Ever find yourself stuck in a spiral of “what if,” “I should,” or “this always happens”? Thought traps — also known as cognitive distortions — are mental shortcuts your brain uses to protect you under stress. The problem? Those protective patterns can quietly box you in, keeping you from saying what you mean, trying what you want, or becoming who you’re growing into. In this post, we explore common thought traps like catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, mind-reading, and emotional reasoning — along with practical, nervous-system-aware tools to soften them. You’ll learn how subtle language shifts can calm your body, create choice points, and help you step out of rigid thinking patterns. Because you’re not broken — you’re patterned. And patterns can shift.
Tag Archives: Thought Traps
Be You.
I had a dream last night. I was standing with two other therapists—seemingly we were there for some kind of award. We were all dressed in beautiful therapist-type outfits. I mean when you see a therapist, this is the way they were “suppose” to look like. So, I am standing there and the host ofContinue reading “Be You.”
Seek Refuge and Support from the Storms of Life
I was standing outside with my feet planted into the ground to look up and see the beauty of the night. Instantaneously I felt a sense of calm, balance, and appreciation for life and the beauty of nature. Looking back on this photo, I am transported back to this feeling and reminded of Storm Haven’sContinue reading “Seek Refuge and Support from the Storms of Life”