You’ve been doing the work.
You’ve gone to therapy.
You’ve read the books.
You’ve made real progress.

So why are you still getting triggered?

Attachment styles are patterns of relating to others, formed during early childhood based on your interactions with caregivers. If those early relationships were safe, responsive, and consistent, you likely developed a secure attachment—the foundation for healthy relationships later in life.

But when those relationships were neglectful, abusive, or unpredictable, the result can be long-term emotional dysregulation, fear of connection, and difficulties in trusting others—core features of Complex PTSD.

When you are going through something or start noticing past events re-emerging and negatively impacting your life, it’s not uncommon to start seeking answers. You may wonder what is wrong with you? Was what happened to you traumatic? Do the symptoms your experience mean you were abused as a child? 

We aren’t going to answer all of those questions today, but let’s explore some important things to know about trauma. 

When painful times feel like too much to bear they can become all-consuming and begin to break us down and diminish our hope. What if there was another option? In this post, we discuss just that; how can transform discouragement into hope and healing.

"We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. We’ve got to go through it."

That phrase, from the beloved children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, holds a deep truth about healing from trauma.

Most of us want to move past pain as quickly as possible—to avoid it, numb it, or bury it under our daily responsibilities. But the only way to truly heal is by going through it.

In fact, one of the core symptoms of PTSD is avoidance—avoiding reminders, emotions, and even the truth of what happened. But avoidance doesn’t free us from trauma; it keeps us stuck on the inside.

Best Treatments for PTSD: What Works and Why Some Approaches Can Make Symptoms Worse

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be debilitating, affecting every aspect of life—from relationships to daily functioning. Fortunately, research has identified several evidence-based treatments that have been shown to help individuals process trauma and reclaim their lives.

However, if you’ve ever started PTSD treatment only to find your symptoms getting worse, you’re not alone. Some of the most proven therapies for PTSD can actually increase distress before leading to improvement.

So, why does this happen? And what can you do if these treatments feel overwhelming? Let’s break it down.

Growing up in a highly disciplined or authoritarian household can shape how we navigate life in profound ways. Some individuals internalize the rules and norms they were raised with, following them without question, while others react against them, defining themselves by opposition rather than genuine personal values. In both cases, our upbringing continues to exert control over us, whether through obedience or defiance.

For many, this strict upbringing is more than just discipline—it can be a misuse of parental power stemming from fear, unresolved trauma, or a need for control. Authoritarian parenting often leaves children feeling powerless, constantly seeking approval, or rebelling in ways that still tie them to the very system they reject. This can mirror patterns of emotional abuse, where a parent’s unchecked fears and insecurities dictate the environment, shaping a child's sense of self-worth and autonomy.

Many people walk through life on autopilot, unaware of how much they are re-enacting what they learned in childhood. But true self-mastery comes from conscious reflection and intentional decision-making—not from blindly following or rebelling against the past.

The Weight of Unhealed Trauma

Healing from chronic stress and PTSD isn’t just about moving forward—it’s about breaking free from patterns that keep us stuck.

If you’ve ever struggled with shame, self-doubt, or the feeling that healing is impossible, you’re not alone.

Shame often creeps in when we start doing the hard work of healing. It tells us we’re too broken, too flawed, too unworthy to truly change. It makes the weight of trauma heavier and, for many, leads to self-sabotage, avoidance, and giving up.

But here’s the truth: You are not broken. You are not beyond healing. You have already survived, and that means you have the strength to move forward.

That’s where the GRACE framework comes in—a foundation for navigating healing without shame, self-criticism, or perfectionism.

What is Dissociation?

Dissociation is a common trauma response, especially when trauma is repetitive or overwhelming. In the moment, it serves as a survival mechanism—your brain protects you by mentally “checking out” when a situation feels too intense to process.

