As a therapist specializing in trauma, I’ve seen firsthand how the impact of emotional and psychological wounds can manifest in the body, often as chronic pain. The body and mind are intricately connected, and trauma—whether it be physical, emotional, or psychological—doesn’t just leave a mark on our minds. It can deeply affect our physical well-being as well. Chronic pain is a common issue for those who have experienced trauma, and the relationship between trauma and pain is

The election season can be a highly emotional and stressful time, no matter where you land on the political spectrum. Once the results are in, whether they align with your hopes or not, self-care is essential. Emotions may run high, and uncertainty can create anxiety. Here are some ways to care for yourself in the days following the election and find ways to ground, recharge, and stay connected with yourself and others. 1. Take a Break from the News and Social Media The nonst

For many children, childhood is a time of wonder, play, and discovery. These children have parents who give them the safety and security to explore the world around them and grow to reach their full potential. But some children have one or more parents who lack the right skills or behavior to allow their children to feel safe, secure, and unconditionally loved. Those children who are raised by someone with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) often experience prolonged tra

One of the things most of us are taught as children is to never judge others. “Don’t judge a book by its cover!” And yet, despite our best efforts, many of us fall into the trap over and over again. Why do we do it? Here are four common reasons that explain this particularly bad habit of judging other people. It Lets Us Feel Superior Tearing other people down is one way people prop themselves up. By judging others harshly, we compare ourselves to them and find ourselves super

If you asked any of us a year ago what would life be like in 2020, it’s doubtful anyone would have guessed we’d be going through a global pandemic, replete with lockdowns and self-quarantining. At the beginning of the year, some families might have thought of being forced to stay home from work and school would be a fun little vacation. But as the weeks and months have passed, we’ve all learned this has been anything but fun. But how is COVID affecting families? Well, it affe

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a therapeutic protocol used in the treatment of mental and emotional trauma. It has been widely praised in the United States and is currently used by agencies such as the American Psychiatric Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Those suffering from PTSD caused by major traumas such as sexual or physical assault, combat experiences, a

Human beings have a need for social connection. It stems from our ancestors needing to stick together to stay alive. Back in the day, those individuals who strayed from the group had a harder time surviving the elements and not starving to death. While it is far safer to be an individual these days, that doesn’t mean it is healthy for us to be isolated, for isolation undoubtedly threatens a person’s mental well-being. It is for this very reason that people suffering from depr

People from all cultures, backgrounds, and religious beliefs can suffer under the weight of mental health issues. Traditionally, therapists kept religion out of their office, focusing instead on their client’s mental well-being. But, since spirituality can play such a significant role in a person’s overall health, more and more mental health professionals are now beginning to incorporate the person’s religious and spiritual beliefs into their treatment plan. For people with a

Most human beings have implicit biases. And that’s okay, as long as we are aware of them and aware of how our attitudes affect others. In the United States, black people have lived through a long history of violence and social injustice. With the recent deaths of George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks, the Black Lives Matter movement has organized many protests around the nation, inspiring people from all walks of life to take a long hard look at themselves and their own beliefs. T

When you live with an anxiety disorder, any moment can become one that creates a slow-rising panic within you. Life is normal one second and the next, you feel your chest tighten and your heart begin to race. You may begin to hyperfocus on future events and find yourself getting lost in “what-ifs.” To make matters worse, you may then begin to berate yourself for allowing the panic to get the best of you and begin to believe that all of those what-ifs are indisputable facts. L