Hi! I'm Dr. Roz
You have the power to make an impact in your life, career, and relationships. My goal is to help you unlock the path.
Ever catch yourself doing life like it’s a checklist… but you can’t feel much of it? You’re going through the motions, showing up for everyone, and yet something inside is quietly asking, “Where did I go?” If you’ve been thinking, “I feel like I’m on autopilot,” “Why am I always tired and unmotivated?” or “Why do I feel emotionally numb?” you’re not broken. You’re likely disconnected, and there’s a gentle way back to you.
At Nu Leaf Therapy (serving Mississippi, Texas, and Florida via secure telehealth), we help high-functioning women and professionals who look “fine” on the outside but feel off on the inside. This guide will help you understand what disconnection is, why it happens, and how to reconnect step by step without shaming, overpromising, or trauma-dumping.
First, What Does “Feeling Disconnected” Actually Mean?
Disconnection is that subtle out-of-sync feeling where your body is here, your mind is busy, and your emotions feel muted or far away. It often shows up as:
- Emotional flatness or numbness. You’re not crying on the kitchen floor, you’re just… not feeling much.
- Overwhelm + shutdown. When you’re overloaded, your nervous system may hit the internal “dim” switch.
- Autopilot living. You function, you perform, you help, but you don’t feel present.
- Relationship fog. You shut down in arguments, people-please, or pick partners who can’t meet you.
- Energy dips. You’re asking, “Why am I so overwhelmed all the time?” and “Why do I always feel behind?”
None of that means you’re failing. It often means your nervous system is in survival mode. Disconnection is a protective strategy your body learned to help you cope.
Why You Might Feel Disconnected (Without Using Scary Labels)
Your system is trying to keep you safe, not stuck. Common contributors:
- Chronic stress & over-functioning. When you keep going without recovery, your brain conserves energy by dulling emotion.
- Boundary drift. Saying “yes” when you want to say “no” creates self-abandonment, tiny goodbyes to yourself.
- Grief you had to put down, not process. Loss doesn’t go away just because you’re busy.
- Relational patterns. If you learned to keep the peace or stay pleasing to keep love, it’s hard to feel and speak your own needs.
- Old pain in a new outfit. You don’t have to relive it to heal, but your body remembers.
Good news, reconnection is a skill, and you can practice it in tiny, doable steps.
The R.E.S.E.T.™ Framework to Reconnect (Our Clinically Informed, Compassion-First Approach)
We use a simple, repeatable framework at Nu Leaf Therapy. Think of it as a gentle on-ramp to feeling like yourself again without “fixing” yourself or forcing a Zen retreat into your Tuesday.
R — Recognize (Name what’s happening, not what’s “wrong.”)
- Try: “I’m noticing I feel numb and checked out.”
- Why it helps: Naming your state invites your prefrontal cortex back online and reduces overwhelm.
E — Exhale (Regulate before you ruminate.)
- Try: 4-count inhale, 6-count exhale for 60–90 seconds; or lengthen the exhale while unclenching your jaw and dropping your shoulders.
- Why it helps: A longer exhale cues your parasympathetic system (rest-and-restore).
S — Scan (Listen to your body’s dashboard.)
- Try: Head-to-toe scan: “Jaw? Shoulders? Chest? Belly? Hands? Feet?” Put a hand on the tightest spot and breathe slowly.
- Why it helps: Sensation is the “volume knob” for emotion—start there.
E — Explore (Get curious about needs + boundaries.)
- Try: Ask, “What would help by 1%?” Water? A stretch? A pause? A boundary?
- Why it helps: Curiosity dissolves shame and reveals options.
T — Tiny step (Take one following the best action.)
- Try scripts:
- Work: “I can get this to you by Thursday, not today.”
- Relationships: “I need a 20-minute reset and I’ll be back.”
- Self: “Phone down, three breaths, then decide.”
- Work: “I can get this to you by Thursday, not today.”
Repeat R.E.S.E.T. whenever you notice you’re drifting. The point isn’t perfection; it’s returning.
