Alex sits at the dinner table trying her best to stay invisible, her shoulders hunched as though bracing for impact. Any misstep – the way she holds her fork, the…
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Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash “How do I grieve someone who caused me so much pain?” This question is asked in therapy offices across the world by survivors…
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made a dangerous quip at a recent Trump rally when he compared a popular NFL player to a notorious figure linked to domestic violence and murder. “I…
Picture this: A mother soothes her crying infant in the middle of the night. She rocks her baby gently, but as the minutes lengthen she feels a sting of something…
When you think of childbirth you might imagine personal transformation, joy, and even empowerment. For many parents, this is true. But for individuals with a history of childhood sexual abuse…
Taylor Swift’s sparkly ballad “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” highlights a harsh reality for many individuals struggling with their mental health: the need to hide their pain…
The British television series, Fleabag, offers a clever depiction of dissociation through its heroine’s frequent asides to the camera. These moments extend beyond a dramatic device; they serve as a…
I recently came across a research paper that found a link between childhood trauma and adult headache disorders. A comprehensive meta-analysis detailed in the October 2023 issue of Neurology suggested…
In Taylor Swift’s moody synth-pop track “The Tortured Poets Department,” one particular lyric stands out for its raw portrayal of manipulation and control: “You told Lucy you’d kill yourself if…
As a clinical psychologist specializing in birth trauma, I’m all-too-familiar with the many ways the medical experience of childbirth – which 33-45% of birthing people report as being a traumatic…