The Wellspring

a blog by Dr. Elizabeth Miller and WMB Team

When Your Skin Feels Too Sensitive: Understanding Hyperesthesia Through a Mind-Body Lens
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

When Your Skin Feels Too Sensitive: Understanding Hyperesthesia Through a Mind-Body Lens

Have you ever felt like your skin is on high alert, where even light touch, clothing, or temperature changes feel unusually intense? This heightened sensitivity is called hyperesthesia, a form of sensory amplification that affects millions of people. At Well Mind Body, we frequently see clients experiencing sensory overwhelm as a result of stress, chronic illness, inflammation, or nervous system dysregulation.

Hyperesthesia is not “in your head.” It’s a real neurobiological response that reflects how closely the mind and body are connected, and how deeply the nervous system responds to overwhelm, illness, and inflammation.

Read More
How the Body Keeps Score: Mental Health, Trauma, and the Mind–Body Connection
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

How the Body Keeps Score: Mental Health, Trauma, and the Mind–Body Connection

For so many of us, especially high-achieving women, mothers, professionals, and students, the body speaks long before the mind can form words. A tight chest becomes the language of anxiety. Chronic stomachaches become the echo of unprocessed grief. Headaches, fatigue, inflammation, and sleep disturbances show up as the body’s attempt to keep us safe.

Read More
5 Signs Your Nervous System Is Overwhelmed and What to Do Today
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

5 Signs Your Nervous System Is Overwhelmed and What to Do Today

When life gets loud, fast, or unpredictable, your nervous system is the first to let you know. But most people miss the early signs until anxiety, exhaustion, or irritability take over. As a therapist, mom of three, and someone who specializes in nervous-system-aware care, I see this every single day at Well Mind Body.

Read More
How to Practice Gratitude When Life Is Really Hard
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

How to Practice Gratitude When Life Is Really Hard

When you’re in a season of grief, uncertainty, burnout, illness, or overwhelm, gratitude does not come naturally, and that is completely norma. Practicing gratitude isn’t about bypassing emotions or forcing positivity. It’s about finding gentle, accessible openings, tiny moments where light comes through.

Read More
The Mind–Body Benefits of Gratitude: How a Simple Practice Rewires Your Health
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

The Mind–Body Benefits of Gratitude: How a Simple Practice Rewires Your Health

In a world that moves fast and demands more from us each day, gratitude can feel almost too simple or too small, compared to the stressors we carry. But from a mind–body perspective, gratitude isn’t just a pleasant feeling. It is a physiological event, a nervous-system regulator, and a powerful tool for mental and physical wellness.

Gratitude, practiced consistently, reshapes the brain, calms the body, strengthens relationships, and supports long-term well-being.

Read More
Increasing Intimacy: Practical, Evidence-Informed Strategies for a Stronger Relationship
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Increasing Intimacy: Practical, Evidence-Informed Strategies for a Stronger Relationship

Here at Well Mind Body, we see couples every day, and we understand how the hustle and shuffle of life, parenting, and work can be all-consuming. In that overwhelm, intimacy often becomes the first thing to fall to the wayside. Intimacy is more than physical closeness, it’s the emotional, psychological, and relational glue that helps couples feel secure, understood, and connected.

Read More
Rejection Sensitivity in Children with ADHD: Understanding, Supporting, and Intervening
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Rejection Sensitivity in Children with ADHD: Understanding, Supporting, and Intervening

Childhood can be a minefield of perceptions, missteps, and emotional hazards, especially for children living with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). One less-frequently discussed but highly impactful phenomenon is rejection sensitivity: the tendency to anxiously expect, readily perceive, and over-react to real or perceived rejection (Downey et al., 1998). In children with ADHD, this sensitivity can amplify emotional dysregulation, social difficulty, and academic challenges.

Read More
Trusting Your Mom Intuition: Why We Ignore It and How to Come Back Home to It
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Trusting Your Mom Intuition: Why We Ignore It and How to Come Back Home to It

Moms often sense things long before anyone else does. You notice small shifts, subtle cues, changes in energy, and patterns no one else sees. This is your intuition! A powerful blend of nervous system attunement, lived experience, attachment wiring, and deep relational knowing.

Mothers are trained to please, accommodate, and stay agreeable. This makes it hard to hold your ground when something feels off. Your nervous system may be signaling danger or dysregulation, but cultural pressure says, Don’t be difficult. Don’t overreact.

Read More
The Science Behind Gratitude Practice: How Thankfulness Rewires the Brain and Boosts Mental Health
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

The Science Behind Gratitude Practice: How Thankfulness Rewires the Brain and Boosts Mental Health

In recent years, gratitude has moved from the pages of self-help books into the focus of neuroscience and psychology research. Far from being just a “feel-good” idea, gratitude has measurable effects on brain structure, neurotransmitters, and emotional resilience. Understanding the science behind gratitude helps us see why this simple daily habit can improve mood, relationships, and overall mental health.