A 5-Minute “Micro-Reset” Menu (Pick What You’ll Do)
When life is whole, tiny is powerful. Here’s a quick menu you can save. Choose one based on your time and energy.
Time You’ve Got | What to Try | How It Helps |
30 seconds | Drop your shoulders, unclench your jaw, and longer exhale | Signals safety to the nervous system |
1 minute | Name three sensations you feel (warm, tight, buzzy) | Builds interoception (body awareness) |
2 minutes | “5–4–3–2–1” senses check | Grounds you in the present |
3 minutes | Write a Post-It: “I can do one thing next” | Interrupts perfectionism/overwhelm |
5 minutes | Warm drink + no scrolling | Soothes + reduces input |
10 minutes | Walk around the block, slow pace | Movement metabolizes stress |
Save this table. Use it daily. Consistency > intensity.
If You’re a High-Achiever, Read This Part Twice
Many high-achieving women miss early signs of burnout because they’re so practiced at functioning. You might ask, “Why do I feel stuck in life?” or “Why do I always feel behind?” while your calendar is complete and your to-do list is immaculate. That gap between how you’re doing and how you’re feeling is where reconnection work lives.
Typical early flags:
- You keep saying yes when you want to say no.
- You default to people-pleasing and feel resentful later.
- You shut down in relationships when conflict appears.
- You can’t locate your “preferences” anymore.
- Rest doesn’t feel restful.
Gentle reframe, you’re not “too sensitive” or “not trying hard enough.” You’ve been in survival mode too long. Let’s reset.
Boundaries Are Not Walls—They’re Bridges Back to You
Why can’t I set boundaries? Because your nervous system learned that boundaries = risk. So we train safety first, then practice tiny boundaries that your body can tolerate. Try these scripts:
- At work: “I’m at capacity this week. I can start Monday.”
- With family: “I’m here to listen, and I’ll need to leave by 8.”
- With yourself: “Phone in the other room from 10 pm–7 am.”
Start small. Keep it boring. Repeat. Boundaries aren’t dramatic; they’re daily.
When Disconnection Is Tied to Grief or Old Pain
You don’t have to retell every detail of what hurt you to heal. We take a trauma-aware, present-focused approach: stabilize, reconnect, then process at your pace. If you’re asking, “Where can I find a grief therapist in Mississippi?” or “Who offers counseling for grief in MS or grief counseling in Jackson, MS?”, we’ve got you. Grief is not a problem to solve—it’s a landscape to travel with support.
Research Corner (Plain-English, No Jargon)
A few science-backed ideas behind the tools above:
- Naming emotions calms the brain. Studies show “affect labeling” (putting feelings into words) reduces amygdala activity and increases regulation.
- Slower exhale supports down-shifting. Breath practices with elongated exhales stimulate parasympathetic tone, helping calm and connect.
- Body awareness builds emotional awareness. Interoception (sensing internal signals) is linked to better emotion regulation and decision-making.
- Consistent small steps beat heroic efforts. Habit research shows tiny, repeatable actions are more sustainable than big, sporadic pushes.
(We’re glad to point you to accessible research in session, no textbook required.)
Quick Self-Check: Are You in a Disconnection Loop?
If these resonate, you might be there:
- “I feel like I’m on autopilot.”
- “Why do I feel disconnected from everything?”
- “Why do I shut down in relationships?”
- “Why do I keep choosing the wrong partners?”
- “Why can’t I set boundaries?”
- “Why am I so overwhelmed all the time?”
- “Why do I feel stuck?”
Curious where you land? Try one of our light-touch assessments on our site: free mental health quiz, emotional health quiz, what’s killing your mood quiz, mood quiz for adults, mental health quiz for high achievers, self-care quiz, burnout quiz, why do I feel off quiz, trauma loop quiz, and find your emotional blocks quiz. They’re not diagnoses, they’re mirrors.
