Trauma Archives

How Weighted Blankets Are Replacing Spouses (and Why That’s Okay—for Now)

There’s a moment in a recent therapy session I can’t stop thinking about. A client looked lovingly at her partner and said, only half-jokingly, “You didn’t hug me this morning, but it’s fine—I had my weighted blanket.” We all laughed. The weighted blanket: warm, reliable, non-demanding. And let’s be honest—sometimes,

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Letting Go of Limiting Beliefs: How to Identify the Old Stories That Keep You Small—and Gently Reclaim the Truth

You’re not broken—you’re just running an old script.
One written to protect you when the world didn’t feel safe. One that made sense then, but keeps you stuck now.

And you’re not alone.

Whether it’s “I always mess things up” or “If I speak up, I’ll lose love,” many of … Read the rest

Why Reliability is the Hidden Key to Deep Intimacy and Trust in Relationships

We talk a lot about love, passion, communication. But not nearly enough about the quiet force that holds it all together: reliability.

In any intimate relationship, reliability isn’t just a bonus. It’s the bedrock. It builds emotional safety, strengthens trust in couples, and creates the kind of … Read the rest

The Body Remembers Chaos: How Childhood Trauma Shapes Adult Anxiety—And How to Heal

What We Carry from Childhood

Have you ever caught yourself reacting to something small—tensing in traffic, shutting down mid-argument, or unraveling when plans change—and wondered, “Why is this so hard for me?”

For many adults, chronic anxiety, emotional flooding, or relational tension aren’t just quirks or overreactions. They’re nervous system … Read the rest

When Happiness Feels Out of Reach: Understanding Your Feelings

Have you ever felt numb, anxious, or disconnected during moments that should bring joy? Perhaps you’ve thought, “Why can’t I just enjoy this?” If so, you’re not alone—and these feelings don’t mean something is wrong with you.

Sometimes, difficult experiences from our past—even if we don’t label them as “trauma”—can … Read the rest

Survivor’s Guilt: Understanding, Coping Strategies, and Healing

Survivor’s guilt is a deeply human, often misunderstood response to living through something that others did not. Whether you walked away from an accident, outlived a loved one, or survived a tragedy that claimed others, the weight of that survival can show up in unexpected ways. It’s not just sadness—it’s … Read the rest

Dear Inner Critic, You’re Canceled: A Guide to Self-Love

By Katherine Jewett, LMFT

Introduction

Ever notice that voice in your head that sounds suspiciously like Regina George from Mean Girls or maybe Professor Snape from Harry Potter? Meet your inner critic—the uninvited guest at your mental party who constantly whispers things like, “You’re going to embarrass yourself,” or … Read the rest

The Perfectionism Trap: How the Pressure to Be Perfect Fuels Anxiety and Depression

by Katherine Jewett, LMFT

Ever spent 20 minutes choosing a font for an email or rearranging the cups in your cabinet until they’re just right? 🙋 You’re not alone. Many of us proudly call ourselves “perfectionists,” often with a nervous laugh. We might even trot it out as … Read the rest

Building Trust and Safety: The Science of Co-Regulation

The Importance of Co-Regulation in Personal and Professional Relationships

In our fast-paced society, we often hear about the importance of self-regulation — the ability to manage our own emotions and behaviors. While self-regulation remains crucial, there’s another concept that’s equally vital yet often overlooked: co-regulation. Co-regulation is how we … Read the rest

Can EMDR Therapy be Done Online?

When the pandemic hit, many people began to work with their therapists online. But there were many skeptics who did not believe the benefits of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, also known as EMDR therapy, which is traditionally a hands-on therapy, could translate to online platforms. But as the … Read the rest

Dealing with Family Trauma Around the Holidays

The holidays are often a complex time for many people. On the one hand, there is a sense of joy in the air, while on the other hand, sorrow and grief because of either a loss or dysfunctional family dynamic.

The following are some ways you can deal with family … Read the rest

Somatic Meditation and Mindfulness for Trauma Treatment

While most people will experience challenges and hardship in their life, some people experience trauma. We’re beginning to understand trauma better now and have recognized that trauma is actually a physiological process that impacts our psychological and emotional wellbeing. When trauma is suppressed, it often leads to mental health issues … Read the rest

Overcoming Generational Trauma

You know you got your hairline from your Dad’s side of the family and your eye color from your mom. You know diabetes runs in your family, as does heart disease and Parkinson’s.

But do you know that many families also pass down trauma to their loved ones? It’s not … Read the rest

What Is Trauma-Informed Care?

According to CDC data, 1 in 4 children experiences some form of trauma or abuse in their childhood. More sobering statistics indicate that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men have experienced rape at some point in their lives. These numbers suggest that many people, male and female, … Read the rest

Do I Have PTSD? Recognizing the Signs

As shocking instances of mass shootings continue to occur all over the United States, we often hear people talk about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Frequently associated with post-war veterans and victims of mass violence, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can develop in people who’ve experienced or witnessed a … Read the rest

How To Cope With The Psychological Trauma Of A Mass Shooting

When tragedies like mass shootings occur, most of us struggle to make sense of it. How could something so terrible happen? What would cause another human being to do such a thing? And how can we move on with the knowledge that this latest mass shooting most likely won’t be … Read the rest

What is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that typically occurs after individuals have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a serious accident, natural disaster, a terrorist act, war/combat, rape or other violent personal assault.

In the past, PTSD went by different names. During and right after the … Read the rest

How to Begin Healing After Personal Trauma

No one is ever prepared for a tragedy. In fact, most of us go through our lives believing that tragedies happen to other people.

When people do experience a distressing or life-threatening event, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or terrorist attack, they often develop extreme anxiety or PTSD. … Read the rest

Why EMDR is Effective in Treating Trauma

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a therapeutic protocol used in the treatment of mental and emotional trauma. It has been widely praised in the United States and is currently used by agencies such as the American Psychiatric Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and the … Read the rest