Women’s History Month: A Discovery That Changed Trauma Treatment

A tidbit of women's history you might not know.... Like the rest of us, Dr. Francine Shapiro had problematic experiences.  Yet, her troubles led to a discovery that could treat trauma.   As many of us have done, Dr. Francine Shapiro went on a walk to think about something troubling her.  She had been darting her … Continue reading Women’s History Month: A Discovery That Changed Trauma Treatment

Women’s History Month: A Discovery That Changed Trauma Treatment

Like the rest of us, Dr. Francine Shapiro had problematic experiences.  Yet, her troubles led to a discovery that could treat trauma.   As many of us have done, Dr. Francine Shapiro went on a walk to think about something troubling her.  She had been darting her eyes back and forth when she realized she was … Continue reading Women’s History Month: A Discovery That Changed Trauma Treatment

Lifting Black Voices: Dr. Nadine Burke Harris

“You know what? Because of what you’ve experienced, your body might be making more stress hormones than it should. That can look and feel like being quick to anger, or having trouble controlling your impulses, or getting sick easily”—I can’t tell you the number of kids who have looked at me and literally said, “Oh, … Continue reading Lifting Black Voices: Dr. Nadine Burke Harris

Imagine Helping Your Seasonal Depression With Something You Already Have

For some, seasonal depression strikes around the same time every year.  For many others, that season seems to last all year… especially when the last two years have been chaotic as heck.    If you have felt like you are checked out, losing interest, pulling away, and lacking energy, you might be experiencing seasonal or other … Continue reading Imagine Helping Your Seasonal Depression With Something You Already Have

BPD: STOP intense distress mindfully

Use STOP (Stop, Take a breath, Observe what’s happening, Proceed mindfully of actions and goals) to help with BPD distress. All of us experience distressing emotions and could use some help to handle them.  Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) tend to have more difficulty regulating their emotions.  Common intense distress instances, especially if you … Continue reading BPD: STOP intense distress mindfully

Trauma Assessment in Therapy

In my therapy office in Kansas City, “trauma” can refer to an event, resulting stress, and/or long-term effects a person experiences. Assessing trauma involves asking questions about exposures to life-threatening events and their aftermath.   ASSESSING TRAUMATIC EVENTS Traumatic experiences cause our brains to react emotionally and physiologically as if we are facing life-threatening danger.  Our brains … Continue reading Trauma Assessment in Therapy

What happens if I tell my therapist/counselor I’m having thoughts of suicide?

Before you read this article, please take care of yourself. If you need help to stay alive right now, please call 911. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 anytime you need to talk or get ideas to cope.  If you have not told a professional about your thoughts of suicide … Continue reading What happens if I tell my therapist/counselor I’m having thoughts of suicide?

Back to School Basics: Learning Co-Regulation

Teachers, parents, coaches, other mentors, and therapists play a pivotal role in co-regulating with their students/children/clients/etcetera.  In an era of people experiencing more and more exposure to anxiety and trauma, co-regulation skills can make the difference between thriving and struggling.  Younger children need the most help learning self-regulation skills, but many older children and adults … Continue reading Back to School Basics: Learning Co-Regulation

Back to School: Adaptability, Tenacity, and Resilience

Ahh, summer break was filled with hot sunny days, lots of Netflix, and for many of my clients the opportunity to travel for the first time in over a year!  Although coronavirus changed what education looked like for many students, it also taught these students adaptability, tenacity, and resilience, which are all qualities I help … Continue reading Back to School: Adaptability, Tenacity, and Resilience