An abusive relationship can consist of several traumatic events, which can cause these symptoms to stay present during the relationship as well as long after the relationship has ended. In the first month following a traumatic experience, if these symptoms are present, it is considered to be an acute stress…
Are you worried about a loved one? Maybe they show signs of depression, are having trouble coping with a recent loss, or simply appear to be stressed out of their mind. Whatever the case, you might be considering the benefits of talking with a mental health professional and want to…
The experience of being pregnant can be transformative for your body, mind, and spirit. Your relationship with your partner might change in anticipation of bringing new life into the world. Your identity may begin to shift as you feel the great responsibility of being a parent. But then, the worst…
Unfortunately, we will all experience grief at some point in life. Loss is universal (whether we like it or not) — but the grief process isn’t. While we might share similar emotions or responses to loss, the journey through our grief is an incredibly individual experience. That said, there is…
Nothing prepares us for the loss of a loved one—whether from death, a divorce, or simply them moving to a new area. The grief that comes with loss is overwhelming. And it doesn’t usually go away quickly. Months, even years following, you might be asking, “How long does grief last?…
It is entirely natural to experience a range of emotions after a traumatic event. Most people recover from these initial reactions and feelings within a few weeks. However, if you have ongoing problems, there could be something else going on, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This practical guide will help…
Grief is a normal human response to the pain of losing someone. It can be brutal, anguished, disorienting, maddening, enraging, and lonely. But ultimately, people do emerge from grief. They may feel forever changed; however, they do find meaning in their lives again. Those difficult feelings eventually make way for…
Your abuser does not get to define the rest of your life. You can know this intellectually, but it’s a whole different beast to know it in your body. People who experience sexual assault might internalize their fear and trauma so they continue to feel unsafe in their skin. They…
Trigger warning: This content might be triggering or traumatizing to survivors of sexual assault or other forms of violence. It might also be disturbing or upsetting to some readers. First and foremost, sexual assault is never the survivor’s fault. This is the most important piece of information, ahead of understanding…
It’s estimated that more than 50 million adults in America will experience some form of mental health condition in their lifetimes. That’s around 20% of the entire adult population of the United States. In addition, a recent Pew Research study found that, though self-reported religious affiliation rates have declined in…
Child therapists know that children grieve differently from adults, and they also understand how a child’s unique grieving process might be overlooked in the midst of significant loss. Children who experience the death of someone close to them are often surrounded by adult suffering. They might not want to burden…
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…
