counteract them—can help you stay balanced during these transitions.
Here’s what to know about DST’s impact on mental health and some effective ways to adjust.

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome + Mental Health
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is a complex, multi-system illness triggered by exposure to biotoxins, such as mold, bacteria, or other environmental toxins. CIRS occurs when the immune system remains activated and is unable to return to normal after the initial exposure, leading to persistent inflammation throughout the body.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids + ADHD
Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with various cognitive and behavioral issues, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Lifestyle Factors + Breast Cancer
October is breast cancer awareness month.
Did you know that according to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, in the United States? According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer accounts for about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year.

Self Care Tips for Kids Mental Health
Life can get busy which can lead to dysfunctional and dysregulated nervous systems. Supporting children’s mental health through self-care is crucial for kids overall well-being. Here are a few tips that can be mindfully added to any routine.

In-Person vs. Virtual Psychotherapy: Benefits and Key Differences
Is in person or tele-health therapy better?
Virtual psychotherapy, also known as tele-health therapy, has become a viable alternative for many people seeking mental health support. Here at Well Mind Body we offer in person + tele-health services to better support our clients.

Resources for People with Highly Sensitive Nervous Systems
Are you a highly sensitive person or a parent of a highly sensitive child and are looking for help to regulate your nervous system?

What is a Highly Sensitive Person?
Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) are people who possess a heightened level of sensitivity to external stimuli, both emotional and environmental, due to a trait known as sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). Dr. Elaine Aron, a psychologist, first introduced the concept of HSP in the 1990s. It is estimated that around 15-20% of the population may be highly sensitive (Acevedo et al., 2014).

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024: Embracing Wellness and Healing
Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 is upon us, and as a therapist, I see this as a valuable opportunity to have open, honest conversations about overall mental health and well-being.
Did you know, that according to Mental Health America (2022), 19.86% of adults are experiencing a mental illness. That is Equivalent to nearly 50 million Americans who experience mental health sysmptoms that disrupt their daily lives.

Parenting Today
On August 29th, 2024, the US Surgeon General opined that parents are under particularly dangerous levels of stress ("Warning: Parenting Can Be Harmful to Your Mental Health," Personal Journal, Aug 29).

Fostering an Emotionally Validating Environment for Our Kids
The number one rule of parenting? Connect before you correct. When we validate our children's emotions first, we open the door to trust, understanding, and growth. It’s not about avoiding tough feelings, but about embracing them. Let’s foster an environment where our kids feel seen, heard, and understood.