The Myth of "Getting Over" Abuse
There's a dangerous and pervasive myth that suggests if you've "gotten over" abuse, it's no longer affecting you. This couldn't be further from the truth. Simply "getting over" abuse means pushing it down, burying it deep inside. This may provide temporary relief, but it doesn't address the underlying trauma. The pain and hurt will continue to fester, impacting your life in various ways. Healing from abuse is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, effort, and support.
Navigating Relationships: What is Healthy vs Unhealthy
Relationships, be it romantic, platonic, or familial, form the bedrock of our lives. They offer support, companionship, and joy, enriching our existence in countless ways. But not all relationships are created equal. Some, unfortunately, can be detrimental to our well-being, leaving us feeling drained, confused, and emotionally hurt. Recognizing the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships is crucial for our happiness and overall health.
From Clash to Connection: Building Bridges Through Better Communication
Communication. It's the lifeblood of relationships, the cornerstone of collaboration, and the fuel that drives understanding. Yet, for something so essential, it can often feel frustratingly elusive. How do we truly connect with others, share our thoughts and feelings clearly, and navigate those inevitable bumps in the road? The answer lies in cultivating healthy and effective communication.
Unmasking Our Authentic Selves: The Hidden Cost of Perpetual Masking
In a world that often values conformity and fitting in, many of us find ourselves wearing masks to navigate various aspects of life. We put on different faces for work, social situations, and even within our families. But why do we mask, what are the detriments of always wearing these disguises, and why is it so crucial to embrace our authentic selves?
No One Can Know I’m Broken and Defective
Have you ever gone through something horrible that left you feeling broken, defective, unlovable, worthless, or that you’re a terrible person? Shame is a heavy burden that many of us struggle with in our journey towards healing from abuse. Shame is not just a fleeting feeling of embarrassment; it's a deep-seated and pervasive belief that we are fundamentally flawed or unworthy of love and acceptance. It’s the sense that I don’t measure up and can never measure up, and it brings a sense of hopelessness. Shame is where we feel like we need to hide because we don’t want others to find out our deep inadequacy.
Journey Through Grief
Healing is not a linear experience, and time alone doesn’t heal all wounds. However, there is hope for the future. Read more about what you can do to help as you move through the journey of grief. If you are struggling with grief, reach out and see how counseling can help as well.
Looking Through a Kaleidoscope Lens
Have you ever wondered why people can experience the same event but come out telling very different versions of what happened? Or had an argument where you can not understand why someone took what you said or did so very differently from what you meant? There’s a reason these things occur so frequently. Click to learn more.
“Why Would They Stay?” - The Truth Behind Abusive Relationships
Domestic violence starts as a wonderful, charming, happy relationship that slowly and subtly changes over time. To better understand how people end up in domestic violence relationships and why they don’t leave, read more here.
Perfection Doesn’t Exist
We always strive for perfection, but perfection doesn’t exist. We are all unique, we all have different strengths, we do things differently, and we all make mistakes. So how can we change our desire for perfection into something more healthy and obtainable? Read more to find out.
Becoming Unstuck
Have you ever felt stuck, trapped by the thoughts and memories of your past? Have you ever felt completely frozen, withdrawn, or panicked when things remind you of those thoughts and memories? If so, you are not alone, and there is hope for a better life where you can become unstuck and no longer feel that intense distress from the past.
Our Worst Enemy
If someone were to record the thoughts we tell ourselves each day, what would it say? Would we tell those same things to our loved ones or a small child? We tell ourselves horrible, belittling, demeaning things, and are often our own worst enemy. Those thoughts then become beliefs we hold about ourselves that are then unknowingly influencing our daily lives and our interactions with others. It doesn’t have to be this way though. We can change and work to become our own best friend.
We Can Fix It, Yes We Can!
Listening to Understand vs Listening to Respond. How to move from trying to Fix It to trying to understand and support someone. Sometimes the most valuable thing we can give someone is our time and attention.
What Does Your Bubble Say?
If we were cartoon characters, what would our thought bubbles say? How do we view and feel about the world around us, and how does that impact our daily interactions? Read more to find out.
Turn Down the Emotions!
Learning about the two sides of the brain, and how to regulate our emotions.
Oh no, I’ve turned into my mother!
There’s a reason we turn into our parents.
Don’t Follow the Rabbit!
How to recognize and avoid the “What If” rabbit holes.