When Talking Isn’t Enough: The Hidden Layers of Healing
When Talking Isn’t Enough: The Hidden Layers of Healing
By Anna Long, LCSW, Held Space Therapy
Most people start therapy because something feels off. Maybe they’re anxious all the time. Maybe they’re stuck in a relationship loop they swore they’d never be in again. Or maybe they’re just tired of being tired and need someone to help them make sense of it all.
And often, they’ve already done a lot of work.
They’ve read the books. Listened to the podcasts.
Possibly even journaled their way through a small forest’s worth of notebooks.
But here’s the thing I’ve seen again and again:
Sometimes, talking about a problem isn’t what moves it.
Sometimes, what’s stuck… isn’t stuck in your mind.
It’s stuck in your body.
Your nervous system.
Your energy.
When Insight Isn’t Enough
One of the most frustrating things for clients is this moment:
“I know why I’m doing this. I can explain the whole pattern. But I can’t seem to stop.”
You’re not F-ed in the head…
You’re just human.
And while insight is powerful, it doesn’t always lead to change on its own.
The mind is great at storytelling and meaning-making — it’s why talk therapy is so helpful. But sometimes, we need to work with the parts of you that don’t speak in full sentences:
the tightness in your chest,
the tension in your jaw,
the nervous energy buzzing under your skin.
That’s where body-based and energetic work comes in.
Healing Isn’t All in Your Head (Literally)
In my work with clients, we might explore tools from ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), but we’ll also tune into the body — learning how your nervous system responds to stress, fear, or even just the pressure of daily life.
Some days, that might look like grounding practices to help you feel safe in your body. Other days, it might be naming the old stories you’ve been carrying — the ones that aren’t even yours.
Because yes — sometimes what you’re carrying belongs to your parents, your culture, your past self (or even a past life!)
And sometimes? It’s energetic.
Wait, Is This Where It Gets Woo-Woo?
Sort of. But let’s reframe that.
You don’t have to believe in angels or chakras or past lives (though if you do — we can totally go there).
But most of us do have moments where we just know something.
An inner nudge.
A gut feeling.
A weird dream that somehow gives us clarity.
That’s intuition. And whether you call it spiritual or just “tuning in,” it’s one of the most underrated tools in the healing process.
I believe part of therapy is helping people reconnect with that quiet knowing.
Even if they didn’t know it was there.
What Therapy Looks Like with Me
If you’re curious what it’s like to sit in my office (or on my screen), here’s what I can promise:
We’ll get curious about the patterns you’re stuck in — not just mentally, but emotionally, physically, and energetically.
We’ll use a mix of practical tools, intuitive insights, and nervous system support.
We might laugh a little. Maybe even a lot.
You’ll get to be fully yourself, without judgment.
Feeling the Nudge?
If something in this post resonated — even if you’re not sure why — I’d love to hear from you.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to believe in anything particular.
You just have to be willing to get curious.
Because that’s where healing begins.
— Anna Long, LCSW
P.S. I’m currently accepting new therapy clients (in Oregon).
You can learn more or schedule a free consultation [here].
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