If you've ever thought "The system is broken"- here are some resources to help you on your journey.

Have you ever felt like the system is broken? That what’s supposed to help us—healthcare, education, society—often feels like it’s working against us? If so, you’re not alone.

As someone who grew up in an era where mental health wasn’t widely acknowledged, I’ve seen how far we’ve come. Today, therapy, trauma, and inner work are more normalized than ever, and yet there’s still a disconnect. Insurance might not cover therapy, and the critical links between mental health, trauma, and physical symptoms are often ignored.

It feels like we’re raised on a systemized path: go through high school, get into college, land a job, and work 40+ hour weeks, all while barely having time to spend with our families—let alone ourselves. Add to that the confusion and frustration of navigating insurance, which often fails to curb the real expenses of mental health care, and it’s no wonder so many people feel defeated. Or insurance will only cover pills, but not the quality of therapist or coach who will actually get to the root of the problems. Everyone is so busy just trying to stay afloat that finding the time, energy, or money for self-care feels impossible.

And yet, we are all so deeply worthy of this help. The world often feels backward, but if you’ve ever thought the system is broken, inner work and the self-healing journey might be exactly what you need. The beauty of this path is that while working with a coach or therapist is ideal, there are countless free or low-cost resources that can help you begin transforming your mental and emotional health, no matter where you’re starting.

My Inner Work Journey

I first started my inner work journey before I ever got pregnant because I knew there were things I wanted to work through. I didn’t want to pass on unresolved patterns or generational trauma to my kids. I wanted to create a healthier environment for myself and my future family.

But let me tell you, once I had my kids, even more stuff came up—things I didn’t even know were there. Suddenly, I was navigating triggers I hadn’t anticipated, all while trying to be the parent I wanted to be. At that point, resources like time and money felt even more limited than before, which made prioritizing inner work challenging but even more essential.

I’ve compiled this list to help you get started. Whether you’re preparing for parenthood, already in the thick of it or have no plans to have kids- These resources are approachable, actionable, and perfect for implementing small, meaningful changes into your life, even if you feel strapped for time.

10 Books to Transform Your Understanding of Mental Health and Trauma

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
How to Do the Work by Dr. Nicole LePera
It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine
The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron
What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry
Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker
Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

10 Podcasts to Support Your Self-Healing Journey

The Holistic Psychologist Podcast – Dr. Nicole LePera
Unlocking Us – Brené Brown
The Trauma Therapist Podcast – Guy Macpherson
Therapy Chat – Laura Reagan
The Mindful Kind – Rachael Kable
On Being – Krista Tippett
Feel Better, Live More – Dr. Rangan Chatterjee
The Healing Trauma Podcast – Monique Koven
Ten Percent Happier – Dan Harris
The Minimalists Podcast – Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus

10 Instagram Accounts for Nervous System and Inner Work Insights

@the.holistic.psychologist – Dr. Nicole LePera
@dr.justin.pemo – Trauma-informed therapy and nervous system regulation
@somaticexperiencing – Somatic therapy techniques
@nedratawwab – Boundaries and self-healing
@traumaawarecare – Trauma-informed parenting
@drcarolineleaf – Mental health and mindset
@healing.embodied – Somatic approaches to healing
@brenebrown – Vulnerability and courage
@dralexandrasolomon – Relationships and self-awareness
@my.holistic.therapy – Holistic therapy techniques

Final Thoughts

Diving into inner work doesn’t require perfection or even a big budget—just a willingness to start. The resources listed above are only a starting point. They are both my favorites and those recommended by others- but if you don't find your niche- keep looking. There are tons of resources out there. Whether you’re reading a book, listening to a podcast, or scrolling through Instagram, each step is a victory in reclaiming your mental health and nervous system regulation. If you would like even more resources please don't hesitate to reach out.

You’ve got this,

💛 The Triggered Momma - Laura

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. These are resources and tools that have supported my journey, and I’m sharing them from my personal experience and referrals. Please consult a professional if you have specific mental health concerns.