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 […]
Is it Anxiety or Trauma? How to Tell the Difference
The Trauma or Anxiety Whack-a-mole You’ve probably typed “Do I have anxiety?” into a search bar before. Just me? Because I sure have! Maybe your heart races, your thoughts spin, or you find yourself restless and on edge. Anxiety is one of the most common struggles. And yet, what looks like anxiety on the surface […]
Your Partner is Not a Narcissist
Why “Narcissistic Abuse” Is the Wrong Label for Abusive Relationships The internet is flooded with content about “narcissistic abuse.” A simple search reveals countless YouTube channels, podcasts, and articles dedicated to this single term. While it’s become a convenient shorthand in our cultural lexicon, labeling an abusive partner as a “narcissist” or “covert narc” or […]
When Breathwork Backfires – Why It’s Not Always Safe for Trauma Recovery
The Breath of Life – Or a Breath That Feels Like Death? Breathwork is often talked about as helpful, and for good reason. Deep breathing exercises, often called breathwork, and somatic practices that emphasize the breath can absolutely help many people calm their nervous systems, reconnect with their bodies, and find peace. But what happens […]