Blogs

If you’re not out to family or friends—for safety or for other personal reasons—going home for the holidays can feel more stressful than celebratory. Even folks who are out may be facing family who are uninformed, or even openly hostile. Every family has its own expectations and culture. Knowing what’s safe to talk about, wear, or even what name and pronouns you are able to use can add to the confusion and stress of the season.

From haunted houses to video games to horror movies, people will pay good money to be creeped out, spooked, or generally have the crap scared out of them. We often go to great lengths to avoid scary situations in real life, and for good reason—it’s an evolutionary survival mechanism. So what accounts for the lasting popularity of horror?

Trauma and PTSD | Therapy for Workplace Trauma When workplace trauma happens, it's often hard to recognize for what it is. But workplace mental health problems can go beyond stress and burnout. As a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with professional...

EMDR and somatic therapy are two of the buzziest and most-requested therapies for people seeking trauma treatment today. But did you know that they can be integrated to provide an even more holistic and effective approach? Stella Nova therapist Sage Swiatek, LCSW, breaks down what you need to know about Somatic EMDR Therapy.

As a psychologist who often works with trauma, I enjoy looking to pop culture for stories of resilience and healing.
The Thunderbolts’ display many of the hallmark symptoms of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD). I invite you to learn about what cPTSD looks like using examples from this film. (Spoilers ahead!)

Are you feeling stuck in life? Maybe you have a sense that something is off. Or you’re moving through your days on autopilot, craving change but unsure of what the next step is. Slowing down and engaging in honest self-reflection can offer just enough clarity or momentum to take steps towards getting unstuck. Here are some reflection questions that I find helpful when I’m stuck in my own life.