Inside My Mind: A Therapist’s Blog
I write about psychedelics, traumatic grief, alternative therapy, betrayal trauma, self-care, EMDR therapy, and other topics that peak my interest.
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A Little Self EMDR Treat: Quick Read + Exercise
EMDR is a unique therapy that works with your sub lingual and helps you connect with more “true” or “adaptive” material that is already within you. This posts is intended to be used for fun or entertainment rather than for any therapeutic purpose. It is not therapy and it is not medical advice.
The Lingering Shadow: Understanding Complicated Grief and Unmourned Losses
Feeling irritable, distressed, or emotionally distant? It might be the lingering shadow of earlier, unmourned losses contributing to complicated grief. Explore this often-overlooked connection and discover how EMDR, IFS, and Somatic Therapy can offer pathways to healing for your mind, body, and inner world.
Stigmatized Grief: Loss to Suicide, Addiction, or Violence
The world acknowledges certain heartbreaks, we have offerings of comfort and rituals for mourning. But what about the losses carried in silence or met with judgment, like those from suicide, addiction, or violence? This is disenfranchised grief – the pain that feels unseen and unsupported by society. This post helps you understand and validate this unique grief experience.
Grieving an Abusive Parent: Understanding Your Brain and Body's Response
If you're confused because of losing an abusive parent, it's because your brain is grappling with a deep biological conflict, and this creates understandable chaos. Your system is wired to seek safety through attachment to this person, yet they were an are also a source of danger and fear. This conflict leads to complex, intertwined emotions, like grief mixed with anger or relief, which are a core part of grieving someone who held such contradictory roles. Read on to learn about your complex grief and how to move through it with compassion.
The Unexpected Places Grief Hides: Not Always Just Sadness
We often think of grief as just deep sadness after loss, but it's also a helpful process our minds and bodies use to navigate intense emotions. This "grief capsule" is important to our process. Feelings like irritability or fatigue can be disruptive. Recognizing these less obvious signs is a step towards healing. Grief is deeply personal, deserves compassion.
Grieving a Reactive Dog: Support Yourself Through Heartache
While the bond with a dog can be a source of joy, loving a reactive pup is a unique kind of grief. It's the longing for a different reality, the frustration of setbacks, and the constant worry for our dog's well-being and the safety of others. This grief can feel isolating - the daily challenges are often invisible to those around us. Explore the different layers of loss involved and find solace in knowing your experience is valid.