How to Heal from Betrayal Trauma

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How to Heal from Betrayal Trauma

When someone you trust deeply breaks that trust, it can feel like your whole world has been turned upside down. Your mind may feel like it is spinning, and everything around you can start to seem strange or unreal. You might try to talk with your partner about what happened, hoping they will understand your pain. But instead, your emotions may be brushed aside or minimized. You may hear things like, “It’s not that big of a deal,” or “You’re overreacting.” When this happens, you can start to doubt your own feelings and thoughts. You may wonder if you are the problem or if you are imagining things. Slowly, you begin to lose trust in yourself.

You may also feel constantly on edge, watching for signs of what your partner might do next. You might check their phone, social media, or other resources more than you ever have before. You might feel suspicious, anxious, or scared, even if you were never this way in the past. As everything changes, it may feel like you no longer recognize yourself—or your partner.

All of these reactions are common. In fact, they are normal responses to something called betrayal trauma.

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Creating Joy in the Dark Winter Months

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Creating Joy in the Dark Winter Months

January and February can feel like they stretch on forever, especially if you’re navigating constant sickness, a string of canceled plans and disrupted New Year’s Resolutions, icy weather forecasts that keep you stuck inside, or post-holiday blues. Many people find this to be one of the toughest times of the year, which is why the third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as “Blue Monday.” For parents with young kids, this time of year can feel especially isolating, increasing the parenting load.

Cultivating joy and resiliency in the midst of these challenging months can be essential for getting through them without seeing a decline in your mental health. There are several mental shifts that you can make to increase joy in the midst of the struggle of these months. I’m going to share with you four mental strategies to support yourself and create joy.

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Capitalizing on the good days: How weather can impact motivation and mental health

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Capitalizing on the good days: How weather can impact motivation and mental health

It’s no secret that the weather has an impact on our mood. Over the last few months, clients have shared concerns with lack of motivation, increased sadness, and overall negative mood. The climate in which we live gives way for dark, cold, and dreary months during the winter which most people refer to as the “winter blues”. I talk with my clients about Seasonal Depression and how it is highly relevant to that time of year. They report not wanting to get out of bed, struggle to complete everyday tasks and even the thought of leaving the home is dreadful. Though this season feels like it goes on forever, you may have noticed slightly warmer and sunnier days. These days may have felt much lighter or “happier” to you which means Spring is here. The trees are blooming, it’s getting darker later in the evening, and nature is coming back to life! How exciting?!

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Making Meaning through Narrative Therapy 

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Making Meaning through Narrative Therapy 

Many of us have a story that we tell ourselves about why we are the way we are. This story in our minds is our own personal narrative that gives meaning to our life. As we learn through each moment (especially those significant moments in life), our idea of self is built through our own bias of experiences. Meaning making on our journeys can help create a sense of purpose.

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4 Ways To Give Yourself Extra Care During Colder Months

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4 Ways To Give Yourself Extra Care During Colder Months

If you’re anything like me, colder weather and shorter days mean a number of things are changing:

1.   Getting out of bed in the dark? Yeah, that feels like running a marathon.

2.   Lunch looks more like pork mac and cheese than a grilled chicken salad with almonds, goat cheese and fruit.

3.   Doing the dishes when you get home from work is infinitely less appealing than putting your feet up and watching holiday-themed movies.

We get out of healthier habits and slip into hibernation mode. Our bodies aren’t as well-nourished because the foods that seem more appetizing have higher levels of fat and sugar. We are lounging more and moving less. All of these factors lead us to feeling sluggish, less emotionally stable, and generally yucky!

 Self-care to the rescue! I am here to tell you there are ways to boost comfort and contentment without sacrificing true care for your mind and body. Here we go.

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