Category Archives: abuse

Is Forgiveness Required for Trauma Recovery?



Trauma psychotherapist, Amanda Ann Gregory, discusses why forgiveness isn’t necessary in trauma recovery.  She walks us through possible messages we are internalizing about forgiveness and five reasons why forgiveness should not be imposed in the process of healing from trauma. Click here to check out her Psychology Today article “Why Forgiveness Isn’t Required in Trauma Recovery”.

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, is a trauma psychotherapist, national speaker, and author. She holds licenses in the states of Illinois, Texas, and Missouri, as well as an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Certification, and a National Counselor Certification. Gregory has provided individual, group, and family therapy for more than a dozen years in outpatient and residential settings and is currently in private practice in Chicago. Her work has appeared in Psychology Today, Psychotherapy Networker, Happiful Magazine, Addiction Professional, Adoption Today, All Creatures, Highlights Magazine, and New Therapist Magazine.

Gregory has served as a presenter for clinical conferences, employee trainings, and community events and has spoken for the ACA (American Counseling Association), NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Symmetry Counseling, the Missouri School Counselor Association, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, and the Missouri Association of Marriage and Family Therapy to name a few. She tailors all presentations to meet the needs of your audience.

Click here to check out her awesome blog “Transforming Trauma Blog” on her website.


How Does Racism Affect Black Survivors of Domestic Violence?



Gretta Gordy Gardner and Megan Simmons from Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, discuss how systemic racism affects black survivors of domestic violence.

Gretta Gordy Gardner, Esq., is the Deputy Director and co-founder of Ujima, Inc.: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, a project of the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Ms. Gardner’s career as a legal advisor for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault was inspired by her early work as a prosecutor in the Domestic Violence Unit of the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office. She has worked for two decades to help shape guidelines, policies, and procedures that local, state, and federal policy makers and college/university campuses can use to end intimate partner violence and racial bias. She is licensed to practice law in DC, MD, TX, and the Supreme Court of the United States and is a certified mediator. Ms. Gardner sits on the Board of Trustees for Garrison Forest School and belongs to a multitude of local, state, and national committees that address violence against women and their children. She is the proud mom of two boys who love basketball and make a lot of noise.

Megan Simmons, MPA/JD, is the Sr. Policy Advisor of Ujima, Inc.: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, a project of the DC coalition Against Domestic Violence. Ms. Simmons’ education in Women’s Studies and Political Science was the catalyst for her career in legal compliance, policy, and advocacy work. She has served as a Federal Agent and was tasked with investigating sexual assault for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). She was also collaterally tasked with representing law enforcement on various committees, including holistic approaches to combating violence against women attached to the Navy installations. She later earned a law degree wherein she combined her education and her experience by contributing to policy, and conducting investigations into allegations of sexual assault within higher education. Ms. Simmons has conducted various trainings on sexual harassment awareness, Equal Employment Opportunity, investigation execution, and diversity and inclusion. She spends her spare time cooking, bike riding, and reading.

For more information about the mission of Ujima, click here.

For more information about intimate partner violence in the black community, click here.


Silencing Your Inner Critic



Is negative self-talk impacting the way you view yourself? Do you know negative self-talk can be an obstacle in your relationships? Dr. Candice Creasman chats about how to heal your inner critic.

Dr. Creasman is s a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor with a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology and a doctorate in Counseling and Counselor Education. She has been in practice for 15 years working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma, individuals with addictions, chronic pain, mood and personality disorders, and severe mental illness. She uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and meditation to help clients work through trauma and live values-based lives.

Dr Creasman is offering a workshop in Intuitive Eating called “My Body, My Home” on September 14, 2019. For more information or to register please visit https://wellness-collaborative.org/mybodymyhome
You can also access Dr Creasman’s Insight Timer series on healing your inner critic at https://insighttimer.com/Dr.CandiceCreasman

How Do You Set Boundaries in Relationships?



