https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-03-12 https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/understanding-dysfunctional-family-systems monthly 0.5 2026-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1773342626554-NK86KYQV7TG1J12HCQNR/unsplash-image-0iqkntLw93A.jpg Blog - Understanding Dysfunctional Family Systems - Many people grow up believing their family dynamics were normal, even when something didn’t feel quite right. You may have sensed tension in the home, felt responsible for other people’s emotions, or learned to keep parts of yourself hidden in order to keep the peace. It is often not until adulthood, through relationships, personal reflection, or therapy, that people begin to recognize the patterns of a dysfunctional family system and how those patterns may still be shaping their lives today. Finding out that you grew up in a dysfunctional family system can bring up many different emotions. For some people, it can feel validating and eye-opening. It may finally give language to experiences that never quite made sense. For others, it can be painful, confusing, or even destabilizing to realize that what felt “normal” growing up was actually harmful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1773344368381-AXBECX8BY4O82OX9AOMA/unsplash-image-DYTQrnJ5FJ0.jpg Blog - Understanding Dysfunctional Family Systems - Healing From Family Dysfunction Recognizing that you grew up in a dysfunctional family system is not about blaming your family or rewriting the past. Instead, it is about gaining awareness of the patterns that shaped your experiences and learning how to create healthier ways of relating moving forward. With reflection, support, and sometimes therapy, many people begin to recognize these patterns and gradually develop new ways of relating to themselves and others. Healing often involves learning new skills, such as setting boundaries, identifying and expressing emotions, and developing relationships that feel more balanced and supportive. It can also involve grieving aspects of childhood that may have been missing, such as emotional safety, validation, or consistent support. Therapy can be a helpful space to explore these patterns and begin building new ways of relating to yourself and to others. https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/signs-of-emotional-neglect-in-adults-and-how-to-heal-from-it monthly 0.5 2026-02-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/5eb244eb-fa49-4e0d-9630-12a2dc6ddb5f/unsplash-image-obtexpBA5KM.jpg Blog - Signs of Emotional Neglect in Adults (And How to Heal From it) - When you learned to survive by needing less… Childhood trauma does not always show up loudly. Sometimes it is not what happened to you, but what never happened for you. Emotional neglect often grows in homes where parents are emotionally immature, overwhelmed, or disconnected from their own inner worlds. These caregivers may have provided food, shelter, and education, yet struggled to attune to their children's emotional needs. When a child’s feelings are ignored, minimized, or unseen, the child learns something powerful and painful: my emotions are too much, or they do not matter. Raising emotionally healthy children requires more than physical or financial support. It requires emotional presence, co-regulation, and guidance in understanding feelings. When caregivers cannot name or manage their own emotions, they often cannot help their children do so either. For some children, this neglect is compounded by parentification or being expected to care for siblings, manage household dynamics, or emotionally support a parent. These children become capable, responsible, and perceptive far too early. They learn to anticipate needs, regulate others’ emotions, and carry burdens that were never meant for them. As a result, they often develop a pattern of overfunctioning in relationships. By continuing to take responsibility for others’ feelings and needs, while their own needs remain unmet. Their own needs become minimized, postponed, or quietly erased. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1770852317574-3VVIUSCXDAANAR4SG4OP/unsplash-image-IevaZPwq0mw.jpg Blog - Signs of Emotional Neglect in Adults (And How to Heal From it) - But you can let go of the roles… Although these roles once protected you and helped you remain connected in a system that could not fully see or support you, in adulthood, they can quietly recreate the same emotional neglect you experienced as a child. Other people may come to see you as endlessly capable, self-sufficient, or “the strong one,” and in doing so, forget that you also need care, support, and reciprocity. You may find yourself surrounded by people who lean on you, but rarely lean toward you. You may become the one everyone depends on, while no one quite knows how to hold you when you need support. https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/how-somatic-exercises-help-gently-release-stored-trauma-and-regulate-the-nervous-system monthly 0.5 2026-01-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1768514601121-FDWKI5YDDHVS1J7TDCS8/unsplash-image-PG3XeL1uWdU.jpg Blog - How Somatic Exercises Help Gently Release Stored Trauma and Regulate the Nervous System - When the Body Remembers: Somatic Practices for Trauma Release As we navigate continuous, unprecedented times, personal trauma and vicarious trauma continue to compound. Because of this, it’s increasingly important to learn body-based strategies that help release stored trauma and regulate the nervous system. Somatic practices support this healing by gently releasing survival energy and helping us reconnect with safety, choice, and presence in the body. