The Wellspring

a blog by Dr. Elizabeth Miller and WMB Team

Mitochondria and Mental Health: Unraveling the Cellular Link
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Mitochondria and Mental Health: Unraveling the Cellular Link

Mitochondria, often termed the 'powerhouses' of the cell, are integral to numerous cellular functions, including energy production, regulation of apoptosis, and generation of reactive oxygen species. Recent research has increasingly highlighted the pivotal role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of various psychiatric disorders (Pinto Payares et al., 2024).

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The Fawn Response: Understanding People-Pleasing as a Trauma-Induced Nervous System State
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

The Fawn Response: Understanding People-Pleasing as a Trauma-Induced Nervous System State

If you’ve ever asked yourself this question after agreeing to something that drained you emotionally, mentally, or physically, you’re not alone. Many people mistake chronic people-pleasing for kindness or empathy, when in fact, it may be a deeply ingrained survival response to trauma. This behavior—known as the “fawn response”—is more than a personality quirk. It’s a nervous system reaction shaped by experiences of fear, neglect, or emotional invalidation.

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Understanding ERP Therapy for OCD: Empowering Healing Through Evidence-Based Treatment
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Understanding ERP Therapy for OCD: Empowering Healing Through Evidence-Based Treatment

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that individuals perform to relieve distress. OCD can affect anyone and often leads to significant interference in daily life, relationships, and emotional well-being.

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What Is Integrative Psychotherapy and How Can It Help You?
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

What Is Integrative Psychotherapy and How Can It Help You?

Integrative psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that blends techniques and theories from different schools of thought in psychology to tailor treatment to the individual. Rather than following one rigid method, integrative therapists draw from multiple modalities—such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness-based practices, somatic therapy, and more—to meet the unique needs, strengths, and goals of each person.

This approach is grounded in the understanding that every individual’s experience is unique. What works for one person may not work for another. Integrative psychotherapy respects and embraces that complexity, offering a truly personalized path to healing.

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The Critical Role of Fish Oils in Brain Health and Neuroinflammatory Regulation
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

The Critical Role of Fish Oils in Brain Health and Neuroinflammatory Regulation

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in fish oil, are essential nutrients that play a pivotal role in maintaining optimal brain health. As mounting evidence continues to highlight the intricate relationship between nutrition and neurological function, fish oil supplementation has emerged as a vital strategy to support cognitive performance, emotional wellbeing, and the regulation of neuroinflammatory pathways.

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What Is Rumination and Why Do Our Brains Ruminate?
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

What Is Rumination and Why Do Our Brains Ruminate?

Have you ever found yourself trapped in a loop of repetitive, distressing thoughts that seem impossible to shake? If so, you’ve experienced rumination — a common mental pattern that can significantly impact emotional well-being. But what exactly is rumination, and why does our brain seem so drawn to it?

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Parenting Styles: The Shift from Correction to Connection
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Parenting Styles: The Shift from Correction to Connection

Parenting is one of the most rewarding — and challenging — journeys a person can undertake. How we parent shapes not only our children’s behavior but also their emotional development, relationships, and sense of self. Research identifies four primary parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved. Each style profoundly influences child development in different ways.

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Connection Before Correction: Parenting with Compassion and Curiosity
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Connection Before Correction: Parenting with Compassion and Curiosity

As parents, our instinct to correct our child’s behavior often comes from a place of love. We want to guide, protect, and teach them how to function in the world. But in the moment—especially when emotions are high—it’s easy to overlook one of the most important foundations of healthy child development: connection.

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Signs of Burnout and How to Heal Through Holistic Mental Health
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Signs of Burnout and How to Heal Through Holistic Mental Health

Burnout is more than just feeling tired or stressed — it’s a deep emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that can impact every part of your life. Women between the ages of 20 and 45 are especially vulnerable, juggling careers, relationships, family, and personal aspirations. When the demands become too great, burnout can creep in quietly, affecting your health, happiness, and sense of purpose.

