For twenty years, I have had the profound privilege—and responsibility—of sitting with survivors of child sexual abuse and sexual assault. I have witnessed the fear that comes in the middle of the night. The heartbreak of shattered trust. The rage at a world that wasn’t safe when it should have been. I have held space … Read more
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Is this still grief… or is something else going on?” you’re not alone. Grief can change the way you sleep, eat, think, and move through your day. It can make your body feel heavy, and your mind feel foggy. And sometimes, the longer you’re carrying that weight, the more it … Read more
Understanding the Mind-Body Connection in Grief and Loss When someone you love dies—or when you experience any significant loss—people often ask, “How are you doing?” And if you’re honest, you might find yourself saying something like: “I’m exhausted all the time.” “My whole body aches.” “I can’t sleep, but I can’t seem to stay awake … Read more
You’re Not Being Dramatic—Birth Trauma Is Real, and You Deserve Support Maybe your birth story doesn’t match the one you imagined. When people ask, “How was it?” you may find yourself saying, “Everyone’s healthy, that’s what matters,” while avoiding the real answer. Maybe you smile and nod when someone says you should just be grateful … Read more
Understanding ACEs, Developmental Trauma, and the Path to Healing Maybe you’ve heard yourself say things like: “I don’t know why I react this way.” “I should be over this by now—it happened so long ago.” “Other people had it worse than me.” “I had a roof over my head and food on the table, so … Read more
If you’re reading this, there’s a chance you or someone you care about has experienced sexual trauma. Maybe it happened recently, or maybe it’s something you’ve been carrying for years. Perhaps you’re not even sure what to call what happened to you, but you know something doesn’t feel right. Whatever brought you here, I want … Read more
Years ago, as a client and I were wrapping up a particularly intense session, she looked at me with genuine curiosity and asked, “How do you do this? How do you listen to some of the worst moments of people’s lives day after day? Don’t you get burnt out?” It’s a question I’ve been asked more … Read more
It was during an undergraduate course titled “Death and Dying” that I had the epiphany that my career would have something to do with death. I wasn’t drawn to the field of death, dying, and bereavement because of some dark macabre fascination with dying. Quite the opposite: I realized that by working closely with people … Read more
Many people ask what to do to prepare for the first anniversary of their loved one’s death. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to grief, but I do have some tips. Self Care First of all, for most people, it is not a single day that is the trigger of remembrance. It is a season. A … Read more
As a therapist who has worked with both civilian and military survivors of trauma for many years, I am often struck by the courage it takes to even consider reaching out for help after a sexual assault. If you’re reading this and thinking about seeking support, please know this: your fears, doubts, and hesitations are … Read more