When You Stop Surviving, You Start Becoming: A Therapist’s Guide to Rediscovering Yourself6/29/2026 Brunella "Bru" Ramirez, MSW, LCSWPsychotherapist When you stop surviving, you start becoming… I’m a mental health therapist—and a social worker at heart. The kind who feels things deeply, carries stories gently, and somehow still tries to save the world before dinnertime. But I’m also a daughter to aging parents, a wife, and a mother to four beautiful, wild, life-giving children. And if I’m being honest, somewhere between those roles and responsibilities… I was losing myself. Let’s just call it what it was—my cortisol levels were through the roof, my patience was thinning, and I was this close to running away to a quiet cabin with no Wi-Fi and not coming back. So I did what I tell my clients to do—I got help. Therapist? Check. Date nights? Check. Clean house? Check. New shoes? Check. But something still felt… off. Like I was tending to everything and everyone except the quiet parts of me that were begging to be heard. And then it hit me—I didn’t need another task. I needed a release. A hobby. (Yes, a grown woman realizing she needed a hobby—groundbreaking.) So I started small… with plants. Because honestly, who doesn’t love plants? They don’t talk back, they thrive with attention, and they forgive you when you forget them for a day or two. Then… well… I got a slight upgrade—a whole flock of chickens. Because apparently, I don’t do anything halfway.  From there, things just… unfolded. I dove into apothecary and natural remedies. I started baking everything from scratch—like really from scratch, the kind that makes you question every ingredient label you’ve ever trusted. Then came body care products—because at 40-something, hormones deserve respect and protection too. And somewhere in the middle of all of this… I found myself picking up books again. Not just flipping pages, but diving in. Getting lost in stories and ideas I never thought I’d be interested in. Reading became a part of me—a part I didn’t even know existed with such passion. It slowed me down, grounded me, and in a quiet way, helped me come home to myself. Before I knew it, I was creating everything that went into my family’s bodies and everything that went onto them. And somehow… that led me to my little farmstand. A place where my hands, my heart, and my healing all come together. Here’s the thing, though—this isn’t about chickens, sourdough, or clean beauty. It’s about listening. Listening to that quiet nudge that says, “there’s more for you.” Listening to your body when it’s overwhelmed. Listening to your soul when it’s tired of just surviving. We all cope differently. What calms me might stress you out (because chickens are not everyone’s therapy). But the point is—you have to get curious about yourself. What brings you back to center? What slows your breathing? What makes you feel… alive again? Because when you find it—whatever it is—you start living differently. Slower. Softer. More intentional. You start noticing things… the way your kids laugh, the way the sun hits your porch, the simple miracle of just being here. And gratitude? It stops being a concept and starts becoming a lifestyle. So this is your reminder—dig a little deeper. Search a little longer. There is something out there waiting for you that will give your life a new layer of purpose, peace, and power. Don’t give up. Because sometimes… your healing doesn’t come in a session. Sometimes it arrives quietly—unannounced—disguised as a plant you almost didn’t buy, a chicken you impulsively brought home, a book you picked up without knowing it would change you, or a simple moment in your kitchen where something inside you finally exhales. And suddenly… you realize you were never meant to just survive your life. You were meant to feel it, to slow it down, to taste it, to create it, to come back to yourself in ways no one else could ever do for you. So if something in you has been whispering, nudging, pulling you toward more… don’t ignore it this time. Because that “something”? It might just be the version of you you’ve been searching for all along.
