Category: Post Traumatic Stress

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

change, Complex trauma, Post Traumatic Stress, PTSD, Resources, self care, self worth

The Privilege of Wellness

Not too long ago I saw a meme come across my social media feed stating, “90% of your life is a reflection of your habits”. It went on to say that your weight, health, financial stability, and happiness are up to you. While I value self-responsibility this post felt, well, privileged. I get the same … Continue reading The Privilege of Wellness

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

Trauma Related Grief

Trauma therapy is difficult and complex. Generally, trauma therapy takes place in 3 stages—stabilization and resourcing, memory work, and grief work coupled with the practice of new behaviors. Each stage likely involves multiple interventions and approaches. It is not fast work. When I talk to people about trauma work, they often have some awareness of … Continue reading Trauma Related Grief

boundaries, change, Complex trauma, counseling, Post Traumatic Stress, PTSD, relationships, self care, self worth, Therapeutic relationship

Compliance as a survival response

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Survival is complicated and incredible. We are innately wired with a sophisticated stress response system that allows us to survive hard things. To put it simply (although this is an oversimplification) there are 3 primary default responses to threat. First we seek social connection—safe people. If safety is not found … Continue reading Compliance as a survival response

boundaries, Coping, Post Traumatic Stress, Resources, secondary trauma, self care, self worth

Understanding Secondary Trauma

We live in a broken world. If we exist long enough, we will be exposed to hard things—trauma, grief, injustice, physical illness, and human tragedy. We are designed to live in community, and we are designed to care about people. Our existence depends on it. From our earliest moments our survival is highly impacted by … Continue reading Understanding Secondary Trauma