One thing I often tell the families I work with is that: a playing brain is a learning brain. Neurobiology backs this up. When activation meets connection—aka, play—we increase our capacity to tolerate distress, make meaning, and self-regulate.

When we feel like we have to fight to be respected, we might want to consider the situations we’re placing ourselves in. When we feel slighted, we might ask ourselves how much power we’re handing over to other people’s actions. Because the sad truth is—when it’s up to them, they rarely get it right.

What does this mean in the sense of polyvagal-informed therapy? It means that our nervous-systems are in the water. So the question we need to ask is: what water is your nervous system swimming in?

Over the course of my time in practice, I have come to recognize that all behaviors make sense in context. And this means we have to choose a different paradigm. Following this different paradigm requires us to ask different questions.

I became a therapist because I know what it's like to need help. I know what it's like to feel confused or at the mercy of your reactions, your habits, your sensitivities. I know what it's like to have all the "right" tools and still feel stuck. And I know the relief of finally working with someone who sees you.

In my practice at The Buddha's Medicine, I've witnessed countless patients transform their relationship with inflammatory conditions by embracing these ancient principles alongside modern medical understanding. The key lies not in choosing between traditional and modern approaches, but in understanding how to integrate both for optimal healing.

In the hands of a qualified health professional, hypnotherapy is a safe modality that can be integrated with a whole multitude of others.

A post on some of applications for hypnotherapy in our practice setting (and other practice settings).

In addition to practicing broad-spectrum Ayurvedic, integrative, and manual medicine, I am also a clinical hypnotherapist.

In the Ayurvedic tradition, behavioral health is considered central and paramount to overall well-being.

The importance of sleep in establishing salubrity (health).