Blog & Resources: Trauma, EMDR & Mental Health Articles

Trauma isn't only combat or assault. A trauma therapist explains big T and little t trauma, and why unresolved experiences of both kinds can be healed.

EMDR therapy helps the brain reprocess stuck traumatic memories. Learn how its eight phases work, how it affects the body, and how long it takes.

PTSD is not just for veterans. Learn the four types of PTSD symptoms, how a pandemic and other exposures can trigger them, and where to find help.

Coping skills that stop working are normal. A therapist explains why self care must be adaptive and shares ideas for building a flexible coping toolkit.

The article discusses how holiday stress can impact well-being and suggests watching holiday movies as a way to manage this stress. It highlights ten films, each offering valuable lessons: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" addresses depression and social anxiety; "Elf" promotes mindfulness; "Almost Christmas" helps manage grief; "Four Christmases" emphasizes setting healthy boundaries; "Christmas with the Kranks" finds balance as a parent; "Jingle All The Way" escapes perfectionism; "It’s a Wonderful Life" encourages letting go of comparisons; "National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation" advocates for flexibility; "A Christmas Story" promotes authenticity; and "Home Alone" showcases persistence. The author encourages taking time for self-care during the holidays and reaching out for help if needed.

The holiday season, often seen as a joyful time, can also bring added stress for parents and children alike, leading to potential meltdowns. Children may struggle with big emotions during this period of change and heightened expectations, which they may not yet know how to manage. Parents can help by practicing co-regulation, where their calm responses model emotional management for their children. Techniques such as deep breathing and acknowledging the child's feelings can create a supportive environment, allowing children to feel heard and understood while maintaining necessary boundaries. By fostering emotional awareness and offering praise for their child's progress, parents can navigate holiday challenges more effectively, and if needed, seek additional support from professionals.

The article discusses the importance of anger management for teens, highlighting that while anger is a natural emotion, it can lead to harmful reactions if not properly understood and managed. It emphasizes that anger often masks other feelings such as fear or sadness, and suggests strategies for teens to cope with anger, including deep breathing, body scanning, and engaging the senses. The piece encourages self-reflection to identify the root emotions behind anger and offers resources for therapy through Hope For The Journey, which provides support for various mental health issues, including anger management.

Trauma is anything unresolved. Learn why good trauma therapy has a clear start and finish, and how PTSD treatment differs from open-ended talk therapy.

Dinnertime and getting ready don't have to be battles. A therapist shares six simple, practical parenting steps to turn things around.

A trauma therapist shares ten practical tips to help parents cope while their child has surgery, from a mental stop sign to caring for yourself.

Parenting during COVID takes new resilience. Find ways to create peace at home, spot warning signs in kids, and practice mindfulness.

If talk therapy isn't helping, unresolved trauma may be why. Learn what trauma really is and the short-term treatments that can help.