How Therapy Helps (And How We Work at Nu Leaf)
You can DIY micro-resets. And having a trained, compassionate guide speeds up clarity and anchors change. At Nu Leaf Therapy, we offer individual therapy, couples therapy, and holistic therapy for women and professionals in Mississippi, Texas, and Florida (virtual + accessible).
If Anxiety is Running The Show
We offer anxiety therapy in Mississippi, treatment for anxiety in MS, and anxiety counseling in Jackson, MS, using practical tools like CBT for anxiety in Mississippi, skills you can use the same week to unhook from spirals.
If Old Pain is Present
Our clinicians provide trauma counseling in Mississippi, work gently as a PTSD therapist in Mississippi, and offer CPT therapy for trauma when appropriate, always at your pace, with choice and consent.
If you’re grieving
Meet with a grief therapist in Mississippi for counseling for grief in MS, a therapist for loss in MS, or grief counseling in Jackson, MS. Grief is welcome here.
If Your Relationship Needs Repair (or a reset)
We provide couples therapy in Mississippi, marriage counseling in MS, and relationship counseling in Jackson, MS, grounded in evidence-based work like Gottman therapy. Looking for a Gottman therapist in MS or Gottman marriage therapy in MS? You’re in the right place. We also offer couples counseling for marriage in MS and supportive sessions for communication, conflict, and re-connection.
If the Mood is Heavy
Explore depression therapy in Mississippi, connect with a depression counselor near me (MS), and learn tools like CBT for depression in MS with a therapist for depression in Mississippi.
If You Just Need a Great Local Clinician
We make it easy to find a therapist in Mississippi, whether you’re searching “where to find a therapist in MS,” “best therapist near me (MS),” “local counselors in Mississippi,” “talk to someone in MS,” or “mental health services near me.”
Our team includes MS-licensed therapists offering therapy services in Jackson, MS, and statewide telehealth for mental health counseling in MS. If you’re Googling “therapy near me, Mississippi,” “best therapist in Mississippi,” or “holistic therapist in MS,” start with us.
Prefer short, practical sessions? Want structured skills? Need space to feel and be heard? We’ll match you with the right therapist and approach.
A 7-Day Reconnection Plan (Simple, Real-Life)
Day 1 — Name It
“I’m noticing disconnection.” Pick one item from the Micro-Reset Menu.
Day 2 — Breathe + Body
One minute of longer exhales; 2-minute body scan; one glass of water.
Day 3 — Boundary Lite
Say a 10% boundary (move a meeting, delay a reply, leave on time).
Day 4 — Pleasure Cue
Add one small pleasure (favorite song while you make coffee).
Day 5 — Relationship Check-In
Share one feeling + one ask with someone safe: “I’ve been on autopilot; can we walk after dinner?”
Day 6 — Meaning Moment
What mattered today? What didn’t? What do I need more of?
Day 7 — Support
Browse www.nuleaftherapy.com and schedule a consult or take a quiz if that feels easier today. Tiny is still forward.
Real Talk: When to Ask for More Support
Consider therapy if you notice:
- Numbness lasting weeks
- Shutdowns in conflict, you can’t shift.
- Exhaustion that rest doesn’t fix
- Grief that keeps you isolated
- Anxiety that hijacks your day
- “I don’t know what I feel” most days.
Therapy isn’t a last resort; it’s a resource.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Your system may be conserving energy after prolonged stress. Numbness is protective, not permanent.
Your nervous system senses threat (even if none is present) and chooses safety via freeze/shutdown. We can widen your window of tolerance with skills and practice.
We repeat what feels familiar, not what’s functional. With awareness and boundary work, your picker changes because you change.
Start with micro-boundaries and regulate your body first (safety → boundary → repair if needed). It’s a muscle, not a personality trait.
You don’t have to. We can stabilize, build skills, and nurture present-day safety before, during, or instead of trauma processing.
