By:  Cheyenne Bowman, LCPC

EMDR Trained

Happy June! I am overjoyed with the start of the summer season each year. I love this season for many reasons, but I enjoy pointing out that it is the month we celebrate pride!  I love that there is a time dedicated to celebrate our beautifully diverse world as it relates to gender identity and sexuality. I feel that during June, I see more people dressing the way that they want, and owning their style and personality.. As much as I wish this was the case year round, there is something special about seeing the world light up around me during the month of June.

This month also gives me a great opportunity to bring up the need for culturally competent and trauma informed therapists in our world, especially during these uncertain times. There are several populations that we work with who are fighting for their basic rights to be who they are, to be safe, and to be accepted. It is of the utmost importance that therapists provide a space where thes...

 By:  April Lehman, LPC

EMDRIA Consultant in Training 

In the current era of education, technology, and social media, “trauma” is no longer an uncommon word.  In past generations, it was not uncommon for children to be taught to be seen and not heard, boys were taught crying is for girls, and families frequently turned a blind eye to abuse and “shoved problems under the rug” instead of addressing them. Today, this may still happen, but with years of research, education, and experience under our belts we have learned that these attitudes and behaviors are not helpful or healthy.  As individuals we all have unique wants, needs, and experiences.  As a therapist, I celebrate my client’s unique qualities and try to reinforce the positive.  However, I am also there to validate and be a witness to the traumatic experiences that created emotional scars and work with my clients to promote healing. Trauma is any event experienced as disturbing or distressing or any event that has a lasting ...

By:  Melissa Rivera-Smith, LPCMH

EMDR Trained 

What is Generational Trauma and how does it show up?

Generational trauma, also known as intergenerational or transgenerational trauma, refers to the long-lasting psychological, behavioral, and emotional effects of trauma passed down from one generation to the next. It often stems from extreme conditions such as wars, discrimination, poverty, physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence, slavery, or natural disasters. Clients affected by generational trauma may present similarly to those who have directly experienced traumatic events. Therefore, it is important to recognize key indicators in their thought processes, behaviors, and emotional responses. As a clinician, it is important to consider a client’s family history as part of case conceptualization. Gathering a thorough family history, including details about family dynamics, experiences, and significant life events—such as those highlighted in the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)...

 By:  Sarah Smith-Trawick, LCSW-C

EMDRIA Approved Consultant 

Memory and Trauma: How Our Minds Store and Process Painful Experiences

Memory is a fundamental aspect of human cognition, shaping our identities and guiding our actions. However, when traumatic events occur, memory processes can become disrupted, leading to complex psychological and physiological responses. Trauma affects not only the way memories are stored and recalled but also overall mental clarity, often resulting in confusion, cognitive fog, and difficulties with focus and decision-making. Understanding these effects provides insights into conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and highlights potential pathways for healing.

The Science of Memory and Trauma

Memory is generally divided into three main types: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Long-term memory can further be categorized into explicit (conscious) and implicit (unconscious) memory. Traumatic experiences tend t...

Understanding Narcissism: Why We Shouldn’t Villainize or Pathologize It

By:  Jennifer Youdom, LCSW-C

EMDRIA Consultant In Training

The term “narcissism” has become another buzz word these days, often wielded as an insult or shorthand for selfishness and manipulation. This caricature of narcissism paints a simplistic, villainous picture that can influence how we, as therapists, view and work with clients who exhibit narcissistic traits. But the uncomfortable truth is narcissism, as with most mental health terms and diagnoses we use in our field, lies on a spectrum. 

In fact, brain structures such as the Default Mode Network (DMN) hardwire us to engage in self-referential thinking in order to create a separate sense of self and protect it. In a healthy attachment childhood environment we can develop a sense of self while also learning to be attuned, empathetic, and compassionate toward others. 

While extreme cases may meet the criteria for NPD, many individuals display narc...

