Back-to-school season has a way of sneaking up on us faster than a cup of coffee disappears in the morning. 🙃☕ In my home, this year feels especially big. My daughter is starting 1st grade at a new elementary school (still in our district), and my son is heading into kinder prep. At the same time, I’m navigating co-parenting, running my counseling practice, and managing the everyday chaos that life brings.

With all of these transitions, there are a lot of emotions swirling around—for my kids and for me. Excitement, nerves, anticipation, and adjustment are all part of the mix. And that’s normal. Change always stirs feelings.

As both a mom and a Licensed Professional Counselor, here are a few strategies that can help families navigate this season:

Back-to-school season has a way of sneaking up on us faster than a cup of coffee disappears in the morning. 🙃☕ In my home, this year feels especially big. My daughter is starting 1st grade at a new elementary school (still in our district), and my son is heading into kinder prep. At the same time, I’m navigating co-parenting, running my counseling practice, and managing the everyday chaos that life brings.

With all of these transitions, there are a lot of emotions swirling around—for my kids and for me. Excitement, nerves, anticipation, and adjustment are all part of the mix. And that’s normal. Change always stirs feelings.

As both a mom and a Licensed Professional Counselor, here are a few strategies that can help families navigate this season:

Ever found yourself snapping, shutting down, or suddenly wanting to run for the hills—over something small? That’s not you “being dramatic.” That’s your body remembering an old danger and trying to keep you safe.

What’s a Trauma Response?

It’s your brain and body’s autopilot survival mode. Something in the present feels like a past threat, and before you know it—boom—you’re in fight, flight, freeze, fawn, or even flop.

The Big Five:

• Fight – Stand your ground (or come out swinging).

• Flight – Get the heck out of there.

• Freeze – Go still, go blank.

• Fawn – Keep the peace at all costs.

• Flop – Collapse physically or emotionally.

  Why It Happens

  Your nervous system thinks you’re in danger. Stress hormones flood in, prepping you to survive—even if the “danger” is just a tense meeting or a tricky conversation.

  What Helps in the Moment

  • Pause and take a slow, deep breath.

  • Feel your feet on the ground.

  • Name what’s happening: “This is my body trying to protect me.”

  • Give yourself permission to step away or regroup.

  Bottom Line

  Your trauma responses aren’t flaws—they’re proof you’ve survived. With awareness and practice, you can teach your nervous system that you’re safe now, and start responding instead of just reacting.

Telehealth has opened up so many doors in the mental health world, and I’m grateful for how accessible therapy has become. But if you’re navigating anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, or major life shifts, like a new job, parenting challenges, or relationship strain, there’s something about in-person therapy that just hits differently.

For many of the clients I work with, in-person sessions allow us to go deeper, build more trust, and create a stronger foundation for the real work of healing and growth.