Who are you? Identity after Trauma Life takes each of us through natural significant developmental stages of transitions (infancy, toddler, childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood, retirement, etc.). Each of these transitional stages requires us to develop a new part of our identity. This can be complicated by a plethora of decisions [...]
The Traumatized Brain: Why Trauma Causes Triggers Life happens to all of us. Throughout scripture we see where we are guaranteed to face trials, tribulations, and persecutions. Knowing this only serves to normalize our experiences, it does not prepare us for unexpected life experiences and it does not prevent [...]
The experience of childhood abuse is far reaching. The United States is ranked as one of the leading industrialized nations for childhood abuse with nearly 700,000 children having reported abuse each year. Abuse can occur in many forms including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and neglect. Those who experience childhood abuse [...]
No parents are perfect, but sometimes parents are painfully imperfect. Sometimes parents directly instill fear, neglect, lovelessness, worthlessness, rejection, self-hate, abandonment, and anger that children live with. When these hurting children grow up to be adults they struggle. The challenges we face in childhood become the struggles of our adulthood. [...]
“Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.” Isaiah 61:7 When you hear the word “broken” what comes to your mind? Close your eyes [...]
Many are unclear about what trauma is. Trauma is subjective, meaning anything can traumatize a person if the event(s) impact the victim's nervous system and emotional and psychological well-being and are perceived as traumatic. Trauma effects all people without discrimination of age, race, sex, ethnicity, religion, or nationality. Approximately 70% of [...]
Welcome to the year 2020, where traditional life is out, and change is forced. You are not alone in your anxiety, depression, or mental health needs. - 1 in 5 American adults have a mental illness - 10.3% of Americans have serious suicidal thoughts in 2020, a 450,000 person [...]
I know there is a lot of information being thrown your way about how to survive the quarantine best. Most information feels overwhelming and impractical: Write a Book! Change your entire life! Build a commercial gym in your living room! Learn a new language! Be a hero! I want [...]
SOLUTIONS AND RESOURCES FOR QUARANTINE As the entire world shifts, shuts down, and isolates, the mind wants to run wild. With the flu season and the COVID-19 Coronavirus, forcing people to live an isolated life in their home while the world is rapidly changing can cause both rational and irrational [...]
There is an eagerness for the new year to begin, so new goals for self-improvement can be set. Here is a shocking fact: most people never accomplish the resolution they set for themselves! Okay, it’s probably not very surprising, if you are part of the 92% who are unsuccessful with [...]
Anxiety: When There is No Lion at the Door What exactly is anxiety and what is the difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder? First, it is an emotion and emotions are neither good nor bad; they are simply an alarm inside your mind and body that [...]
Negative Belief Systems: The Joy Robber I want to tackle the concept of negative belief systems and the joy robber that they are. Negative belief systems are created from life experiences. More on that topic here (The two sides to every life story: The significance of self-talk). Here is how [...]
“I don’t know about counseling…” and Christian Counseling? Can’t I just go to a pastor for free? Doesn’t science contradict the bible? … Ahhh, yes! I hear this ALL the time! Here are a few common myths about Christian counseling! Yes, I love pastors and their calling! They are [...]