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. […]
Why Do Relationships Trigger Me So Much? (And What It Actually Means) If you’ve ever found yourself thinking: 💠 Why do I get so overwhelmed in relationships? 💠 Why do small things feel like a big deal? 💠 Why do I either shut down or spiral? You’re not dramatic.You’re not “too much.” And you’re definitely not broken. — A lot […]
When Trauma Doesn’t Look Like Trauma: Signs of Complex PTSD (CPTSD) A lot of people think trauma has to look dramatic to count.Like one big, obvious, life-altering moment.Something everyone would immediately agree was traumatic. And yes—those experiences absolutely exist. But a lot of trauma doesn’t look like that at all. Sometimes it looks like what you had […]
What Are Emotional Flashbacks? (And Why Do They Feel So Intense?) You know that moment where something small happens— and suddenly it doesn’t feel real small anymore? Yeah. That. — If you read my last two posts and felt called out a little? Well then, this is the post that explains why your reactions feel so intense […]
She looked at me like I’d suggested she try flapping her arms and flying home. I’d floated the idea of being a little kinder to herself — nothing dramatic — and her response was immediate. Almost allergic. “That feels fake.” Then, quieter: “I don’t think I can do that.” I’ve had this conversation more times […]
Searching for a trauma therapist is a lot to ask of someone who’s already running low. You scroll through bios that all sound the same and try to figure out who might actually be a good fit for the specific, complicated, very human things you’re carrying. One thing worth knowing first: trauma doesn’t always look […]
As a man, does asking for help feel foreign or ‘wrong’ somehow? It may be that many traditionally male tenets may be useful or adaptative in certain environments. However, at least some of them might come at a significant cost in other areas. A relatively recent study shows that at least for some men, believing […]
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