In this episode of Recovery Centered, Tim sits down with Sarah Menniti, LMHC, founder of Rhythm Holistic Counseling & Wellness in Jupiter, Florida. Sarah works primarily with adult women navigating anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, and people-pleasing through a nervous system–oriented, trauma-informed approach.

The conversation explores how many so-called “self-defeating behaviors” are actually protective adaptations developed earlier in life. Rather than framing these patterns as flaws, Sarah reframes them as nervous system strategies that once served a purpose but may no longer be helpful.

They discuss the difference between willpower and willingness in recovery, the role of subconscious patterns in shaping behavior, and how trauma can remain active in the body even when we intellectually understand what happened.

Sarah expl ...