With 2020’s events around COVID-19, many professions and organizations moved to remote work. In response to this transition, individuals are experiencing a significant increase in the use of video conferences and video chats. Although video conferencing is new for many people, the use of virtual meetings and appointments have been around for decades, so too […]
Do I Have PTSD? Recognizing the Signs
We often hear people talk about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Frequently associated with post-war veterans and victims of mass violence, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can develop in people who’ve experienced or witnessed a traumatic or life-threatening event and does not only apply to War Veterans. There are many other instances of trauma […]
Mass Shootings: How to Talk to Your Kids
After the tragedy at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado in 1999, certainly no one could imagine that over the next 20 years, 200 more school shootings would occur. In the first 79 days of 2018 alone, there were 12 school shootings, compared to 9 over the entire year of 2017. Sadly, school shootings are […]
You Are Not Alone: Finding Support as a Male Sexual Abuse Survivor
On an almost daily basis we hear stories of female sexual harassment and abuse in the media. Sadly, male sexual abuse is fairly common, but the issue is underreported by the media and society in general. One US-based study found that 1 in 6 boys experience some form of sexual abuse by the age of […]
Ready, Set, Play Therapy!
Childhood can be a time of great wonder and joy. But for some, childhood is flooded with chaotic family or school situations that overwhelm and depress developing psyches. Adults who are having trouble in their lives can often get help by speaking with a trained therapist. But young children can find it difficult and even […]
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, or EMDR, is a set of standardized protocols that incorporate elements from many different treatment approaches. It has been researched extensively and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. What Issues Can EMDR Treat? EMDR is used to treat a variety of mental health issues including: Panic attacks Complicated […]
5 Reasons Why Parents Don’t Discuss Child Sexual Abuse and Why You Should Be Talking About It
According to the US Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused by the time they are 18, and 44% of rape victims are under age 18. Sadly, but not surprisingly, victims of sexual assault are three times more likely to suffer from depression, 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, […]
5 Signs Your Teenager is Asking for Help
The teenage years can perhaps be best described as a time of physical, emotional and social tumult. Changes happen so rapidly in adolescence, that neither child nor parent really knows how to cope. Teenagers often become more detached from their family during this time. In fact, parents become less important in their teenager’s eyes, as […]
Recognizing the Signs of Teen Depression
Ask any parent what their main job is and they will tell you it’s protecting their children and keeping them safe. New parents spend hours, if not days, baby-proofing the house. They research the best car seats and bike helmets and figure out ways to ensure their kids are safe online. But, no matter how […]
Parenting a Traumatized Child and Self Care
Parenting a Traumatized Child Trauma informed parenting offers various strategies for caregivers to assist a child who has experienced trauma. Help the Child Feel Safe This is critical because trauma often robs the child of their ability to feel safe. Parents and caregivers can promote safety in many ways. A parent can allow the […]