# 118 - The Cocoon Stage of Healing: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Move Through It

In today’s episode of The Lemon Tree Coaching Podcast, we’re exploring one of the most powerful—and often misunderstood—parts of the healing journey: the cocoon stage.

This is the tender, in-between season where transformation brews beneath the surface. It may not look like progress from the outside, but internally, deep psychological and neurological change is unfolding. You might feel lost, tired, or unsure of who you’re becoming—but this space is sacred. Today, we’ll unpack the psychology of the cocoon: what it looks like, what it feels like, why it’s essential, and how to support yourself while you're in it.

We’ll explore key psychological frameworks including:

• Liminality (Van Gennep, Turner)
• Ego death and transformation (Jungian psychology)
• Ambiguous loss (Pauline Boss)
• The dark night of the soul (St. John of the Cross)
• Neural rewiring and trauma integration (Siegel, van der Kolk, Porges)

You’ll also hear a personal story from my first-grade classroom involving runaway caterpillars (yes, really) as a surprisingly perfect metaphor for how healing doesn’t always go according to plan—and why that’s okay.

✨ Whether you’re in a quiet season of solitude, wondering what’s “wrong” with you, or just starting to sense the stirrings of change, this episode is here to remind you: You are not lost—you’re becoming.

—

📚 This week’s reads:

• Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
• The Education of a Coroner by John Bateson

📲 Follow @thelemontreecoaching on Instagram for daily emotional insights, nervous system tools, and reflections on healing, growth, and self-trust.

📌 Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact emergency services (U.S. 988 / Australia 000). Additional mental health resources are listed in the show notes.

🧘‍♀️ Let’s take a breath… and ease into the cocoon together.

------------------

Social Media Links
The Lemon Tree Coaching Podcast
Instagram
Twitter

Teacher Resources (really, for anyone)
The Lemon Tree by AKS (Teachers Pay Teachers) 

Other Important Resources:

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline call (866) 331-9474, or text: loveis to 225
loveisrespect.org
Al-Anon
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
Laura's House
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 
or TEXT the word “start to 88788
National Emergency Telephone Number in Australia - dial 000