Understanding Post-traumatic Stress DisorderFamily Resources, Mental Health, Personal Resources, PTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinFebruary 20, 2020A father and son on a weekend fishing trip eagerly set out in their boat on the river early one morning. All is going well until the son, standing too close to the side of the boat while trying to reel in his line, suddenly slips and falls over the side into the deep water…
How Childhood Pain Leads to Relationship TraumaFamily Resources, Mental Health, Personal Resources, PTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinJanuary 19, 2020People with a history of childhood trauma often carry those issues unconsciously forward into adult relationships. A pattern of childhood neglect, emotional or physical abuse, or a story involving sexual molestation or rape creates difficulties for adults as they attempt to make long-term bonds in committed relationships. It is not uncommon to find such an…
Women and Compulsive HoardingFamily Resources, Mental Health, Mental Health - Women, PTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinJanuary 1, 2020A huge closet full of clothes. An endless array of shoes. Multiple pets. In popular culture, it’s common to accuse women of “hoarding” certain types of objects. While oftentimes the female “pack rat” image is merely a joke, there are many instances in which the behavior indicates a serious disorder. Compulsive hoarding, which is often…
4 Powerful Rituals to Help Heal Trauma and LossPTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinJuly 6, 2018By Tiffany Dzioba, PsyD, LMFT, Executive Director of Promises The clients we serve suffer from significant mental illness, many times with a co-occurring addiction, and most have experienced profound trauma in their lives. They’ve spent much of their lives struggling with pain that has compromised their functioning and taken away hope. The healing process is…
A Legacy of Trauma: How Sexual Abuse Can Impact Future GenerationsPTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinJanuary 11, 2018The #MeToo movement has gone viral following sexual harassment and sexual misconduct allegations against a growing list of celebrities. It’s a powerful and needed movement that’s only beginning to shed light on the depth and scale of the problem. “I’m glad people are coming forward,” says Sherry Young, PhD, CSAT, a senior clinical outreach director…
Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy: How It Heals TraumaPTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinDecember 29, 2017By Tiffany Dzioba, PsyD, LMFT, Clinical Program Director, Promises Malibu Vista Addressing spirituality and spiritual issues in psychotherapy can be an integral part of helping clients heal from trauma and achieve post-traumatic growth. Spiritual concepts such as forgiveness, meaning-making, surrender and connectedness can help clients integrate traumatic events and move forward with new narratives and…
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in MenPTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinSeptember 15, 2017Anyone exposed to a highly traumatic situation with the potential to cause injury or death can develop diagnosable symptoms of the mental health condition called post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. However, for a number of reasons, men have PTSD risks that differ from those found in women. In addition, men who develop the disorder can…
Trauma Reenactment Can Run (and Ruin) Our LivesPTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinJuly 7, 2017By Natalia Balasundaram, Trauma Therapist, Promises, Young Adult Program Amy grew up in a household that was dominated by her father’s cocaine addiction. She stayed away from drugs, but she always seemed to find partners with drug problems. A part of her hoped she could save them in a way that she could not save…
The Social Stigma of PTSDPTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinFebruary 9, 2017Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a brutal and debilitating illness that affects people who have experienced traumas of all types — from combat veterans, and rape survivors, to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence. Overcoming the symptoms of PTSD (anxiety, flashbacks and re-experiencing, among others) is difficult enough, but the social stigma of…
Equine Therapy for Trauma VictimsPTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinFebruary 2, 2017Equine therapy is an excellent option for trauma victims who have a hard time opening up about their experiences or who feel overwhelming anxiety or panic. Equine therapy provides a unique environment in which individuals are able to heal their invisible wounds in a way that is intuitive and fun. When some people first hear…