Do you know your boundaries? Do you know how to communicate those boundaries to the people in your life in a healthy manner? Do you worry that setting boundaries will hurt your relationships?

I chat with Darlene Lancer about the importance of setting boundaries and the best way to deliver those boundaries to those around you. Darlene explains the different types of boundaries and the steps necessary to set a boundary. We also discuss what to do with your boundary is ignored or disrespected.

Darlene Lancer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and expert author on relationships and codependency. She’s counseled individuals and couples for 30 years and coaches internationally. Her books include Conquering Shame and Codependency: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You and Codependency for Dummies and seven ebooks, including: 10 Steps to Self-EsteemHow To Speak Your Mind – Become Assertive and Set LimitsDealing with a Narcissist: 8 Steps to Raise Self-Esteem and Set Boundaries with Difficult People, “I’m Not Perfect – I’m Only Human” – How to Beat Perfectionism, andFreedom from Guilt and Blame – Finding Self-Forgiveness. They’re available on Amazon, and other online booksellers and her website, www.whatiscodependency.com, where you can get a free copy of “14 Tips for Letting Go.” She’s a sought after speaker in media and at professional conferences. Find her on SoundcloudClypLinkedIn Youtube. Twitter @darlenelancer, and Facebook.


What is Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy?



Missy Stancil joins me to chat about spiritually integrated psychotherapy.  We define spirituality and religion and chat about how trained therapists can use both to help survivors of trauma. Missy discusses how she weaves spirituality into her therapy sessions for those who are interested in including it.  We also chat why spiritually integrated therapy can be highly beneficial for survivors of trauma.

Missy Stancil is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor.  She earned a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling from Campbell University and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Geography from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She also completed a three-year postgraduate residency in spiritually integrated psychotherapy from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, as well as the FaithHealth Fellowship.  She furthered her training through the Addressing Health Disparities Leadership Program through the National Council for Behavioral Health and the LGBTQ Academy Certificate from the American Counseling Association.


How Does Trauma Affect Your Body?



Dr. Amelia Kelley sits down to chat about how trauma affects the body and strategies that you can use to reduce that trauma.  Dr. Kelley is an expert in using adjunctive therapies along with cognitive therapy to help those who have experienced trauma.  Dr. Kelley defines trauma and explains how trauma is stored in the body. She describes how practices like reiki, therapeutic touch, qigong, yoga, therapeutic massage, and meditation (which are all offered at her practice, Kelley Counseling and Wellness) in conjunction with traditional therapy help to reduce trauma’s impact on the body. Dr. Kelley even walks us through a mindfulness meditation!

Dr. Amelia Kelley, PhD, MS, LPC, ATR-P, RYT is licensed therapist with 15 years of experience. She is trained in Art Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Yoga Therapy and other adjunctive treatments for trauma such as EMDR, Prolonged Exposure, Imagery Rehearsal Therapy and Trauma Sensitive Yoga. She is the owner and supervisor of Kelley Counseling and Wellness in Cary, NC. Her practice is part of the Trauma Consortium at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana State University. Dr. Kelley has studied the effect of HIIT exercise on adults with ADHD as well as the effect of music on childhood creativity. She is a trained Level I and II Vinyasa Yoga teacher, a Yin Yoga certified teacher and a trained Restorative Yoga teacher. Dr. Kelley provides yoga therapy to individuals facing physical and mental health challenges to help reduce symptoms, address trauma in the body, help reduce addiction, restore balance and increase vitality. Her art therapy group work with the substance abuse population has been featured in the media as well as her advocacy for the licensure of Art Therapy in the state of NC. Dr. Kelley has been featured in the news as an expert discussing addiction to technology. She has also offered blog contributions in the areas of coping with ADHD in marriage as well as podcasts about Art Therapy in mental health. Additionally, she is a trained meditation teacher with a library of her teachings found on insight timer. Dr. Kelley is currently working on her first book examining healthy coping for an overactive nervous system in an overactive society.

