Ever have those moments where you know something is bothering you, but you can’t quite place your finger on what it is exactly? Do you know general words to describe your situation, but then just draw a blank? Believe it or not, your therapist is not a mind reader. No one can tell you the […]

The month of April is Child Abuse Awareness Month.  This is an epidemic that is near and dear to my heart.  I am an advocate for the non-exploitation and safety of children as a counselor and former teacher.  I would like to educate the public on abuse and the lifelong impairment it can have on […]

A recent study at Duke University posed an interesting question: what is your daily trauma intake?  Think about it. You wake up, check the news and what is the first thing that you hear or see? Destruction, shootings, death, poverty, war. That is just before breakfast.  You obviously need to know what is going on […]

Do’s and Don’ts of Supporting Someone with Depression Depression is not easy. It is complicated and different for each person who struggles with it. Sometimes, I wonder if people really understand how debilitating it can be. Depression is not just being sad or down in the dumps. It is typically a long term struggle with […]

How many times have you found yourself in a difficult situation that brings up many emotions for you, but you believe you have to suppress those emotions and move on? Whether it be something that upsets you at work, something happens and you feel you have to put on a brave face for your kids, […]

“I’m freaking out!” Panic attacks are scary because they typically occur suddenly and without cause.  This creates more fear, which just perpetuates the attack. One of the things that makes them even scarier is the physical symptoms we can often experience, such as, accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath. So what is […]

Parenting is a difficult topic even in the best situations. Everyone has their own ideas and opinions on how best to discipline their children. Things become even more convoluted for parents when you add trauma into the equation. Each child is unique and so is their trauma story. When testing out new discipline strategies, it […]

Understanding 3 common symptoms of PTSD We often associate PTSD with war and soldiers in today’s society. However, anyone who has experience trauma in their life can have PTSD. What is PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after someone goes through, or witnesses, a traumatic event. A traumatic event is defined as a deeply […]

Recently, I was shocked to hear about the passing of one of my favorite designers, Kate Spade. To me, she had it all going for her. Her purses and clothing continually exuded this idea of confidence, happiness, and class. Seeing the bright colors, funky patterns, or even just the glitter on some of her pieces […]