Fears

So my anxiety was high today because during an interview, my technology failed, sort of, and the interview recording (for research) got messed up and wasn’t in a playable format. This is the stuff that stresses me out. Not doing the actual work but the pain in the ass stuff that I’m worried about being [...]

Adult Children of Emotionally Unavailable Parents — Review

This, honestly, was probably one of the most personally and professionally useful books I have read in a very long time. It is a quick read with so many useful vignettes as well as checklists that are easy to digest. It makes the material so much easier to apply to yourself. I have not read [...]

5 Signs of Relational Trauma

You don't trust people. You're able to "fake it" and appear connected with others on the surface, but you find yourself having visceral reactions of fear and disgust and pain when you have to rely on another person. You would rather do things yourself so you don't have to worry about or deal with involving [...]

Binge Eating and Trauma

I think I've recently realized just how much trauma affects every aspect of your life. Like, every aspect. Even when I'm feeling pretty good, I find myself looking for things that I should worry about or that I might have forgotten to pay attention to, almost as if my brain is like uncomfortable with peace. [...]

Relational Trauma: Soft Exterior Masks Silent Rage

With this short break between summer classes and the fall semester, I have had a lot of time to reflect. That can be good and bad. Nature has always been a safe haven for me. I remember running to the large garden in my backyard and hiding among the blossoms as a child to get [...]

Wellness Wednesday: Short and Sweet

Due to a my last doctoral class for the summer finishing up today, I have limited time to really construct something. But, I did meet with a very good friend this afternoon before I headed to my university. She is also very well acquainted with relational trauma and activation. It's imperative that if you too [...]

Wellness Wednesday: Family and Boundaries

Don't let anyone rob you of your zen. Most people have at least one person who can easily get under their skin by a harsh comment or a sharp look, and more often than not these people are part of the family. It cuts deep when a parent shows disappointment or disgust with a choice [...]

Wellness Wednesday: Trusting Yourself and the Process

Most of the time I look fine. Sometimes I'm fine, most of the time I'm fine, in fact ... but my anxiety can be so intense/trauma trigger feelings so unbearable that I want to stay in bed all day. Ever since I started listening to The Body Keeps the Score, I've recognized that relational trauma has symptoms [...]