Category Archives: Trauma and the Brain

What Type of Apologizer Are You?



Dr. La Keita Carter stops by to discuss her Psychology Today Article “What Type Of Apologizer Are You?”. She discusses six types of apologies and how they are linked to emotional intelligence.

Dr. La Keita D. Carter, a licensed psychologist in Maryland, specializes in trauma, sexual wellness and relationships, addictions, women’s issues, and cultural barriers to treatment. A native Baltimorean, Dr. Carter completed her bachelor’s degree at Temple University (magna cum laude) as well as master’s and doctoral degrees at Loyola University Maryland. Aside from being a licensed psychologist, she is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) and licensed clinical alcohol & drug counselor (LCADC) in Maryland.

Dr. Carter is the owner and CEO of the Institute for HEALing, LLC (iHEAL), an award-winning, nationally-accredited wellness agency based in Owings Mills, MD that specializes in the treatment of mental health disorders in children, teens, and adults. In addition to her practice, she teaches psychology at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Affectionately known as “Dr. C” by her patients and graduate students, she has authored three psychology textbooks and regularly writes articles related to sexual health, wellness, and relationships in her Psychology Today column, Inside Intimacy.

Over the past two years, she was recognized as one of Maryland’s Most Admired CEOs, Maryland’s Top 100 Women (in 2021 and 2023), and Top 40 under 40 by The Daily Record and a Leader in Diversity by The Baltimore Business Journal. She has been featured guest discussing mental health topics in media outlets like The Afro, Fox45, WBAL, New York Times, Washington Post, WJZ13, and Baltimore Sun.

With love for her community being a driving force behind her work, she volunteers her time as a member of the Board of Directors for Pro Bono Counseling as well as the Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the Black Mental Health Alliance, Inc. She holds the office of Secretary on the Board of Deacons at Providence Baptist Church as well as chaplain of one of the church’s oldest clubs.

A 20+ year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., our nation’s oldest historically Black Greek-letter organization, Dr. Carter was initiated in Delta Mu chapter at Temple University. She is an active member in Rho Xi Omega chapter (Baltimore, MD) where she currently serves as the Mental Health Committee Chairman, Technology Committee Chairman, and External Awards Committee Co-chairman. She is married to Jarrett Carter, Sr., and they have four children who range in age from 5-13. She enjoys exercising (lifting and cycling), baking, cooking, traveling, home decorating, and watching movies. She reserves Sundays, her favorite day of the week, for faith, family, and selfcare, which includes baking her weekly loaf of bread. Click here for my headshot.

Check out Dr. Carter’s Facebook HERE.

Check out her Instagram HERE

Her Psychology Today Blog HERE

Her Website HERE

 


What Is A Trauma Bond?



Jourdan Travers defines the term “trauma bond” and discusses what relationships typically have them and why they are a powerful dynamic in relationships.

Jourdan Travers is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in the treatment of anxiety, mood, substance abuse/dependence, and personality disorders. She received her MSW from The University of Maryland and her B.A. in psychology from California State University Northridge. She is a well-respected psychotherapist trained in CBT, DBT, Trauma-Informed Care, Mindfulness, and Psycho-Education. She has previously worked at Promises Treatment Center and Malibu Vista in Malibu, California, and the Lindner Center of Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Ms. Travers has experience working with a range of patient populations, including individuals with severe mental illness as well as those with less acute diagnoses. Ms. Travers takes a holistic approach to mental health treatment — utilizing a variety of therapeutic approaches to help clients move through distressing thoughts, managing overwhelming emotions and urges, and focus on their strengths to achieve long-term results.

To schedule and appointment with Jourdan click here.
Check out Jourdan’s Instagram here and her Facebook here.


What is the Fawn Trauma Response?



Best friend to the show, Dr. Candice Creasman, discusses the “fawn” trauma response and how it is different from the other trauma responses of fight, flight, and freeze.

Candice Creasman Mowrey, PhD is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health 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 provides consultation and clinical supervision for individuals and small groups in addition to large scale speaking engagements. Her emphasis is intersectional emotion regulation and mindfulness. She is Health At Every Size-aligned, and works to incorporate body-acceptance and self-compassion into her work with clients and groups.

For more information about Dr. Creasman please visit her website HERE. Or visit her Facebook and Instagram pages!

 


What is Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)?



