Must reads to recognize & heal complex ptsd
Hoovering: how to overcome the narcissist's tactic
Hoovering is a term named after the vacuum cleaner brand. It describes the narcissist’s attempts to “suck” you back in after you’ve separated or they sense you detaching from them.
Why you stay in an abusive relationship with family
I received a message from a reader that described her mother’s abusive behavior. Despite having reached her 30s this woman continued to live with her mother and endure the abusive relationship.
How to spot parental alienation and avoid mistakes
Parental alienation happens when one parent tries to turn a child against the other parent. This usually goes on in the case of divorce or separation. One parent launches a campaign of attack on the other in his or her absence.
What are flying monkeys and how to deal with them
The term “flying monkeys” comes from the classic film The Wizard of Oz. The wicked witch enlisted these creatures to do her bidding. They followed her instructions regardless of their evil intent.
How to spot dysfunctional family roles in a toxic system
Growing up in a system of dysfunctional family roles can be confusing. You’ve never known anything different, so it may take a long time to realize you’re part of a toxic machine.
How to regain your sense of self when you think it's lost forever
One of the outcomes of childhood emotional neglect is a lost sense of self. You may feel like you’re not sure who you are or what you stand for.
How to overcome fallout from family estrangement
First of all, family estrangement is more common than you think. If you’re in the difficult position of having to limit or go no contact with family members, you’re not alone.
Is forgiveness necessary for healing and how to know
Is forgiveness necessary for healing? Especially if you come from a faith background, you’ve probably learned a lot about the power of forgiveness.
How to use meditation to shift your hard work mindset
I know from experience that the best things in my life never came from hard work. And when I started a morning meditation practice (literally sitting there doing nothing), money began to appear.
How to improve your life through the act of self-awareness
Did you know self-awareness is the key to changing your life? But many of us who grew up in abusive or neglectful homes lack this basic component of a satisfying life.
The surprising truth about setting boundaries and how to overcome
When I first started setting boundaries, I had no idea the primal fear I was up against. It’s true boundaries are mainly a matter of saying ‘no’. But, we can’t underestimate how difficult that is for some of us.
How to love your inner child after insecure attachment
Insecure attachment means we didn’t receive the care and protection we needed as children, and lost touch with our playful side.
How to use self-advocacy to improve your life
Out of all the self-help terms, we hear about self-advocacy less often. In the beginning of any healing journey, we’re consumed with self-care, self preservation, self-protection.
How to overcome emotional dysregulation and its effects
Emotional dysregulation is marked by an inability to control one’s emotional responses and having outsized reactions to emotional stimuli.
What are emotional flashbacks and how to deal with them
Emotional flashbacks are different from the flashbacks we associate with PTSD. Rather than visual and auditory reminders of a specific event, emotional flashbacks are more of a feeling.