Read More
Finding Balance in a Busy World: How Integrative Therapy Helps You Heal Mind, Body, and Soul
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Finding Balance in a Busy World: How Integrative Therapy Helps You Heal Mind, Body, and Soul

At Well Mind Body, we believe:

  • Emotional health and physical health are deeply connected.

  • Your story matters and we know that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

  • Change happens when you feel safe, supported, and seen.

Our team includes experts in anxiety, trauma, divorce recovery, parenting support, teen mental health, grief, and more. Whether you’re seeking calm after chaos, support for your child, or a fresh start, there’s a place for you here.

Read More
October: A Month for Awareness, Action, and Whole-Person Health
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

October: A Month for Awareness, Action, and Whole-Person Health

Every October, we see the world painted in color — pink ribbons for breast cancer, orange for ADHD, green for mental health, and teal for OCD. Each represents a unique cause, but together they tell one story: our well-being is deeply connected, and awareness is the first step toward healing.

For those of us in the mental health field, October is more than a month of observances. It’s a reminder of how intertwined our physical, emotional, and neurological health truly are — and how understanding one piece of that puzzle can transform the whole.

Read More
Finding Strength Together: Why a Women’s Divorce & Empowerment Group Can Change Everything
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Finding Strength Together: Why a Women’s Divorce & Empowerment Group Can Change Everything

Divorce is more than a legal process, it’s an emotional, mental, and spiritual transformation. For many women, it can feel like the ground has shifted beneath them. Even when the decision is right, the uncertainty that follows can be isolating and overwhelming. That’s where joining our group support can make all the difference.

At Well Mind Body Integrative Psychotherapy & Wellness, our Women’s Divorce & Empowerment Group, led by Alberta Totz, JD, LPC, offers a compassionate, judgment-free space to process, rebuild, and grow stronger together. Whether you’re considering divorce, navigating it, or finding your footing afterward, the group provides structure, validation, and connection during one of life’s hardest transitions.

Read More
Choosing the Right College for You: Mental Health Tips for Making Early Decisions
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Choosing the Right College for You: Mental Health Tips for Making Early Decisions

For many high school seniors, October brings not only fall leaves and football games, but also the stress of early decision deadlines and the big question: “Which college is right for me?”

While academics and admissions stats often dominate the conversation, choosing a college isn’t just about rankings or acceptance rates. It’s about finding a place where you can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

Read More
College, Careers, and Coping: Mental Health Tips for Young Adults in Transition
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

College, Careers, and Coping: Mental Health Tips for Young Adults in Transition

October is a stressful month for young adults. Midterms, new jobs, social changes, and seasonal shifts can leave many feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck. If you (or your young adult child) are navigating these transitions, you’re not alone.

In our latest blog, “College, Careers, and Coping: Mental Health Tips for Young Adults in Transition,” we share practical strategies for managing stress, building resilience, and creating healthy routines during this pivotal stage of life.

Plus, meet Zoe Sheehan, CSC, LPC-Associate, who specializes in supporting teens and young adults at Well Mind Body. Zoe offers a compassionate, nonjudgmental space to explore challenges, strengthen coping skills, and move forward with confidence.

Read More
Why Is It So Hard to Ask for Help When You’re Struggling?
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Why Is It So Hard to Ask for Help When You’re Struggling?

Most of us have been there, carrying the weight of stress, anxiety, or emotional pain in silence, even when we know deep down we could use support. Reaching out for help should feel simple, but for many, it is one of the hardest steps to take. At Well Mind Body, we see this every day, individuals who have been suffering quietly for months or even years before they finally walk through our doors. Please know that you do not have to suffer alone.

Why is it so difficult to ask for help when we need it most? There are SO many reasons!

Read More
Living with POTS: Challenges, Perspectives, and Hope
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Living with POTS: Challenges, Perspectives, and Hope

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system that affects blood flow and heart rate. When someone with POTS stands up, their heart rate increases abnormally, often by 30 beats per minute or more within 10 minutes, leading to symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and even fainting (Raj, 2013). Though once considered rare, POTS is now recognized as a common cause of chronic disability, particularly among young women.

Living with POTS can be overwhelming. Everyday activities such as standing in line, walking across a room, or taking a shower may trigger dizziness, brain fog, and exhaustion. Research shows that the quality of life for individuals with POTS can be as impaired as those with conditions like congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Benrud-Larson et al., 2002). Many patients face delays in diagnosis, which of course can increase frustration, isolation, and functional decline.

Read More
AI Is Not Therapy: Why Human Connection Matters for Mental Health
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

AI Is Not Therapy: Why Human Connection Matters for Mental Health

Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and mental health apps are becoming increasingly more common. They promise instant support, low cost, and even advertise themselves as “AI therapists.” While the appeal is obvious, the truth is that AI is not therapy. and should not be used as such. Using AI as a replacement for licensed mental health care isn’t just insufficient, it is dangerous. At Well Mind Body, we want families, parents, and individuals in Houston and beyond to understand the difference between quick fixes and true healing.

Read More