When we hear the word trauma , many of us think of extreme events — combat, natural disasters, or violence. But the truth is, trauma touches far more lives than we realize, and its impact can take many forms. This week’s Resolve to Rise series explored the question: What is trauma, and how does it affect us? Here’s a deeper look at what you need to know. Who Experiences Trauma? Trauma doesn’t discriminate — it touches almost all of us. Globally, about 70% of people will experience a traumatic event during their lifetime ( Benjet et al., 2016 ). In the U.S., it’s closer to 9 out of 10   of clients in public behavioral health  ( SAMHSA , 2014 )  Traumatic experiences know no limits — not gender, age, culture, or income. And it’s not only about military service . Trauma can touch anyone, anywhere. If you think you've been impacted by a traumatic experience , you’re not alone.   Continue Reading

  When people ask me why the symbol of Resolve to Rise is a bowl, my answer comes from an ancient Japanese art form called kintsugi . In kintsugi, broken pottery is repaired with gold. The cracks aren’t hidden — they’re highlighted. The belief is simple and profound: when something has been broken, it can be put back together in a way that celebrates its story and as a result is stronger, more beautiful, and even more valuable than before. That, to me, is what healing from trauma looks like. We don’t erase the past. We honor it. And when we do, we don’t just survive — we rise. Continue Reading

In the wake of a devastating event—whether it’s a flood, hurricane, tornado, wildfire, or earthquake—the impact doesn’t end when the skies clear. The physical damage may be visible, but the emotional and psychological reverberations often continue for weeks, months, or even years. The recent Central Texas flooding brought this truth into sharp focus. Beyond the destruction of homes and landscapes, there’s a deeper, more invisible toll: the emotional weight carried by survivors, responders, and entire communities. The Layered Impact of Natural Disasters Disasters create a multi-dimensional aftermath: Physical destruction and displacement Loss of life, safety, and normalcy Increased vulnerability and trauma Environmental shifts and health risks And still—those are just the visible layers. What often goes unseen is the grief, shock, confusion, and personal disorientation experienced by those living through it. No “Right” Way to Respond In the aftermath, people process tragedy in differ...

  Have you ever had the sense that there was something bigger meant for you? Some unique impact you were intended to have while living this life? That quiet pull—toward meaning, contribution, and connection—can be what helps us weather the darkest seasons. It’s the sense that maybe all of this isn’t meaningless… maybe we can use it as the foundation for something deeper to emerge. That belief is what helped Viktor Frankl survive his time in concentration camps, as he describes in Man’s Search for Meaning . It’s the driving force behind ikigai , the Japanese concept of a “reason for being,” and it parallels what Buddhism calls Dharma —one’s sacred duty or righteous path. This isn’t a concept exclusive to one culture or belief system. It’s a thread that runs through many traditions, philosophies, and lived experiences. Whatever name you give it, purpose gives your life circumstances a bigger context. Rather than simply being about hardship, adversity can become part of a path to impa...

Studies show that belief is hard to come by when you’ve experienced repeated abuse and important for healing. "Adults who experienced childhood abuse are over 3 times more likely to develop negative core beliefs about themselves, including beliefs of worthlessness, helplessness, and unlovability." — Wright, Crawford, & Del Castillo, 2009; Beck Institute on Cognitive Therapy “Individuals with a strong belief in their ability to recover from trauma (self-efficacy) are up to 80% more likely to show significant improvement in PTSD symptoms during treatment.” — Benight & Bandura, 2004; Journal of Clinical Psychology There was a season when I didn’t like myself, trusted no one, and was on a path to self-destruction. Repetitive abuse had rewired my brain and convinced me I was broken. Today my nervous system is calm, my relationships are healthy, and Resolve to Rise exists to help others make the same journey—from “I’m broken” to “I’m resilient and able to heal.” The pivot...

If this sounds like you… You live with severe anxiety, severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or another serious mental illness (SMI). You’ve survived extreme—or even repeated—trauma. Your doctors focus on meds for mood, psychosis, or anxiety but rarely ask about your trauma If that’s your reality, this post is for you . The hidden numbers A multi-site study of community mental-health clinics discovered a staggering gap: 42% of people receiving care for SMI also met full criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) yet only 2% had PTSD written anywhere in their medical record.¹ When a diagnosis isn’t in the chart, it usually isn’t in the treatment plan. That means the trauma-driven symptoms continue on without intervention. And, yet there are so many effective treatments that can help. Continue reading...