If You’re in Mississippi, Texas, or Florida, We’re Here
We designed our practice for ease and efficiency: simple online booking, secure telehealth, practical tools, and therapists who get high-achieving, big-hearted women. Whether you’re searching for mental health counseling in MS, therapy services in Jackson, MS, or you’re in TX/FL and want a gentle, holistic approach, we’ve got space for you.
Common searches we meet every day: “Get help for depression in Mississippi” • “mental health help in MS” • “find a therapist in Mississippi” • “therapy near me in Mississippi” • “best therapist in Mississippi”
If that’s you, take the next tiny step.
Your Next Tiny Step (Pick One)
- Try R.E.S.E.T. once today. Name → Exhale → Scan → Explore → Tiny step.
- Save the Micro-Reset Menu and pick one practice for the week.
- Take a quiz on our site to locate your loop (burnout, disconnection, boundaries, mood).
- Book a consult with a therapist who will meet you where you are.
You don’t need a brand-new life to feel like yourself again. You need tiny, consistent returns to you.
Ready to Reconnect?
If you’re in Mississippi, Texas, or Florida, we’d love to support your reset. Explore services, take a free quiz, or book your first session at www.nuleaftherapy.com. Your only job today: take one compassionate step. We’ll walk the rest with you.
- Find Emotional Balance
- Heal fromTrauma
- Overcome Anxiety
— Dr. Roslyn Ashford
Begin Your Path to Emotional Wellness in Three steps
Request a Consultation
Reach out to us to book your initial consultation and take the first step towards healing.
Engage in Therapy
Participate in our personalized therapy sessions, tailored to address your specific emotional challenges.
Experience Transformation
Witness the positive changes as you gain control over your emotions and enhance your mental well-being.
Your partner in the healing process
We understand the depth of your struggles. Our approach combines empathy with expert guidance, ensuring that you feel supported every step of the way. As a leading cognitive behavior therapy center in Mississippi, our CBT, CPT and Gottman-certified therapists ensure holistic wellness through evidence-based practices, engaging unconventional therapeutic activities, helping you cultivate a happier, healthier, and more balanced life. With nearly two decades of experience, we know how to empower you to reclaim your emotional well-being.
Roslyn Ashford, LPC
Founder and Clinical Director
Licensed Professional Counselor
Ariel Kinsey, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Discover what’s holding you back
Our Mood Reset Quiz is designed to pinpoint the underlying causes of emotional stagnation. Whether it’s lingering stress, unprocessed emotions, or recurring patterns, the quiz provides actionable insights to reset your mood and reignite your enthusiasm for life.
Why Choose Us?
Experience profound personal transformation
Choose Nu Leaf Therapy and:
- Regain control over your emotional responses
- Build resilience against life’s challenges
- Find peace in the midst of chaos
- Equip yourself with tools for lasting change
- Join a community that values emotional health
Take the next step in your healing journey with us.
As leader in cognitive behavior therapy across Mississippi, Texas and Florida, our CBT, CPT and Gottman-certified therapists ensure holistic wellness through evidence-based practices, engaging unconventional therapeutic activities, helping you cultivate a happier, healthier, and more balanced life.
Years Of Experience
Clients Transformed
Schedule A Consultation
Take the First Step to a Happier, more fulfilled life.
Need Further Help?
1-601-265-4014
hello@nuleaftherapy.com
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all. People who ask for help know when they need it and have the courage to reach out. Everyone needs help now and then. In our work together, I’ll help you explore and identify your strengths and how to implement them to reduce the influence of the problems you are facing.
The difference is between someone who can do something, and someone who has the training and experience to do that same thing professionally. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, counseling is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.” Lastly, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, and you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that once you are feeling better you could start avoiding that person so you aren’t reminded of this difficult time in your life.
Medication can be effective but it alone cannot solve all issues. Sometimes medication is needed in conjunction with counseling. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing and expand on your strengths that can help you accomplish your personal goals.
Because each person has different issues and goals for counseling, it will be different depending on the individual. We tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to estimate how long it will take. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time counseling can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place.
We are so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your sessions. Your active participation and dedication will be crucial to your success.
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