Annie Brogger, MS, LMFT

Merry Christmas . Sending you all the best wishes for the happiest holiday!

The acronym RAIN is an easy-to-remember tool for practicing mindfulness and compassion... A tool that can be used by anyone seeking to deepen self-understanding, self-compassion, compassion for others, and emotional healing and spiritual awakening. #RadicalCompassion

I’m not sure what you feel when you look at this picture. For me, I soften a little looking at it because I imagine the person holding the flower to be wrestling with a longing. It reminds me of pulling one petal at a time out of a flower when I was younger, singing along, he loves me, he loves me not, until I came to the last petal in aching hope that I ended on he loves me. This flower, and the song all reminds me of Advent. The waiting, the wonder, the expectation, an...d perhaps, the hesitation to believe in the promise of hope fulfilled, or to continue to guard the heart because to hope again may lead to being let down again. However, whether this season of Advent is held as myth or literal for you, I believe there is a gift in the story for all of us. A baby in a manger represents such vulnerability, total dependence. May we wrap up this chaotic year with regard for the vulnerable places in our hearts, with loving attention. This holiday season, be compassionate towards the parts of yourself that are in need. Take time to slow down for a few moments, and with mindful awareness, remind yourself that you matter, more than you can imagine, and that you are so loved. This is the remaining petal on the flower. Happy Holidays, Everyone!! Annie #anniebroggertherapy #salt #therapy #therapist #octherapist #newportbeachtherapist #irvinetherapist #lagunabeachtherapist #advent #happyholidays #healing #strong #traumainformed #CPTSD #complextruama #safe #valuable #loved #vulnerability #beloved #worthy #findatherapist #held #pause #breathe #rest #safecontainer #seen #heard #loved #emotionalhealth @anniebroggertherapy @julianaparkerapcc @serenamccormick_insight

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday from Annie Brogger Therapy and Associates! The holidays come with a lot of emotions, some of which are difficult to process. We hope you have the space to breathe, rest, and take loving care of your heart during this time. Beloved, you deserve it! . .... . . #anniebroggertherapy #salt #therapy #therapist #octherapist #newportbeachtherapist #irvinetherapist #lagunabeachtherapist #wholeness #healing #heal #traumainformed #safe #trusttheprocess #valuable #loved #beloved #worthy #findatherapist #courage #held #safecontainer #seen #heard #emotionalhealth #breathe #rest #thanksgiving #holidays #selflove @anniebroggertherapy @serenamccormick_insight @julianaparkerapcc

In our best efforts, we can often miss how to really support someone in a time of grief, trauma, or heartache. It’s a radical act to let someone hurt. It takes more bravery to sit in attunement, to really hear and understand what is happening for a grieving person, than it does to try and fix, or talk them out of their hard feelings. This sweet little video sheds light on how to truly support another pained person with love and empathy.

Of course, we want to hold onto our positive emotions for as long as we can and so naturally, we would like to skip right past our harder ones. Revealing these emotions to others may make us feel like a burden. Your feelings do not make you a burden. These hard emotions are not fun. And yet, they tell a beautiful story about who you are, what you need in order to thrive, and how others can come alongside you to love you better. You are worthy of a space to process what you'r...e feeling and why. Be honest with a close friend when they ask how you're doing, reach out to someone you trust and invite them into what you're feeling, and remember that you are beloved. #anniebroggertherapy #salt #therapy #therapist #octherapist #newportbeachtherapist #irvinetherapist #lagunabeachtherapist #wholeness #healing #heal #traumainformed #safe #trusttheprocess #valuable #loved #beloved #worthy #findatherapist #courage #held #feelings #pause #breathe #cptsd #safecontainer #seen #heard #youarenotaburden #emotionalhealth @anniebroggertherapy @julianaparkerapcc @serenamccormick_insight See more

This claiming takes a great deal of courage; yet, if we can claim the truth of our belovedness, even if it is at head knowledge only, eventually the claiming will sink down into our hearts. If you have had your heart broken, hold on a little bit longer. Seek healing, gather up a little bit of faith that there is more for you. If you can muster up the courage to look for a therapist who is the right fit for you, there’s a good chance you’ll embark on a journey that leads you ...to becoming more of you, more of what you’re original blueprint was drafted for. Pain would like to tell you that you’re not good enough, healing dictates an entirely new story of confidence and peace, deep down into your bones. Carl Jung pulled from the Christian mystic Meister Eckhart, who believed that the great treasure is the human soul, which bears the imprint of God. And as the wonderful Donald Kalsched has written, this mysterious reality has always been located in man’s inner life. Dear Friends, take time to nurture your beautiful soul with compassion and curiosity, and maybe even with the risk that there may be more of you waiting for you. Becoming the Beloved is the great spiritual journey we have to make. HN . . . . . . . . #anniebroggertherapy #salt #therapy #therapist #octherapist #newportbeachtherapist #irvinetherapist #lagunabeachtherapist #wholeness #healing #heal #traumainformed #safe #trusttheprocess #valuable #loved #beloved #worthy #findatherapist #courage #held #safecontainer #seen #heard #henrinouwen #donaldkalsched #carljung #spiritual #emotionalhealth @anniebroggertherapy @serenamccormick_insight @julianaparkerapcc

