You Do Not Owe Us Your Trauma.

By Liz Wooten, LPC

About the Author: Liz Wooten, LPC, is the founder of Enlitens and a rebellious academic dedicated to dismantling the broken mental health system. As an AuDHD therapist with years of front-line crisis experience, she brings a deep, lived understanding to her work. Read Liz’s Full Story Here

Before we begin, just take a soft breath. Let your shoulders drop an inch if they can. This space is here for you, for a few quiet moments.

Let’s start with a non-negotiable truth: You do not owe anyone your story. Ever.

You’re a teacher. You spend your days holding space for everyone else. You are the regulated adult in the room for your students. The thought of coming into yet another room and having to perform vulnerability—to excavate your deepest wounds on a stranger’s timeline—is not just daunting; it’s a violation. You feel the pressure to be the “good client,” to give the therapist the dramatic story you think they’re waiting for.

You have our absolute permission to say nothing. To talk about your week. To talk about your cat. To sit in silence for the entire hour. Your safety is the only goal on the agenda.

This isn’t about being “nice.” It’s about biology. Forcing a trauma narrative before your nervous system is ready is not just unhelpful; it is actively re-traumatizing. It can strengthen the neural pathways of fear and overwhelm. True, lasting healing—a process grounded in the science of Memory Reconsolidation Therapy—can only happen from a state of profound ventral vagal safety.

The Neurobiological Truth Bomb

Your story is not the price of admission to therapy. A safe, trusting relationship is.

Just for a moment, if it feels okay, notice the feeling of your feet on the floor. You don’t have to change anything. Just let the solidness of the ground be there. Let yourself be supported. This is the feeling of safety we build from, one moment at a time.

Our work together in trauma recovery begins by building that safety. It might take weeks. It might take months. Your timeline is the only one that matters. We don’t start by diving into the past. We Start by building a safe present.

Go Deeper Down the Rabbit Hole

You Weren't "Resistant."
You Were Resistant to Bad Therapy.

A deep dive into why traditional therapy so often fails neurodivergent people and how our approach is built to solve the right problem.

We Don't Need to See Your Pay Stubs.
We Trust You

Our trust-based financial model is built on a core belief: you are the expert. This manifesto explains the foundation of our entire collaborative approach.

If You're Looking for a Blank Slate...

My approach to money is the same as my approach to therapy: I show up as a real person. Learn why I reject the “blank slate” therapist model.

*The information here is meant to guide and inform, not replace the care of a qualified healthcare professional. If you have questions or concerns about a medical or mental-health condition, please reach out to a trusted provider. The examples shared are based on general personas—no personal health details are used. At Enlitens, your privacy is a top priority, and we fully comply with HIPAA regulations to keep your information safe and confidential.

This is a Conversation,
Not a Debate.

This is not a space for debate or unsolicited advice. It is a space for sharing stories. We read every submission, and we will periodically feature the most resonant and validating stories here with the author’s explicit permission. Submit your’s below!

Liked the post?
Give it a a share!!

Sharing knowledge is one of the most powerful ways to support the neurodiverse community. By spreading valuable insights, we can help more people understand and embrace their neurodiversity, leading to more fulfilling lives. Click below to share this article and make a difference!

Take one second. That’s all I’m asking.

Do not try to “calm down.” Do not try to “fix it.” Do not listen to the voice screaming that you need to do something right now.

Just be here, with me, for one single breath.

My name is Liz. I’ve spent years working overnight in the ER, sitting with people on what was often the worst night of their entire lives. I have sat in the eye of the hurricane, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that the chaos you feel right now is not the truth.

It is a storm in your nervous system. And a storm is just a weather pattern. It is not you. It is not permanent. And you do not have to navigate it alone.

Right now, your brain’s alarm system is screaming. The logical part of your brain has been taken offline. That is a normal, brilliant, biological survival response. But you and I are going to bring it back online, together.

We are going to do one, simple, physical thing. This is not a bulls*hit mindfulness exercise. This is a direct, manual override for your nervous system.

Place your hand on your chest.

Can you feel that? The rise and fall. The rhythm. That is the anchor. That is the proof that you are here, in this moment, and you are alive.

Keep your hand there.

Now, we are going to make one choice. The storm is telling you there are a million overwhelming things you have to do. That is a lie. There are only three choices right now, and you only need to pick one.

If you or someone else is in immediate, physical danger and you need help on site, right now:

This is the button you push when you need the paramedics or the police to show up. This is the “bring the fire truck” button.

If you are having thoughts of suicide and you need to talk or text with a human, right now:

This is the national, 24/7 lifeline. It is free, it is confidential, and it is staffed by trained counselors who are ready to listen without judgment. This is the “I need a lifeline” button.

If you are in St. Louis, you are not in crisis but you are in deep distress and need to talk to someone local:

Behavioral Health Response (BHR) is our community’s lifeline. They provide free, confidential telephone counseling and can connect you with local resources. This is the “I need a local guide” button.