Blog for Better Living
How Written Exposure Therapy Can Help Treat PTSD
By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | March 14, 2025
If you’ve experienced death, threats of death, serious physical injury, or sexual violence, you may be struggling to cope with the impact of these events. You might experience nightmares or intrusive memories related to the trauma or find yourself avoiding reminders of what happened. It’s possible you’ve had difficulty connecting with others or struggled to […]
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Am I a People Pleaser or Just a Nice Person?
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | March 7, 2025
Have you ever found yourself agreeing to something you didn’t want to do, just to avoid disappointing someone, and then wondered – am I a people pleaser or just a nice person? The truth is the distinction between being a people pleaser and simply being kind can be more nuanced than you might think. People […]
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How To Support Survivors of Natural Disasters
By: Niyatee Sukumaran, Ph.D. | January 24, 2025
Natural disasters like earthquakes, wildfires, floods, hurricanes and tornados can profoundly affect the mental health of both individuals and entire communities. One such example is the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. As I continue to watch the news, I realize the immense loss and destruction experienced by so many. If you have friends and family […]
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Non-Psychological Factors Contributing to Anxiety: It’s Not All in Your Head
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | October 25, 2024
Anxiety is commonly associated with psychological triggers like stress, trauma, or major life changes. However, many people experience anxiety that arises from underlying physical and environmental factors that frequently go unnoticed. The body and mind are closely interconnected, and disturbances in physical health can appear as emotional and cognitive symptoms. If you are struggling with […]
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Understanding Religious Trauma and Its Effects
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | September 6, 2024
Trauma refers to the profound emotional and psychological impact that occurs when an individual’s sense of safety is compromised and their ability to cope is overwhelmed. Such experiences often shatter a person’s sense of security, which can have lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects. Trauma can arise from a wide array of experiences and is […]
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The Power of Validation
By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 9, 2024
We all want to feel heard, accepted, valued, and even loved. When we validate someone, we are essentially giving them this experience. Life can be confusing and difficult for all of us, but when we are genuinely validated, we feel acknowledged and reassured that we are not alone. Life seems more manageable, and we become […]
Read MoreAnger, Anxiety, Depression, Parenting, Relationships, Therapy, Trauma
Managing the Holidays with PTSD
By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | December 22, 2023
If you are struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and feeling anxious about the upcoming holidays, you are not alone. Large gatherings of loved ones, crowded stores, and big, bustling events with loud sounds can be overstimulating. This, combined with the added pressure around the holidays to join in and enjoy the festivities […]
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Signs of a Trauma Bond
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | December 8, 2023
Do you wonder why you stay with someone who doesn’t treat you well? Have you asked yourself why you stay in painful relationships? Understanding the nature of the trauma bond might help you understand yourself and answer these questions. What is the Trauma Bond? Trauma bonding is an entanglement that keeps a person in a […]
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Coping with Betrayal Trauma
By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | October 27, 2023
Betrayal is a deeply painful and disorienting experience. When you experience betrayal, it can feel like your whole world dropped from underneath you, which undermines your sense of trust, safety, and self-worth. As a psychologist who specializes in trauma and who works with women in the perinatal phase, I am acutely aware that marital satisfaction […]
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