Trauma is more than just a bad memory. It’s a deeply distressing experience that can leave lasting marks on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. 

When most people think of trauma, they picture major events like abuse, accidents, or natural disasters. But trauma isn’t always about catastrophic incidents. It can also stem from chronic stress, emotional neglect, or long-term exposure to toxic environments—experiences that may seem subtle but are equally impactful.

To truly heal from trauma, it’s essential to understand how our minds and bodies respond to it. 

Life is a journey of navigating emotional landscapes, where understanding our internal processes can make a significant difference in our well-being. 

Two common ways people handle challenging situations are rumination and processing. 

While these terms might sound similar, they represent fundamentally different approaches to dealing with our thoughts and emotions. Understanding the distinction between rumination and processing can be crucial in fostering mental health and emotional resilience. 

Do you struggle with having your needs met from either your partner, friend or family members?

Did you know that simply requesting help may not be enough and that there is a different approach that can help elicit some much needed change?

In this month’s Therapy Moment, Maggie Zofkie, LPC, NCC teaches us the difference between giving a request, a boundary and an ultimatum for when you are feeling a disconnect and which approach will help you be heard the first time around.

When facing any situation in life, there will be various kinds of barriers that hold people back and various advantages that will propel people forward. 

Can you relate?

I know I certainly can!

Some of the factors that determine barriers or advantages are external to people, such as geographical location, socioeconomic status, and access to readily available resources. 

However, a big determining factor in barriers or advantages comes down to the mindset one has when facing any situation. 

Do you and your partner struggle with resolving disagreements you have with one another?

Maybe the same argument keeps reoccurring and you both can’t seem to see eye to eye with one another!

In this month’s Therapy Moment, Maggie Zofkie, LPC, NCC sheds light on how to best resolve conflict with your partner!

Imagine a Thanksgiving dinner spread before you, laden with all your favorite dishes. You fill your plate with mashed potatoes, turkey, broccoli casserole, red jello, corn, carrots, stuffing, and, of course, a slightly burnt crescent roll, generously doused in gravy. As you begin to eat, you realize that you didn’t pause to ask, “Is this enough food?” 

Suddenly, you’re uncomfortably full, longing to collapse on the couch. While this scenario may be fitting for Thanksgiving, it often mirrors our lives when we overload ourselves with tasks like work, school, kids, friends, family, etc all expecting you to still show up how they need you. This often leaves us feeling mentally overstuffed and overwhelmed.