Learn | Grow | Thrive

Nurture & Nourish

Mental Wellness Blog For Women & Femmes

Alexis Ryan Alexis Ryan

ADHD, Kink, and Sexuality: Exploring Neurodivergent Desire

ADHD shapes how many experience sexuality and kink, blending heightened curiosity, sensory sensitivity, and impulsivity. This post delves into the joys and challenges of neurodivergent desire, the role of kink in fostering safety and agency, and the importance of compassionate, non-shaming support for LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse individuals seeking authentic sexual expression.

Read More
Alexis Ryan Alexis Ryan

When Fawning Feels Like Safety: Learning to Relate to the Part That Keeps You Small

The fawn response often goes unseen—but it’s one of the most deeply ingrained survival strategies many of us carry. In this personal reflection, I explore how fawning shows up in perfectionism, people-pleasing, and emotional shape-shifting—and how real healing starts not with “fixing” ourselves, but by gently relating to the parts that tried to protect us.

Read More
Alexis Ryan Alexis Ryan

ADHD, Autism & LGBTQIA+ Identity: Insights from a Neurodiverse Therapist

Many neurodivergent individuals—especially those who are queer or trans—face unique challenges accessing diagnosis, care, and community support. This post explores the complex overlap of ADHD, autism, and LGBTQIA+ identities, highlighting systemic barriers and the importance of compassionate, tailored therapeutic care. If you’re navigating these intersections in Fort Collins or beyond, you’re not alone.

Read More
Alexis Ryan Alexis Ryan

The Anxiety-Shame Cycle: Why Self-Judgment Keeps You Stuck and How to Break Free

Anxiety is hard enough on its own—but adding shame creates a loop that keeps you stuck. Feeling ashamed of your anxiety only fuels it further. What if the issue isn’t anxiety itself, but how you relate to it? This post explores how nervous system regulation, self-compassion, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help you break free.

Read More
Alexis Ryan Alexis Ryan

Understanding the Biology of Anxiety: Why Your Feelings Always Make Sense

Ever thought, I have no reason to feel this anxious? Anxiety isn’t just about circumstances—it’s shaped by your nervous system and brain. When we stop justifying our anxiety and start understanding it, we move from self-judgment to self-compassion. This post breaks down the biology of anxiety and why your feelings are always valid.

Read More
Alexis Ryan Alexis Ryan

The 6 Acts of the Shame Cycle: How to Recognize and Heal Through IFS Therapy

Do you ever feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world, caught in a cycle of self-criticism, people-pleasing, and perfectionism? You’re not alone. Drawing on insights from Martha Sweezy’s Internal Family Systems Therapy for Shame and Guilt, this post breaks down the six acts of the shame cycle and explains how IFS therapy helps women heal.

Read More