PTSD: Why Does It Happen? How Survivors Can Heal
A traumatic event is something no one is prepared to deal with. You may feel your mind and body are in a state of shock from the experience. You may have nightmares, feel jumpy,
Why Sexual Assault Survivors Blame Themselves
It’s not your fault. Before I dive into a blog article about sexual assault, I had to say that. You may feel like it’s your fault. Not only is that extremely common; it’s also
Crazy- A Poem about Emotional Abuse
Anyone who has ever lived through it knows that emotional abuse is crazy making. A client of mine and beautiful poet offered to share her work on the site in hopes that it can
How Mindfulness Meditation Changed My Life
When I mention the idea of mindfulness meditation, of consciously sitting with ourselves and observing our own inner world, the usual response I receive is along the lines of: “I like that idea but
When Your Rapist Goes to Jail
In case you do not know, please learn this: no harm inflicted upon you by another human being is your fault. You do not deserve it and you did nothing to deserve it. It
The Veracity of Hope
People like to put the word ‘hope’ into an imaginary place. A place of dreams and wishes. A place that isn’t ‘real. But nothing, and I mean nothing, could be further from the truth.
It’s Not Easy Being a Grown Up
If you’re raising a teenager or can remember your own adolescence you know that it’s a time of profound growth, change, and vulnerability. It’s understandable that the mental health world is so focused on
Being in the Here and Now
Stressful situations can make the most balanced people act in crazy ways. A few weeks ago, I received an email from a friend who is worried about her relationship with her long-term partner. She
Healing Through Yoga
There is no denying it, yoga has made its debut in America. There is a yoga studio on every corner. There are hundreds of yoga classes going on every day. Everyone seems to have
10 Tips to Halt Flashbacks
Flashbacks can take many forms. Children and adults can have emotional flashbacks. Veterans can have combat flashbacks. They are part of the aftermath of trauma for many people. A person can experience trauma after
Understanding Long Term Trauma (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
In an earlier post on how all trauma is not the same, I talk about how single incident trauma and repeated trauma impact people differently. A single incident of trauma catches us off guard
3 Tools to Help with Trauma Symptoms
Did you know that PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is considered a trauma induced anxiety disorder? PTSD is also considered a normal reaction to abnormal events. That means you are normal, and your responses
Stop Shaming Survivors of Abuse
I am so beyond sick of hearing from the survivors that walk into my office that they have been diagnosed with personality disorders or told that they are codependent while trying to navigate through
You’re Not Going Crazy: 15 Signs You’re a Victim of Gaslighting
The only way you can describe how you feel is that you feel minimized. You feel crushed and smothered. You’re constantly second-guessing yourself; your feelings, your perceptions, your memories, and a small, suffocated part
The Highly Sensitive Person and Complex Trauma
If you’re reading this, you probably identify as a highly sensitive person (or an HSP). However, you may not know what C-PTSD is or if you’re suffering from it. Complex trauma forms in childhood,
Making New Year’s Resolutions that Last
New Years is the time of year that’s universally associated with resolution making. Although most people go through the annual ritual of identifying the things they are determined to change, almost 90% of all
10 Steps to Increase Self-Confidence
How is it that I was not enough? How can I ever be enough? What if I’m not enough? Am I thin enough? Am I smart enough? Am I making enough? Am I doing
Why Consistency is a Powerful Force for Healing Trauma
Today I’m going to talk about one of the most important concepts on the road to healing for a trauma survivor: consistency. Why is it so important? Many who have endured trauma experienced it
Rejuvenation, Self Care, and Sisterhood: The Importance of Women’s Retreats
As women we tend to take care of everyone around us, but do a poor job at taking care of ourselves. We are expected by society to be motherly and nurturing to our children,
Can Spirituality Heal Anxiety?
Spirituality is something that has been important to me, as it has been a big part of my healing with anxiety. Often people ask if mindfulness is spirituality, and the answer is: it depends
Is Worrying About the World Impacting Your Emotional Wellbeing?
From current events to politics, there is no shortage of anxiety-inducing information in the world. At times, it can feel like our senses are being bombarded with worrisome news. How much worry is too
Introduction to Emotion: The wild and wonderful weather of our internal world
Emotions. The wild and wonderful weather of our internal world. Emotions pose that classic “you can’t live with ‘em and can’t live without ‘em” dilemma. Research has proven that we feel before we think—emotions
How To Rid Yourself of Negative Thinking Patterns
After a long, cold winter, now is the perfect time for a rejuvenating spring cleaning. But don’t limit yourself to emptying your closets and scrubbing the kitchen. Your mind needs a good spring cleaning
Healing, Self Care, and SLEEP
Experts will tell you that there are a variety of ways to deal with and heal from trauma. There is no denying the accuracy of this statement – every person who has survived personal
Why Your Partner Runs Away From Conflict (or why you do!)
I want you to imagine that you’re at a cocktail party, and you’re talking with someone you have just met. As people naturally do, you stand a comfortable distance away and start chatting about