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The Principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
<p>Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based approach designed to help individuals regulate emotions, improve relationships, develop distress tolerance, and practice mindfulness. Originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), DBT has since been widely used for trauma survivors, individuals with emotional dysregulation, and people struggling with impulsivity, self-harm, […]</p>

Joy Plote
Mar 10, 20254 min read
Understanding Dialectics: Embracing Opposing Truths for Growth
<p>Dialectics is a way of thinking that embraces contradictions and acknowledges that two opposing ideas can both be true at the same time. Rather than viewing things in black-and-white terms, dialectical thinking helps us hold multiple perspectives, accept complexity, and find balance in difficult situations. Dialectics is a core concept in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) […]</p>

Joy Plote
Mar 9, 20253 min read
Cognitive Dissonance: Why We Struggle with Conflicting Thoughts
<p>Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes at the same time. This internal conflict creates mental discomfort, which can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, or unease. To reduce this discomfort, people often attempt to justify, rationalize, or change their beliefs or […]</p>

Joy Plote
Mar 8, 20252 min read
Cognitive Distortions: What They Are and How They Affect Thinking
<p>Cognitive distortions are biased or irrational thought patterns that negatively influence how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world. They are often automatic and can reinforce negative emotions, anxiety, depression, and unhelpful behaviors. These distortions act as mental filters that twist reality, making situations seem worse than they are. Recognizing and challenging them is key […]</p>

Joy Plote
Mar 7, 20253 min read
The Power of Validation: How to Strengthen Relationships Through Emotional Understanding
<p>In any relationship—whether with a partner, child, friend, or colleague—one of the most powerful ways to foster trust and connection is through validation. Validation means recognizing and affirming another person’s emotional experience, helping them feel seen, heard, and understood. Unfortunately, many people were not taught how to validate emotions. Instead, the instinct is to fix, […]</p>

Joy Plote
Mar 6, 20254 min read
Emotional Regulation for Parents: How to Break the Cycle and Create a Stable Home
<p>Parenting is one of the most challenging and emotionally demanding roles a person can take on. When a parent struggles with emotional dysregulation, it can lead to inconsistent responses, unpredictable reactions, and difficulty providing a sense of safety for their child. The good news? Emotional regulation is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and […]</p>

Joy Plote
Mar 5, 20255 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 4, 20253 min read
Filling the Gaps: The Role of Cloze Skills in Adaptive Information Processing for Deaf Individuals
<p>Introduction Cloze skills, the ability to infer and complete missing information using context, are foundational to literacy and cognitive integration. These skills involve drawing on vocabulary, syntax, and world knowledge to fill in blanks within a text or situation. For many Deaf individuals, particularly those who have experienced language deprivation, cloze skills may be underdeveloped […]</p>

Joy Plote
Feb 27, 20254 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 27, 20254 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 19, 20254 min read
Persistent Demand for Autonomy: The Other Side of Demand Avoidance
<p>Persistent Demand for Autonomy: The Other Side of Demand Avoidance When discussing Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) or general demand avoidance, the focus is often on resistance to demands. However, the other side of this equation—the persistent demand for autonomy—is just as important to understand. For individuals with PDA, autonomy isn’t just preferred—it is essential for […]</p>

Joy Plote
Feb 19, 20254 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 17, 20255 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 17, 20255 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 16, 20255 min read
What is Executive Dysfunction?
<p>Executive dysfunction refers to difficulties with the cognitive processes that are responsible for goal-directed behaviors, decision-making, problem-solving, and self-regulation. These cognitive processes, known as executive functions, allow individuals to plan, organize, manage time, regulate emotions, and complete tasks in a coherent and efficient manner. When these functions are impaired, individuals may experience challenges in managing […]</p>

Joy Plote
Feb 16, 20254 min read


Online Counseling for Deaf and Coda Clients: Accessible, Compassionate Support at The Space Between
At The Space Between, we believe that everyone deserves access to mental health services that are not only effective but also culturally...

Joy Plote
Feb 15, 20254 min read


Embracing Growth: Focusing on What You Gained, Not What You Lost
Joy Plote, LPC In life, we all face adversity in one form or another—whether it’s a personal loss, a career setback, or a challenging...

Joy Plote
Feb 15, 20253 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 11, 20256 min read
Are Codas Neurodivergent? A Deep Dive into the Coda Brain
<p>Abstract Children of Deaf Adults (Codas) grow up navigating two linguistic and cultural worlds, acquiring both a signed and spoken language. This bimodal bilingualism presents unique cognitive, sensory, and executive function adaptations that align with contemporary understandings of neurodivergence. This article examines the intersection of bimodal bilingualism, high intelligence, and neurodivergence in Codas, arguing that […]</p>

Joy Plote
Jan 30, 20256 min read
Dysfunctional Family Rules: Coda Edition
<p>Codas may encounter variations of the archetypal dysfunctional family rules, shaped by their dual roles as both children and language brokers or mediators within their families. Coda Roles in Families Codas often take on exaggerated versions of these roles due to their responsibilities within their families. Here’s how these roles might manifest uniquely for Codas: […]</p>

Joy Plote
Jan 19, 20253 min read
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