Sue Parkins, LMFT, Marriage and Family Therapist
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When It All Feels Like Too Much: Finding Steady Ground in the Midst of Emotional Overwhelm

5/27/2025

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Life doesn’t always slow down when we need it to. Sometimes, the world around us keeps spinning—loud, fast, and demanding—while inside, we feel like we’re unraveling.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m holding too much. I can’t do this,”—you’re not alone. Emotional overwhelm can look different for each of us. For some, it’s anxiety that creeps in the moment they open their eyes. For others, it’s a deep, unshakable exhaustion or a sense that even simple tasks feel impossible. It might show up as irritability, numbing, panic, or complete shutdown. Sometimes, we don’t even know why we’re feeling the way we are—only that we can’t keep going like this.

Why Overwhelm Happens
Our nervous system is designed to help us survive. But when life delivers too many demands, heartaches, or unknowns—especially all at once—our internal alarm system can stay stuck in “on” mode. Old trauma, unresolved grief, perfectionism, or years of suppressing pain can resurface and compound the pressure we’re under. Even good things (a new season, change in relationships, spiritual growth) can bring a sense of emotional flooding.

You Don’t Have to Carry it Alone.
There is no shame in needing help. In fact, recognizing that you're overwhelmed is a powerful first step toward healing.

Whether your overwhelm is rooted in trauma, anxiety, grief, or relational strain—healing is possible, and you are not beyond repair. In my practice, I help individuals and couples untangle the internal chaos and begin to create space for calm. Through approaches like Brainspotting, EMDR, and talk therapy, we work together to bring regulation to the nervous system, clarity to the mind, and compassion to the heart. Sometimes healing means slowing down. Sometimes it means naming what’s been buried. Sometimes it’s simply being reminded: you are not alone, and you are not too much. Grounding in Faith, Peace, and Purpose If faith is an anchor in your life, we can draw from it as a source of hope and strength. Many of my clients find that weaving together emotional and spiritual healing offers deeper peace—reclaiming not just their voice, but their purpose. Whatever your journey looks like, I’m here to walk alongside you with empathy, insight, and steady care.

Ready to Begin? If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start, let’s talk.
Together, we can help you find steady ground again.
Schedule a session or Contact Sue today.

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What Is Faith-Based Therapy? (And Is It Right for Me?)

5/24/2025

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Open Bible and coffee mug on a wooden outdoor table at sunrise with the words ‘What Is Faith-Based Therapy? (And Is It Right for Me?)’ overlaid in white text.
What Is Faith-Based Therapy?
For many people, faith is more than just a belief system — it’s a source of strength, identity, and guidance. So when life feels overwhelming, it makes sense to want a therapist who not only understands evidence-based techniques but also honors your spiritual journey. That’s where faith-based therapy comes in.

Integrating Faith and Therapy
Faith-based therapy brings together the best of two worlds: clinical expertise and spiritual insight. In my practice, this means creating a space where we can explore emotional struggles while also grounding ourselves in the hope and truth of Scripture — when that is meaningful to you.

Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, trauma, grief, or relational pain, faith-based therapy allows us to look at your challenges through both a psychological and spiritual lens — helping you heal with the support of both proven tools and the deeper values that guide your life.

What Makes It Different?
You don’t have to leave your beliefs — or your questions — at the door. If you’re a person of faith, we can weave prayer, Scripture, or spiritual reflection into our work together. But if you're not religious or unsure where you stand spiritually, that’s absolutely okay, too.

Many of my clients simply want a compassionate therapist who respects their worldview and meets them where they are. Whether or not faith is a part of your life, you'll find a safe, nonjudgmental space here.

Do I Have to Be a Christian?
No. I work with people from various walks of life — Christian or not — who are seeking emotional healing, personal growth, or help navigating life’s challenges. While my own perspective is rooted in Christian values, my approach is never about preaching or pressure. It’s about connection, healing, and honoring the whole person.

Who I Work With
As a licensed therapist in Roseville, CA, I serve individuals and couples navigating:
  • Anxiety, stress, or burnout
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Depression or emotional numbness
  • Codependency and boundary issues
  • Marriage or family conflict
  • Grief and life transitions

Is Faith-Based Therapy Right for You?
If you're looking for therapy that considers your emotional, relational, and — if desired — spiritual well-being, this approach might be a good fit. Whether faith is central to your life or simply a piece of your story, you’ll find care that is thoughtful, professional, and personal.

