Existential Narrative Therapy

Some days it feels like life is running you instead of you running life. Work pulls one way, family pulls another, and your body and emotions are left somewhere in between wondering, “When do I catch my breath?” You’re not alone. We live in a world that’s noisy, busy, and—let’s be honest—often unbalanced. That’s why I want to talk about something that sounds simple but is deeply powerful: checking in with your whole self . Not just your mental health, not just your physical health, but your whole wellness—because you are more than one part of you. Why “Whole Person” Wellness? In therapy, I see this all the time: a client comes in because they feel anxious or overwhelmed. They want the anxiety gone (which makes sense), but what we uncover is that their anxiety is connected to a dozen things: lack of sleep, relationship stress, feeling disconnected from what gives them meaning, or simply not having any downtime to breathe. This is where the eight dimensions of wellness come in. It’s...

When most people think about “getting healthy,” they often picture working out, eating better, or maybe reducing stress. But what if I told you that health isn’t just about your body—or even just your mind? It’s about the whole person. The Eight Dimensions of Wellness The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines eight key dimensions of wellness: Emotional – How you cope with life, stress, and emotions. Physical – Your physical health, sleep, movement, and nutrition. Intellectual – Engaging in learning and creativity. Social – Your connections and support systems. Spiritual – A sense of meaning and purpose. Environmental – The spaces where you live, work, and rest. Financial – Feeling secure and stable with money. Occupational – Satisfaction and balance in your work or daily roles. Each of these areas is connected. When one is off-balance, it affects the others. For example, stress at work (occupational) can impact ...