Robyn Brickel, M.A., LMFT  discusses Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  She defines CPTSD, outlines best practices for recovery, and examines how it is both similar and different to PSTD.

Robyn is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 25+ years of experience providing psychotherapy, as well as the founder and clinical director of a private practice, Brickel and Associates, LLC in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia. She and her team bring a strengths-based, trauma-informed, systems approach to the treatment of individuals (older adolescents and adults), couples and families.  She specializes in trauma (including attachment trauma) and the use of dissociative mechanisms, such as: self-harm, eating disorders and addictions.  She also approaches treatment of perinatal mental health from a trauma-informed lens.

Robyn guides clients and clinicians who wish to better understand the impact of trauma on mental health and relationships. She has a wide range of post graduate trauma and addictions education and is trained in numerous relational models of practice, including Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT), the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), and Imago therapy.   She is a trained Sensorimotor Psychotherapist and is a Certified, Senior Facilitator for Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST), Certified EMDRIA therapist and Approved Consultant.  Utilizing all of these tools, along with mindfulness and ego state work to provide the best care to her clients. She prides herself in always learning and expanding her knowledge about the intricacies of treating complex trauma, trauma’s impact on the person and body, including the impact on maternal mental health and perinatal distress, all to aide clients in healing and post traumatic growth.

Read much more about Robyn on her website

She frequently shares insights, resources and links to mental health news on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram as well as in her blog at BrickelandAssociates.com


What Are 10 Mindful Lessons That Can Transform Your Relationships?



Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph.D., MPH, LCSW-R, CGP stops by to discuss 10 mindful lessons you can use to strengthen all of the relationships in your life.

Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph.D., MPH, LCSW-R, CGP maintains a private practice in Harrison, NY. She is an adjunct graduate professor of Mindfulness Practice at New York University. She is the president and clinical director of the Thru My Eyes Foundation, a 501c3 organization that helps individuals with life-threatening illnesses create a video legacy for their loved ones. She has advanced training in CBT, ACT, Structural Family Therapy, Mindfulness, Polyvagal Theory, and is a Level II trained Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist.

Dr. Maidenberg is a contributing editor of GROUP, the journal of the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society. She has also published in varied professional journals and was quoted in The New York Times, the Daily News, Fitness, Woman’s Day, Parents, and many other publications. Her book Free Your Child from Overeating: 53 Mind-Body Strategies for Lifelong Health utilizes strategies underpinned in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness. Her new book is ACE Your Life: Unleash Your Best Self and Live the Life You Want.

Click for more information on Dr. Maidenberg:
Visit her website
Check out her blog on Psychology Today
Purchase her books


What Are Six Steps Toward Recovery From A Toxic Relationship?



On this episode psychotherapist, Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS, chats about her article 6 Steps Toward Recovery From a Toxic Relationship.  She describes the six steps, discusses how survivors can move between the steps,

Kaytee is a psychotherapist, author, and consultant with a passion for working with survivors of relationship and family trauma. Her first book, Invisible Bruises: How a Better Understanding of the Patterns of Domestic Violence Can Help Survivors Navigate the Legal System, released in 2021, sheds light on the ways that the legal system can perpetuate the cycle of domestic violence by failing to recognize patterns that would otherwise hold perpetrators accountable and protect survivors. Her new book, It’s not High Conflict, It’s Post Separation Abuse is set to be released in February.
Kaytee has been featured on Psychology Today, iheart radio, Psychotherapy Networker, The Dr. Wendy Walsh Show, CP24 News out of Toronto, Newsweek, The Mind Journal, Shaye Ganam’s radio show, and numerous others.

To get in touch with Kaytee:
www.kaytlyngillislcsw.com
Instagram: @KurleeKaytee
Instagram: @Claras_ _Voice – support for survivors and allies
Facebook: Claras Voice- a group in support of survivors and allies
Twitter: @Kaytee_Gillis
Blog: Invisible Bruises, Psychology Today


Is There a Link Between Trauma and Eating Disorders?



Dr. Zoe Ross-Nash stops by to discuss the link between trauma and eating disorders/disordered eating. She defines different eating disorders and discusses which type of trauma is associated with each eating disorder.  Dr. Ross-Nash explores the importance of not having preconceived notions of what eating disorders “look like”.  She also discusses resources available to those struggling with disordered eating.

