amarillocounseling

Complex trauma, Coping, counseling, grief, Mindfulness, relationships, self care, self worth, Therapeutic relationship

The Compassionate Witness

I believe that counseling (or any therapeutic intervention) should be intentional. Having a treatment plan in place is, after all, required by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council for Licensed Professional Counselors. I tell my clients that it is never their job to have “material” for the session. It is not their job to come … Continue reading The Compassionate Witness

Addiction, boundaries, change, Coping, Resources, secondary gains, self care

Responding to Self-Harm

Self-harm is complicated and difficult to understand. If you have not read Understanding Self Harm, I recommend reading it first. This blog is written for those who aim to love hurting people. It is for the individuals who have witnessed the suffering of self-harm in their child, friend, or family member. It is for those … Continue reading Responding to Self-Harm

Addiction, boundaries, change, Complex trauma, Coping, counseling, Post Traumatic Stress, PTSD, secondary gains, secondary trauma, self care

Understanding Self-Harm

Self-harm is intentional, non-suicidal injury to one’s body. It is common—as many as 1 in 3 adolescents report they have self-harmed at some point. Self-harm can be scary and difficult to understand. I hope to contribute to greater understanding of self-harm and provide a starting point for intervention. Like most of my blogs, this is … Continue reading Understanding Self-Harm

Addiction, boundaries, change, Complex trauma, Post Traumatic Stress, PTSD, secondary gains, Trauma Therapy

The Healing Crisis

Have you ever had an experience where the "right" choice would make life more difficult? Perhaps it was ending a toxic relationship, stopping an unhealthy coping mechanism, or leaving a job that did not honor your values. Sometimes, the next best step is essential for your health and healing. Sometimes the next best step hurts. … Continue reading The Healing Crisis

change, Complex trauma, Coping, counseling, EMDR, grief, Post Traumatic Stress, PTSD, secondary gains, Trauma Therapy

Staging Treatment in Complex Trauma

We have all seen a movie in which the protagonist experiences a life-changing epiphany and their course is suddenly changed for the better. Sometimes it’s a moment of disclosure, finally getting it “all out”. And while I think moments of insight and disclosure can be powerful, they represent only one aspect of the therapeutic experience. … Continue reading Staging Treatment in Complex Trauma