Natalie Huston, LPC Restoring Journeys, PLLC

11/13/2025

09/28/2025

Over the past week, as I've had the longest stint of laryngitis I've ever had, I began to reflect on observations and thoughts that I found meaningful. I hope that some of these reflections will be meaningful to you as well.

People need your voice!
Your voice has value, offers connection, comfort, and security if used well. People need what you have to offer. Use your voice.

Use your voice purposefully.
Your words have purpose. What is our ideal purpose? To build up others, speak life, and connect (rather than criticize or tear down).
Use your voice so purposefully and meaningfully that when you speak, people tune in to listen intentionally. (what a challenge!)

Listen more.

Slow down.
When we have rapid-fire communication, we often don't listen to what people are saying with their hearts. Take time to listen. Speak more slowly so others will listen.

Everyone longs to be heard.
Everyone longs for their hearts to be heard--where their true voice is. True voice is in the heart, not words.

Not being able to use your voice is lonely.
Voice is a significant part of connection.
Be a person who gives lonely people a voice.
If there are people in your life who do not give you space to use your voice, to connect, to share your heart, then those relationships need boundaries, healing, or re-evaluation. You are lonely in a relationship where you have no voice.

Non-verbal communication of your love/care is as important as your words. This is a silent form of voice.
Use your face, affection, touch, actions to communicate love and kindness above all else.

* Read back over the highlights again.
* Sit with any that seem to rest more heavily on your heart.

09/13/2025

For the heavy-hearted:

Over the last few weeks there has been a lot of grief in our country. You may be feeling weary, and the cumulative effect of multiple emotionally draining events stirs our hearts and brings a lot of emotion, particularly grief. This can lead to what is called "compassion fatigue".

* Take a moment to check in with your mind, heart, and body.

* Evaluate your level of fatigue on a scale of 0 to 10, 10 being a crippling level of emotional fatigue.

* Evaluate what your body may need to recover.
Self-awareness is important for recovery and Recovery is essential for preventing physical effects and trauma effects. It's also important for the preservation of sense of self and well-being.

Symptoms of compassion fatigue may look like this:

*Physical fatigue or exhaustion
*Disengaging
*Isolating
*Negative coping
*Anger
*Feeling helpless or powerless

*Checking out
*Weariness
*Shutting down
*Not wanting to see, hear, or touch anyone
*Want everyone and everything to go away
*Difficulty feeling, especially feeling empathy

*Brain fog, difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly
*Scrolling endlessly on social media
*Being idle for long periods of time
*Just trying to push through, but that has become the new norm
*Getting caught up in anger and hatred of of others

These symptoms are our bodies nervous system telling us we have taken on too much in our emotional bucket and it is overflowing. It's asking for help like the check engine light on your car, and you are the car.

*How can you care for yourself in body, mind, and spirit to bring your "engine" back to health?

Here are a few ideas:

*Eat well (not sugar/carb snacking)
*Limit social media and news exposure
*Get out in nature, hike
*Pray, meditate

*Look for and take in beauty (like sunrise/sunset)
*Cuddle up with something soft and warm like a pet or a blanket
*Rest
*Sunshine
*Calming music

*Salt bath or bubble bath
*Butterfly hug (message me if you want to know what this is)
*Time with people who are loving, accepting, nurturing
*Change activity every 30 to 45 minutes
*Breathing exercises
*Journal

*Laughter, comedy
*Creative/artistic expression
*Movement such as yoga or stretching or walking
*Recreation
*Look for goodness

Maybe it would help to print this out and highlight restorative ways you'd like to recharge your engine?

Be kind to yourself. Nurture yourself back to health.

Do more of this than you think you need.

Be kind, Unwind!

12/04/2024

*Taking inquiries for next group start anticipated late January 2025*

SEXUAL TRAUMA RESTORATION GROUP

A group for women who have experienced sexual betrayal, shame, or violation.

*This is a virtual group for residents of NC and SC.
*Best for those who have some grounding and are ready for restoration (not acute trauma)
*Whole-person care: body, mind, and spirit.

*Gain understanding of how trauma impacts the mind and body and emotions.
*Learn coping and calming strategies
*Explore the damage of sexual trauma and how to restore the whole person.
*Explore Spirituality in relationship to trauma. The group is excellent for those who have some sense of spiritual belief in God/Higher Power, even if struggling with faith. We address spiritual struggles as it related to trauma, and relationship with self and others.

*The group is 10 sessions @$75 each
*I take Aetna and Cigna for NC residents. A superbill is provided for those who wish to submit out of network to insurance.

Likely Mondays 6:15-8:15pm
We will cover strengthening through coping and calming strategies, the nature of trauma, damage of sexual trauma, and the process of restoration.

Inquiries:
980-253-9841

Welcome I’m glad you’re here!  This is a brave step, and you want to pick the right person to walk with you on the journey.   What are you hoping for? Relief from Anxiety Couples Counseling: Communication, Intimacy, Conflict Resolution, Restoration Recovery from Childhood Sexual Abuse as an...

06/28/2024

This!

06/19/2024

Good ones to think about!

05/30/2024

You are worth protecting too. Protecting others from natural consequences doesn't help them mature and doesn't protect you.

04/25/2024

04/19/2024

Maybe as you enter the weekend, you can be intentional about connecting with those you love by responding to their bids, and making your own bids for connecting with them as well.

Are you prioritizing deposits into your relationship's Emotional Bank Account? Just as with a conventional bank account, a zero balance spells trouble. By consistently fostering positive interactions with your partner, you can ensure your emotional bank account will flourish!

Learn more about bids of connection by going to our blog https://bit.ly/43OWNbY

03/30/2024

JOURNEY TOGETHER
Taking interest now for my new group that provides support while being flexible for your schedule!
Journeys up a mountain are so much more manageable when you have others supporting, encouraging, struggling together, and sharing in the process with you.
* A group for caring for body, mind, and emotions and being connected in the midst of life's challenges.
* A positive space to just be real and get support.
* Faith-focused in a way that allows each person to explore their spiritual journey wherever they are.

Ongoing from late spring throughout the summer. Traveling in the summer? No problem! Commit to 2/4 sessions/month, one month at a time. Virtual Group, Join at any point.

03/18/2024

Journey Together

Journeys up a mountain are so much more manageable when you have others with you supporting, encouraging, struggling together, and sharing in the process with you.

How it could help:
• Mutually encouraging as everyone benefits from each other
• Struggle together toward healing and growth
• Lightens the load of your emotional backpack
• Strengthens your muscles emotionally, mentally, relationally
• Deeper and more progress faster within a group setting

A group for caring for body, mind, and emotions and being present/connected in the midst of life's challenges.
A positive space to just be real and get support.

The Deets:
• An open group, occasionally bringing in new people
• Those interested should call me at 980-253-9841
• 1.5 hrs, $65/session
• Ongoing through the summer
• Traveling in the summer? No problem, you commit to 2 out of 4 sessions/month and commit to one month at a time.