For more information on Kelley Counseling and Wellness CLICK HERE

To access Dr. Kelley’s Insight Timer Meditation Page CLICK HERE


Is There a Link Between Trauma and Addiction?



I interview Jessika Sands about the link between trauma and addiction.  We discuss brain development, where trauma is stored in the brain, and why survivors of trauma are sometimes more likely to develop an addiction.

Jessika Sands, MA, LPC, LAC is a licensed therapist, licensed addiction therapist and EMDR consultant. She provides EMDR, Brainspotting, and substance use therapy at AspenRidge Recovery and in private practice. She recently started a Neurofeedback business.  She specializes in complex trauma, dissociative disorders, and chemical addiction.

Jessika is a trauma survivor that sought her own therapy at many different points in her life. She’s found the continued work on her own self-growth has given her the ability to truly help other trauma survivors. She believes each person’s journey is unique and has admiration for the clients she has had the opportunity to work with and looks forward to each new possibility of contributing to healing.

Click for Jessika’s webpage!

To learn more about…..
EMDR: Click Here
Brainspotting: Click Here
Neurofeedback: Click Here  and Here


How is the Alliance for Hope International Helping Survivors of Domestic Violence?



On this episode I speak with William Ackerman, Natalia Aquirre, and Casey Gwinn, from the Alliance for Hope International. We discuss the valuable resources available for survivors and their families through the Family Justice Center Alliance and Camp Hope America. We chat about how Casey was able to establish the first revolutionary Family Justice Center in San Diego and grow to over 130 centers worldwide. Casey and Natalia describe how resources are trauma informed and how a “challenge by choice” model has helped children work through trauma they’ve experienced.

Casey gives us a preview of his book Hope Rising: How the Science of Hope Can Change Your Life and discusses how important hope is to survivors of domestic violence.

To find a Family Justice Center near you click here.
If you are interested in learning more about sending your child to Camp Hope, click here.
To pre-order Casey Gwinn’s book, click here.

For more information on any of the organizations discussed, please click on the logo!

 


Is My Partner a Narcissist?



On this episode I chat with Dr. Elinor Greenberg about narcissism.  We discuss the difference between healthy narcissism and having the personality adaptation.  We answer the burning questions: Does a narcissist love you? And what causes the Narcissistic Personality Adaptation? We also outline the predictable stages of a romantic relationship with a narcissist.

Dr. Elinor Greenberg is an internationally renowned Gestalt therapist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Borderline. Narcissistic, and Schizoid Personality Adaptations. Dr. Greenberg is the author of the book: Borderline, Narcissistic, and Schizoid Adaptations: The Pursuit of Love, Admiration, and Safety. She also has a free online blog called “Understanding Narcissism” on psychologytoday.com and has over 1000 posts on these topics on Quora.com. Dr. Greenberg travels the globe teaching other therapists about these topics.

You can access Dr. Greenberg’s book by clicking here.
Her blog can be found here.
Her posts on Quora can be found here.


What is Gaslighting?



In this episode I chat with Dr. Stephanie Moulton Sarkis about gaslighting. Dr.Sarkis defines gaslighting, explains its effects, describes why it is such a powerful tool for those looking to manipulate others, and discusses how you can protect yourself against it.

Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, Ph.D., NCC, LMHC, DCMHS is a bestselling author and psychotherapist. She has been in private practice for 20 years. She is an American Mental Health Counseling Association Diplomate (one of 100 in the U.S.) and an AMHCA Clinical Mental Health Specialist in Child and Adolescent Counseling (one of 20 in the U.S.).  Dr. Sarkis received her degrees and training from the University of Florida.  She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.  She also is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator and Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator.  She maintains a private practice in Tampa, Florida, where she specializes in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anxiety.

To preorder Dr. Sarkis’s seventh book, Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People -and Break Free, click here.

To read Dr. Sarkis’s article, “11 Warning Signs of Gaslighting” click here.

Click here for more information on Dr. Sarkis.