Mindfulness in Trauma Healing: How Mindfulness Practices Support Mental Health Recovery

By:  Jennifer Youdom, LCSW-C

EMDRIA Consultant In Training

Mindfulness comes from the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of sati and meditation techniques, and in recent decades has emerged as a transformative tool in the world of mental health, especially when it comes to healing trauma wounds. 

The effects of trauma include disconnection from one’s body, emotional dysregulation, and a pervasive sense of shame. Trauma disrupts a person’s ability to feel safe within their own body and mind. Survivors often experience intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, dissociation, and avoidance of painful memories. These responses are rooted in the brain’s survival mechanisms, particularly the overactivation of the amygdala and dysregulation of the nervous system. 

Mindfulness offers an accessible and evidence-based pathway to healing. Mindfulness cultivates awareness of the present moment and gentle curiosity...

By:  Amanda Coval, MSW, LCSW

EMDR Certified, EMDR Consultant in Training

Honoring Women's History Month: Empowering Stories and Mental Health Insights

March is a time to celebrate women’s achievements and address challenges they face, including mental health—an area where empowerment and understanding are crucial for positive change.

Women, Mental Health, and History

Historically, women’s mental health concerns were dismissed and stigmatized. Terms like “hysteria” invalidated genuine issues, and societal norms discouraged seeking help. Today, advocacy and research, much of it led by women, are reframing this narrative. Mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety affect millions of women, exacerbated by societal pressures, caregiving roles, workplace discrimination, and trauma. Addressing these concerns requires tackling systemic barriers and promoting education, resources, and policy reform.

Women and Trauma: Breaking the Silence

Globally, one in three women experien...

By:  Cheyenne Bowman, LCPC

EMDR Trained

The Impact of Attachment Trauma

As a clinician, I have grown to love the nuances and complexity of treating attachment trauma. It is a type of trauma that is ingrained in our everyday life and has such a profound impact on the trajectory of our life and our satisfaction with it. Humans are wired for connection… So what happens when our first connections in life are less than ideal? We may find ourselves struggling with familial relationships, friendships, romantic relationships, and even professional relationships. Even though the dynamics of each of these are different, early attachment can influence them. For some helpful background information, I highly recommend checking out our blog from June 2024 that explains attachment trauma and attunement wounding. This will give you a great understanding of what constitutes this type of trauma and how it differs from treating “single incident trauma” like experiencing a car crash, etc. 

Origins of ...

By:  Shari Kim, Ph.D.

Member of Baltimore City Human Trafficking Collaborative

Former Chair of  Human Trafficking Subcommittee, Pennsylvania Psychological Association

Former Chair of Behavioral Health Workgroup, York County Human Trafficking Task Force 

Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry harming millions of people worldwide.  Thriving in the shadows, it survives solely by our lack of ability to recognize it when it is right in front of us.

Most people think of human trafficking as people snatching young children in a scary white van, bringing people in from other countries in shipping crates, or kidnapping people on trips overseas.  Those images perpetuate myths that allow human trafficking to thrive, because they point our eyes in the wrong direction.  In truth, most people are trafficked by people who live in their communities or who meet them on social media.  Children, while overall statistically less likely to be trafficked, are more likely to be trafficked ...

By:  Callie Hildreth LCSW-C, LCSW

EMDR Trained

Top Trauma Therapy Techniques for 2024: New Approaches in EMDR, IFS, and Somatic Therapy

Trauma therapy has come a long way in recent years, with more diverse, evidence-based techniques emerging to help individuals heal from the impact of past experiences. As we approach 2024, trauma therapy is becoming increasingly innovative, combining traditional practices with new approaches that focus on the mind-body connection, emotional processing, and subconscious healing. Three therapeutic modalities that are gaining traction for their effectiveness and adaptability in treating trauma are EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), IFS (Internal Family Systems), and Somatic Therapy.

In this post, we’ll explore the latest advancements in these therapies and how they are evolving to meet the needs of those healing from trauma.

1. EMDR: Advancing the Power of Dual Attention Stimulus

EMDR has long been recognized as an effective traum...