After more than five decades as a practicing psychotherapist, I’ve come to a conclusion that may sound deceptively simple: fear doesn’t come from what we know—it comes from what we do not know. Fear hides in the unknown. Again and again, I’ve watched people—my clients, my colleagues, and myself—pull back, hesitate, or completely shut down, […]
Fear Hides in the Unknown Read More »
After more than five decades as a practicing psychotherapist, beginning in 1972, I have sat with fear in nearly every form it can take. I have witnessed it in quiet anxiety and overwhelming panic, in subtle hesitation and life-paralyzing dread. I have watched it shape decisions, shrink possibilities, and quietly govern lives. And I have
Fear-Less Living: Reclaiming Authority Over the Mind’s Most Persistent Habit Read More »
Honestly, by the time we hit 40, most of us haven’t put ourselves first in decades. Not really. And it didn’t happen in one big moment either. It didn’t happen overnight. These are habits that build over the years until we don’t remember life before putting everyone else first. Because that’s the thing about the
The Freedom of Finally Putting Yourself First Read More »
“When did my fear begin?” “What kind of help did I get with my fear?” “How did my parents handle their fear?” “What was I told about fear? Everybody has fear, don’t be afraid, just keep going—be brave, get over it!” “Why don’t I know how to get rid of fear? Can I get rid
Let’s Explore Fear: The Perils of Focusing on “The Problem” Read More »
Oftentimes, as women, we get so caught up in being something and someone else that we forget who we are. Or we may never have known. Between programming, societal expectations and our environment, sometimes we are born into roles that are already in place. Daughter. Employee. Wife. Caregiver. The strong one. The one who holds
The Freedom of Midlife Read More »
Meet Laurina Anderson, MSW: A Life/Energy Coach, Speaker and Transformational Guide Laurina Anderson, MSW, CEO LA Coaching LLC, Life/Energy Coach, speaker, and transformational guide, is devoted to helping individuals release the emotional, mental, and energetic patterns that keep them stuck. Through her unique integration of psychological expertise and embodied spiritual awareness, Laurina empowers people to
Healing the Mind, Body, and Soul: An Interview with Laurina Anderson, MSW Read More »
Embrace the Light and Spark Awareness There is always a brilliant light of hope—even in the face of rising mental health challenges and heartbreaking suicide statistics among LGBTQIA+ communities. Awareness is not abstract. It’s personal. It begins in the quiet corners of our lives, in the moments we rarely talk about—the moments that shape us.
Shining a Light on LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Read More »
One of the most common myths right now is the idea that you can, and need to, reset your nervous system. In the land of one-size-fits-all, this reset is supposed to happen in seconds. Flip a switch and get back on the productivity train. This idea persists because it’s partly true. Breath, sound, and movement
Healthy Habits that Nourish Your Nervous System Read More »
When I offered to write some blogs for the Wellness Universe, my offer was immediately accepted. “We’d love it if you would write something about Fear,” was the response, “something about how to deal with the different types of fear.” By now, I’m a recognized expert on emotions—what they are, why we have them, what
How Fear Began: What Fear Is Now Read More »
High achievers often learn early how to hide their stress behind a practiced smile. Whether they are athletes under stadium lights, caregivers working through the night, firefighters running into danger, or musicians performing through trembling hands, they carry a lifetime of pressure that rarely shows on their faces. The smile becomes a shield—a way to
High Achievers at High Risk: How to Release Stress and Reclaim Joy Read More »