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Hayley McCraw, LCMHCAPsychotherapist Mental health is not only an experience in the mind, but also in the body. Because mental health is deeply connected to the body, it’s important to highlight the value of movement and body-based approaches in supporting overall well-being. When experiencing an intense emotion such as anxiety, you may notice that in addition to mental experiences like worrying or racing thoughts, you also experience physical sensations like a rapid heart rate, pressure in your chest, muscle tension, headaches, stomach discomfort, or other bodily sensations. Although these sensations can feel uncomfortable at times, they are a necessary part of human functioning that helps keep us safe. For example, if you were being chased by a bear, it would be important for your brain and body to signal fear and help you respond to danger quickly. Most of us are not at risk of being chased by a bear every day, but we do experience other fears throughout life such as exams, social situations, public speaking, uncertainty, or traumatic experiences. When it comes to trauma, the brain and body learn to send out fear responses in triggering situations in an attempt to keep you protected. Even when you logically understand the difference between a memory or trigger and an actual threat, your body may still react as though danger is present. While these responses may have once been necessary for survival, sometimes our nervous systems continue doing their jobs “too well” long after the danger has passed. In order to move through this cycle of intense response to triggers it’s important not only to mentally process anxiety, trauma, or distressing experiences, but also to help the body catch up and integrate with the thinking process. This is not just limited to major traumatic experiences. Our nervous systems are constantly learning from and responding to our environments, relationships, and experiences. There is extensive research supporting this connection, as well as intuitive understanding reflected in lived experiences, traditions, and cultures throughout history. For example, some people notice themselves fidgeting or bouncing their legs when anxious. In many ways, this is the body saying, “My nervous system is activated and I need to regulate.” Across cultures, communities have also used movement, dance, and music after significant distressing experiences such as grief or a dangerous hunt for food. You may also notice shifts in your mood or physical sensations after exercise or movement. These are all examples of ways humans naturally help regulate the nervous system and complete the stress response cycle. There are a variety of ways to support this process such as yoga, going out dancing with friends, running, paced breathing, walking, somatic or body-focused therapies, and more. The key is recognizing that distressing experiences are both mental and physical, and both aspects deserve care and attention. It’s important to note that Dance/Movement Therapy is a specific type of therapy facilitated by a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (R-DMT). This is a specialized therapeutic approach that can support a wide range of concerns. There are also many meaningful ways to incorporate movement and body awareness into other therapeutic settings, and significant benefits to this integration. In a therapeutic setting, movement and body-focused work can help people learn how to live more in harmony with natural body sensations and processes, recognize cues of safety, and build tools for regulating overwhelming physical and emotional experiences. It can also be helpful to develop your own physical rituals and practices, whether independently or in connection with safe and supportive people in your life.  People have a variety of reactions to moving their bodies around others. As a person who comes from a dance background, I find this fun and enjoyable. For others, movement can feel vulnerable or uncomfortable, especially when being perceived by others. It may help to know you do not have to be a dancer to benefit from movement or body-based approaches in therapy. The goal is not performing a flawless pirouette, rather, it’s about experimenting with what feels helpful for you with the guidance of someone who can provide a nonjudgmental and supportive space. It may also be supportive to consider how movement can fit into your own routines. I’m not saying yoga is going to solve all your problems, but having some sort of consistent movement practice that helps you attune to your body (whether that’s yoga, walking, dancing, weight lifting, stretching, or another activity) can meaningfully support mental health. Movement can serve as both a preventative measure and a coping tool during difficult experiences. So take some time to experiment with what feels nurturing to you, and remember that there are people who are ready to help guide and support you through that process!
