Westport Family Counseling

Ever noticed how a song can transport you back to a memory or shift your mood in an instant? Music has a unique way of reaching us on a deeper level, sometimes expressing what words alone can’t. Music therapy taps into this connection, using music as a way to process emotions, relieve stress, and support healing. It’s an approach that meets people where they are—no musical experience required. At Westport Family Counseling, we offer music therapy with a board-certified music therapist, helping clients explore emotions and build coping skills through the power of music. Interested in learning more? Reach out today. #MusicTherapy #HealingThroughMusic #TherapyTools #WestportCT

Music has a unique ability to reach us on a deep emotional level, evoking memories, soothing stress, and even helping us process complex feelings. Music therapy harnesses this power as an evidence-based therapeutic approach integrating music into healing and personal growth. Through various techniques, music therapy provides individuals with new ways to express themselves, explore their emotions, and develop coping skills. Let’s explore four key?music therapy?interventions—song discussion, clinical improvisation, songwriting, and music-assisted relaxation—and how they support emotional well-being. #MusicTherapy #WestportCT #TherapistsofLinkedIn

The intricate relationship between mental health and physical posture has gained increasing attention in recent years. A growing body of research suggests that depression and mental overwhelm can significantly influence posture, creating a cycle that affects both psychological and physical well-being. Read more on the latest WFC blog!

Recognizing and Breaking Relationship Patterns Ever feel like you’re having the same argument on repeat? Many relationship struggles aren’t about isolated disagreements—they’re part of larger patterns that shape communication, conflict, and connection. Recognizing Patterns: ? Do conversations tend to circle back to feeling unheard, unappreciated, or misunderstood? ? What triggers set off familiar cycles of frustration or withdrawal? ? Are you often playing the same role—the fixer, the peacekeeper, or the one who pulls away? When we step back and notice these dynamics, we open the door to change. Breaking the Cycle: ? Shift from blame to curiosity—instead of “Why do they always do this?” try “What are we both needing right now?” ? Respond, don’t react—pause, name your emotions, and reflect before engaging. ? Work toward deeper understanding rather than quick resolution. Relationship patterns aren’t set in stone. Therapy offers tools to shift from reaction to reflection, helping couples communicate with more clarity, intention, and connection. Change starts with awareness. If these patterns feel familiar, support is available. #CouplesTherapy #RelationshipPatterns #HealthyCommunication #BreakTheCycle #TherapyTools #EmotionalAwareness #WestportCTTherapist #MentalHealthSupport

The Hidden Signs of Trauma: When It’s More Than Just Stress Not all trauma symptoms look like panic attacks or flashbacks. Many people experience trauma in ways that go unnoticed—by others and even by themselves. Struggling to focus? Trauma can hijack attention, making it hard to stay present, complete tasks, or make decisions. It’s not laziness or lack of motivation—your brain is in survival mode, working behind the scenes to keep you safe. Feeling emotionally numb? When emotions become too overwhelming, the mind sometimes protects itself by shutting them down. It’s a survival response, but over time, it can make the world feel distant and joy feel unreachable. Losing time or feeling disconnected from yourself? Dissociation can show up as zoning out, feeling like you’re watching your life from the outside, or struggling to recall parts of your day. It’s the nervous system’s way of coping when the world feels too much. Trauma responses aren’t just emotional—they’re biological adaptations. The brain and body work together to manage overwhelming experiences, often in ways that aren’t obvious. Therapy can help make sense of these experiences, reconnect with yourself, and regain a sense of clarity. Healing isn’t about “trying harder”—it’s about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface and finding the right tools to move forward. #TraumaRecovery #Dissociation #CPTSDHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #ExecutiveDysfunction #TraumaTherapy #HealingJourney #WestportCTTherapist

There's spot open in our new groups, launching in February in person at Westport Family Counseling in Westport, CT. Contact Lee Cummings for more information! [email protected]

Feeling overwhelmed in motherhood? ?? Join our New Mothers Support Group—a safe space to process postpartum emotions, connect with others, and learn tools for self-care and emotional balance. ? When: First Tuesday of the Month, 5–7 PM ? Where: Westport Family Counseling ? Cost: $100/session (sliding scale available) Infertility & Loss Support Group also available. ?? DM us or visit our website to register. #MomSupportGroup #MaternalMentalHealth #PostpartumJourney #NewMomsGroup #TherapyForMoms #MentalHealthMatters #HealingTogether #WomenSupportingWomen

Ketamine has been making waves in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, offering a new avenue for individuals struggling with depression and other conditions. This WebMD article provides a fantastic overview of ketamine’s history, its applications in mental health, and insights from both clients and providers. It also highlights the importance of combining ketamine with therapy to support lasting change—a practice we believe in at Westport Family Counseling. Take a moment to explore how this innovative treatment is shaping the future of mental health care. #MentalHealthInnovation #KetamineTherapy #DepressionTreatment #TherapyAndHealing #MentalHealthAwareness

Happy New Year. If the year felt long, let it end quietly. If it flew by, let it land softly. Whatever it was, it’s over now. Maybe the new year doesn’t need resolutions or reinvention. Maybe it just needs less noise. A little room to exhale. For anyone who feels pressure to celebrate, to gather, to set goals—maybe it’s enough just to make it through the night and wake up tomorrow. That counts too. Here’s to starting small.

Unsurprisingly, in a recent survey?nearly 88% of adults?referred to the holiday season (the period beginning in November and ending at the New Year) as the most stressful time of the year. So, why is the narrative of the “joyful holiday season” so often represented in media and culture??