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How EMDR Therapy Can Help Your Relationship Heal

How EMDR Therapy Can Help Your Relationship Heal

by Restored Counseling and Wellness Center | Feb 18, 2025 | EMDR Therapy

Relationships aren’t easy. Maybe you and your partner feel stuck in the same arguments, disconnected from each other, or unable to move past old hurts. Betrayals, misunderstandings, or unresolved pain can leave you wondering if your relationship can ever feel strong...
Transform Your Resolutions into Lasting Change with EMDR Therapy

Transform Your Resolutions into Lasting Change with EMDR Therapy

by Restored Counseling and Wellness Center | Feb 1, 2025 | EMDR Therapy

Transform Your Resolutions into Lasting Change with EMDR Therapy As we enter the new year, many of us feel inspired to create positive change in our lives. New Year’s resolutions, such as losing weight, exercising more, or breaking old habits, are common goals....
Stuck in the same fight on repeat? Most conflict i Stuck in the same fight on repeat?
Most conflict is an intimacy tug-of-war—one partner reaching in, the other pulling back. Naming your cycle is the first step to breaking it.
When (almost) everyone happens to be at the clinic When (almost) everyone happens to be at the clinic and not with clients at the SAME TIME, you take the rare opportunity to film a clinic video tour! 

🌟Welcome to Restored! We’re here for you! 🌟
10 Ways to Regulate your Nervous System #10: The S 10 Ways to Regulate your Nervous System #10: The Sacred Pause 

One of the most powerful ways to regulate your nervous system is also one of the most overlooked: pausing.

When you’re in the middle of a charged conversation and feel overwhelmed, frozen, angry, or the sudden urge to people-please — this is what many therapists call being “flooded.”

According to Dr. John Gottman’s relationship research, when our heart rate climbs above ~100 bpm during conflict, our nervous system enters a fight-or-flight state. In that moment, we literally lose access to calm reasoning, empathy, and clear communication. Gottman’s advice? Take a 20+ minute break to allow your body and brain to settle.

This is what we’re calling The Sacred Pause. 💫

🌿 It’s also backed by:

DBT’s STOP skill: Stop. Take a step back. Observe. Proceed mindfully.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) research: which shows that just a few conscious breaths can restore balance.

Polyvagal Theory: which explains how our ability to shift out of defensive states (fight/flight/freeze/fawn) and back into safety begins with body awareness and intentional regulation.

So in the moment — when you feel your chest or gut tighten, your jaw clench, your mind race, or your words speeding up or shutting down — pause.

Take a moment or let the other person know you need a moment.

Go inward. Ask:
💭 What am I actually feeling?
💭 Where might this be coming from?
💭 Is this a younger or wounded part of me trying to speak up? 

Pausing doesn’t mean avoidance when it’s done with intention. It means creating the space to come back to yourself, so you can come back to others with more care and clarity.

Have you tried the — sacred pause — ?? Let us know in the comments below!
Healing is a process, not a performance. Healing Healing is a process, not a performance.

Healing isn’t about fixing—it’s about remembering your wholeness.
At Restored, we support holistic healing: mind, body, spirit, and relationships.
Whether you’re in a spiral or a stretch of stillness, your healing matters.

You’re not behind. You’re becoming. 💗
10 Ways to Regulate Your Nervous System #9: COLD E 10 Ways to Regulate Your Nervous System #9: COLD EXPOSURE 🥶

Cold exposure has been studied for its ability to stimulate the vagus nerve and regulate the nervous system. According to recent clinical studies, cold water exposure can activate the mammalian diving reflex, a physiological response that:

✔ Increases parasympathetic activity, shifting the body into a more relaxed state
✔ Reduces stress response by lowering sympathetic nervous system activation
✔ Lowers heart rate through vagus nerve stimulation, often reflected in increased heart rate variability (HRV)

Cold Exposure Methods:
🧊 Cold washcloth to the forehead – Stimulates the dive reflex for a quick nervous system reset.
💦 Face immersion in cold water – A stronger method for enhancing vagal tone.
❄️ Ice pack on the side of the neck or forehead – Targets key areas for nervous system regulation.
🌬 Exposure to cold air (below ~50°F / 10°C) – Briefly stepping into a cold environment may activate similar physiological pathways, especially if the face is exposed. Some research suggests that air temperatures below 39°F (4°C) are most effective for stimulating the diving reflex and slowing heart rate.

Cold air exposure may be especially beneficial in the morning to boost alertness or in moments of stress to promote nervous system regulation. Even briefly exposing your face or upper body to cold air may have a calming effect.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before trying cold exposure, especially if you have heart conditions, circulation issues, temperature dysregulation or other health concerns.

PMID: 30684416, PMID: 36357459

Have you tried any of these methods and how did they work for you? We’d love to know!

Restored Counseling & Wellness Center is an LGBTQIA+ affirming space. All are welcome here. 

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