Written by Gwen Soat, LCMHCA You Might Be Experiencing the Golden Child Syndrome If… You feel anxious when you’re not being productive You struggle to know what you actually want You seek acceptance, but praise often feels uncomfortable You fear disappointing people more than anything You put everyone else’s needs above your own You’ve been […]
Coercive Control Deep Dive
What is Coercive Control? Coercive control is a much better name for domestic abuse, domestic violence, or interpersonal violence because many people still picture abuse as only physical or sexual violence. The reality is that coercive control is a sustained pattern of power and control that slowly erodes another person’s autonomy, agency, and sense of […]
How to Be Effective
Are You Trying to Be Right — or Actually Effective? The hidden habits that keep us stuck — and the mindful shift that moves us forward. We spend a lot of energy trying to win stuff like arguments and situations. We often have an inner monologue running constantly in our heads. But winning and being […]
Romance Fiction Red Flags: Unpacking Harmful Tropes in Fictional Love Stories (Part 2)
Written by Gwen Soat, LCMHCA Romance Fiction Red Flags Last week we began unpacking the red flags we see in romantic fiction. This week we unpack the final six in our two-part series. 7. Romance Fiction Red Flag: Non-Consensual or Coercive Behavior Portrayed as Desire In romance fiction, a partner may kiss or touch the […]
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 […]