Let’s Take the First Step Together
If you're curious about how therapy could support your healing journey, I’d be honored to connect with you. I offer therapy in-person in Roseville and virtually throughout California.

​Ready to begin your healing journey? Schedule a session or Contact Sue today.

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Discovering the Power of Brainspotting in Your Healing Journey

12/9/2024

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When life feels overwhelming—whether from trauma, anxiety, or persistent challenges—it’s easy to feel stuck, as though something inside is holding you back from fully healing. Over my years as a therapist, I’ve come to understand that lasting transformation often requires more than traditional talk therapy. This is where Brainspotting becomes a game-changer.

What Is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a therapeutic technique that helps access and process deeply rooted emotional pain, often stored in the body and subconscious mind. Developed by Dr. David Grand, this method is based on the idea that where you look affects how you feel.

Here’s how it works:
During a session, we identify “brainspots”—specific eye positions linked to areas in your brain where unprocessed trauma or emotional distress is stored. By focusing on these brainspots while accessing the emotions tied to them, your brain can process and release what’s been holding you back.

Why Is Brainspotting So Powerful?
Unlike traditional therapy, which often focuses on analyzing or discussing problems, Brainspotting taps directly into your brain’s ability to heal itself. This approach bypasses the conscious mind and accesses the deeper areas of the brain responsible for emotional regulation and memory. Many of my clients describe Brainspotting as a breakthrough experience, saying things like: “I finally felt relief from emotions I didn’t even know I was carrying.” “It was as though I could see and feel my healing happening in real-time.”

What Makes Brainspotting Integral to My Practice?

As someone who has worked with individuals facing trauma, grief, anxiety, and relational challenges, I’ve seen firsthand how traditional methods can sometimes leave clients feeling stuck.

Brainspotting fills that gap by allowing us to:
Address the Root of the Problem: Instead of just managing symptoms, Brainspotting helps process the underlying causes of emotional pain.
Create a Safe, Focused Space: The process is client-centered, meaning you remain in control of your experience. Together, we gently navigate the emotions and memories that surface.
Encourage Lasting Healing: By accessing and releasing stored trauma, clients often find relief not just emotionally, but physically and spiritually as well.

Who Can Benefit from Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is effective for a wide range of challenges, including:
Trauma and PTSD: Unprocessed traumatic experiences.
Anxiety and Stress: Persistent feelings of worry or overwhelm.
Grief and Loss: Deep emotional pain following a loss.
Relational Challenges: Struggles with codependency or conflict.
Chronic Pain and Somatic Issues: Emotional pain manifesting physically.

Whether you’re navigating a specific issue or simply feel “stuck,” Brainspotting offers a unique path to clarity, relief, and renewal.

Making Brainspotting Relatable
Imagine this: You’ve been carrying a heavy backpack for years. You’ve learned to live with the weight, but it slows you down and keeps you from moving forward. Brainspotting is like opening that backpack, finding the heaviest items, and setting them down. Suddenly, your steps are lighter, your path is clearer, and you have the energy to move toward what matters most.

How Brainspotting Fits Into My Faith-Based Approach
As a Christian therapist, I believe in addressing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Brainspotting aligns beautifully with this holistic approach. It allows us to honor the emotional and physical experiences God has given us while releasing the burdens we were never meant to carry alone.

Take the Next Step in Your Healing
​If you’ve been feeling stuck or weighed down by unresolved emotions, Brainspotting might be the key to unlocking your healing. Together, we can explore this powerful method and discover how it fits into your unique journey. You don’t have to do this alone. Reach out today to learn more or schedule an appointment. I look forward to walking with you toward hope, healing, and renewal.

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Finding Hope in the Midst of Overwhelm

12/1/2024

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Life can feel overwhelming.
Whether you’re navigating the challenges of a relationship, processing grief, or struggling with anxiety, it’s easy to feel stuck and unsure where to turn. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I should be able to handle this,” or “Why does this feel so hard?”—you’re not alone.

In my years as a therapist, I’ve heard countless clients express these feelings. The good news? There is hope, and healing is possible.

Why We Feel Stuck
When life’s challenges pile up, it’s natural to feel like you’re treading water, just trying to stay afloat. Often, our core beliefs—formed through past experiences—shape how we react to stress. These beliefs can sometimes hold us back, keeping us stuck in patterns of worry, doubt, or fear.

For example:
  • Do you feel like you’re constantly “not enough”?
  • Do you struggle to set boundaries or say no?
  • Do you find yourself stuck in a cycle of anxiety or sadness?

If any of these resonate, you’re not broken—you’re human. These feelings are signals, and therapy can help you uncover what’s driving them.

