Feeling safe, stable, and connected may be harder these days. With everything constantly changing, it’s easy to feel like the ground beneath us is shifting, making it hard to find stability ..read more

People tend to reach out for therapy when they are struggling – often after feeling like they have exhausted all other resources to feel better. The coping mechanisms that once ‘worked’ to manage life and make them feel better, or even just feel less badly, have stopped working. In these trying and scary times, more is needed – feeling like there is nowhere else to turn. Therapy may feel like a last resort ..read more

In a world filled with uncertainty, finding ways to navigate change can feel daunting. In this blog post, we delve into the complexities of living amidst the unknown, offering practical strategies for embracing flexibility and resilience. From understanding the emotional impact of change to the importance of connection and community, we explore how to cultivate a sense of security even when circumstances are unpredictable. Join us as we share insights on coping mechanisms, healing, and the enduring strength found in both individual and collective experiences. It's a journey toward not just sur ..read more

In this reflective blog following the DNC, Robyn Brickel, MA, LMFT, expresses her enthusiasm about the kindness and hope she witnessed throughout the event, emphasizing a trauma-informed approach characterized by inclusivity and empathy. She highlights several poignant moments, such as Kamala Harris’s acknowledgment of a friend in pain, reinforcing the significance of being seen and supported during difficult times. She also commends prominent figures like Hillary Clinton and Adam Kinzinger for their commitment to democracy, as well as President Biden’s difficult and selfless decision to prior ..read more

Do you isolate from others, and feel safer alone? Or are you afraid to be alone, and choose to always be with company? It is likely that these behaviors are coping strategies you’ve developed, and today I’d like to talk about why, and what to do about them now that you’re an adult ..read more

When feeling emotionally triggered or activated, we all have developed ways to ‘feel better’.  For some, that is get back into our self – be back in our bodies or get to a calmer state. This is called emotional regulation – where we attempt to bring ourselves back into the present moment, into our emotional windows of tolerance. Have you ever really thought about how you emotionally self-regulate? How do you self-soothe or get back to the present moment? Are you able to bring yourself back into your emotional window of tolerance – where you can think and feel at the same time? Everyone a ..read more

As trauma survivors begin to heal or experience post-traumatic growth, they often gain new insight about so many parts of their life, including relationships. Once beginning to view life through a trauma-informed lens, so many differences may appear. What you notice inside yourself, present in these relationships, may feel new or different. You may start to notice what you experienced as not ok or what you didn’t have in your life as missing. You may even notice or wonder why the people in your life — friends, family members, and loved ones — are staying the same. Why are they not changing th ..read more

February might elicit thoughts of hearts, candy, roses, and romantic dinners … and we probably think of these things because that’s what we’ve been taught or nurtured to see in society through portrayal on TV, through marketing, and on social media. (I tend to call it a bit of a “Hallmark holiday.”) Today I’m here to remind you that chocolates are not what’s important; they are only on the surface of the biggest, most real gifts in our lives: connections! So how do we go deeper? How can we make heart day really mean something? How can we foster meaningful connections this Valentine’s Day (and ..read more

At times it feels like the world is crumbling around us. We cannot look away from these heartbreakingly difficult times. They must be noticed and acknowledged to not be ignored. We also cannot let the horror of war take more casualties. This is one of the hardest articles to write. There’s nothing I can say that’s going to make the news of the last week better. Here are a few ideas to help you find ways to tolerate this current pain. Because having this destroy you as well, doesn’t do anybody any good. While we are powerless individually to stop the atrocities, we are powerful (on some level ..read more

Do you notice yourself second-guessing most people?  Is the lack of trust you feel with others impacting your relationships? Did you know that lack of trusting others can be a trauma response? Do you worry that your trauma responses are getting in the way of healing? Do you feel your inability to trust people is holding you back? Trouble trusting can be a familiar struggle on the road to recovery from complex trauma. And if you’re wondering about this, you’re not alone! Today we’re going to talk about why trauma survivors don’t trust, and how to continue on your road to healing, while al ..read more