Tag Archives: #PsychologyAbuse

The importance of safe environments

Every child deserves to grow up in a safe environment that encourages connection. That’s our human birthright, what we’re designed for, and what we need in order to reach our potential. Too many kids experience a lack of safety and … Continue reading

Posted in Mental Health, Safe Medicine | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cuckoo’s Nest, Day 1

“What am I doing here? I hate it so far. Noisy, institutional. No real comforts, shitty pillow, cold room, can’t see through the window. I don’t even have personal care items, like soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, and toothpaste. So here … Continue reading

Posted in Mental Health, Safe Medicine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Enter the Cuckoo’s Nest

Me, four years ago tonight, at the cusp of what would turn out to be a horrible turn of events: “I’m having serious problems with my SSRI medication and I need to talk to a doctor. Increasing suicidal ideations, wish … Continue reading

Posted in Mental Health, Neuroscience, Safe Medicine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can’t we just run away from our trauma?

Can’t we just ignore or run away from our trauma? I tried! I quit my whole other life. Fledged my young adult children, sold and gave away my stuff, fixed up the house, sold it out a major loss, and … Continue reading

Posted in Mental Health, Safe Medicine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

America’s “standard treatment” for childhood trauma: more abuse and neglect

If you had “good enough” parents you were blessed with a fairly regulated nervous system, integrated brain, and secure attachment style. These contribute greatly to a sense of well-being from which health arises and a good life can unfold. If  … Continue reading

Posted in Mental Health, Nervous System | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Anger is a Secondary Emotion”

“Anger is a secondary emotion,” a watercolor I painted 3 years ago, about 3 weeks after my ordeal in the ER and mental hospital. Anger is often an indicator of a violation. This one was enormous. Although I painted well … Continue reading

Posted in Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Open Letter to A. Snortz, Psy.D.*

I write this on the third anniversary of our final office visit. You probably forgot that day. I have not. To refresh: my GAD was back up to critical, I told you I had increasing suicidal ideations and thought it … Continue reading

Posted in Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

WARNING: Cognative Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can harm!

WARNING: If you have Developmental Trauma, PTSD, or Complex PTSD, or even chronic stress, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may be contraindicated because it does not work when access to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is limited, as it is with those … Continue reading

Posted in Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Anger is a secondary emotion”

“Anger is a secondary emotion,” a watercolor I painted 2 years ago, about 3 weeks after my ordeal in the ER and mental hospital. Anger is often an indicator of a violation. This one was enormous. Although I painted well … Continue reading

Posted in Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

PTSD Awareness Day: Trauma-Informed Care is Vital

To the editor of the News Journal: PTSD Awareness Day is June 27, an occasion to acknowledge the vital need for Trauma Informed Care (TIC) training for frontline providers. As the pandemic continues and PTSD diagnoses rise, many will needlessly … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment