Author: Chris Williams

As we discuss domestic violence awareness this month, it is important to delve deeper into the impacts on children living in households affected by such violence. Even if children are not directly involved in the incidents, they are highly likely to be affected by the ongoing turmoil and distress. It is crucial to acknowledge and … Continue reading Domestic Violence and Children: 3 Quick Facts

When I was getting my undergrad, I took Composition 2 with a delightfully awkward yet thought-provoking woman named Tina. In class one day, she shared a story about being out with a colleague who once noted that she opened her bananas “wrong.” Rather than grab the stem of the banana and peel it back, Tina … Continue reading Neurodivergence: Different vs. Wrong

During Suicide Awareness Month, I usually like to bring up issues that pertain to today’s youth. This year, I’d like to raise awareness about the connection between suicidal ideation and bullying. According to one study, youth who experience regular bullying are 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than their peers who do … Continue reading The Connection Between Bullying and Suicide

No parent wants to think about their child being a victim of sexual abuse. However, current data shows it’s more common than we often think. According to the CDC, about 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys will experience childhood sexual abuse. It may be uncomfortable to think about and even more uncomfortable … Continue reading Preventative Factors Against Childhood Sexual Abuse

Trauma has many signs and symptoms, but lately, the concept of dissociation is getting more buzz. As often happens with mental health issues, there is a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding. Misconceptions can get confusing! So, what exactly is it? And when should you be concerned about it? Let’s break it down and hopefully gain … Continue reading Understanding Dissociation

June is Pride Month for the LGBTQIA+ community. While it’s good to remember why we celebrate Pride, Pride is often an intensely personal celebration that doesn’t come without its challenges. One community in particular that feels this challenge is those who are not yet out. First and foremost, I want to affirm that it’s okay … Continue reading Celebrating Pride When You Aren’t Out

Like it or not, TikTok is a reigning champ on the social media scene today.  According to recent statistics, it is currently the sixth most popular social media site, with almost 70% of its users falling under the age of 40.  Amid the tutorials, challenges, and pet videos, however, there is a new category of … Continue reading Mental Health TikTok: Positive Impacts

As we close out Black History Month, I felt it would be a good exercise to consider Black contributions to the field of psychology. In many of the classes I took to become a counselor, we would often comment about how the field of psychology is dominated by “old, white men.” Too often, we primarily … Continue reading Honoring Black Contributions to Psychology

As a former teacher and a current narrative therapist, I believe in the power of words. I cautioned my students about using the word “easy,” because what was easy for them might not be easy for a classmate. I encourage couples during conflict to be intentional with their speech because the same word might have … Continue reading “Negative Emotions?” Not in my Office!

If you’ve done any exploration into managing your anxiety, you’ve probably come across these two words – mindfulness and grounding. Often, these terms are used interchangeably. Though they are similar, there is a subtle difference, and it can be helpful to know it. Let’s explore what these terms really mean and how they can be … Continue reading Mindfulness vs Grounding – What’s the Difference?