You Are Not Alone: The Power of Sharing Your Story Have you ever faced something so painful that it felt like the world was moving on without you? You're not alone. Did you know? Around 70% of adults worldwide experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. In the past three years, 57% of Americans have faced a significant loss. Despite how common suffering is, when it’s happening to you, it can feel like everyone else is moving forward while you’re standing still. The isolation that often comes with pain can make healing even harder. A Day That Changed Everything One brisk, cold afternoon, I was exhausted from a long day at work and 34 weeks pregnant with my second child. After picking up my son from daycare, he started screaming from the backseat—hungry and impatient. Desperate to soothe him, I leaned over to grab his crackers from the passenger-side floor. In that split second, everything changed. I felt a thud. An 18-year-old young woman was on my hood, her body ro...

Trauma affects more people than we might realize, but what exactly is trauma, and why does it impact us so deeply? The Three Types of Trauma Trauma is any experience that terrifies us and makes us fear for our safety or the safety of someone important to us. It can take different forms, including: Acute Trauma : A single, isolated event (e.g., a car accident). Chronic Trauma : Repeated and prolonged exposure to distressing events. Complex Trauma : Multiple, varied traumatic events, often in close relationships (e.g., child abuse, domestic violence). Trauma isn’t limited to firsthand experiences. It can also arise from witnessing, learning about, or even being exposed to distressing details of a traumatic event. How Trauma Impacts the Body and Mind The foundational symptoms of PTSD persist for 30 or more days after a traumatic event and can significantly affect daily functioning. Common symptoms include: Re-experiencing the trauma : Nightmares, flashbacks, or triggers. Avoidance : Steer...

Healing from Complex PTSD is a journey that requires patience and persistence. What works for one person may not work for another, and it can take time to discover the most effective strategies for your unique needs. However, creating a strong foundation for healing through daily practices can significantly support your progress.   Here are 10 daily habits to help you on your healing journey: Eat a Nutritious Breakfast : People often skip breakfast; however, skipping meals can impact your energy and mood. Prioritize Self-Care : Give to yourself first—rest, reflect, and recharge—so you are equipped to give to others. Move Your Body : Regardless of the activity, regular exercise helps release stress and improve mood. I love a good hike! Practice Mindfulness : Take moments throughout the day to reconnect with your body and surroundings to stay centered. Seek Inspiration : Find inspiration, whether it’s a book, video, or music, to uplift your spirit. For me the mountains and oceans cal...

  Getting Treatment Right is Crucial for Healing Finding the right treatment for Complex PTSD (CPTSD) can be life-changing—but too often, people aren’t directed to the most effective therapies . This can leave them feeling irreparably damaged, stuck in survival mode, and beyond hope . As someone who has personally navigated repetitive trauma and later worked as both a healthcare executive and clinician , I know this truth firsthand: healing is possible, and resilience is within reach. Let’s explore why CPTSD is so challenging to treat and what actually works to support recovery. Why Is CPTSD Hard to Treat? Unlike single-event PTSD , CPTSD stems from prolonged or repeated trauma —often in childhood or within unsafe relationships. This rewires the brain , keeping the nervous system locked in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn mode . If you have CPTSD, you may experience: ✅ Re-experiencing the trauma (memories, flashbacks, nightmares, or night terrors) ✅ Avoiding trauma reminders (o...

  What Is Trauma-Informed Care? Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) emerged in the late 1990s as a response to the growing recognition of how trauma—especially repetitive trauma—affects an individual’s brain, nervous system, and overall health. Groundbreaking neuroimaging and scientific research revealed that trauma could leave individuals stuck in states of reactivity and chronic inflammation, impacting both their mental and physical well-being. This approach aimed to shift the traditional, often hierarchical, model of healthcare toward a collaborative and empowering partnership between providers and patients. Trauma robs individuals of their voice, leaving them feeling powerless and disconnected from their own lives. Trauma-Informed Care was designed to restore that voice—placing patients at the center of their healing journey. Key Principles of Trauma-Informed Care When you are receiving true Trauma-Informed Care, you should experience: 1️⃣ A Sense of Safety Your physical and emotional ...

Complex PTSD vs. PTSD: What’s the Difference? One of the most common misconceptions about Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) is that it's the same as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While the two conditions share similarities, C-PTSD presents additional challenges that stem from prolonged or repeated trauma. Understanding the difference between C-PTSD and PTSD can help you better recognize symptoms and find effective treatments that support healing. What Is PTSD? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops after exposure to a single traumatic event such as: Traffic collision A serious accident Sexual or physical assault A natural disaster Common Symptoms of PTSD: Individuals with PTSD may experience: Re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks Avoidance of trauma-related thoughts, places, or people Hyperarousal , leading to irritability, difficulty sleeping, and heightened reactivity What Is Complex PTSD? Complex PTSD (...

Insomnia: Causes, Solutions, and Steps to Better Sleep Did you know that approximately 1 in 3 individuals struggles with insomnia? If you have trouble sleeping, you may experience: Difficulty falling asleep Trouble staying asleep Waking up too early Restless or poor-quality sleep If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone. Insomnia can impact every aspect of your life, leaving you feeling exhausted, frustrated, and desperate for solutions. What Causes Insomnia? To effectively address insomnia, it’s essential to understand what’s causing it in the first place. Some of the most common causes include: 1. Anxiety and Depression (50-70%) Psychological factors like anxiety and depression are among the leading causes of insomnia. Racing thoughts, worry, and mood disturbances can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. 2. PTSD (50-90%) Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often experience hyper-vigilance, nightmares, flashbacks, and fear of sleep—all of which contrib...

What is PTSD? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) , PTSD can affect individuals over the age of six who have directly or indirectly experienced or witnessed actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence . This exposure can occur in several ways, including firsthand experience, witnessing traumatic events, or learning about traumatic experiences of others. Individuals who experience repetitive trauma —such as those in abusive relationships or victims of human trafficking—are at an increased risk of developing PTSD. Key Symptoms of PTSD To receive a diagnosis of PTSD, symptoms must persist for at least 30 days and significantly impact a person’s daily life, work, or relationships. PTSD symptoms fall into four main categories: Re-experiencing the Trauma: Intrusive memori...

The Symptoms of Complex PTSD are Persistent The hallmark symptom of Complex PTSD is dissociation. According to Bessel van der Kolk, MD, author of The Body Keeps the Score,  you have an 80% likelihood of dissociation if your abuse started before you turned 14 years old.  When you were experiencing a traumatic or abusive environment, dissociation was adaptive. It helped you check out from a situation that was overwhelming and more than you could deal with psychologically. When the traumatic experience is no longer occurring, it can become problematic in your relationships, your school, or your work.  Another common experience is a sense that no one else understands and you are alone.  When you combine those two symptoms, and we know there are many more, with the criteria of complex PTSD of triggers or re-experiencing of the traumatic memories, avoidance of reminders, hypervigilance, emotional disregulation, relationship challenges, and a negative self concept it's easy...