The Path Forward
Healing begins when we acknowledge our struggles and seek support. A few ways to start:
  • Recognize Patterns: Notice how your thoughts and feelings influence your behaviors. Journaling or reflecting can help identify patterns that aren’t serving you.
  • Challenge Core Beliefs: Are the stories you tell yourself still true? Therapy offers a safe space to explore and reframe these beliefs.
  • Build Your Toolbox: Practical coping skills, like mindfulness techniques or breathing exercises, can reduce feelings of overwhelm in the moment.
  • Seek Connection: Healing often happens in relationships—whether with a trusted friend, partner, or therapist.

Finding Hope Together
As a therapist, I’m here to walk alongside you on this journey. My approach blends evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Brainspotting, and EMDR with a faith-based perspective that respects your unique values. Together, we’ll uncover what’s keeping you stuck and find the tools you need to move forward.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether you’re facing trauma, anxiety, grief, or relationship challenges, I’m here to help you discover hope and joy.

Take the Next Step
​
If you’re ready to begin your journey toward healing, let’s talk. Contact me today to schedule an appointment or learn more about my therapeutic services. Your brighter future starts with one small step.

Closing Thought:
Life will always have its challenges, but you are stronger than you think. Healing isn’t about doing it perfectly—it’s about showing up, one step at a time.

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When is the Best Time to Get Premarital Counseling?

9/15/2016

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Most of the couples who come to me for premarital counseling are surprised to learn how much there is to consider before getting married. When their relationship is going well and their focus is on the excitement of their wedding, the honeymoon and future dreams and expectations, it’s hard to imagine what might someday become a source of conflict in the relationship. By the time the wedding date is set and they and/or their families are financially invested, it is hard to think of anything but the wedding or to pay attention to red flags that may come up as indicators of current or future problems in the relationship. But it’s important to keep in mind that after the wedding, all couples must settle into the marriage. What about the marriage?
Unfortunately, some of those dreams and expectations may be unspoken and a potential source of future marital conflict. Each of us brings our own personal history and experiences into a relationship. That creates our paradigm, the lens through which we view life. That’s where premarital counseling is helpful, and it’s most useful before couples are so invested and committed to a wedding that they are beyond considering adjustments to their plan. It may be necessary to take added time to consider their strengths and weaknesses, their dreams and expectations, and work through areas of needed growth in their relationship before they are ready to marry.
So when is the best time to get premarital counseling? Before the engagement. In addition to my clinical training and experience, I bring almost 45 years of marriage experience to the counseling setting. Premarital counseling is one of the things I enjoy most in my practice. You don’t know what you don’t know, so it’s normal that couples are surprised to learn there is so much to consider before making a lifetime commitment to each other. I am a certified facilitator of the Prepare/Enrich Inventory. I like Prepare/Enrich for a number of reasons. It identifies personal styles and covers a wide range of topics that spark discussions designed to help couples know themselves and each other well. In addition, couples learn healthy productive ways to build on their relationship and to navigate conflict both in the couple relationship and with the broader extended family. We also explore hopes and dreams and expectations.
Prepare/Enrich can be customized to accommodate faith based or secular preferences. It is suited for couples who are considering marriage for the first time and those who have been married before and may be blending families. If you are contemplating marriage, or even if you are engaged or recently married, I would consider it an honor to help you navigate the premarital counseling process. Call me at (916) 806-4437 or email me at [email protected] to get started or to address further questions you may have.


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Healing Connections

6/14/2016

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Guilt vs. Grief

People often tell me they feel guilty when I can see no evidence they did something wrong. Guilt is an emotion associated with violating one's moral code. I frequently hear people say someone else made them feel guilty. Did you know that no one has the power to make you feel any emotion that you do not agree to feel? Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." When it comes to feelings, attitudes and choices, having a good understanding of boundaries is essential to knowing what is and isn't your responsibility. Being able to distinguish what is and isn't yours to own is very liberating, empowering in fact. It engenders self-confidence and alleviates undue stress. I once had a friend who lamented how guilty she felt for deciding to reenter the workplace and leave her children with a sitter. The decision to go back to work had been an agonizing one for her and her husband. This couple determined having a double income was necessary and in their family's best interest. In the course of our discussion, my friend realized it was actually sadness and grief that she was feeling. She came to understand that, although she was mourning the loss of time she could now spend with her children, she hadn't violated her moral code and did not need to feel guilty. 
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    Sue Parkins, LMFT
    Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

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