Emu Aragon, MS, LCMHC, QS, LPC-MHSP, NCC, ACSClinical Lead/Supervisor They say your specialty as a psychotherapist often finds you rather than the other way around. This has been true for me. Starting out my career almost nine years ago, I did not think that my work would primarily entail helping traumatized nervous systems find equilibrium. As I reflect on my identities as well as the identities of the clients that I have had the privilege of working with, I see now how silly it was to think that I would not be a trauma-focused therapist. People of Color and Queer (LGBTQ+) individuals face higher rates of traumatizing events such as racialized violence, hate speech, and a general diminished sense of safety in their everyday lives. These experiences can leave a person with a fragmented sense of safety within their own bodies as well as within relationships to friends, families, partners, children, parents, and of course, strangers. At its core, safety is about connection. Connection within yourself and connection to others. When we can trust that a connection is safe and won’t leave us feeling harmed in some way, we experience growth and healing from previous harmful experiences where connection was dangerous or painful.  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a diagnosis is used to explain how a person’s nervous system and belief system shift in response to threatening events. After experiencing a threatening incident or learning about a loved one’s threatening experience, our bodies and minds can be shaped and reshaped in ways that prioritize self-preservation at the slightest hint of danger - actual or perceived. Our nervous system can become hypervigilant, always scanning for possible threats. We can experience intrusive thoughts, memories, or nightmares related to a threatening incident. We can begin to avoid any and all situations that may trigger our alarm bells which can become problematic in our day-to day lives. The “on” switch to our nervous systems becomes hypersensitive, able to flip on at the faintest notion of danger. Lastly, our belief system may be altered - defined by a lack of trust in our ability to secure a sense of safety within ourselves or with others. Whether I’m working with a first-responder, a person who has experienced marginalization, or both, the first step is in building trust within our newly formed connection. Aligning the stable rhythm of my nervous system with the understandably trepidatious pulses of their own. Before we ever begin reducing PTSD symptoms or processing deeply traumatic experiences, we step lightly into connection with each other, with the tranquility of the therapy office, and in time, within the security of their own body - recognizing that for some individuals, their bodies may never truly feel safe or secure. We honor the body’s inherent wisdom in prioritizing survival while coaxing it into taking small, measured risks in trusting that a new space, in a new time is truly a calm and gentle place to experience secure connection once again or perhaps for the first time. In your own life, who are the people that you feel securely connected to? The one or two individuals that you know mean you no harm and would hold themselves accountable in the off chance they did hurt you. If you’re struggling to identify one or two individuals, that’s okay. You are among many who have yet to find that kind of connection. Therapy can be a space to begin exploring where those opportunities may already exist in your life that perhaps you’re missing, or have been hesitant to take a chance on. Therapy can also be a place to understand your nervous system, reduce shame around your body’s innate wisdom, and begin a journey of connection and growth. You deserve to start again or to begin for the first time to experience calm and tranquility.
Andrew M. Shaw, MEd, LCMHC, NCCPsychotherapist All over the world, LGBTQIA+ communities celebrate Pride. From big cities to small towns, gatherings take place throughout the year. This year, we’ll be celebrating Pride in Winston Salem on June 13, 2026. I’ll be there with Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness, our table alongside so many other local organizations, businesses, artists, advocates, and performers. Our team at Banyan Tree is committed to queer- and trans-affirming mental health care, and I’m so happy to be attending Pride this year with them!  As part of the community myself, I know that we come to Pride for different reasons. I’ll be going to Pride to celebrate with my Banyan Tree Counseling colleagues. But I’ll also be going to Pride because I know what it’s like to be afraid to come out. I’ll be going to Pride because I remember how rare it once was to see pride flags on local businesses. (And it still brings joy to see them!) I’ll be going to Pride because I enjoy pop music, drag performances, and kitschy t-shirts with bawdy puns. But most of all, I’ll be going to Pride because—regardless of the challenges we face—it is vital to have time and space to celebrate our joy, creativity, compassion, and love. The pain, struggles, and grief we experience are all too real. Pride does not need us to deny these realities. But Pride also invites us to dance, sing, connect, and celebrate. Pride reminds us that life is beautiful. Wishing you a very happy Pride!
