Have you ever noticed how some moments of connection feel more meaningful than others? Maybe it was when you truly saw a friend's smile, or when someone genuinely asked if you were okay after a difficult experience. These special moments of connection happen in what experts call the "transpiring present moment" - and understanding this concept could transform your relationships. In our recent Relationship Summit, somatic counselor and trainer Jessica Montgomery shared fascinating insights about how we can create deeper connections by staying present in the moment

Complex trauma shapes our entire being—body, mind, and spirit—disrupting our ability to connect authentically with ourselves and others. It leaves lasting imprints on our nervous system, influencing how we perceive the world and interact in relationships. Trauma survival mechanisms such as fight, flight, and shutdown are automatic responses designed to keep us safe in the face of danger, but when trauma is unresolved, these responses can remain activated, interfering with clarity, connection, and intuition.

I sit and explore my present relationships with my ancestors who have passed over and into the next world of being. I recognize the warmth of feeling in body and mind when recalling their role in my life.  My memories embrace this warmth of feeling in a shared sense of self and other. In this embrace, a spark of memory recall brings my ancestor back into the living moment. Sustaining the memory in the present moment brings me a sense of comfort.

Our nervous systems have a close relationship with the natural world. The sounds, sights, and sensations of nature speak a language our bodies inherently understand. When we're surrounded by natural environments where we feel safe, our nervous system often shifts into a more regulated state – heart rate steadies, breath deepens, and muscles soften.

When it comes to self-discovery, a psychedelic journey can accelerate growth in ways that simply talking through it never could. This work is as much about your body’s truth as your mind’s intentions. If we’re gearing up to explore these subconscious spaces, the groundwork isn’t about crafting the perfect mantra but about building a somatic intention—anchoring into bodily awareness and presence.

In today’s fast-paced world, where we’re often caught up in the demands of daily life, somatic intimacy offers a gentle invitation to reconnect with ourselves and others on a deeper level. It’s about more than just physical touch or emotional closeness—it’s about embracing the profound bond between our mind and body and recognizing how this connection influences our overall well-being.

In this crazy, beautiful life, you and I will both experience loss and its constant companion, grief. But I am here to say that in the weeds of grief, unconditional joy is always possible. I’ve experimented with how to live this out in real-time, and this piece highlights my experience.

Healing your wounded heart isn’t easy, but it’s worth it — where to begin to lean into curing your pain.

Bereavement companionship circles offer a safe haven for the bereft to share vulnerable grief stories associated with a significant loss of a loved one. The collective wisdom of the group springs forth from the tapestry of interweaving grief stories. Connections are deeply cultivated in group storytelling and leave participants feeling less isolated along their grief journey.

It takes an enormous amount of courage and vulnerability to talk about and get curious about burnout. At its core, burnout actually reflects a very important set of primal human needs and wishes - safety, belonging, and dignity. Burnout is simply a response to overwhelming life experiences. An adaptive strategy to the underlying need for safety, slowing down, and a holding environment where all parts of oneself are welcome, seen, heard, and acknowledged.

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that encourages individuals to express themselves creatively through various art forms, such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and other artistic media. This therapeutic modality utilizes the creative process to enhance emotional well-being, self-awareness, and personal growth.

The Hakomi Method offers a unique approach to psychotherapy that combines mindfulness, compassion, and somatic awareness to foster personal growth and healing. Originally developed in the late 1970s by Ron Kurtz, Hakomi is influenced by humanistic psychology and Eastern philosophical traditions.

Eco therapy, also known as nature therapy or “green therapy”, is a therapeutic approach that taps into the healing power of nature to address various mental and physical health issues. Drawing inspiration from the vast expanses of natural resources and the calming effects of the great outdoors, eco therapy offers a holistic path towards healing and personal growth.

As partners become more familiar and comfortable with each other, it is natural to begin moving from the “honeymoon phase” into a more mature type of love. Some couples may choose to throw the towel; however, with a commitment to growth, couples can continue to deepen their connection far beyond the initial rush of new love. Intimacy coaching is one tool that can help couples accomplish just that.

By embracing emotions as valuable sources of information and guidance, EFT helps individuals develop deeper self-awareness, cultivate healthier emotional responses, and empower them with the necessary resources to confront challenging situations with resilience and strength.

Mindfulness is the art of being in the present moment, aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. Emerging from a long line of ancient traditions, mindfulness therapies present an antidote to the stress of fast-paced modern life. They focus on bringing the practitioner back into the present moment and away from ruminating thoughts and anxiety.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach that can be used to help individuals process and recover from traumatic experiences. It was developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s after she discovered a decrease in her anxiety while moving her eyes from side to side.

Working with our triggers to re-tune our nervous system and re-write our story.

The ancient tradition of Yoga is rooted in the mind-body connection and believes that any part of this interconnected system — comprised of body, mind, and spirit — can influence the rest of that system.