For a long time, I thought trauma was something that only happened to other people — the big, obvious kind you see in movies or read about in books. But when I entered residential treatment in 2022, I discovered something I’d never heard of before: little t trauma. These are the smaller, often invisible experiences that still shape how we see ourselves and the world — infertility, rejection, chronic stress, loss, or simply years of feeling “not enough.” In this episode, I share my story of learning that healing isn’t just for those with “big” trauma — it’s for anyone carrying pain that’s been minimized or misunderstood.

I’ll talk about how I went from believing I was “weak sauce” to understanding how my mind and body were trying to protect me all along. Together, we’ll explore why identifying little t trauma can be a turning point in building emotional resilience, releasing shame, and reclaiming your story. This episode is an invitation to give yourself grace, recognize your pain as valid, and start the process of healing — one small, courageous step at a time.

contact me: wendy@wendyparrish.com

instagram: @wendyparrishcoaching

In this episode of Messages from the Middle, I’m talking about a word that we may actually be underusing: grief. Unlike other therapy buzzwords I’ve covered in this series, grief is a word that usually gets used correctly—but not nearly enough. We’ve come to associate grief solely with death, and while grief absolutely belongs there, it also deserves space in so many other areas of our lives. I share how misunderstanding grief led me to feel unnecessary shame in my own experience, and how learning to name it allowed me to begin healing.

I’ll walk you through some of the most common myths around grief—the five stages, the timeline, the hierarchy—and offer a broader, more compassionate view of what grief really is and how it shows up. Whether you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, the ending of a relationship, the shift of a dream, or just the quiet ache of a life that didn’t turn out the way you thought it would, this episode is an invitation to see grief differently—and to give yourself the permission you may not have known you needed.

contact me: email: wendy@wendyparrish.com

Instagram: @wendyparrishcoaching

We hear the word boundaries all the time—set them, hold them, respect them—but what do boundaries actually look like in real life? In this episode, I’m breaking down what boundaries are, what they’re not, and why so many of us get them wrong. I talk through common misconceptions, share real-life examples, and offer practical steps for setting boundaries that protect your peace without pushing people away.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for saying no, resentful in your relationships, or unsure how to follow through on the limits you’ve set, this one’s for you. I’ll walk you through the emotional backbone of boundary-setting—from self-awareness to self-respect—and help you reconnect with the version of yourself that knows your needs matter, too.

contact me:

email wendy@wendyparrish.com

instagram: @wendyparrishcoaching