Kyra Willeford, MSW, LCSWAPsychotherapist It’s almost that time of year! When the bell rings and school’s out for the summer. Do you notice changes in your child’s behavior during summer break? That feeling of excitement turned into summer chaos? Children become used to structured and defined schedules during the school year, which can make a more relaxed schedule difficult to transition into. Any transition or change can be an adjustment for children and families. Here are some tips for a healthy transition into a more relaxed time of the year: Settling in Allow some time for your child to settle into their new routine. Abrupt changes in routine can affect mental health in children with symptoms such as increased anxiety, which can be expressed through increased irritability and outbursts. So, how can you assist your child through this? Maintain rules and boundaries During the summer, it is easy to fall into a more relaxed and laid-back routine. It is important to stay consistent with rules and boundaries of the household, holding expectations of children consistent. Clear guidelines help children to be successful. What is expected of them on a daily basis? When can they go outside and play with their friends? Having a set of expectations and rules to follow allows the child to feel in control of their routine, decreasing feelings of anxiety, therefore decreasing behavioral outbursts. Getting children involved in the making of these rules and routines can also assist with helping them to feel in control. This can be done through creating a visual schedule together, also allowing them to flex their creative muscles! Bedtime Having a set bedtime for children throughout the summer is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and keeping in tune with a consistent schedule. Sleep is one of the most important factors in having a successful day, and setting a set time for sleep each night can assist with this. Now, don’t get me wrong, those late nights happen in the summer whether you're sitting around a campfire, watching a movie as a family, or are on a summer trip! Enjoy the summer while it’s here! Keeping an active mind Of course during the summer, most children are thrilled to have a break from school work and homework. Keeping their minds active and stimulated can assist with having a successful day at home. Good news: they don’t need to know that they’re putting their brains to work. This can be achieved through activities such as building blocks, leggos, puzzles, coloring books, and more! Physical activity Staying active and decreasing electronic isolation can assist with children’s mood and behavior. Whether it’s a family walk around the block, a game of catch, or a bike ride with friends, implementing daily physical activity throughout the summer can assist with a smooth transition as well.  Utilizing these tips and maintaining structure and consistency, can assist with setting you and your family up for a successful summer transition!
Tess Job, MA, LCMHCPsychotherapist In the wake of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, I recognize that this day is just as important as it has been in years past. While the Supreme Court has legalized gay marriage in all 50 states, ten years later, the same court has legalized conversion therapy in all 50 states. The conflicting messages and whiplash for the queer community cannot be understated. These drastic anti-LGBTQ+ measures are not limited to the United States. According to the Human Rights Watch, as of early 2026, “at least 67 countries have national laws criminalizing same-sex relations between consenting adults. In addition, at least nine countries have national laws criminalizing forms of gender expression that target transgender and gender nonconforming people.” As we all know, queer people have existed throughout history and have created communities for themselves wherever they were, and we will continue to exist and create communities. We, as a community, continue to find joy in each other, lift up each other, and support each other. We celebrate each other's wins and losses, and we've learned that community is resistance.  My move from Charlotte to Winston-Salem in 2023 illustrates this need for community. Winston-Salem has a thriving queer community and also has an organization that helps create a landing spot for the intersecting identities within the local queer community. North Star LGBTQ+ Community Center is a wonderful organization that supports the Winston-Salem community’s queer folk, and it offers several different types of groups and events that cater to different parts of the queer community, as well as the varied interests in the queer community. North Star is very dear to my heart, and as a therapist, I encourage my queer clients who are seeking a community to start there! Part of creating a community is being able to connect with people who have shared interests, identities, and even struggles. At North Star, I felt connection and acceptance in a way I hadn’t before. When we give people the space and opportunity to be authentically themselves, it encourages others to do the same. I know it did for me!
