Are Your “Masks” Keeping You Stuck or Safe. Unmasking, Somatic Healing, and Nervous System Truth with Alicia Zielinski Straub

On Divine Decode, host Pragya sits down with Alicia Zielinski Straub. a Licensed Professional Counselor, somatics facilitator, and transformational retreat host. We unpack how masks form in childhood, why fear and people-pleasing keep them in place, and how breath, body awareness, and daily practice reset a dysregulated nervous system. Expect a grounded take on authenticity, trauma-informed healing, and practical ways to tell intuition from escapism.

About the guest  :

Alicia Zielinski Straub is a Licensed Professional Counselor and somatics practitioner who guides clients through unmasking, nervous system regulation, and integration. She blends psychology, body intelligence, and spiritual practice to help people move from performance to presence.

Key takeaways  :

• Masks usually start as protective strategies in childhood. they persist when fear of judgment or rejection drives our choices.

• A chronically activated sympathetic system shows up as fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. breath and sensory grounding widen choice again.

• Intuition feels open, light, and present. mental noise feels urgent, future-tripping, or shame-laden.

• Trauma fragments experience into implicit body memory. consistent somatic practice helps those parts integrate.

• Practical anchor. short daily mindfulness or breathwork builds a new baseline of safety and trust.

• Authentic connection requires self-connection. masks block belonging and keep relationships surface-level.

• Cognitive tools help, but the body is the truth-teller. track sensations, not just thoughts.

• Progress marker. more ease, flexible thinking, kinder self-talk, and relaxed physiology over time.

Connect with the guest  :

• Website/Email: https://aliciazstraubcounseling.com/ (contact email available on site)

• Instagram & Facebook: @journeywithalicia

• Phone/Text: available via website contact page

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Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.

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