A trauma bond forms when love and fear become intertwined. It happens when the same person who hurts you is also the one you depend on for comfort, safety, or validation. Over time, your nervous system learns to confuse pain with love and chaos with connection.Trauma bonds are not weakness; they are survival responses. When you experience cycles of abuse and reward, your body releases powerful neurochemicals Dopamine spikes during moments of affection or apology, creating a r

If you’ve ever felt like therapy sessions leave you with insight but no real relief, you’re not alone. Talking about trauma isn’t the same as healing it. Traditional talk therapy uses your thinking brain, but trauma lives somewhere else entirely. That’s why for many people, it feels like being a mouse on a wheel — endless sessions of talking and analyzing without a real sense of resolution.

Brainspotting is a powerful mind-body approach that helps you access your brain’s natural ability to heal, grow, and create. It’s based on a simple truth: where you look affects how you feel. By gently guiding your eyes to specific “brainspots,” you can tap into the deeper part of your brain where old memories, emotions, and even creative potential are stored.

My heart broke twice. Two people I deeply cared about took their final breaths after long and grueling battles with devastating health...

I am framing this in a women-in-recovery context by reimagining The Taming of the Shrew not as a literal story about submission, but as...

To be in recovery means living in an ongoing, intentional process of healing, growth, and transformation after experiencing...

Introduction: For many women, getting sober is not the end of the healing journey—it’s the beginning. Beneath the surface of addiction...

Narrative hypnosis and regressive hypnosis are two distinct approaches within the field of hypnotherapy, differing significantly in their focus and techniques. Here's a breakdown of their key differences:

"Rose-colored glasses" experiences can deeply affect how we perceive our past, present, and even our future in our recovery journey. Here's what you may want or need to know when looking at present time perceptions that will be your stepping stones in recovery.

Finding one's purpose is a deeply personal and often evolving journey. There's no single right way, but here are 100 avenues, perspectives, and practices that can help you explore and uncover what truly resonates with you:

What are the different types of women survivors? Do the majority of dysfunctional or abuse of childhood affect how many end up adapting...

Hi, I’m Sheryl Boyle—and I’ve been in active recovery for 41 years. Sharing my story isn’t easy, but I know it’s necessary. If opening up...

As women in recovery "Rose-colored glasses experiences" can deeply affect how we perceive our past, present, and recovery journey. Here's...

The term"glimmers" was coined by licensed clinical social worker Deb Dana, who specializes in treating complex trauma. She describes glimmers as "tiny moments of goodness that are all around us" that help our nervous system remember that regulation, safety, and connection are possible, even amidst suffering.

hypnosis for healing and breaking emotional blocks

Coloring isn’t just for kids—it’s a powerful tool for stress relief, mindfulness, and even trauma healing.

We live in a time of unprecedented flux. From economic anxieties to political polarization, and persistent social unrest, the United...

The Healing Power of Laughter: Why Laughing is Good for Your Mental Health

Dissociation can be a challenging experience, leaving you feeling disconnected from your thoughts, feelings, or even your surroundings....

At Empowering to Thrive PLLC, we are dedicated to providing effective, evidence-based therapies to help our clients overcome mental...