If you're grappling with trauma or PTSD, the journey to healing can feel confusing to navigate. What kind of therapist do I need to help...

In short: PTSD and CPTSD are both trauma-related conditions. PTSD can develop after one or more traumatic events, while CPTSD usually follows prolonged or repeated trauma, often in relationships, and adds difficulties with emotions, self-worth, and relationships. Both respond well to trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR. (Updated October 2026) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) are two diagnoses that frequently come up wh

EMDR has evolved over the years, incorporating innovative techniques that enhance its therapeutic potential. One such advancement is the integration of parts work interventions, which delve into the intricate layers of our inner selves. Integrating parts-work therapy with EMDR is one of them. Read more on why IFS and EMDR complement each other. In this blog article, we will explore the concept of parts work within the framework of EMDR, uncovering how this combination can le

Suicide prevention is a critical global concern that demands a multifaceted approach. Among the various strategies, seeking professional therapy stands as a fundamental pillar in preventing suicide. Therapy provides individuals with a safe and supportive environment to address underlying issues, develop coping skills, and cultivate a sense of purpose. This article delves into the profound impact of therapy on suicide prevention, highlighting its benefits, techniques, and the

In short: Complex trauma comes from repeated or prolonged trauma, often in childhood or close relationships, and can affect emotions, self-worth, and relationships. Simple tools like slow breathing, bilateral tapping, and short, trauma-sensitive meditation can help calm the nervous system between therapy sessions. (Updated October 2026) If you’re old enough, you probably remember the way technology was not always so wireless, neatly designed, and aesthetically pleasing. You k

In short: Music helps us heal because it directly affects the nervous system, mood, and memory. Listening to or making music can lower stress, help us feel understood, and give painful emotions a safe outlet, which makes music one of the most accessible coping skills available. (Updated October 2026) It’s common these days to hear someone preface any information they’re about to share with the fact that it’s from a study. And sometimes this is necessary to distinguish opinion

Dear Past clients, Current clients, Future clients & Anyone else who just needs to hear this message... I know it can feel like you're...

Managing relationships with Narcissistic Personalities When Going No Contact With a Narcissist Is Not an Option I think it is important to preface with a few points to consider before reading this. Narcissistic personalities (NP's) and Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are very different, although you may have seen them used interchangeably. Everyone has narcissistic personality traits. These are the behaviors/thoughts/feelings that reflect a sense of self importance. T

One thing that I’ve learned being in the eating disorder field for a few years now is, people don’t know anything about eating disorders, until they have to know something about eating disorders. As much as that is true for many illness, disorders and diseases, with eating disorders, education and awareness can help them be prevented if we learn about them earlier. As an eating disorder therapist, something that I am passionate about is bringing awareness to eating disorders/

In short: LGBTQIA+ people face higher rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma, not because of who they are, but because of minority stress such as discrimination, rejection, and having to hide. Affirming therapy, supportive community, affirming healthcare, and good self-care all protect LGBTQIA+ mental health. (Updated October 2026) One of the most pressing and important topics facing the LGBTQIA+ community today is mental health. Mental illness disproportionately affects th

In short: PTSD affects the body as well as the mind. It can disrupt REM sleep, upset digestion through the gut-brain connection, and strain the immune system, along with causing muscle tension, headaches, and exhaustion. Treating PTSD with trauma-focused therapy and body-based support can ease these physical symptoms too. (Updated October 2026) Psychological is Physiological Have you felt like something has been off bodily but are looking for a way to understand it in terms o

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the weight of your family’s struggles? If so, you are not alone. Intergenerational trauma can be like a heavy stone that is passed down through generations, featuring in our families for decades without being properly discussed. Research has now established a direct link between inherited family trauma and issues such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This kind of trauma is particularly difficult to navigate

If your anxiety or depression symptoms feel worse after an EMDR session, you are not alone. EMDR therapy can activate the brain's natural healing process, which may temporarily increase emotional distress between sessions. Learn why this happens and discover 5 practical tips from an EMDR therapist in Westchester, NY to help regulate your nervous system and support healing between EMDR reprocessing sessions.

Over the last few years, actor Jonah Hill was working on a movie that is currently streaming on Netflix about his therapist, Phil Stutz. He decided to make this movie because his therapist has helped him so much that Jonah wanted to share his teachings with the world and make therapy a bit more accessible to people. As a mental health professional, I watched this movie to see how mental health and therapy were portrayed. There are many books, movies, documentaries about menta

We’ve all heard the expression “fake it till you make it”. We might be describing the process of going through the motions at work until we clock out for the day. Or maybe its drinking corporate Kool-Aid to appear to be a more engaged employee. In social settings, it may involve wearing a more extroverted mask to flow with the occasion. But whichever way the expression is used, it always indicates some form of pretending to be experiencing something that we are not at that mo

In short: Grief does not follow five neat stages, the first year is not always the hardest, and there is no deadline for feeling better. Grief is personal and comes in waves. Healthy coping means letting yourself feel it, keeping simple routines, accepting support, and seeking grief therapy if it feels stuck. (Updated October 2026) Grief is something that we will all experience at least once in our lifetime (but most likely more than once). There are some myths about what gri

Phases 7 & 8: Answering the "what", "why" and "how" of each phase of EMDR. Phase 7 of EMDR Therapy: Closure What is the purpose of this phase? : During reprocessing, it is expected to experience some levels of dysregulation. The purpose of Phase 7 is to ensure that you have returned to a more manageable and calmer state after reprocessing. This final part of our EMDR series covers Phases 7 and 8. Why is it important to go through this phase? : Most targets being reprocessed t

When I look at my own journey of healing and what inspired me to become a therapist, I think of the phrase “tis better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” This quote was introduced to a 10-year-old me after experiencing my own tragedy. As a ten-year-old, I could not comprehend why so many people were taken from us including my hero dad on 9/11. My brain used to replay over and over again my reality and try to solve what was happening. Was my dad taken from me so so

What are Phases 3 & 4 of EMDR Therapy? Phase 3 of EMDR Therapy is known as the assessment phase. This phase is intended to be rather quick in nature, as its purpose is to activate the memory that you and your therapist have chosen to work on. Phase 4 of EMDR Therapy is known as the desensitization phase. This is the phase that most people think of when they think of EMDR Therapy - this is the part where you focus on the memory, move your eyes, and begin to reprocess stressf

“What do you mean I have to accept that this happened!? Why do I have to accept it and move on when they won’t even acknowledge the stress they’ve caused? I didn’t ask for this!” The above quote, or some variation of the sort rings at a high volume throughout any psychotherapeutic milieu, particularly with those healing from traumatic stress. And it’s almost always a speed bump in the initial exploration of the fact that although we do not cause most of our problems in life,