Connection through an IFS perspective
The Path to Deeper Connection with Yourself and Others Feeling disconnected is often at the root of what folks are dealing with when they come to therapy. Common experiences such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, childhood abuse, relationship conflict, or many other struggles are expressions of some kind of disconnection. To gain a deeper connection with […]
From Inner Critic to Self-Compassion: Schemas and Parts Work.
Schema theory, developed by Jeffrey Young, proposes that early experiences can lead to the development of deeply held beliefs and feelings about oneself and the world, called “schemas.” These schemas shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors throughout life. Understanding how your experiences have shaped your responses to the world can be helpful. In many ways, […]
Trauma Cycles
I have been thinking recently about cycles, and cycles of trauma in particular. As I examine what is happening in our world today, I can only conclude that we have not moved past our traumas very well. We are in a constant state of amnesia and denial, repeating atrocities done to us to others. In […]
Are Your Symptoms From ADHD or Trauma? Or both?
Suppose you’re considering therapy because you’re experiencing things like anxiety, difficulty concentrating, issues with motivation and organization, and big emotions that seem to come out of nowhere. In that case, you might be wondering if you’re dealing with the effects of trauma or if it’s ADHD. It could be both. As awareness and understanding of […]
Are ‘parts’ real? A discussion of IFS and the use of our imagination.
So, I want to put IFS into perspective and discuss how we might see a “part.” Parts are not new. Conceptualising our psyche as made up of parts is nothing new. Whether it is spirits, different energies, Freud’s Id, Ego and Superego, the true self and false self, seeing different systems of emotion, thinking and […]
The Shame Cycle Explained
This cycle of shame is hard to break. Understanding how this develops to find a way out and heal can be helpful. Here are the steps: A bad thing happened to me. When hurtful things happen in childhood, we don’t see that action as separate from ourselves. We haven’t developed the cognitive understanding that […]
Do You Trust Too Easily?
Is it possible to trust too easily or is mistrust and blind trust sides of the same coin? Here we examine the connection.
Why we feel unsafe when there is no immediate danger
Why Do I Feel This Way? Understanding the Roots of Anxiety Have you ever wondered, “Why am I feeling unsafe and anxious when everything around me tells me I am okay?” Why do some people breeze through life with confidence, while others are consumed by thoughts of danger and betrayal? The quality of our lives […]
10 Ways to Let Go of Mistrust
Developing trust in relationships is essential to feeling content and secure in our life. In this post we examine how you can do this.
Do you struggle with wanting to feel normal?
Struggles to Feel Normal. I am not sure I have ever said ‘I want to feel normal.’ I think I have been one of those people at the other end of the spectrum who has made a point of being different and expressed my independence at every opportunity. Being unique and authentic has been a […]