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At The Space Between , we are on a mission to bridge the gap between Deaf and hearing worlds, providing a unique and inclusive approach...

Joy Plote, LPC, CCTS I&F, CI/CT When we talk about trauma-informed care, we often think about how we approach individuals in therapy, education, or crisis settings. But what happens when we enter a community where trauma is not just personal—but collective, cultural, and linguistic ? For many Deaf individuals, trauma is not just about one event. It’s often the result of a lifetime of communication barriers , institutional discrimination , audism , and being silenced in their

Healing from trauma is not a straight path — it’s a journey. One that requires patience, understanding, and community support . When trauma touches our lives, it can leave us feeling disconnected or unseen. But healing doesn’t have to happen alone. At The Space Between , we believe healing is strongest when it happens in community  — with others who understand your language, your culture, and your lived experience. Our Healing and Education Groups  are designed specifically f

Mental health is a journey we all navigate in our own unique ways. Sometimes, the path feels smooth and clear. Other times, it’s rocky...

<p>When someone goes through a traumatic event, one of the hardest parts of recovery can be the idea of telling the story over and over again. Many people don’t want to relive the details. They don’t want to explain what happened. They just want one thing: to stop feeling the way they feel. This is [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Trauma leaves deep imprints, but for some, the effects are more layered and enduring than what is typically described in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That’s where Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) comes in—a newer diagnosis that helps us better understand the impact of prolonged or repeated trauma. What is CPTSD? CPTSD was officially included in [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The experience of Children of Deaf Adults (Coda) is often misunderstood or dismissed, both by the Deaf community and the hearing world. While they are frequently labeled as &#8220;hearing,&#8221; Codas experience a cultural and emotional reality that is deeply shaped by their unique upbringing in a bicultural, bilingual environment. This complex identity, formed between Deaf [&hellip;]</p>

<p>You’re Not Broken—You’re Wired for Survival If you’ve lived through trauma, you’ve probably found yourself wondering, “Why do I always think the worst?”, “Why can’t I believe good things about myself?”, or “Why do I blame myself for everything?” The answer often lies in something called cognitive distortions—automatic, distorted ways of thinking that helped you [&hellip;]</p>

<p>By Joy Plote, LPC, CI/CT Imagine being handed a contract in your second language, one that you were never given full access to as a child. Imagine being expected to read it, understand it, and sign it—without ever being offered the chance to have it explained in your native language. For many Deaf individuals who [&hellip;]</p>

<p>In life, we all face adversity in one form or another—whether it’s a personal loss, a career setback, or a challenging relationship. During tough times, it&#8217;s easy to become fixated on what we&#8217;ve lost: a job, a loved one, a dream, or even our sense of self. But what if we chose to focus on [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where the perpetrator seeks to make the victim doubt their perceptions, memories, and sanity. Whether experienced in personal relationships, at work, or within the family, it can leave deep emotional scars. Healing from gaslighting is essential to reclaim your sense of self and regain control over your life. [&hellip;]</p>

<p>By Joy Plote, Coda Counselor | The Space Between Most people think abuse looks like yelling, hitting, or cruel words. But what happens when someone stays quiet for years… until one day, they finally explode? In the Deaf community, that explosion is often misunderstood. What if the person being labeled as “abusive” is actually reacting [&hellip;]</p>

<p>What do you believe drives the course of your life? Is it your effort and decisions — or is it luck, fate, or what others do to you? This belief is called locus of control, and it has a powerful impact on how we heal, grow, and show up in the world. So, what is [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Trauma bonding refers to the intense emotional connection that develops between an individual and someone who is abusive, exploitative, or manipulative. These bonds are often created and reinforced through cycles of abuse, where moments of harm are interspersed with periods of kindness, affection, or remorse. This pattern creates confusion and a deep attachment to the [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Intergenerational trauma does not exist in isolation—it is deeply rooted in the choices, struggles, and dynamics passed down through families. For Codas (Children of Deaf Adults), the legacy of educational and linguistic decisions made by our hearing grandparents has profoundly shaped our lives. Yet, our experiences are often dismissed or undervalued in conversations about Deaf [&hellip;]</p>

<p>In a world where trauma impacts many lives, friendships can serve as a profound source of healing and support. But not all friendships are the same, and for those navigating the complexities of trauma, trauma-informed friendships stand out as a beacon of understanding and safety. These connections go beyond surface-level interactions, fostering empathy, trust, and [&hellip;]</p>

<p>A non-judgmental stance is the practice of observing thoughts, emotions, experiences, and people without assigning labels like &#8220;good&#8221; or &#8220;bad,&#8221; &#8220;right&#8221; or &#8220;wrong.&#8221; It involves accepting things as they are, rather than evaluating or criticizing them. This approach is widely used in mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to promote [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals process and heal from trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and distressing life experiences. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR helps people reprocess painful memories so they no longer cause intense emotional distress. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses on [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a transformational therapy model developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz that views the mind as a system of different &#8220;parts&#8221; that interact within us, much like members of a family. Instead of seeing ourselves as a single, unified self, IFS helps us understand that we are made up of multiple parts—each [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a third-wave cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approach that focuses on increasing psychological flexibility—the ability to adapt to challenges, accept difficult emotions, and take meaningful action in alignment with one&#8217;s values. Developed by Dr. Steven C. Hayes, ACT helps individuals stop struggling with their thoughts and emotions and instead learn to [&hellip;]</p>