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
Cognitive Processing Therapy has emerged as one of the most effective evidence-based treatments for trauma-related disorders, particularly PTSD. However, the journey from learning CPT techniques to mastering their application in real-world clinical settings can be challenging for even experienced therapists. This is where specialized CPT consultation becomes invaluable, offering clinicians the guidance and support they … Read more
Learning to set healthy boundaries is one of the most challenging yet essential aspects of healing for adult survivors of child sexual assault. When someone’s earliest experiences of personal boundaries were violated in the most profound way, the very concept of saying “no” or protecting one’s emotional and physical space can feel foreign, terrifying, or … Read more
When tragedy strikes and lives are lost, those who survive often find themselves grappling with an unexpected and overwhelming emotion: guilt. Survivor’s guilt is a profound psychological response that can follow traumatic events where others have died or been severely harmed while you have survived. Whether you’ve experienced a car accident, natural disaster, military combat, … Read more