I had this pattern of giving all the good away. I would give and give. Often to the point of exhaustion. I have a large capacity (or I did once upon a time), one that was honed over a lifetime of people pleasing. So I could tolerate a lot and I had a lot to […]
As an adult, I had to learn to say “no.” What most people learn early on in their lives, I struggled to assert. In my family, obedience was expected, regardless of the circumstance. Raised in a strict religious environment, fawning was a requirement of my survival, and I filled the role of the dutiful daughter […]
When couples experience the trauma of affair, the fallout is profound. A single apology rarely sets the foundation for healing. Instead, genuine remorse must be demonstrated over time through consistent behaviors, transparency, and committed actions. Drawing upon leading therapeutic frameworks, Marina Edelman, LMFT emphasizes that authentic remorse goes well beyond words, requiring an enduring dedication […]
If the past is over but your body still feels unsafe, you may be experiencing complex PTSD. CPTSD can keep you stuck in anxiety, shame, emotional flashbacks, and survival mode. Trauma therapy and EMDR can help you understand these patterns and begin moving toward healing. “Why Do I Still Feel This Way?” Many adults living with complex PTSD ask themselves: “Why can’t I just move on?” “Why do I react so strongly?” “Why do I still feel unsafe?” “Why do I feel broken?” You may understand logically that the danger is over, yet your body continues to respond as if the threat is happening right now. That experience is real, and it is more common than many people realize. What Is Complex PTSD? Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, often called CPTSD, develops when someone has experienced ongoing trauma over time rather than a single event. […]
If you have tried trauma therapy before and still feel stuck, you are not broken. Traditional talk therapy may not fully address PTSD and complex PTSD. EMDR therapy helps the brain process traumatic memories so they no longer feel like a current threat. Learn why therapy may not have worked before and how trauma-focused treatment […]
When a loved one, family member or friend struggles with addiction, the instinct might be to swoop in and try to rescue them. However, there is a fine line between helping and enabling, and crossing it can be devastating for everyone involved. Let’s look a little more closely at the difference between enabling and helping. […]
Many adults are only diagnosed with ADHD later in life because their symptoms were misunderstood or overlooked during childhood. Some individuals learned to mask their struggles, while others were labeled as “disorganized,” “lazy,” or “anxious” instead of receiving proper support. In adults, ADHD symptoms often appear differently than they do in children, making diagnosis more […]
Emotions are the paints to life’s blank canvas, in my opinion. When you discover a new one, you’ve discovered a new color. Similarly to paints, there is a basic emotional palette, and then endless variations and combinations. In the art of contemplative psychotherapy, we practice meeting each emotional experience with present awareness and compassionate witnessing, […]
Supporting a partner who has experienced sexual trauma can be both a deeply compassionate and challenging journey. You may feel a strong desire to help them heal, yet find yourself unsure of the best way to provide comfort and understanding. The truth is, navigating this path requires patience, empathy, emotional attunement, and a willingness to […]
Healing Deep Wounds with Faith and Evidence-Based Care What Is Complex Trauma? Complex trauma—often referred to in clinical settings as Complex PTSD—develops from prolonged or repeated exposure to emotionally painful or unsafe experiences, often in early life. Unlike single-incident trauma, complex trauma is relational. It can stem from neglect, chronic stress, abandonment, or unstable caregiving. […]