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How Stress Affects the Body: Signs, Symptoms, and What to Do About It
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

How Stress Affects the Body: Signs, Symptoms, and What to Do About It

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but when it becomes chronic, it can take a serious toll on the body and mind. Understanding how stress affects the body is crucial to maintaining overall health and well-being. From physical symptoms to emotional responses, stress can manifest in various ways that disrupt daily life.

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GAD1, NMDA Receptors, and Hyperactivity: A Neurobiological Overview
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

GAD1, NMDA Receptors, and Hyperactivity: A Neurobiological Overview

The GAD1 gene encodes the enzyme glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), which is responsible for converting glutamate (a major excitatory neurotransmitter) into GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)—the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. Adequate GAD1 expression is crucial for maintaining the balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition.

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Understanding Anger: What Lies Beneath the Surface
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Understanding Anger: What Lies Beneath the Surface

Anger is one of the most commonly felt—and misunderstood—emotions. While it can feel all-consuming in the moment, anger is often not the core emotional experience, but rather a protective shield for deeper, more vulnerable feelings. By understanding the emotional roots of anger, we can begin to build healthier relationships, communicate more effectively, and tend to our inner world with greater compassion.

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Soaking It All In: The Detox and Mental Health Benefits of Epsom Salt Baths
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Soaking It All In: The Detox and Mental Health Benefits of Epsom Salt Baths

In a fast-paced world where stress, anxiety, and environmental toxins are increasingly part of daily life, many people are turning to natural remedies for relief and rejuvenation. One timeless self-care practice that continues to gain popularity is the Epsom salt bath. Known for its relaxing properties and therapeutic benefits, soaking in a warm bath infused with Epsom salts has been shown to support both detoxification and mental health.

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Nurturing Healthy Relationships Amidst Stress: 5 Tips
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Nurturing Healthy Relationships Amidst Stress: 5 Tips

In today's fast-paced world, stress is an inevitable part of life. Whether stemming from work pressures, personal challenges, or global events, stress can significantly impact our relationships. At Well Mind Body Integrative Psychotherapy & Wellness, we understand the importance of nurturing healthy connections, especially during trying times. Here are some evidence-based strategies to help maintain and strengthen your relationships amidst stress:

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Living on Stress Hormones: Understanding Cortisol and Mental Health
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Living on Stress Hormones: Understanding Cortisol and Mental Health

In our fast-paced, high-pressure world, many of us find ourselves constantly “on”—always thinking about the next task, the next challenge, or the next thing that could go wrong. While a little stress now and then is normal (and sometimes helpful), living in a constant state of stress can take a serious toll on your mind and body. At the center of this mind-body connection is a powerful hormone: cortisol.

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Defensiveness as a Coping Mechanism: Why Do We Use Defensiveness?
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Defensiveness as a Coping Mechanism: Why Do We Use Defensiveness?

Defensiveness is a psychological response individuals may exhibit when they perceive threats to their self-esteem, identity, or deeply held beliefs. Often rooted in past experiences or unresolved trauma and insecurities, defensive behavior can manifest as denial, blame-shifting, minimization, or avoidance.

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Helping Our Youth Build Confidence
Randi Cunningham, LPC-Associate Randi Cunningham, LPC-Associate

Helping Our Youth Build Confidence

When our kids see that they can do hard things, they feel proud, and their confidence grows knowing that they can do hard and uncomfortable things. The joy and confidence that come after they overcome something difficult is unmatched. Then, they will want to do more challenging things, CONFIDENTLY knowing they can. 

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Emotions as an Opportunity for Growth
Alberta Totz, JD, LPC Alberta Totz, JD, LPC

Emotions as an Opportunity for Growth

The main function of our emotions is to communicate our needs, motives and priorities both to ourselves and to others. When we are not in tune with our emotions it is like navigating life without a compass.  

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The Role of Elimination Diets in Reducing Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

The Role of Elimination Diets in Reducing Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder clinically characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Increasing research suggests that dietary interventions, particularly elimination diets, may contribute to the reduction of ADHD symptoms. 

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