Healing after narcissistic abuse often means reclaiming the self that was pushed aside during the relationship. Susan began to realize that her breakup with Donald was not just a breakup. In the weeks after the separation, she found that the relationship was not actually over. She had expected to go through the familiar pain of loss — to mourn, to grieve, to slowly recover from the comfort, the love, and the confusion of a six-year relationship that had meant a great deal to

How many times must we ask for sensitive care? Over nearly two decades of clinical work in perinatal mental health, I have listened to women describe experiences of birth trauma rooted not only in medical emergency, but in the absence of respectful maternity care. A Composite Narrative Note: The following vignette is a composite of many women I have seen over nearly two decades as a licensed psychotherapist, childbirth educator, and doula. Any resemblance to one particular p

In recent years, several well-known public figures have spoken openly about the emotional and identity changes that accompany becoming a mother. This is important as it expands the discourse on perinatal mental health. Although they may not use the word matrescence, many of their reflections describe exactly this developmental transition — the profound psychological, relational, and embodied changes that unfold as women move into motherhood. Like adolescence, matrescence resh

Radical acceptance means embracing the present moment and reality as it is, without trying to change it or deny it. It involves recognizing facts, feelings, and situations—even painful or uncomfortable ones—without judgment or avoidance. This concept originates from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed by Marsha Linehan, who emphasized acceptance as a key skill for managing emotional distress.

A cancer diagnosis — whether newly discovered or long managed — brings a wide and often overwhelming range of emotions. Anger. Rage. Despair. Anxiety. Helplessness. Sadness. All of these are normal. There is nothing “wrong” with you for feeling deeply during a medical crisis. In fact, strong emotions are part of a healthy human response to threat, uncertainty, and loss. There is nothing “wrong” with you for feeling deeply during a medical crisis. In fact, strong emotions are

An internal locus of control does not mean believing you can control everything. That’s unrealistic. Instead, it means directing your energy toward what is within your influence.

Calm the Nervous System There are many ways to manage emotions and navigate life. When we organize our experiences visually, the nervous system often settles as our story begins to feel more coherent. Some of us learned foundational emotional skills growing up in homes that were stable and “good enough”. Others grew up in confusing, chaotic, or unsafe environments where emotional development had less room to unfold. And yet — emotional capacity can expand at any point in life

Matrescence is a developmental passage — one that can reopen earlier chapters while inviting integration. Childhood sexual abuse and a woman’s reproductive life may be separated by years or decades. And yet traumatic memories can resurface, because they are often held in the body and mind in a non-linear way. When traumatic memories resurface, in those moments, the nervous system may respond as if the past is happening again, leading to sensations of threat, loss of control,

The nervous system detects safety and threat before thought. How Emotions Are Processed in the Brain Trauma affects not only how memories are stored, but also how emotions are experienced and interpreted . For individuals with PTSD, emotional and physical symptoms often arise automatically, shaped by underlying neurobiological changes that occurred under conditions of threat. Understanding how emotions are processed in the brain can help explain why trauma reactions feel imme

Women's mental health develops naturally through several phases in a lifetime.

Shared experiences stabilize friendships Is it healthy to end a friendship over politics? Let's explore some nuances. That's a developmental question. Research: Majority of Americans Do Not End Friendships Over Politics Have Americans been ending their connections, their friendships, over political differences? The cultural narrative suggests that Americans are severing ties left and right over political disagreement. The research tells a more nuanced story. A 2024 study f

Many new parents, especially those who grew up in dysfunctional families, carry a heavy fear: What if I don’t get this right? What if my baby doesn't feel loved? Fortunately, attachment research offers reassuring news. Healthy attachment is not built through constant attunement or flawless parenting. Instead, it develops through repeated moments of connection, including moments of rupture and repair. Two influential thinkers help us understand this concept: Donald Winnicott a

Bringing a baby home can be joyful — and unexpectedly emotional. Many new mothers are surprised by waves of tears, irritability, and exhaustion in the first days after birth. So how do you know whether what you’re feeling is the baby blues — or something more serious like postpartum depression (PPD) ? Understanding the difference matters. What Are the Baby Blues? he baby blues are very common. Up to 70–80% of new mothers experience them. They typically: Begin 2–3 days after

Arguments often escalate because both partners feel the need to be heard immediately. When emotions peak, the brain’s ability to think clearly diminishes, making it harder to listen or respond thoughtfully. The Gottman technique of stepping back interrupts this cycle.

For centuries, survivors of sexual assault weren’t able to speak out. They were shamed and perversely, blamed.

Burnout, Anxiety, and a Nervous System Stuck in “On” Many people have access to time off and still don’t take it. Others technically take vacation but remain tethered to work—checking email, thinking about deadlines, worrying about what they’re missing or what will await them when they return. This is often framed as a motivation problem, a work ethic issue, or a cultural flaw. But from a mental health perspective, something deeper is happening. For many people, rest does no