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trauma


Healing Without Talking: Why EMDR and Brainspotting Are Powerful Alternatives to Talk Therapy
<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 […]</p>

Joy Plote
Sep 183 min read


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


Cognitive Distortions and Trauma: When Your Brain Lies to Protect You
<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 […]</p>

Joy Plote
Jun 174 min read


Healing from Gaslighting: Key Steps for Recovery
<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. […]</p>

Joy Plote
May 83 min read
What is a Trauma Bond?
<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 […]</p>

Joy Plote
Mar 163 min read
The Power of Trauma-Informed Friendships: What They Are and How to Foster Them
<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 […]</p>

Joy Plote
Mar 153 min read
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
Brainspotting: Unlocking Trauma Through the Power of the Mind-Body Connection
<p>Brainspotting, a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. David Grand, is revolutionizing the way trauma, emotional pain, and psychological issues are processed. Rooted in neuroscience, Brainspotting focuses on identifying and working with “brainspots,” specific eye positions that correlate with unresolved trauma or emotional experiences. By targeting these brainspots, this therapy allows individuals to process and release […]</p>

Joy Plote
Feb 274 min read
Understanding Self-Harm Beyond Physical Injury: A Look at Emotional Self-Punishment and Coping Mechanisms
<p>When we think of self-harm, many people immediately picture physical injury — cutting, burning, or bruising. But self-harm isn’t always confined to these physical actions. It can take many forms, some of which might not be as obvious to others. Beyond the surface-level wounds, there are subtle but equally harmful behaviors that can significantly affect […]</p>

Joy Plote
Feb 194 min read
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
How EMDR Therapy Can Help Alleviate Fibromyalgia Symptoms: New Insights and Evidence
<p>Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, often accompanied by emotional distress like anxiety and depression. While medications can offer some relief, they often come with side effects and don’t always address the root causes of the condition. One exciting new approach gaining attention is Eye Movement Desensitization […]</p>

Joy Plote
Feb 175 min read
Executive Dysfunction, Trauma, and EMDR: How Trauma Contributes to Executive Dysfunction and How EMDR Can Help
<p>Understanding Trauma and Executive Dysfunction Trauma is a powerful and often overwhelming experience that can significantly impact a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Trauma, whether from childhood abuse, emotional neglect, accidents, violence, or other distressing experiences, can leave lasting imprints on the brain. These imprints, known as traumatic memories, affect how individuals process and […]</p>

Joy Plote
Feb 165 min read


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
The Silent Scars of Small “t” Traumas: Understanding Their Impact and Path to Healing
<p>When we think of trauma, our minds often go to dramatic, life-altering events—the “big T” traumas like natural disasters, abuse, or violence. Yet, there’s another kind of trauma that often flies under the radar but can leave equally deep emotional scars: the small “t” traumas. These are the subtle, repeated experiences that shape our emotional […]</p>

Joy Plote
Jan 174 min read
Understanding Trauma: What It Is, How We Measure It, and Its Impact
<p>Trauma is an experience that can shake the very foundation of a person’s sense of safety, stability, and well-being. It’s not just about what happens to someone but how their body, mind, and emotions respond to it. Trauma can manifest from a single distressing event or unfold over time through prolonged exposure to difficult circumstances. […]</p>

Joy Plote
Jan 163 min read
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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