Wow, it’s December — how did we suddenly get here?
Perhaps by not noticing ourselves? By not slowing down to be present in the moments? Time seems to fly by even faster when we aren’t tuned into our own needs — and guess what? This is a common situation for trauma survivors.
How to notice your needs this holiday season with compassion Read More »
You and I have endured yet another year experiencing the impact of a global trauma. We all need healing, hope and compassion more than ever! In everything we do at Brickel and Associates, our goal is to allow for and aid in healing for our clients. We strive to empower more people to live life using a trauma-informed lens. And we continue to invite you to join us in decreasing the stigma toward mental illness and those in therapy for mental health.
Heartfelt wishes for healing, compassion and safety in the new year Read More »
When someone has a mental health issue or illness, therapists look to a diagnosis, so we can better understand it, gather information about it and treat it precisely as mental health professionals.
However, sometimes the terms themselves may add to the challenges in working with the patient. I admit, I’m troubled by the diagnostic term borderline personality disorder (BPD). The negative traits and pathologizing language usually associated with this term make it hard to use the terminology or diagnosis without also being extremely detrimental to the client. These kinds of terms can then worsen the problem of the stigma associated with mental illness, which we all have to confront. When we use certain terms, we may unwillingly subject people to prejudice, judgment and stigma that can prevent them from getting help, receiving compassion, and seeking out a trauma-informed approach to treatment. This is not okay!
A Compassionate Look at “Borderline Personality Disorder” From a Trauma-Informed Lens Read More »
by Robyn E. Brickel, M.A., LMFT and Emily Sanders, LPC
On November 7, 2017, Virginia voters elected Danica Roem to the Virginia House of Delegates. Roem is the first openly transgender state legislator in America. Her campaign focused on local issues, especially improving traffic problems, which resonated with voters. But she has also broken a cultural barrier that brings attention to the LGBTQ+ community. Her public life opens new opportunities for us to talk about transgender issues.
A Compassionate Guide to Talking about LGBTQ+ Issues Read More »
The experience of trauma makes a profound mark on a person. It doesn’t matter whether the injury is grave and evident, like the bruising of a battered person, or hard to see, like the emotional neglect of someone detached and withdrawn. Whatever the cause, when a person feels threatened, helpless, and unable to escape, that person knows trauma.
To Heal Trauma, Free Your Most Compassionate Self Read More »
Whoever said happiness was a pursuit wasn’t kidding. We search high and low, spend money we may or may not have, engage in all kinds of behaviors for good and ill, and still come up short in the happiness department. Happiness bec…read more
THE ANYWHERE, ANYTIME CHILL GUIDE: 77 SIMPLE STRATEGIES FOR SERENITY
How to conquer everyday stress with zen, a sense of humor, and techniques anyone can do any…read more
OPTION B: FACING ADVERSITY, BUILDING RESILIENCE AND FINDING JOY
From Facebook’s COO and Wharton’s top-rated professor, the #1 New York Times best-selling authors of Lean In and Originals: a powerful, inspiring, and practical book about building resilience and mov…read more
SELF-COMPASSION: STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP AND LEAVE INSECURITY BEHIND
THE MINDFUL PATH THE SELF-COMPASSION: FREEING YOURSELF FROM DESTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS
“Buck up.” “Stop feeling sorry for yourself.” “Don’t ruin everything.” When you are anxious, sad, angry, or lonely, do you hear this self-critical voice? What would happen if, instead of fighting difficult emotions, we accepted them? Over his decades of expe…read more
TRAUMA-SENSITIVE MINDFULNESS: PRACTICES FOR SAFE AND TRANSFORMATIVE HEALING
From elementary schools to psychotherapy offices, mindfulness meditation is an increasingly mainstream practice. At the same time, trauma remains a fact of life: the majority of us will experience a traumatic event in our life…read more
FINDING YOUR RUBY SLIPPERS: TRANSFORMATIVE LIFE LESSONS FROM THE
Books: Mindfulness, Relaxation, Compassion, Personal Growth Read More »
Within the last few weeks, I have heard of two more young people dying from heroin overdoses. Tragedies like this are becoming ever more common.
Right now, in my opinion, there is a heroin/opiate epidemic going on. It’s spanning all ages, all races, all genders, and all socioeconomic statuses! It doesn’t matter if your town has a Starbucks or a beautiful, organic farmers market.
Why Compassion is Vital in Treating Opiate Addiction Read More »
The phrase “self-harming behavior” may call up images of troubled teenagers with cuts on their arms. But self-injury can occur for people of any age, in children, adolescents and adults, whether male or female. This is not at all a teenage fad!
Understanding Self-Harming Behavior: Healing with Self-Care and Compassion Read More »
From the outside, it seems puzzling that any person could develop an eating disorder like anorexia, bulimia or compulsive overeating. When we see someone starving themselves or eating themselves into obesity, the temptation is to criticize or correct them: “Just stop it! Can’t you see you’re hurting yourself?”
But criticism or judgment is the last thing a person with an eating disorder needs. If we want to help people
Why People with Eating Disorders Need Our Compassion Read More »
Good cheer, happiness, family and a spirit of giving are a big part of the holiday season. But for many people, stress and loneliness are major players that upset plans to stay positive. If your tension level rises when the decor goes up, you are not alone. It is common for some people to feel more anxious or lonely as the season begins.
Holiday stress can trigger negative thinking that builds on itself. To avoid this cycle, we can take this opportunity to find new comforts and enjoy the holidays differently. We can take simple, meaningful steps for healthy self-care, and put some fun back into our celebrations.
