Whether you’re a proud cat person, or a die-hard dog lover, or still undecided, there’s no denying the profound impact a furry friend can have on your life. Beyond the cuddles and companionship, owning a pet, commonly a dog or a cat, can improve your overall quality of life in ways you might not expect.... Continue Reading →
When life's stresses and hardships become too much for us to handle, we go into survival mode and struggle to get by. It could seem like waking up with a sense of dread for the day ahead. You may hear yourself saying things like, "I just want to go to sleep, or I can't wait... Continue Reading →
One day, I was observing my granddaughter play. Her innocence, joy, and vulnerability stood out to me. It brings me joy to say, she has no idea what it is like to go through a traumatic event. It is my hope and prayer that she never has to experience life through the Lense of trauma. For a minute I thought, what... Continue Reading →
As an individual, there may come a time when someone close to you discloses that they have experienced the traumatic and deeply personal ordeal of sexual assault. It is a heavy burden for both the survivor and those who care about them. Finding the right words and actions to support your friend can be challenging... Continue Reading →
Over the last couple of years, I have heard the word “trauma” be mentioned often in the right context or not. Instead of people saying, “that was scary,” I am hearing a lot more “this was very traumatic” or “I am traumatized now.” While this might be true for the specific individual, many others consider... Continue Reading →
Being vulnerable is really hard. To be vulnerable means to be able to identify, name, and experience our feelings. Nothing about this process is simple, which is why I do not ask every client, “How do you feel today?” I am careful when and how I pose this question to my clients. Of course, the... Continue Reading →
According to the National Day Calendar, March 2nd marks World Teen Mental Wellness Day. It is a day that strives to increase awareness and decrease stigma about the many mental health issues that teens deal with daily. Many teens begin presenting various problems at around 14 years of age. These issues often go undiagnosed and... Continue Reading →
Social workers, counselors, and educators are just some of the many individuals who spend their careers in service to others. By nature of their work, many helping professionals are exposed to painful, difficult stories and experiences from the people they serve. Secondary trauma has become an “occupational hazard” among helping professionals that is leading to... Continue Reading →
Our brain is shaped in three primary ways: temperament (inborn basic personality traits), genetics, and experience. Experiences of trauma, especially chronic childhood trauma, impacts how the brain develops and responds to threat in a number of ways. Our brain’s primary job is survival, and a brain that’s been through trauma is hypersensitive to threat. When... Continue Reading →
CounselingMatters.live 