There are a lot of things can invoke a trauma response. A specific smell, a memory, or an image can overtake you. Trauma can show up in humans in many ways. It can take the form of avoidance of a particular event, disassociation, and feelings of helplessness. Trauma can also take the form of a bodily reaction, including constriction of muscles, a “freeze response”, or the need or...

The holidays tend to be a stressful time of year for people on multiple fronts. You might struggle with the change in the weather, be missing a family member that passed away, or just feel stressed with all the planning and events coming up. Many different emotions can come up all at once during the holiday season including anger, guilt, sadness, frustration. Trauma triggers might come up for...

Kelly Otterson, LPC, is IOME's newest trained supporter and full time employee!! We are so excited for her to join the IOME team!

Kelly is originally from Savannah, GA but moved to Colorado in 2015. She has been in the mental health field for 9 years and has a variety of experience. Kelly specializes in trauma, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem/body image. Kelly has a particular passion in...

The air begins to get cooler in the mornings, it gets darker in the evenings just past dinner time, and before you know it daylight savings time is here and gone and we enter the darkness of winter. Along with the leaves changing, flowers and grass becoming dormant and our bodies undergo multiple changes with the seasons, some are more noticeable than others. As for the body, your...

What comes to mind when you think of the word “Rest”?  Refreshed, restart, new.... guilt, a waste of time?  Those are some of the words that Claudia Hammond’s research participants came up with in a study which was done across 135 different countries with 18,000 participants.  Claudia found that though many people define rest differently there were some things...

Are you a perfectionist?

You know that voice in our head that tells us we must get it done or we will get written up, fired, or called out if we don’t? 

That voice is perfectionism and it makes us think that it is the whole knower, all predictor and if we do not follow it, our life will go to shambles.  I picture The Simpson's character Superintendent Gary Chalmers yelling at...

Anxious Thoughts and the Body

How do the brain and body relate? What can you do to become more in touch with your body?

The short but simple statement “think positive” and “don’t worry so much” can only go so far when our bodies are telling us a different story.  To truly “think positive” and “not worry so much” we need to go beyond our...

Birth Anxiety

What is it? What causes it? How can we decrease it?

Right now, you may be thinking of starting a family, you may be pregnant with your first child, or be preparing to bring your 2nd/3rd/ or even 4 children into this world. No matter where you are in your journey, you may be having feelings of birth anxiety. 

At some point during pregnancy, mothers-to-be tend to experience...

Mastering the skill to prioritize is an invaluable asset tool for your self care. It can help you manage so many areas, eliminate or lessen the chances of burn out and help you create long-standing self care practices. 

These five ways of prioritizing your mental health were shared from licensed mental health professionals within IOME who truly know the importance of having good mental...

Ashley Nielsen, LPCC, is IOME's newest trained supporter and first fulltime employee(!!). To say we are excited to have her here is an understatement. One of the many things that makes Ashley a perfect fit for IOME is her desire to share and teach self care in all forms; for the body mind and soul. She is a perfect match for IOME's mission and we are so thrilled to share her with you all! ...