Emotions-thoughts & feelings and regulation

Emotions are functional and universal physiological responses (bodily reactions) to external and internal environmental stimuli. They originate in the brain and release neurotransmitters through the body. They are protective and provide information: Fear, sadness, disgust, anger, surprise, and happiness.  One pathway is to trace emotions that are elicited by stimuli coming from our outside environment. Another […]

SELF ACCEPTANCE IS GROWTH

Self acceptance means growth  By truly accepting ourselves, we identify what we value and respect about ourselves, including our weaknesses, shortcomings and past mistakes.  Acceptance does not mean that there will be no change. Only when we accept ourselves, and our reality, we can grow to become better.  This is self-directed growth, and counselling therapists […]

Trauma and Memory and Consequences for Treatment

In medicine, the word “trauma” is used to indicate a physical injury including an injury to the brain. In mental health, trauma is used to refer to a distressing and disturbing experience. When people talk about childhood trauma, they often refer to the long-lasting psychological injuries related to abuse or to extremely adverse experiences that […]

Trauma and Substance Use

This article was also published in “We Are Warriors” a free magazine for First Responders At the first session of counselling therapy, the therapist goes through a list of questions and one of them is about the use of alcohol and drugs and another is about past trauma. Clients often report very honestly that they […]