Feeling Stuck in Life? How a Trauma-Informed Therapist Can Help You Heal
If you’ve been going through the motions—working, caregiving, showing up for others—but still feel disconnected from yourself, you’re not alone. Many people describe this experience as feeling stuck in life without understanding why. Therapies such as IFS therapy can help you make sense of these feelings and begin to move forward. Davina Scott, MSW, a trauma-informed therapist at Council for Relationships, creates a safe, affirming space for clients to explore these moments of disconnection.
Whether you’re managing anxiety, recovering from trauma, or seeking a stronger sense of identity, Davina meets you where you are—with warmth, curiosity, and deep respect for your pace.
She explains, “After our first session, I want clients to leave with a sense of hope and belonging. My goal is for them to feel seen, heard, and reassured that they no longer have to struggle in silence.”
Why We Feel Stuck—and What It Could Mean
Many of Davina’s clients arrive in therapy feeling emotionally stalled. Despite doing everything they’re “supposed” to—working, parenting, helping others—they carry a quiet discomfort they can’t quite name. That heaviness could reflect years of self-neglect, emotional survival, or unresolved stress.
Davina often works with clients who have spent years caring for others at the expense of their own well-being. She notes, “Women, mothers, and caregivers often pour into others while their own needs, desires, and well-being are left unmet. This can feel overwhelming, isolating, and even invisible.”
While she has a passion for supporting caregivers, Davina’s approach is inclusive. She sees clients from all walks of life who want to reconnect with their emotional selves and begin living more fully. Her clients often describe the powerful shift that happens when someone finally validates their pain and helps them feel less alone.
“I hope that clients who feel alone begin to experience a sense of companionship and comfort,” she shares. “They don’t have to carry the weight of what they’re experiencing alone.”
If you’ve been feeling stuck in life, take a moment to pause. What would it feel like to be supported, seen, and able to reconnect with yourself?
How Therapy Creates Movement When You Feel Stuck
When someone is feeling stuck in life, therapy can offer the structure and support needed to begin making sense of that experience. Davina’s therapeutic approach is grounded in curiosity, compassion, and evidence-based care tailored to each client’s emotional needs.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. You can begin feeling better. Request an appointment with Davina today.
How a Trauma-Informed Therapist Helps Create Safety
Davina’s background as a trauma-informed therapist allows her to understand how past experiences can shape how we respond to stress in the present. “Anxiety and trauma can disrupt the nervous system and diminish our sense of agency,” she explains. By helping clients explore the roots of their stuckness, she makes space for movement and relief.
Davina gently guides clients into deeper awareness without pressure. “I often tell clients, ‘Go at your own pace, this space is for you,’” she says. “I also use silence intentionally. Hard things are sometimes difficult to process, and using silence gives the client time to reflect before they speak.”
What Is IFS Therapy—and How Can It Help?
One of the central tools Davina uses are interventions from IFS therapy (Internal Family Systems), which helps clients better understand and work with different “parts” of themselves. These parts may include inner critics, caretakers, avoiders, or protectors—each developed in response to life experiences.
“IFS allows clients to explore the different parts of themselves and how they were shaped by their family dynamics or early experiences,” she explains. “It helps individuals understand their core sense of self.”
IFS Therapy Can Support Feeling Stuck in Life
For people feeling stuck in life, IFS therapy can offer meaningful insight. Instead of asking, What’s wrong with me? clients begin to ask, What part of me is trying to protect me—and what does it need? This internal shift opens the door to healing, self-compassion, and emotional clarity.
Tools for Change: Mindfulness, CBT, and Somatic Work
In addition to IFS therapy, Davina draws from a wide range of therapeutic tools to support her clients’ goals. Her work is integrative, meaning she adapts her approach based on what each individual needs.
She often incorporates CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to help clients explore and reframe limiting thought patterns. “CBT helps clients identify and reframe harmful thought patterns that may be causing self-doubt,” she explains.
Davina also emphasizes mindfulness and body-based awareness to support emotional regulation. “Mindfulness and somatic work deepen all other approaches by guiding clients to stay present and attuned to their emotions, needs, and physical experiences.”
This well-rounded approach allows clients to build sustainable coping skills that support them not just during therapy—but far beyond it. “My hope is for clients to develop healthy, sustainable coping mechanisms that continue to support them beyond the therapy room,” Davina says.
Real Progress, One Step at a Time
For Davina, therapy is about building trust, helping people reconnect with their internal strengths, and watching small shifts become meaningful transformation. She recalls one client who came to her feeling lost and uncertain about their future.
“When we first began, they felt stuck and somewhat disempowered,” she shares. “By our last session, they were in a completely different space—accepted to graduate school and having achieved many of the goals we set together.”
That kind of change doesn’t happen through quick solutions. It grows from feeling safe, understood, and supported. “That experience reminded me of the power of support,” she reflects. “And why it’s important to create space for individuals to feel safe and supported.”
You’re Not Alone if You’re Feeling Stuck in Life
You don’t need to wait for things to fall apart before seeking help. If you’re feeling stuck in life—emotionally numb, disconnected from your goals, or unsure how to move forward—therapy can help you come back to yourself.
Davina believes in making therapy accessible, personalized, and empowering. “Imagine how you could show up for others if you first prioritized showing up for yourself,” she says.
Whether you’re new to therapy or returning after time away, Davina offers a supportive space where your growth and healing matter. Wherever you are, she’ll meet you there.
Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Council for Relationships.
Therapy & Psychiatry at Council for Relationships
Council for Relationships has over 80 therapists and psychiatrists offering integrated care across Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1932. We support individuals, couples, families, and caregivers with collaborative, expert care—online and in person.
About Philadelphia Therapist Davina Scott, MSW
Davina Scott, MSW, is a Staff Therapist at Council for Relationships. She sees clients virtually across Pennsylvania and in person at our Center City Philadelphia office. Davina specializes in helping clients who are feeling stuck in life, navigating trauma, or rebuilding their sense of identity. Her integrative approach includes IFS therapy, CBT, mindfulness, and somatic practices. She is a trauma-informed therapist committed to creating a space where clients feel safe, supported, and empowered.
Want to work with Davina? Request an appointment today.
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