From the Root

From the Root is a monthly newsletter offering thoughtful reflections, gentle guidance, and trauma-responsive insights to support steady, meaningful growth. Each edition invites you to pause, reconnect with yourself, and engage your trauma healing journey with clarity, compassion, and intention.

November 2025 - Gratitude & Grounding

🌿 From the Root — November 2025

Theme: Gratitude & Grounding

From Iris — Gratitude & Grounding

As this season of gratitude unfolds, I find myself reflecting deeply on the community that has gathered here at Root-based Healing.

To those who joined me following the unexpected departure from my previous practice—your presence, trust, and willingness to stay connected through change has meant more than I can fully express. The way you’ve shown up—with patience, flexibility, and understanding—has been nothing short of extraordinary. For that, I am profoundly grateful.

This transition has been both humbling and grounding. It’s reminded me that healing and growth are not solitary endeavors—they are shaped within relationships, through mutual care and shared commitment. Every conversation, every moment of grace and honesty, has reaffirmed why I do this work.

As we move into November, I invite you to take a moment to notice what keeps you grounded—whether it’s time in nature, connection with loved ones, or simply a few quiet breaths of awareness. Gratitude, when practiced gently, roots us in the present and opens the way for deeper healing.

With warmth and appreciation,

Iris

Practice Updates

Session Availability

• Telehealth: Monday - Thursday - 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Mobile Office: Established patients will continue to meet at Office X-pats, as per their regular, weekly schedule.
• Saturday - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (established patients only) offers added flexibility for those seeking to address a pressing concern and would like to check-in via a Brief Session (30 min) or needing to reschedule a cancelled appointment within the same week. Saturday appointments cannot be scheduled via the portal, they must be scheduled manually by Iris.

Holiday Availability Unless you’ve told me otherwise, your regularly scheduled sessions will remain on the calendar through the holiday season. I will be available for ongoing care during this time-with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

If you or your family will be traveling or unavailable, please let me know as soon as you can so we can plan around that. Your steadiness matters, and I want to make sure you continue to feel supported.

Communication Outside of Session Hours

In the past, I’ve occasionally initiated communication outside of standard business hours, and I recognize that may have set a different expectation. Going forward, I’ll be more intentional about maintaining this boundary to support the rhythm and sustainability of my work.

To support balance and presence in my work, going forward I will be observing standard business hours—Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM—for administrative tasks such as billing-related tasks, scheduling, returning calls, and responding to emails or text messages, with the exception of communicating with patients around logistics for an upcoming session.

Calls, emails, or texts received after hours or on non-working days will be addressed during standard business hours. Thank you for understanding and honoring this adjustment—it allows me to show up more fully in every interaction.

From the Blog — Recent Reflections

Gratitude for What Heals Quietly

In this month’s reflection, I’m writing about the kind of healing that doesn’t always announce itself—the work that happens quietly, session by session, choice by choice, even when you feel like you’re not “there” yet.

This blog post is not visible on The Healing Root's blog page, it's a special piece written for my established patients who keep showing up, even on the days it feels like nothing is changing. I see the changes. I want you to see them too.

Read the Full Reflection →

New & Noteworthy

As the year begins to wind down, I’m feeling especially grateful for the steady growth of this community and the meaningful connections being made along the way. Each new season brings an opportunity to refine, refocus, and deepen the work of healing—both individually, professionally, and collectively.

A Space for Connection

I’m so proud to share the newly updated Root-based Healing website, designed to support both those new to the practice and those who’ve been part of this community from the beginning.

The site now includes an expanded Q&A section—filled with information about how the practice works, what trauma means in this context, and how I partner with families in care. These updates may be helpful as you continue your own journey, or if you have loved ones who may be seeking support.

You’ll also find The Healing Root—our regularly updated blog featuring two new posts each month. Each entry is written to support reflection, insight, and growth as you move forward in your trauma healing journey—offering both education and encouragement along the way.

Holistic Corner — Hearty Lentil Soup

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, I often find myself craving warmth in every sense—comfort, nourishment, and connection. This simple, hearty lentil soup is one of my seasonal go-tos. It’s delicious, filling, and easy to prepare, making enough to enjoy throughout the week.

Hearty Lentil Soup (Makes about 6–7 servings)

Ingredients

• 3 cups green lentils, rinsed
• 4 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
• 4 stalks celery, diced
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 (8-oz) container cremini mushrooms, quartered
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 4 quarts vegetable stock (or enough to generously cover ingredients)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons oregano
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 2 bay leaves
• Onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large stockpot, sauté the onions, carrots, and celery in a healthy oil (preferably safflower or grapeseed) until softened and fragrant.

2. Add the vegetable stock, lentils, potatoes, sugar, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, oregano, and parsley.

3. Season generously with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder at the start—this helps build depth and umami as the soup simmers.

4. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to low-medium and simmer uncovered for about 1 hour, or until lentils and potatoes are tender.

5. Halfway through cooking, taste and adjust seasoning with another round of salt, pepper, and aromatics as needed.

6. In the final 15 minutes, stir in the mushrooms and continue cooking until they’re tender.

7. Remove the herb sprigs and bay leaves before serving. Adjust seasoning once more, to taste.

Serve warm, with a piece of crusty sourdough bread—and a quiet moment of gratitude for the nourishment before you.

With warmth and gratitude,
Iris