Dr. Zoe Ross-Nash (she/her) earned her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University and completed an APA accredited internship at the University of California, Davis in the Eating Disorder Emphasis. Ross-Nash won the Division 29 Student Excellence in Clinical Practice Award in 2022 and is the Associate Editor for Website Content for the division. Zoe’s clinical interests include trauma, eating disorders, wellness, mentorship, and advocacy. She is originally from Allendale, New Jersey and earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Service Studies and Dance from Elon University. In her spare time, Zoe likes to practice yoga and ballet, read and write poetry, and try new restaurants with her loved ones.

To get in touch with Dr. Ross-Nash: Click Here
Need to talk? Contact the National Eating Disorders Association to phone/chat/text about what you are experiencing: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline
More resources are available through the Eating Recovery Center: https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com
Need a podcast to help? Dr. Ross-Nash recommends Food Psych: https://christyharrison.com/foodpsych
Want to learn about intuitive eating? Check out http://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/
Want to diversify your social media feed? Here is a great place to start: https://scplab.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/body-diversity-resource-guide-i.pdf

Are Any of the Relationships on “Love Is Blind” Abusive?



On this episode, Dr. Isabelle Morley discusses the toxic and abusive relationship behaviors she saw on the latest season of “Love Is Blind”. We chat about what responsibility Netflix has to contestants and viewers, and how Netflix can protect both groups.

Isabelle Morley, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and co-founder of The Relationship Coaches. She specializes in helping people navigate their romantic relationships. Dr. Morley has trained in several couples therapy orientations and does extensive work with couples and individuals on healing and strengthening their relationships. This includes working on communication, emotional intimacy, healthy boundary setting, dependency awareness, and conflict resolution skills. She is a writer for Psychology Today, and in her blog, Love Them or Leave Them, she analyzes on-screen romantic relationships in scripted shows and reality television. As co-founder of The Relationship Coaches, Dr. Morley provides evidence-based but accessible information on how to form healthy relationships through PDFs, intensives, and retreats. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two daughters, and a toy poodle named Clifford.
To get in touch with Dr. Morley, please visit her website and social media:
Website
Instagram
And don’t forget to sign her petition to Netflix to help protect contestants and viewers from abusive relationships HERE

How Does The Pressure To Be The “Perfect Victim” Affect Survivors of Abuse?



Julie Sweet stops by to speak about the phenomen known as the “perfect victim” and how it affects survivors of abuse and violence.

Julie is an experienced Clinical Psychotherapist of 10 years with a demonstrated history of working in the mental health and human services industry. Skilled in Drug and Alcohol counselling, counselling adult survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA), Trauma Informed clinical practice, crisis counselling, family counselling, advocacy, negotiation, business planning, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and media relations. Julie has strong community and social services professional experience and a Bachelor of Counselling and Human Change (Psychotherapy) focused in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy from Jansen Newman Institute.
She is an approved Counsellor with the Approved Counselling Service, Victims Services, NSW. and an approved Counsellor on the Blue Knot Foundation Helpline Referral Database.

To get in touch with Julie please visit any of the following:
Linkedin
Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

 


What Do You Wish You Knew About Abusive Relationships?



On this episode, coauthor of Kendall Ann’s book “What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After An Abusive Relationship”, Dr. Amelia Kelley, stops by to answer reader and listener questions with Kendall Ann.  They discuss how the book came to fruition, suggest other books survivors can read to help them thrive, chat about the difference between an abusive partner and a “jerk” and much more.

Dr. Amelia Kelley is a trauma-informed therapist who has conducted research on the effects of exercise on ADHD symptoms as well as a the effects of resiliency on PTSD. She is a trained Hypno-therapist, Art therapist, HSP Therapist, EMDR-informed therapist, meditation teacher, as well as a Certified Yoga instructor integrating therapeutic yoga and psychotherapy. She is a presenter and writer in the “science-help” field focusing on Highly Sensitive Persons, trauma, motivation, healthy living, and adult ADHD.  She is a guest podcast presenter focusing on women’s issues and coping with the trauma of unhealthy relationships, as well as a coach and trainer for SAS’s Work/Life Program in Cary, NC and a resident trainer for the NC Art Therapy Institute. Her practice is also currently part of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at the Kinsey Institute.

For more information about Dr. Kelley visit her site and follow her social media HERE.

Click HERE to purchase, rate, or review What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After an Abusive Relationship.