Must reads to recognize & heal complex ptsd
How accepting their limitations will set you free
Have you ever been told to “let go” of resentment over how a family member treated you? Rather than letting go I suggest accepting their limitations instead.
What is parentification and how to know if it applies
Parentification takes place when the needs of the parent come before those of the child. It results in a role reversal where the child takes on responsibilities that should belong to the parent.
How to not should on yourself while you heal
Tara Brach is a mindfulness teacher and psychologist who says when you should on yourself, you argue with reality. The word ‘should’ shows a lack of acceptance and a disconnection with yourself.
How to get over feeling like you don't belong
Feeling like you don’t belong can be linked to adverse events in childhood. If you felt forced to suppress your own needs to win the love and acceptance of your caregivers, you never felt celebrated for your authentic self.
How to know you have a narcissistic mother wound
When Christina Crawford wrote about her abusive mother, Joan, in Mommie Dearest, several celebrities came out in defense of the actress.
How to attract the right people into your life
There’s a saying that your level of success and satisfaction in life is dependent on your ability to attract the right people into your life.
How to overcome maladaptive daydreaming
Many people who experienced childhood trauma learn to avoid painful feelings by escaping into fantasies or maladaptive daydreaming. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my reality was too painful to bear, so I escaped into daydreaming instead.
How to stop catastrophizing and improve your life
Catastrophizing means expecting the worst when something bad happens. It could be a coping mechanism learned in childhood to help you regulate your emotions.
How to overcome exhaustion from standing up for yourself
If you grew up in a family like mine, you probably never learned the art of standing up for yourself. In fact, you learned the opposite: how to suppress your needs in favor of others.
Signs you're in a fantasy relationship and how to stop
If you grew up with childhood emotional abuse and neglect, relationships of all kinds may baffle you. In romance you skip the getting to know you phase and propel yourself into a future of undying devotion.
How to ask for what you want without feeling guilty
Do you have trouble asking for what you want without feeling guilty? There are likely some good reasons for that which extend back to childhood.
How to know when "you ruin everything" means something else
Have you been told “you ruin everything”? Perhaps not in so many words. But expressing honest thoughts or feelings got you maligned or punished.
Dealing with disappointment when you feel let down
Self compassion invites us to sink into our feelings rather than pushing them away or shaming ourselves. Through mindful self compassion practice, I’ve recently come to terms with the role of disappointment in my life.
How to overcome black and white thinking
One of the many outcomes of childhood trauma is black and white thinking. This is the all or nothing mentality that leaves no room for two things to be true at once.
How to remedy a poor sense of self
One of the tragic outcomes of childhood trauma is a poor sense of self. When no one helps you understand yourself, that self has difficulty developing.
want more?
sign up for my weekly emails
Exclusive life-altering content, invitations to events & more