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Understanding Complex PTSD: What You Need to Know
<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 […]</p>

Joy Plote
Sep 184 min read
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Supporting a Deaf Person Through Complex Trauma and PTSD
<p>Supporting a Deaf loved one through Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) requires patience, understanding, and a trauma-informed approach that considers both their unique communication needs and the complexities of their experiences. PTSD and C-PTSD affect not only memory and perception but also emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships. For Deaf individuals, trauma can […]</p>

Joy Plote
Mar 43 min read
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The Power of Trauma Healing Therapies for the Deaf Community: Unlocking the Benefits of EMDR, Brainspotting, and Somatic Experiencing
<p>Trauma, particularly in the Deaf community, is often stored in ways that may not be fully understood or acknowledged by traditional therapies. Due to language and information deprivation, Deaf individuals, especially those with limited language abilities or cognitive delays, may experience trauma in ways that go beyond verbal memory. For these individuals, trauma often becomes […]</p>

Joy Plote
Feb 175 min read
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The Importance of the Non-Verbal Healing Process: How Body and Mind Work Together to Heal Trauma
<p>Healing from trauma is a complex and deeply personal journey. For many individuals, traditional talk therapies can be a useful tool in understanding and processing their past experiences. However, these approaches often overlook the profound role that the body and non-verbal processes play in trauma recovery. Emerging therapies such as EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, and […]</p>

Joy Plote
Feb 116 min read
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Understanding Suicidality in the Deaf Community and Codas: A Call for Research and Action
<p>Suicide is a public health crisis that affects all communities, but Deaf individuals and Children of Deaf Adults (Codas) face unique challenges that elevate their risks. Despite these vulnerabilities, significant gaps exist in our understanding of suicidality within these populations. This blog explores what we know, what remains to be uncovered, and why we urgently […]</p>

Joy Plote
Dec 22, 20243 min read
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The Insidiousness of Language Deprivation
<p>IntroductionLanguage deprivation, the lack of accessible language for Deaf individuals, is not just a failure to provide a critical tool for communication; it has profound impacts on a person’s cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. Denying a Deaf child access to a full language, whether signed or spoken, is essentially denying them the opportunity to develop […]</p>

Joy Plote
Dec 17, 20245 min read
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The Real Barriers of Deafness: Society’s Role in Creating Exclusion and Inequality
<p>The social model of disability, developed in response to the medical model, argues that disability is not an inherent attribute of an individual but a result of the interaction between individuals and an environment that does not accommodate their needs. For Deaf individuals, this means their suffering often arises not from their deafness but from […]</p>

Joy Plote
Dec 12, 20243 min read
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Are Deaf Trauma Responses Different? A Closer Look at the Unique Impacts of Trauma on the Deaf Community
<p>Trauma is a deeply personal experience that anyone can experience, but for members of the Deaf community, its effects often are compounded by unique cultural, linguistic, and systemic challenges. These challenges contribute to trauma responses that may differ in expression or origin from those of hearing individuals. This post examines 11 specific trauma responses observed […]</p>

Joy Plote
Dec 5, 20245 min read
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DBT for the Deaf and Coda Communities: A Powerful Tool for Healing and Growth
<p>Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a proven therapeutic approach designed to help individuals with emotional dysregulation, interpersonal challenges, and distress tolerance. While DBT has proven effective across diverse populations, its potential benefits for the Deaf and Coda (Children of Deaf Adults) communities are particularly profound. These groups often face unique challenges stemming from language deprivation, […]</p>

Joy Plote
Nov 18, 20244 min read
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Language Deprivation: A Silent Crisis in Brain Development
<p>Language is the foundation of human connection, learning, and thought. For Deaf children, access to an accessible language—such as sign language—during critical developmental years is essential not just for communication but for brain health and cognitive resilience. Yet, many Deaf children experience language deprivation, a condition with far-reaching implications for their neural development, cognitive abilities, […]</p>

Joy Plote
Nov 17, 20245 min read
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