Weekend reflecting.... hope you’re all taking good care

Go and make life beautiful . Pssst...this might include turning off the news. Listening to your body and resting when you need to, doing something creative, sitting in the sun and breathing, or taking the time to listen to the still, small voice on the inside. . happy weekend ... . . . . . #anniebroggertherapy #therapy #therapist #octherapist #newportbeachtherapist #irvinetherapist #lagunabeachtherapist #wholeness #healing #heal #traumainformed #safe #haven #trusttheprocess #worthy #valuable #loved #beloved #youareenough #counseling #findatherapist #courage #listen #hope #held #safecontainer #seen #heard #breathe #startwithwhatyouhave

Have you noticed that in times of stress how easy it is to feel disconnected from your feelings, which leads to a disconnect from your body? People are often aware that they feel anxious, but aren’t aware of the many other, more tender, vulnerable feelings that live in the body and heart. It is almost effortless to de-self, especially when we are feeling scared. And wow! Never ever has there been a time in our history when people have been so anxious for so many reasons. All... that is happening in our world can feel similar to other times in our lives when we felt afraid, when we felt unsafe. . So now, friends, more than ever, it is so important that we are adamant about self-care, about taking the time to attend to the whole person...mind, body, and soul. . Whatever you are doing, even now, are you able to take time to be conscious of your breath? Breathing in slowly, mindfully; and exhaling, slowly, mindfully. This is a way to connect to your body, and to be aware of your feelings. A little bit of attention to soul and body just might lead you into knowing what you need. Maybe you need peace, maybe you need a dance party, or rest, or a friend. Take a minute, slow down, and listen to your body’s wisdom, it always knows what’s best. . . . . . #anniebroggertherapy #therapy #therapist #octherapist #newportbeachtherapist #irvinetherapist #lagunabeachtherapist #wholeness #healing #heal #traumainformed #safe #haven #trusttheprocess #worthy #valuable #loved #beloved #ruthlanius #somatichealing #counseling #findatherapist #courage #listen #hope #held #safecontainer #seen #heard #breathe

On mirrors- If we think of our early growing up life, the formative years when we learn about who we are through the significant relationships around us; the expressions on people’s faces when our eyes met theirs, can be likened to looking in a mirror. . Some of you may have seen a shimmer in the eyes looking back at you, a gaze that was safe; something in their face that was secure, telling you you were free to be who you are, with all of your thoughts and feelings. This is... where we learn healthy dependency. . And for many of us, we know the sting of not being sure how we land, emotionally, on someone else. This causes a deep fear, and can compel a person to hide every single feeling, every thought, almost to the point of not existing because to be honest was too much of a risk. . I’m here to say- you exist. Your feelings matter. You matter. This phrase is being expressed often lately, but it couldn’t be more true. If this is hard to believe and you’ve endured living in distorted mirrors, seek out a safe, loving therapist who can be a healing mirror for you, so that you get to see the real you, the authentic, marvelous you! See more

There couldn’t be a truer word about you. Beloved is to be be dearly loved. . If I had to choose what I wanted to tell you about what I think captures your existence- there isn’t any better way to describe it than beloved. . The unfortunate piece about living in painful relationships, suffering from developmental trauma, or battling depression or anxiety is the incredibly self-defeating and self-rejecting voices that get stuck on to these harmful experiences. Hurt and pai...n, even when caused by another person’s actions, often transform into shameful feelings which undermine any belief of being beloved. Feeling not good enough erodes at the true value and worth of who you are. . My desire, along with my entire incredible team of therapists, is to work to help restore your sense of belovedness, of goodness, of certainty in this one powerful idea- that you, my darling, are beloved. . So, we’ll be camping out together with this idea for awhile! The wonderful thing about the process of beginning to really feel, to internalize, to own your belovedness, is that then you get to gift this to everyone around you. And what we so badly need in our world right now is a restoration of goodness, and connection to each other regardless of who your neighbor is, where they come from, or what they believe. My team and I will be communicating more to you about your belovedness, and how, as a community we are beloved! Together, we will make new meanings about who we are. . The greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection. - Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved . . . . #anniebroggertherapy #salt #therapy #therapist #octherapist #newportbeachtherapist #irvinetherapist #lagunabeachtherapist #wholeness #healing #heal #traumainformed #safe #trusttheprocess #worthy #valuable #loved #beloved #hope #findatherapist #courage #held #safecontainer #seen #heard @anniebroggertherapy @serenamccormick_insight @julianaparkerapcc

Doing our best to keep our clients safe while in office!The majority of our clients are presently being seen virtually; however, because we are considered essential, we do offer in person visits. We check temperatures, and sanitize before and after each client, and offer see through, breathable masks.

Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. #MayaAngelou

Therapy - the one place in the world where you get to unpack and sort through all the layers...the confusion, doubt, the angst held in the body and mind...all of it; in the safe haven of a therapist’s heart who cares, and listens, and sees you. This is healing. And you are worth it all. . . .... #anniebroggertherapy #therapy #therapist #octherapist #newportbeachtherapist #irvinetherapist #lagunabeachtherapist #wholeness #healing #heal #traumainformed #safe #haven #trust #trusttheprocess #worthy #valuable #loved #beloved #boundaries #hope #findatherapist #courage #listen #coregulation #hope #held #safecontainer #seen #heard @anniebroggertherapy @serenamccormick_insight @julianaparkerapcc

If you can be anything in this world, be kind. - Unknown . You guys, I just returned from such a fun a family vacation (I’ll share some pictures soon) and I saw this quote while vintage/antique shopping with my cool 13 year old daughter. . We stayed in a small town near Yosemite, and as we drove up the hill, smoke hung in the sky, thick and grey. California was blazing in flames everywhere. At the same time, when we turned on the local radio, it seemed the airwaves were bu...zzing with political unrest and global pandemic concerns. You don’t have to turn far these days to see that people are unhappy and often with each other. Facebook and even Instagram are saturated with hostility. . If you can be anything in this world, be kind. . These words are more important than ever right now. Our nation is starving for kind conversations. However, it is impossible to have a kind conversation with strangers if we first don’t know how to speak kindly to ourselves and our family members. Tich Nhat Hanh has said that if we can’t be kind to the people that we share a roof with, how much harder is it to show kindness to people we don’t know? [paraphrase mine] . So, we bought this super cool vintage typewriter while shopping. My daughter had the brilliant idea of keeping it out on our main counter and asked that everyday we all write to each other on it. Affirmations, interesting ideas, love notes...anything written to connect, to show kindness. . My friends, let’s get creative on ways to show kindness to one another. Especially to those we don’t agree with. This is my homework, too! Share below what another person’s kindness has meant to you... See more

You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody. #MayaAngelou Learn more about Dr. Angelou in the Maya Angelou Film on Netflix, "Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise".

Healing cannot be rushed. Don’t worry if you wish you were farther along, keep doing the steady work of attending to your precious heart, and you will get there. . We grow in relationship to another person, this is why therapy is incredibly valuable. Self-help can only get you so far, other-help is what we were made for; this is where true growth happens. A safe therapist becomes an accurate and restorative mirror, a reflection of the true self that then is the spring board ...helping us to grow closer in relationships, and develop stable boundaries. . Today, hold on to your belovedness. Healing takes time. Be gentle with yourself, let every thought orient you to your inherent value and worth, let this be the air you breathe. Sometimes, to fight the inner-critic, you have to be fierce about this. Courage, dear heart! . . . . . #anniebroggertherapy #therapy #therapist #octherapist #irvinetherapist #newportbeachtherapist #lagunabeachtherapist #wholeness #healing #heal #traumainformed #healingtakestime #trust #trusttheprocess #worthy #valuable #loved #beloved #close #boundaries #hope #findatherapist See more

Everywhere, all around us, each breath is full of wonder. The heaviness of this world can cause us to think otherwise, but if we look through a different lens, setting the daily news and politics aside, we will see beauty and life everywhere. Hope abounds. . . . #anniebroggertherapy #wholeness #healing #therapy #therapistvibes #normalizetherapy #sunday #miracles #nature #beauty #selfcare #hope #breath #breathe #joy #peace #counseling #orangecounty #irvine #newportbeach #lagunabeach #beginagain #miracle

Unknown. Uncertain. These words saturate the air we are all breathing. For so many people, these unknown times are causing fear, exhaustion, and overwhelm. . Yet, today, the sun still rose; the sky is still blue; and we still have breath in our lungs. When everything seems to be falling apart, it is good to find the steady, the still, the same- the things we know for sure won’t change. . So, what are some practical tools we can put in our tool bag to hold us through this t...ime? 1. Take huge breaks from all things political. 2. Breathe- intentional breaths to calm your nervous system. 3. Exercise- move, dance. 4. Reach out- be honest with others about how you’re really doing. 5. Limit social media. 6. Hang out with people who fill you up (socially distanced :) ) . And most importantly, if you have a spiritual resource that has brought you comfort and peace, rely on this. This is where we are found, known. When everything around us is unreliable, find the place where you can rely. Find Love. Seek a place bigger than yourself, and practice letting go. For some of you, trust doesn’t come easy; so perhaps this is the lesson we’re all learning right now- trust. When we trust, we can rely; and when we rely, we are found. . . . . . #anniebroggertherapy #wholeness #healing #wellness #counseling #irvinetherapist #newportbeachtherapist #lagunabeachtherapist #octherapist #safeplace #therapy #found #responsive #uncertain #letgo #trust #bepresent #youareworthy #youareloved #traumainformed #selfcare #normalizetherapy #breakthestigma #mindbodysoul #traumainformed #bestill #breathe #counseling #2020 #covidkindness

You are worthy.