When One Moment Changes Everything: Understanding Specific Incident Trauma
Some moments change everything. Whether it was a car accident, a natural disaster, or another sudden, overwhelming event, specific incident trauma can leave a deep imprint on your mind and body. This article offers a compassionate look at what specific incident trauma is, how it can show up in your life, and why your response to it is completely valid. Most importantly, it's a reminder that healing is possible, and you don't have to carry the weight of what happened all by yourself.
What Is Trauma? A Compassionate Guide to Understanding and Healing
Navigating the aftermath of a painful experience can be confusing and overwhelming. If you've been grappling with lingering emotional, mental, or physical distress, you're not alone. This guide is for anyone seeking to understand what trauma is—and isn't—and how it affects our nervous system and daily life. You'll learn why trauma is a survival response, not a sign of weakness, and discover what a compassionate path toward healing can look like. Your pain is valid, your healing is possible, and you don't have to navigate it alone.
Understanding Sexual Trauma: Healing After Harm
Sexual trauma can feel confusing, isolating, and overwhelming, whether it happened recently or years ago. But please know that you are not to blame for what happened, you did not deserve it, and healing is possible. This article provides a gentle exploration of what sexual trauma is, how it affects the mind and body, and what a path toward healing can look like. You are worthy of compassion, support, and a way forward that honors your unique journey.
Loving Differently, Just Like Everyone Else: Embracing Neurodiverse Relationships
Navigating a neurodiverse relationship, where one or both partners' brains process the world uniquely (e.g., with ADHD, autism, or sensory differences), isn't about carrying "extra baggage," but rather about working with a different user manual. Like all couples, neurodiverse partners must intentionally learn to meet each other's needs, communicate effectively, and be mindful of individual differences; however, societal myths often unfairly stigmatize these connections. In reality, neurodivergent individuals bring profound loyalty, depth, honesty, creativity, and empathy to relationships, where love and connection may manifest in less traditional ways—such as shared interests, direct communication, or tailored gestures of care—proving that these relationships are not only viable but can be wonderfully authentic and deeply rewarding.
Love, Laundry & ADHD: Navigating Relationships with a Busy Brain
Navigating relationships when one or both partners have ADHD is a unique journey shaped by a brain that craves novelty and spontaneity, impacting everything from communication to intimacy and daily chores. While ADHD can manifest as challenges like forgotten plans, inattention, or emotional dysregulation, these behaviors stem from differences in brain wiring, not a lack of love. Instead, understanding ADHD in relationships can unlock a dynamic filled with playfulness, creativity, deep empathy, and fierce loyalty, revealing a love that is often more intense and unfiltered, yet capable of profound connection with the right support, patience, and clear communication.
Love on the Spectrum: Autism and Relationships
Relationships involving autistic individuals are characterized by authentic connections and genuine love, though their expression may differ from neurotypical norms. People on the spectrum experience love and desire connection just like anyone else, often demonstrating traits like direct communication, unique love languages focused on actions, and deep loyalty once trust is established. Challenges can arise from masking behaviors, sensory sensitivities impacting physical comfort, and communication styles that benefit from clarity and directness. However, by embracing these neurodivergent ways of relating, respecting boundaries, and fostering clear communication, relationships can thrive with refreshingly honest, sincere, and profound connections, proving that different ways of loving are not deficient but simply beautiful.
Mental Health Self-Care: Practical Tips for Reducing Anxiety & Depression
Mental self-care is crucial for maintaining mental health and well-being, involving daily check-ins with your emotions, reducing anxiety and stress, and seeking support when needed. Prioritizing mental health can lead to improved clarity, focus, presence, and overall quality of life, benefiting not only yourself but also your ability to support others. This article offers creative suggestions for engaging in mental self-care, ranging from brief mindfulness techniques like mindful eating and grounding exercises to practices like meditation, guided yoga, slowing down, mental stimulation, and unplugging from technology, emphasizing that these are not one-size-fits-all approaches and encouraging readers to explore what works best for their individual needs.
There is No Excuse For Mean: The Need For Emotional Safety in Relationships
There is No Excuse For Mean—Kindness is the cornerstone of a strong and fulfilling relationship. By prioritizing kindness, empathy, and understanding, we can create a safe space for vulnerability and open communication. It's important to remember that healthy relationships involve both love and conflict. However, it's how we navigate these conflicts that determine the strength of our bond. By choosing kindness, even in the face of disagreement, we can build a lasting and loving partnership.
Dreading The Holiday Feasts
People can face many challenges during the holiday season, particularly those with disordered eating or body image issues. It highlights the pressure to conform to societal expectations of appearance and food consumption, often leading to feelings of shame, anxiety, and isolation. The article emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, setting boundaries, and seeking support to navigate these challenges. It offers practical tips for managing stress, such as mindfulness techniques, planning ahead, and reframing holiday goals.
How to Set Boundaries Without Feeling Like the ‘Bad Guy’
Boundaries to protect one's mental and emotional well-being. Boundaries are not about being selfish but rather about creating healthier and more sustainable relationships. This article provides practical tips on how to set boundaries effectively, such as communicating clearly, anticipating pushback, and being consistent. It also addresses common challenges like guilt and fear of conflict, offering strategies to overcome them.
Fishing for Stability: Navigating Borderline Personality Disorder in Families
The "Fishes" episode of The Bear offers a raw and relatable portrayal of life with a parent who has Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The chaotic dinner scene, marked by intense emotions and unpredictable behavior, mirrors the experiences of many who have grown up in similar households. By exploring the Berzatto family's struggles, we can gain a deeper understanding of the impact of BPD on individuals and families.
Defeating Depression: Setting Healthy Intentions for Coping
While activities like exercise and socializing can be beneficial, they can become harmful if driven by negative motivations such as self-punishment or obligation. By shifting your focus to positive intentions, such as self-care and genuine connection, you can optimize your coping strategies for improved mental well-being. Remember that rest is also crucial, and seeking professional support can be invaluable in navigating depression and developing healthy coping skills.
Navigating Grief: 3 Practical Steps for Where To Start
Where to Start After a Loss: This blog post offers guidance on navigating grief after losing a loved one. It provides the first three practical steps I recommend as a grief therapist, focus on taking care of self, helping other to support you, and keeping your loved ones memories alive. Grief therapy is also explored as a valuable tool for processing emotions, creating meaningful rituals to keep your loved one's memory alive, and finding support from a therapist or grief group.
Welcome to Angel City Therapy
Angel City Therapy, a new Los Angeles-based practice with therapists offering online services throughout California, offers individual therapy and couple therapy for those seeking emotional well-being and to move past challenges they might be facing. Our team of experienced therapists utilize a collaborative approach to help clients navigate life's challenges, build resilience, and achieve joy.