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1768514843168-DWVUO02D8ZWYT51S3NLW/unsplash-image-t1NEMSm1rgI.jpg Blog - How Somatic Exercises Help Gently Release Stored Trauma and Regulate the Nervous System - What Are Somatic Exercises? Somatic exercises are body-based practices that help the nervous system complete survival responses that were interrupted during trauma. Rather than reliving the past, somatic healing focuses on helping the body feel safe enough to release stored energy in the present. Below are gentle, accessible somatic practices that support trauma release and nervous system regulation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1768515341437-MRJWGFOILGCE5CSNJXE3/unsplash-image-893qZckG6I4.jpg Blog - How Somatic Exercises Help Gently Release Stored Trauma and Regulate the Nervous System - A Reminder About Healing Somatic healing doesn’t have to be dramatic. It’s often subtle, incremental, relational. Sometimes release looks like a sigh. Sometimes like tears. Sometimes like feeling nothing at all… and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to relive trauma. The goal is to help the body complete what it never got to finish. Healing happens when the body feels safe enough to let go and complete the repair process it couldn’t complete at the time of trauma.. https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/kyv4j328pg16haqso2266vut3tz8zo monthly 0.5 2026-01-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1768515993499-SVNBPUIP9CMZN4O7CVK3/unsplash-image-nXo2ZsKHTHg.jpg Blog - Navigating Loneliness: Why So Many of Us Feel Alone… and What Can Help - Navigating Loneliness Loneliness is often misunderstood. In popular culture, it is framed as a personal failure, a deficit in social skills, or evidence that something has gone wrong in one’s life. Clinically, however, loneliness is none of these things. Loneliness is a universal human experience; an emotional signal that reflects our innate need for connection, belonging, and attunement. Many people assume that when they are lonely, it means something is wrong and they need to fix it. For example, something is wrong with their relationships, their choices, or themselves. But loneliness is not a diagnosis, a failure, or evidence that your life is broken. It is a universal human signal, one that speaks to our need for connection, safety, and belonging. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1768516161193-HHQ128187OUKST13UWKJ/unsplash-image-vXymirxr5ac.jpg Blog - Navigating Loneliness: Why So Many of Us Feel Alone… and What Can Help - A Therapeutic Reframe: Loneliness as a Signal, Not a Sentence Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the Loneliness softens when it is met with compassion rather than judgment. When we stop asking “What’s wrong with me?” and begin asking “What is this feeling trying to tell me?” Rather than asking, “How do I get rid of this loneliness?” a more therapeutic question is: “What is this loneliness asking of me?” Loneliness may be pointing toward: Unmet relational needs Suppressed grief A lack of self-attunement and self care Transitions that require mourning The need for more authentic and genuine connections rather than more connections alone. Feeling chaotic or dealing with the chaos of changes that need integrating. When approached with compassion and curiosity, loneliness often softens. It may not disappear immediately, but its intensity changes when it is acknowledged rather than resisted. https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/usa-today-feature-mental-health-for-the-lgbtq-community-during-the-holidays monthly 0.5 2023-12-24 https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/finding-your-window-of-tolerance monthly 0.5 2021-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1625355569367-WPNYRTBFNFBLPMRNK4GF/unsplash-image--mMoKrWFBjw.jpg Blog - Finding Your Window Of Tolerance - Are you in your Window of Tolerance? Let’s Explore it Together…… Trauma Recovery and Healing. https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/healing-the-emotional-body-part-two monthly 0.5 2021-05-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1609796347799-0ABKDTGW5SIKZX82W2OA/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Healing the Emotional Body - Part Two - How to Integrate and Release Emotions Within the Body In part II of this series, we explore where stuck emotions may be coming from, how they affect your body, and how to attend to and release them. https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/healing-the-emotional-body-part-1 monthly 0.5 2021-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1609795741845-CVFRZ4VZL7W5ZV919ZEK/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Healing The Emotional Body - Part 1 - What is the Emotional Body? For many of us, we consider our bodies to be a mere physical space and concept. However, a holistic view of the body takes a deeper approach. https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/imposter-syndrome-finding-your-voice monthly 0.5 2020-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1602181905904-QK0AUR2HCS2K3RJKSXME/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Imposter Syndrome: Finding Your Voice - Have you ever struggled to share your skills, voice, or self-worth in a particular area despite being well-versed on the topic? Have you ever worked extremely hard to achieve something and felt like you didn't deserve it? This blog explores the concept of Imposter Syndrome: What it is, how it feels, who it impacts, and ways to combat it! https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/holding-space-for-youth-and-young-adults monthly 0.5 2020-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1600889594384-E1ALNSE4KC36TG90Y1RF/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Holding Space For Youth and Young Adults - Emotional Safety for Youth and Young adults Although most adults have children’s best interests at heart, we often struggle to hold space openly for their complex emotions. This Article identifies helpful versus harmful ways to hold space for children and young adults and the importance of modeling healthy emotional expression. https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/strong-coping-mechanismsnbsp-strongemfinding-relief-from-feelings-of-grief-stress-and-traumaem monthly 0.5 2023-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1592676521340-SX0759VBZPZFG3NJK86D/madisonlavern.jpg Blog - Coping Mechanisms: Finding Relief From Feelings of