The ACE study, first conducted in the 1990s, revealed a strong connection between childhood trauma and long-term health risks. Understanding these connections helps professionals and individuals recognize the importance of early intervention and support. What Are Adverse Childhood Experiences? The ACE study was a groundbreaking research project that surveyed over 17,000 adults about their childhood experiences and current health. It found that traumatic events in childhood,

If you are reading this post, and you've read other entries on this blog, there is likely no reason to explain EMDR, or why you would want to learn how to be an EMDR clinician! But how would you go about learning? How can you afford it? One issue is that there are so many trainings out there, and so much confusion about what EMDR is. Here are some facts about learning EMDR, before I recommend where to do so: - You need to be a therapist, or working toward being one. That i

Child sexual abuse remains one of the most difficult and painful issues society faces. Efforts to expose and prevent it often focus on identifying abusers as distant, monstrous others. This approach, while understandable, limits our ability to truly confront the problem. To unmask child sexual abuse effectively, individuals must certainly take personal responsibility for understanding and awareness. But to be effective at all, this requires a willingness to engage in deep sel

Psychology today recently published a highly inaccurate and inflammatory description of EMDR, which they call a description, and it can be found here (please note the tone, and how it cites no evidence): https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/emdr The response of the EMDR International Association (which actually contains references to scientific research) can be found here: https://www.emdria.org/a-letter-to-psychology-today/ The article is filled with misinformati

Video games have become a central part of many children’s lives. Parents often see them as harmless entertainment or a way for kids to connect with friends. What many do not realize is that video games offer a platform for children to communicate with others just as easily as social media does. This opens the door to risks such as contact with child predators and negative peer influences. Understanding these risks is essential for parents who want to keep their children safe

Neglect is often seen as a private issue, confined to troubled homes or isolated individuals. Surely, the privacy of the home and the dependency and manipulability of small children enables sexual abuse. Yet, neglect extends far beyond personal spaces and seeps into the fabric of society itself. This widespread neglect, whether through inaction or willful ignorance, creates a fertile ground for harmful behaviors to emerge and persist. What I call "The Darkness Catalyst" descr

Many adults who experienced chronic trauma during childhood face ongoing struggles with completing tasks and maintaining attention. These difficulties often go unnoticed or misunderstood, yet they significantly affect daily life, work, and relationships. Understanding the roots of these challenges and exploring practical strategies can help individuals regain control and improve their focus and productivity. How Childhood Trauma Affects Attention and Task Completion Chronic t

Sexual abuse in children is a deeply troubling issue that often remains hidden behind silence and fear. Recognizing the signs early can make a critical difference in protecting a child and helping them heal. This article aims to provide clear, practical information on how to identify potential signs of sexual abuse in children, empowering caregivers, educators, and community members to take informed action. Understanding the Impact of Sexual Abuse on Children Sexual abuse aff

If you watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" this year, take a look at Lucy's famous "psychiatrist" scene. It rewinds the clock back to when therapy was therapy. She is top notch! Except for the greed. Below, I have transcribed this scene, edited for length. Then I've got a commentary below. LUCY. May I help you?   CHARLIE BROWN. I'm in sad shape.  I feel depressed. I know I should be happy, but I'm not.   LUCY. Well, as they say on TV, the mere fact that you realize you need

Many people seek therapy to heal from trauma or to improve their marriage, expecting skilled professionals to guide them through difficult emotions and conflicts. Yet, a surprising number of therapists enter these fields without adequate training in trauma or marriage counseling, if any. This gap in education can leave clients vulnerable and limit the effectiveness of therapy. One very common, licensed therapy master's degree offers only one class in therapy at all! Imagine