Larisa King, MSN, PMHNP-BCPsychiatric Nurse Practitioner Women are beautifully complex. Throughout our lives, our bodies move through a series of hormonal transitions that influence how we feel, think, rest, and function. Yet many women are never taught how deeply these shifts affect emotional wellbeing. For Women’s Health Week, I want to shine a light on what’s happening beneath the surface. Because if you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I feel this way?” the answer is often that your hormones are speaking—and you deserve to understand their language. Puberty marks the first major shift. It’s not just physical development; it’s a neurological remodel. As estrogen and progesterone rise, many girls experience mood swings, increased sensitivity, emotional reactivity, and changes in sleep. This is also when anxiety or depression may first appear—not as a sign of weakness or personal failure, but as the natural result of a brain undergoing rapid growth while hormones surge and settle. Offering young girls empathy, open conversations, and supportive community creates a foundation of emotional safety that stays with them into adulthood. Pregnancy brings another profound transition. Hormone levels rise higher than at any other time in life, which can create emotional sensitivity, increased worry, vivid dreams, and shifts in focus. For some women, pregnancy feels grounding; for others, it’s overwhelming or destabilizing. Both experiences are valid. Pregnancy affects every woman differently, and the most important thing is feeling supported, informed, and free to talk about what you’re experiencing—without fear of judgment. The postpartum period is one of the most intense hormonal transitions a woman can face. Immediately after birth, estrogen and progesterone drop rapidly, while a mother is also adjusting to profound physical recovery, feeding demands, identity changes, and—perhaps most difficult of all—sleep deprivation. Many mothers experience tearfulness, mood swings, irritability, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or brain fog. While “baby blues” usually pass within a couple of weeks, ongoing distress may signal postpartum depression, anxiety, or OCD—very real, very treatable conditions that deserve compassion and support, not silence or shame. Perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause, can feel like puberty in reverse. Hormones don’t simply decline; they fluctuate widely before settling, and those fluctuations can trigger anxiety, irritability, sudden mood shifts, sleep problems, emotional overwhelm, and cognitive fog that leaves many women saying, “I don’t feel like myself.” These experiences are real and often under-recognized. Women deserve validation, information, and supportive care during this season rather than being told it’s “just stress” or something to simply push through. Menopause itself marks twelve months without a menstrual cycle and a shift into a new hormonal baseline. Some women feel a sense of calm and clarity as moods stabilize. Others experience emotional changes, anxiety, sleep disruptions, shifts in libido, or a sense of loss. Like every stage of womanhood, menopause is not an ending but an evolution-- one that can bring renewed purpose when women feel informed and supported.  One of the most beautiful truths about these transitions is that women were never meant to move through them alone. Historically, women gathered, shared stories, and supported one another through every season of life. Today, in a world that asks so much of us, these circles of connection are more important than ever. When women share their experiences, something powerful happens: we feel seen rather than misunderstood, validated rather than dismissed, and connected rather than isolated. We recognize that our emotional experiences are human, not flaws. We rediscover strength we didn’t realize we had. Community creates healing; hormones may influence how we feel, but sisterhood influences how we heal. As we talk openly about these hormonal shifts, it’s also important to acknowledge that for some women, emotional symptoms interfere with daily life in ways that deserve additional support. Psychiatric medication management can be a helpful, compassionate tool—not a last resort or sign of failure. When symptoms such as persistent anxiety, depression, panic, intrusive thoughts, irritability, or significant mood swings begin to affect work, relationships, sleep, or overall quality of life, a medication evaluation can create real relief. Some women benefit from antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, others from targeted sleep supports or mood stabilizers, and some from a collaborative approach that includes hormonal treatment with their OBGYN. Pregnancy and breastfeeding deserve special consideration, but many medications are safe, and for some women, staying on or beginning treatment may support a healthier pregnancy or postpartum experience. Medication is never the whole story—it’s simply one tool that can help a woman feel more like herself so she can fully participate in her life. Your body is wise. Your emotions are valid. And your journey through hormonal change is part of what makes you resilient and deeply human. Whether you’re guiding a teenager through puberty, navigating pregnancy or postpartum, wrestling with perimenopause, or stepping into the transition of menopause, you deserve care, community, and compassion. If you ever wonder whether therapy, medication, or evaluation might help, reach out. You are not alone—and you never have to walk these changes by yourself. When women support each other, we don’t just survive these transitions. We thrive.
