Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the citizens there are experiencing the devastating consequences of living in a war zone – the constant threat of shelling, shooting and losing loved ones, as well as the worry over accessing food, clean drinking water and healthcare, and the breakdown of their usual routines and structures. The mental health …
The Ukraine War: How it Affects our Mental Health Read More »
The COVID-19 pandemic can be stressful to both children and adults. There are fears and anxiety about the new disease and the effect can be intense and possibly lead to strong emotions. Measures that have been put in place by WHO to curb the spread, for example, social distancing can make people feel isolated and …
Getting Through Traumatic Experiences and Mental Health Issues Read More »
Post-traumatic stress disorder ruins lives. The sound of a firecracker plunges a patient into a war-zone firefight. A hug is a replay of sexual abuse. A movie scene evokes all the pain of losing a loved one. Ordinary events are no longer ordinary. They are switches, flipping patients into an immersive memory that recreates every …
How Accelerated Resolution Therapy Can Heal Your Patients’ Pain? Read More »
Even if you’ve never been diagnosed with depression or anxiety, life can still overwhelm you. When you watch the news, see the everyday effects of the pandemic, and live in a troubled time, you can start to feel the claws of anxiety pulling at your sanity. Instead of succumbing to the pressures of life’s difficulties, …
When someone is gaslighting you, they want you to believe a different reality. It’s not easy to detect gaslighting, especially if you are in a close relationship with the gaslighter. The following phrases could indicate someone is using to twist your belief in the truth. It’s important to note not every instance of these phrases …
Narcissistic abuse is a level of emotional trauma that can cut deeper into your self-esteem than any other form of abuse you might experience. It can make it difficult for you to trust other people or have healthy relationships for years if you you have suffered under narcissistic abuse. Fortunately, a new strategy is available …
A New Strategy for Overcoming Narcissistic Abuse Read More »
For those of us who work closely in a therapeutic relationship with people who have experienced trauma or other painful life events, compassion fatigue sometimes feels like an inherent occupational risk. Compassion fatigue, sometimes called secondary traumatic stress, is the condition of becoming utterly emotionally (and physically) exhausted after being exposed to others’ trauma for …
Dealing With Compassion Fatigue as a Trauma Therapist Read More »
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the anxiety and fear of people around the globe. We fear for our health and the well-being of the most vulnerable members of our society. Canadians have lost their jobs, and businesses have closed. And as millions have applied for employment insurance and emergency benefits, the pressure to return to …
Staying Focused and Ready To Serve Through Crisis Read More »
The media’s core message on the coronavirus is that even if we behave, coronavirus will change life as we know it for years to come: massive job loss, disease, and yes death, rivaling the Spanish Flu which killed 50 to 100 million people. These are wildly unrealistic and unhealthy messages that can cause fear for …
Supporting Your Clients And Yourself During A Pandemic Read More »
Dissociation and Trauma Pathological dissociation is a common obstacle faced by victims of trauma. In addition to getting in the way of day-to-day life, it may hamper their attempts to seek help. As defined by Verywell Mind, “dissociation is a psychological experience in which people feel disconnected from their sensory experiences, sense of self, or personal …
How ART Can Help Patients Overcome Traumatic Dissociation Read More »
When we think of the holidays, many of us consider terms like “Christmas cheer” or “the holiday spirit.” But the truth is that for many people, the holidays serve as a reminder of loneliness, sadness, and loss. Depression, anxiety, and grieving can all be exacerbated by the holiday season. In fact, New Year’s Day, …
What to Know About Providing Mental Health Services During the Holidays Read More »
Having an anxiety disorder is no joke. Panic attacks can make the victim feel like there’s something seriously wrong with their body. Racing heart, shortness of breath, and shaking can make it hard to distinguish between a panic attack and a heart attack. Fear of the panic attack symptoms often piles on to the initial …
Resilience means being able to adapt to life’s misfortunes and setbacks. Test your resilience level and get tips to build your own resilience. When something goes wrong, do you tend to bounce back or fall apart? When you have resilience, you harness inner strength that helps you rebound from a setback or challenge, such as …
Resilience – Developing Skills to Endure Hardship Read More »
