Counseling & Coaching
Spirituality often varies in definition and in practice—however, it’s ultimately about connecting to something greater than ourselves to live a happier life. Doing so can help us cope during difficult times, which means spirituality can prove important to addiction recovery. Those in addiction recovery (and others) can practice spirituality and…
We all cope differently with our struggles, such as mental illness—but an often-effective method that many can benefit from is humor. Humor can help us be more resilient when life doesn’t go our way; it enables us to make light of our situation and in the process even moderate the…
Abuse often has short-term and long-term effects on those who fall victim to it, as it is a seriously distressing experience. Life can alter in a few ways, after the abuse; for example, one might have trouble trusting future partners or avoid romantic relationships altogether. Additionally, one can experience a…
Any kind of abuse—whether it be physical, emotional, mental, sexual, etc.—can lead to PTSD, as abuse is a highly emotionally distressing experience. The overactivation of stress hormones causes the victim of abuse to experience a fight, flight or freeze response, which makes it near impossible for the individual to focus…
Gaslighting is a dangerous form of manipulation which causes the victim to question their own sanity, judgment, even memories. The abusers place blame onto their victims and rely on their victims’ insecurities. If you feel threatened by an individual, you often feel confused around the individual, or you feel weak…
The loss of a loved one to suicide can hurt on a deeper level, often because of all the questions left unanswered. This type of loss can leave one feeling overwhelmed with guilt, wondering what they could have done differently and questioning everything they know to be true. While this…
When you use substances to deal with your problems, they never get resolved and those negative feelings will still be there. More effective coping strategies include creative endeavors, talking with a trusted love one, and doing things you truly enjoy. Another negative effect of using drugs and alcohol is brain…
Many don’t fully understand what it’s like to experience addiction, from developing the illness, to going through withdrawal, to working towards recovery. But it’s important we try our best to achieve a greater understanding, so we can best help those who suffer with the disease. A common misconception is that…
Deception can wreak havoc on a relationship, but there is hope for healing if both partners are willing to put in the work. First, the partner who did the wrongdoing must recognize, acknowledge, and apologize for their mistake. Then, both individuals must agree to work on their relationship and move…
Anybody who has been exposed to a traumatic experience in some capacity can develop PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD can vary from person to person, but affected individuals typically experience hypervigilance, mood changes, and loss of concentration. PTSD can improve or worsen, depending on how severe the disorder is and how…
PTSD can be divided into four phases: the impact phase, the rescue phase, the intermediate recovery phase, and the long-term reconstruction phase. The impact phase encompasses initial reactions such as shock, fear, and guilt. In the rescue phase, the affected individual begins to come to terms with what has happened….
As with many conversations surrounding mental health, there are a few common misconceptions when it comes to understanding the course and development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental illness that many suffer with after experiencing a traumatic event. Dr. Joe Bates, brain expert and double board certified psychiatrist, has…