From Dysfunction to Connection: Creative Holiday Rituals That Bond Families

Holidays can renew a family or reopen old wounds. We’re choosing renewal.

In this heart-level conversation, trauma therapist Eleanor Brown, LPC, based in Central Texas, and co-host Isamary Nieves Banks trade chaos for connection with three simple traditions you can start right away:

• A gratitude-and-story night that invites reflection without rehashing trauma
• Create-together rituals that turn crafts and games into easy bonding
• Memory-making practices that honor loss, spark laughter, and anchor the season in warmth

You’ll hear practical ways to keep stories safe, reframe negativity before it hijacks the room, and navigate holiday gatherings with grace. From gingerbread contests and candle lighting to board games and collaborative letters, Elly and Isa share flexible ideas that work for busy families with different personalities.

They also discuss boundaries—how to shorten visits, meet one-on-one, or skip triggering events altogether—so your holidays feel peaceful, not pressured. Creativity becomes a form of spiritual practice, reflecting the heart of the Creator, while compassion in the moment repairs trust faster than perfection ever could.

If you’re ready to replace dysfunction with connection and joy, this episode offers a roadmap you can use tonight.

💡 Hosted by Eleanor L. Brown, LPC — a trauma therapist offering faith-integrated online counseling across Texas and Florida. Learn more or explore her book A Better Way: Integrating Faith and Psychology to Heal Inner Wounds at eleanorbrowncounseling.com
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