Surviving Harvey And Dealing With Trauma After A Disaster

“This is one of the largest disasters America has ever faced,” stated Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas. By now, you have seen the news accounts and photographs regarding the situation in Texas. News reports have stated there are at least 10 people dead, with many more injured, as parts of… Read More

Religious Trauma in Childhood

Though some observers argue that we live in a “secular age,” religion remains central in many Americans’ lives. More than half of us describe ourselves as “religious” and worship regularly in churches, temples, and mosques, mostly churches.[1] The number was even larger in previous generations, and, in truth, far more grew up “religious” than not. For most of us, religion was a positive influence in childhood: a set of beliefs, a way of seeing the world, and a pattern of ritual that offered meaning, comfort, and community. But for some, religion proved a source of trauma. Read More

Childhood Abuse, Complex Trauma, and Epigenetics

By Fabiana Franco, Ph.D. Epigenetics refers to the study of a natural phenomenon and to the phenomenon itself. Epigenetics is the study of the mechanisms that turn on and… Read More

Experiential Therapy for Trauma Treatment

By Tian Dayton, Ph.D. Understanding trauma requires us to feel the stories of our lives to heal them. Traumatic recovery is all about not feeling. Even asking someone about their trauma can be befuddling, if not disturbing, for the client who has learned to put their head down, turn off… Read More

Discussing Women’s Intimacy Issues with Carol the Coach

Jean Collins-Stuckert, Director of Workshops at The Meadows, was featured on BlogTalkRadio’s program “Sex Help with Carol the Coach” with host Carol Juergensen Sheets, LCSW, CSAT, PCC. The program can be accessed using the audio player at the bottom of this page or by visiting here. Collins-Stuckert discussed “Journey… Read More

The Disequilibrating Dynamics of an Addicted Family System

By Dr. Tian Dayton, Senior Fellow at The Meadows Visit the living room of the average family that is “living with,” or should I say “drowning in,” addiction and you’re likely to find a family that’s functioning in emotional extremes. Feelings can explode and get very big, fast, or disappear… Read More

The Nature of Traumatic Memory: Why Our Memories Terrifying Events are Spotty

As a psychologist who works with trauma, I am very much aware of how difficult it can be to recall details of a traumatic experience. Even the question, “can you tell me about your trauma?” can be befuddling, if not somewhat disturbing, to one who has experienced it... Read More

Understanding and Coping with Grief and Loss

Grief and loss are unavoidable. They are a natural part of the human condition. No one can escape experiencing several forms of loss throughout their lives. However, in the American culture, many people attempt to avoid the feelings associated with grief and loss by denying the impact it can… Read More

The Lasting Impact of Childhood Trauma

“Trauma leaves fingerprints on the victim. These don’t fade when the bruises do.”- Dr. Ellen Taliaferro Childhood trauma has a lasting effect on an individual’s life. The trauma which is either physical, sexual, or emotional in nature, creates a devastating ripple effect on every aspect of the individual’s adult life. According to one study, more than 21,000 child abuse survivors, age 60 and older in Australia reported a greater rate of failed marriages and relationships. Read More

Grieving Friends and Loved Ones on Social Media

By Lucy Wyndham Social media has become a place for mourning. As people search for ways to reach out for solace, websites such as Facebook have become a platform to express grief and bereavement through the creation of Memorial Groups. Now, it has become easier than ever to mourn a departed friend or family member with a click of a mouse. Instead of sending flowers, we offer condolences and comfort to grieving friends who live far away with a simple post on your friend or the deceased person’s profile. However, while we mean well, there are things that we should remember while mourning someone on social media or connecting with our grieving friends online. Read More