Yubi Aranda Sandoval, MS, LCMHCA, NCCPsychotherapist Couples therapy is one of my favorite types of therapy sessions. Some therapists choose not to do couples therapy due to the complexity of working simultaneously with two individuals who are navigating distress in their relationship. I have to admit—it isn’t easy. However, when we take a moment to slow the session down, we often begin to uncover something important. Many times, the couple is caught in a cycle that has been gradually developing over time. At first, the disagreements may seem small—misunderstandings about communication, differences in expectations, or moments when one partner feels unheard. But over time, these small moments can accumulate. Before long, small disagreements grow into larger arguments, resentment begins to build, patience wears thin, and one partner’s defensiveness can start to sound like an attempt to “win” rather than understand the other. What is fascinating about couples therapy is that the conflict we see in the room is often just the surface of something deeper. Beneath the frustration, anger, or distance, there are usually unmet needs, fears, and vulnerabilities. One partner may be longing to feel appreciated or prioritized. The other may be feeling criticized or inadequate. When these emotions go unspoken or misunderstood, couples often fall into patterns of blame, withdrawal, or defensiveness. These patterns are what therapists often refer to as cycles. One partner might pursue conversation while the other shuts down. The more one pushes, the more the other retreats. Over time, both partners begin to feel alone in the relationship, even though they may deeply care about one another. In these moments, the goal of couples therapy is not to determine who is right or wrong. Instead, the work focuses on helping the couple recognize the pattern they are caught in and understand how both partners are affected by it.  Slowing the conversation down is one of the most powerful tools in couples therapy. When couples are arguing at home, discussions can escalate quickly. Voices get louder, assumptions are made, and the original concern becomes buried beneath layers of hurt feelings. In therapy, we intentionally slow things down so that each partner has space to speak and, just as importantly, to be heard. Often, when one partner finally feels understood, the intensity of the conflict begins to soften. Another important part of couples therapy is helping partners shift from defending themselves to becoming curious about each other. Instead of reacting with “You always…” or “You never…,” couples can begin asking questions like, “What did that moment feel like for you?” or “What were you hoping for from me in that situation?” These small shifts in communication can open the door to empathy and reconnection. One of the most hopeful aspects of couples therapy is witnessing how quickly change can happen when partners begin to understand each other differently. When couples start to see the cycle they are caught in, they often realize that the problem is not necessarily each other—it is the pattern they have both been pulled into. This realization can create a sense of teamwork rather than opposition. Couples therapy is not about creating a “perfect” relationship. Every relationship will experience conflict, stress, and moments of disconnection. The goal is to help couples develop healthier ways of navigating those moments so that conflict becomes an opportunity for growth rather than a source of ongoing pain. Despite the challenges, couples therapy remains one of the most meaningful types of work I do. There is something powerful about watching two people move from frustration and misunderstanding toward empathy, clarity, and renewed connection. When couples begin to feel seen and heard again, the relationship often starts to feel like a place of safety rather than struggle.
Gail Herbert, MS, LPC, LCMHCAPsychotherapist When my boys were little, if one was crying, and I met them with “Stop crying, it wasn’t that bad,” they would sniffle and the painful feeling would be extended. If I instead met them with, “It hurts doesn’t it?” and rubbing their back, they would finish crying and return to playing. If I slowed and took my time with gentleness and comfort, the feeling moved along. If not, it seemed to get stuck. Moments like these have shaped how I understand what it really means to heal. What is healing? I believe it is integration of the parts of a person. Dr. Dan Siegel says: “harmony [unfolds] with the five features of FACES flow: Flexible, adaptive, coherent (holding together dynamically over time), energized, and stable.” To be able to be flexible and adaptive to circumstances, to be coherent in thought, and to feel energized and stable in emotion, is to be able to flow with the ups and downs of life. When healing is a goal–if you feel like something has shattered within–then slowing down is important, even if you want it to happen quickly. This can be frustrating, I know! But remember that healing happens continuously on a path. It is not a final destination that happens suddenly. And if you feel as though you have shattered, those pieces can be put together any way you want them to be. You can rebuild yourself into who you want to be.  So how does a person “slow down” emotionally? It means spending time with emotion. This does not mean sinking down into a pit of sadness. Rather, it means noticing feelings with curiosity and without judgment. A person may do this in meditation, while being creative, while walking or showering, any way that helps you feel emotion. It is critical to meet the emotion with curiosity and not judgment. For example, if I feel sad, I feel uncomfortable. I might close my eyes to tune into my body. Then I might notice I feel a little bit of fear in my stomach. Rather than trying to push it away with thoughts such as “You should not be feeling this way” or “Just get over it!” instead I might notice those thoughts and think “I wonder what is making me feel afraid?” Or I might picture myself as a child or friend. I might imagine giving that person a hug or being nurturing. If I can learn to treat myself as I treated my boys, with slowness and nurturing kindness, healing will move along more quickly than with harsh criticism of myself. Give it a try. Let yourself feel emotion. This is where healing begins.
