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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

This article dives into the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.

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.