It Begins Within Blog
Delve into a rich collection of articles on mental health, relationships, and personal growth, curated by the team of experts at It Begins Within Healing Center.
What You Can Do When Your Partner Refuses Therapy
When your spouse refuses counseling, it can feel like your relationship is slipping away. The truth is, you can still make meaningful changes—even if you attend therapy alone. Learn how to break unhealthy patterns, rebuild connection, and protect your marriage when your partner won’t go.
A Parent’s Guide to School Refusal and What to Do
When a child refuses school, it’s rarely about laziness. School refusal is often a warning sign of deeper struggles like anxiety, depression, or bullying. This parent’s guide explains the causes, what to watch for at different ages, and how therapy can help kids and teens return to school with confidence.
5-Step Script For Couples to Recover After a Fight
Fights don’t break couples—disconnection does. Dr. Mary Perleoni shares a 5-step repair script from Gottman + EFT to rebuild trust after arguments.
The 3 Phases of Infidelity Therapy That Can Save Your Relationship
"Infidelity doesn’t have to be the end of your relationship. Dr. Mary Perleoni shares the 3 essential phases every couple must go through to rebuild trust, heal, and create a stronger connection than before."
Understanding the Impact of Divorce on Childhood Trauma
Divorce doesn’t just end a relationship—it can reshape a child’s entire sense of safety.
At It Begins Within, we specialize in trauma-informed care that helps families heal, stabilize, and reconnect. Learn how clinical assessments, co-parenting support, and targeted therapy help children thrive after emotional injury.
Top 5 Mindset Shifts Every Sports Parent Should Know
Supporting your child’s athletic journey goes beyond practice and game-day pep talks. In this article, our team shares five powerful mindset shifts that every sports parent should know—backed by insights from elite trainers, sports psychologists, and performance therapists. Whether your child is chasing a college scholarship or simply learning to love the game, these tips will help you show up in the most impactful way.
How to Tell If Your Relationship Is Falling Apart and How to Fix It
How to Tell If Your Relationship Is Falling Apart | Expert Couples Therapy Guide
The Ultimate Couples Therapy Workbook
Strengthen your relationship with our Couples Therapy Workbook—filled with therapist-approved exercises and activities designed to boost communication, deepen intimacy, and foster lasting connection. Perfect for couples seeking practical tools to grow together.
Parental Therapy Guide: What I Wish Every Parent Knew About Therapy for Their Children
Discover what every parent needs to know before beginning therapy for their child. Dr. Mary Perleoni shares expert insights, clarifies common misconceptions, and explains how therapy can help your child develop emotional resilience, overcome anxiety, and thrive.
How Does EMDR Work? A Compassionate Guide from a Licensed Therapist
Considering EMDR therapy? Licensed therapist Amanda Farris from IBWHC in Tampa shares a compassionate look at EMDR—how it feels, its benefits, and what to expect in your healing journey.
Understanding Attachment Trauma & The Healing Process
Struggling with trust, abandonment fears, or emotional reactivity in relationships? These may be signs of attachment trauma—often rooted in unmet emotional needs during childhood. At It Begins Within Healing Center in Tampa and St. Petersburg, our trauma-informed therapists specialize in attachment-based therapy to help you heal, rebuild trust, and form healthier relationships. Learn how therapy can support lasting change and emotional resilience.
Parts Work & Shadow Work Therapy in Tampa & St. Petersburg
Struggling with emotional triggers, shame, or perfectionism? Shadow work and inner child therapy help you uncover the hidden parts of yourself that still carry pain from the past. At IBWHC in Tampa and St. Petersburg, our licensed therapists use parts work, mindfulness, and reparenting techniques to guide deep emotional healing and lasting change.
How EMDR Therapy Helps Rewire Anxiety at the Root
If you’ve tried traditional talk therapy and still struggle with anxiety, EMDR therapy may be the answer. EMDR therapy can target the root causes of anxiety stored in your nervous system, not just your thoughts. In our Tampa & St. Petersburg practices, we help you reprocess the past so you can feel calmer, safer, and more in control in the present.
EMDR Therapy for Sexual Trauma Recovery in Tampa & St. Petersburg
Survivors of sexual abuse often carry invisible wounds. EMDR therapy offers a research-backed, compassionate path to healing. Learn how this trauma-informed approach can help you process painful memories and reconnect with a sense of safety and self—right here in Tampa and St. Petersburg.
9 Reasons It May be Time for Couples Therapy
Wondering if couples therapy is the right step for your relationship? Many couples in Tampa face common challenges like trust issues, communication breakdowns, and emotional disconnection. In this post, we explore 9 powerful reasons couples seek therapy and how working with a skilled couples counselor can help you reconnect, rebuild trust, and move forward together.
Understanding Complex Relational Trauma & Healing Through Therapy
Relational trauma doesn’t just come from what happened to you—it often stems from who hurt you. Whether it was a partner, parent, or close friend, these wounds can leave lasting marks on how you view yourself and connect with others. At It Begins Within in Tampa, we specialize in helping individuals recognize and heal the effects of relational trauma, including patterns like trauma bonding, codependency, and trust issues. Through compassionate, evidence-based therapy, we guide you toward emotional safety, healthier relationships, and a renewed sense of self-worth.
In-depth Guide to Understanding Therapy for Sexual Trauma
Sexual trauma is a distressing and impactful event that can have lasting effects. The impact of sexual abuse or sexual trauma can be all-encompassing, affecting the person's perception of themselves, others, and the world. The impact goes beyond the event and can shape one's emotional, physical, and mental well-being. Although this experience can be all-consuming, finding a therapist and a therapeutic approach tailored to your needs can lead to recovery, healing, and empowerment after life-changing events. This article will explore sexual trauma and the resources available that can lead to healing.
How Childhood Experiences Shape Self-Esteem (And How to Heal from Them)
Your childhood experiences laid the emotional blueprint for how you see yourself today. If you’ve struggled with low self-esteem, people-pleasing, or a harsh inner critic, the roots may run deeper than you realize. In this article, we explore how early life experiences shape self-worth—and how therapy in Tampa can help you heal, rewire, and reclaim your confidence.
Mindfulness and Meditation for Health & Wellness in Tampa
In the 25 years I have been practicing mindfulness and meditation, and the last 7 I have been teaching it, I still feel like I have so much to learn. It is my hope for this short piece to offer an introduction for the newcomers and fundamental reminders for the long-time practitioners that there is no true goal. The goal is the practice and the benefits you experience along the way.
Improving Sports Performance with CBT for Youth Athletes in Tampa
Young athletes can face intense pressure to perform at high levels. Our student athletes in Tampa & St. Petersburg are often balancing school, training, personal expectations, and are expected to maintain athletic performance. Whether it’s the fear of failure, performance anxiety, or struggles with confidence, these psychological barriers can significantly impact their ability to compete effectively.