One of the most confusing—and discouraging—parts of healing from trauma is this: You finally start doing the work, and instead of feeling better, you feel worse at first. You feel more emotional, more tired, more tender. Sometimes you also feel more angry, sad, or overwhelmed than before. That can feel super frustrating when what […]
What Spiritual Abuse Is (and What it Isn’t)
Spiritual Abuse Defined The phrase spiritual abuse is being used more often, which is helpful and also can be complicated. It’s helpful, because many people have been harmed in the name of God and finally have language for their experience. Putting language to trauma helps us reengage our prefrontal cortex (the front thinky thinky part […]
Why Mindfulness Practice Matters for Trauma Healing
Many people try mindfulness practice and feel worse, not better. They sit still, notice their heart race or their thoughts go willy nilly, and decide they’re failing. The truth is so much kinder (and more accurate): your nervous system is doing its job. When you’ve lived with chronic stress, abuse, or ongoing uncertainty, your body […]
Romance Fiction Red Flags: Unpacking Harmful Tropes in Fictional Love Stories (Part 1)
Written by Gwen Soat, LCMHCA Romance Fiction – Part 1 Falling in love through romance fiction is a common pastime for many creatives and story-lovers alike. We read of star-crossed lovers defying the odds, of enemies-to-lovers who choose each other despite their flaws, and friends who find each other to be so much more. Fictional […]
The Healing Power of Whole-person Counseling for Trauma
Why Whole-person Counseling for Trauma Did you know that nearly 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime? While not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will be traumatized, when you are it it can leave a deep wound. When trauma goes unaddressed it leads to to […]