While this response can be helpful during a traumatic event, the problem arises when dissociation continues long after the danger is gone. It can leave you feeling:

• Zoned out or disconnected from emotions

• Like you’re watching yourself from the outside (depersonalization)

• As if your surroundings aren’t real (derealization)

This isn’t a defect or something “wrong” with you—it’s your brain doing exactly what it was designed to do: keep you safe. The challenge is learning how to gently reconnect with your body and mind in ways that feel safe and supportive.

When you grow up experiencing abuse or neglect, it can be difficult to separate myths from reality when it comes to the lasting effects of trauma. Misconceptions about child abuse often prevent survivors from seeking support, lead to self-blame, and contribute to the stigma surrounding abuse.

Let’s clear up some of the most common myths about child abuse and get to the facts.

Relationships can be challenging, especially when unhealthy patterns take hold. Whether you’re facing constant conflict, poor communication, or lingering resentment, you might wonder if your relationship can be saved. The good news is that with effort and commitment from both partners, positive change is possible.

However, you cannot fix an unhealthy relationship if your partner is not interested in changing with you. If both of you are willing to take ownership of your behaviors and actively work on improving, the relationship may be salvageable. If not, it may be time to consider separation.

In this guide, we'll explore the do's and don'ts of repairing an unhealthy relationship.

Journaling is one of the most transformative tools for self-reflection, growth, and healing. With a simple prompt, you can unlock awareness, process emotions, and envision a more fulfilling future.

Use these 52 prompts to guide you through a powerful year of healing and insight!

Did you know your posture and movements can significantly impact your mood and perspective? The way we hold stress in our bodies—whether it’s in our neck, shoulders, hips, hands, or feet—can leave us feeling tense, drained, and disconnected.The good news? Small, intentional movements can shift not just your body, but your state of mind.

Have you ever faced something so painful that it felt like the world was moving on without you?

You're not alone.

Did you know?

• Around 70% of adults worldwide experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.

• In the past three years, 57% of Americans have faced a significant loss.

Despite how common suffering is, when it’s happening to you, it can feel like everyone else is moving forward while you’re standing still. The isolation that often comes with pain can make healing even harder.

Finding the right treatment for Complex PTSD (CPTSD) can be life-changing—but too often, people aren’t directed to the most effective therapies. This can leave them feeling irreparably damaged, stuck in survival mode, and beyond hope.

As someone who has personally navigated repetitive trauma and later worked as both a healthcare executive and clinician, I know this truth firsthand: healing is possible, and resilience is within reach.

Let’s explore why CPTSD is so challenging to treat and what actually works to support recovery.

What Is Trauma-Informed Care?

Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) emerged in the late 1990s as a response to the growing recognition of how trauma—especially repetitive trauma—affects an individual’s brain, nervous system, and overall health. Groundbreaking neuroimaging and scientific research revealed that trauma could leave individuals stuck in states of reactivity and chronic inflammation, impacting both their mental and physical well-being.

This approach aimed to shift the traditional, often hierarchical, model of healthcare toward a collaborative and empowering partnership between providers and patients. Trauma robs individuals of their voice, leaving them feeling powerless and disconnected from their own lives. Trauma-Informed Care was designed to restore that voice—placing patients at the center of their healing journey.

Complex PTSD: How Do You Know if You're Dissociating?

Dissociation is a common response to trauma and stress, but how do you know when it's a sign of something more serious? Dissociation involves a disconnect between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions, and identity. For those with Complex PTSD (CPTSD) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), dissociation can become a frequent coping mechanism—impacting daily life, work, and relationships.

Understanding Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)

To better understand C-PTSD, it’s important to first grasp the core aspects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Both conditions share many symptoms, but C-PTSD is distinct in its complexity and long-term impacts.

When someone you care about is facing profound loss or grief, it can feel impossible to know what to say or do. You may wonder:

• What if I say the wrong thing?

• Will I make it worse?

• Should I bring it up or avoid it entirely?

Grief can be like driving down a road in the dark—sometimes, the only thing visible are the lines on the road, guiding you forward one step at a time. Without focusing on what you can see, you might avoid driving in the dark altogether—just as many avoid engaging with someone in crisis out of fear of saying the wrong thing.