Grief, Stress, and Trauma - Coping Mechanisms, We all have them! Would you like new tools and strategies to deal with your emotions? Are you worried that your “bad habits” are spiraling out of control? Are you feeling guilt or shame about the way you’ve been coping with tough and stressful situations? This article explores the purpose of coping mechanisms, and ideas for replacing healthy coping mechanisms with harmful ones. https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/tag/Healing monthly 0.5 https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/tag/Mental+Health monthly 0.5 https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/tag/Coping+Mechanisms monthly 0.5 https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/blog/tag/Self+Care monthly 0.5 https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/home daily 1.0 2026-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1585769155292-INTROEXHQENIDLCPNJLH/sarah-brown-cVt0u781VGo-unsplash.jpg Home - My name is Ariel and I’m a therapist in NYC. I am committed to providing clients with a place where they can show up as their full and authentic selves. *Not accepting new clients* https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1625357444242-0FF07OQU6G4MRNBRK35B/unsplash-image-4caRljJwGsE.jpg Home - Why Healing With Solstice? The Solstices marks a pivotal moment in our relationship to the sun. A turning point of light, reflection, and transition. In this practice, the sun symbolizes your core self: your truth, your vitality, your center. When we use that inner center as the focal point in therapy, we create space for expansive healing and grounded growth. Healing with Solstice is inspired by the rhythms of the sun, moon, and earth. Honoring the cycles of rest, illumination, and renewal. This practice is especially devoted to supporting LGBTQIA+ People of Color (QT-BIPOC) who have experienced trauma that made it difficult to center themselves in their own lives. Together, we work toward reconnecting you with your most authentic, vibrant, and embodied self. https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/faqs-4 daily 0.75 2026-02-11 https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/contact daily 0.75 2023-08-02 https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/offerings-me daily 0.75 2026-03-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1585765980579-UE7NNUNZKI6LG3XHXXIX/clarke-sanders-JpCOGj0uIlI-unsplash.jpg Offerings Photo by Clarke Sanders https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1635354749126-14HHDSRMK17AK2XRM55C/unsplash-image-6ml55lp0E_E.jpg Offerings Photo by Jaco Pretorius https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/1635354046908-IGIY2VOMFJDFKYYCZJ2Y/unsplash-image-44XRowmXF24.jpg Offerings Photo by Emmanuel Olguín https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/7f2ee7f5-db2a-425f-a96a-717245c4e3a7/IMG_0303.jpg Offerings - Speaking Engagements & Consulting: I am an experienced trainer and workshop facilitator with over ten years of experience leading engaging, thought-provoking conversations across diverse settings. I offer expertise for interviews, keynote talks, panels, workshops, and public or private events, including colleges, universities, publications, podcasts, and community organizations. My speaking and training topics include implicit bias, anti-racism, anti-oppression, diversity, equity, and inclusion, gender equity, gender-based violence, restorative justice, intersectionality, and LGBTQIA+ issues. I also provide workshops focused on adolescent and young adult mental health, holistic wellness, mind-body integration, and trauma-informed, body-centered care. In addition to facilitation, I support organizations and leaders with strategic planning to design and implement holistic, intersectional DEI initiatives that are sustainable, actionable, and grounded in accountability. https://www.healingwithsolstice.com/about-me daily 0.75 2026-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/ecdc764b-aa3c-41f1-9815-3e7bd150ec03/IMG_0051.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e8155d52708f7089594d32a/646d024e-9b59-40c9-bdfc-b190f46b4a33/IMG_3667.jpeg About Me - My Approach to healing My approach to therapy is holistic, eclectic, intersectional, and person-centered. I am deeply committed to creating therapeutic spaces that are affirming, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive, where clients can explore their experiences with care, dignity, and agency. I believe healing is not one-size-fits-all, and our work together is shaped collaboratively, honoring your lived experience, identities, and needs. I work from a trauma-informed lens that integrates mindfulness and somatic practices, recognizing the deep connection between mind and body. Attending to the nervous system allows us to move at a pace that feels grounding and supportive, while expanding the ways we understand healing beyond talk therapy alone. My work is also informed by restorative, healing-centered practices, particularly in supporting individuals who have experienced intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, and sexual assault. Drawing from my background in gender studies, I support clients navigating concerns related to gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation with an affirming, justice-oriented framework. In addition to psychotherapy, my holistic training informs how I understand wellness and healing. When appropriate and with client consent, I may incorporate spiritually grounded practices such as, energy-based practices, or intuitive reflection. This serves as complementary supports to emotional and personal growth. My intention is to offer an approach that is intuitive, compassionate, and warm, while remaining ethically grounded and client-led. I also believe healing happens in relationship and community. Through training, facilitation, and community-based offerings, I support collective healing practices that consider not only the individual, but also the wider family, cultural, and community systems that shape mental health and well-being.