Sharon A. Findlay, MSDirector of Human Resources & Administration "Love is like a tree, it grows of its own accord, it puts down deep roots into our whole being." ― Victor Hugo If you’re thinking, Wait—trees? Isn’t this blog usually about mental health? The answer is yes… and also, we really love trees. Before I go any further, a quick history lesson: The year is 1872, and journalist J. Sterling Morton is struck by how barren the plains of his home state of Nebraska appear. As a nature-lover, he proposes a mass tree-planting event and the seeds for what we now know as Arbor Day are planted (multiple puns intended)! This brief peek into the past reveals more than you might expect. Why was it so important to cover the plains with trees? What else was happening at the time? Pioneers were still settling the area, and without trees on the Great Plains, the soil was at the mercy of the wind. The land couldn’t be worked effectively for farming, limiting settlers’ ability to survive and thrive. Trees and their stabilizing root systems weren’t just a want they were a necessity. And that’s what roots are: a necessity. They hold things together. They provide nourishment. They protect stability. They are life-giving and life-sustaining. Banyan trees, in particular, are known for their impressive root systems. They grow “prop roots” that begin high in the branches and extend downward toward the ground. Once these roots take hold, they form new trunks and root systems of their own. This unusual process allows banyan trees to grow outward in a nearly indefinite fashion, making them exceptionally strong and resilient. It’s hard not to see how this mirrors our inner lives. So let’s take this metaphor inward for a moment: What are your “roots”? Not necessarily where you came from, but what grounds you, protects you, and gives you life. And what happens when those roots become ungrounded? Imagine a banyan tree with multiple trunk and root systems. If one of those systems is damaged or removed, the tree can become unbalanced—more vulnerable to wind, water, or other forces that might uproot it.  Humans are much the same. Often, it isn’t just one thing that leads someone toward healing and inner work. Sometimes it is—but more often, it’s a collection of experiences, stressors, or losses that gradually create a sense that something is out of balance. That’s where the beauty of therapy comes into play. You don’t have to do this alone. Therapy can offer extra roots, extra shade, and extra support during a season when you need it most. It’s part of why our founder named the practice Banyan Tree Counseling. This Arbor Day, I hope you’ll think of lots of things, including trees. I hope you’ll notice the beauty around you, thank the roots that sustain you, honor the roots that need more support—and maybe even smile at a tree.
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Banyan Tree Counseling & WellnessWe are a team of licensed clinicians with a holistic, strengths-based, and evidence-based approach. We offer counseling for people of all ages, life coaching, group therapy, educational consulting and advocacy, assessments, and dietary nutrition services. 
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Counseling/Psychotherapy • Psychiatric Services • Medication Management • Nutrition counseling
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Winston-Salem Locations:
3303 Healy Dr Suite B 3305 Healy Dr 1409-J Plaza West Road Winston Salem, NC 27103 **In-person and telehealth! |
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206 N. 4th St, Suite 15 Wilmington, NC 28401 **Wilmington is accepting telehealth clients. In-person availability Summer, 2026!** |
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© 2015-2026 Banyan Tree Counseling PLLC | Banyan Integrated Health PLLC | Banyan Tree Wellness LLC | All Rights Reserved.
All content on this website, unless otherwise specified, is the sole property of Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness and is protected by copyright laws.
Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of this content is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.