by Paul Michael Marinello | Jul 13, 2022 | 12 Step Programs, CPTSD, Gaslighting, Grief, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Parental Alienation
“I will admit, in my darkest moments my hope for others is much clearer than my hope for myself.” Anna-Maija Lee For the purposes of understanding this post, please review the following terms as it comes to parental alienation, alienating parent (a parent or loved one...
by Maria Anna van Driel | Jul 12, 2022 | CPTSD, CPTSD and PTSD, Guest Contributor
The shady perfection of a phoenix-like transformation * This article contains behavioral descriptions that correspond, or are largely similar to, behaviors that have spawned from long-term exposure to mental and physical abuse. When you have experienced this kind of...
by Sarah H. Clarke | Jul 12, 2022 | CPTSD, Guest Contributor, Shame, Trauma-Informed
Inducing shame is endemic in so many of our cultures and is one reason why healing shame it is so very hard to accomplish. Recognizing how our cultures produce and support shame is the first step toward setting strong boundaries against it and showing ourselves and...
by Eric Zuniga | Jul 11, 2022 | CPTSD, Guest Contributor
Life is a bundle of experiences. This bundle inevitably grows and finds its way into a story. Every story has its twists and turns, ongoing passages, and closed chapters. Sharing our stories opens our hearts and minds to another being. With receptivity, it brings...
by Shirley Davis | Jul 11, 2022 | CPTSD, Self Care, Self-Acceptance, Trauma
Many people identify as having survived childhood abuse of some sort and, as a result, often lack self-compassion. Self-compassion is being kind and understanding with oneself instead of mercilessly criticizing and sitting in judgment of all your shortcomings. This...
by Heidi Fischer | Jul 8, 2022 | CPTSD, CPTSD and PTSD, PTSD
Originally published on The Mighty. This whole writing is basically a massive spoiler for all things “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and “Star Wars” in general. Please note that I enjoy explaining such things in a slightly cavalier way, so don’t come at me with pitchforks if I don’t...
by Roger Reynolds | Jul 7, 2022 | Guest Contributor, LGBTQ, Trauma
LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (one’s sexual or gender identity), Intersex, and Asexual/Aromantic/Agender (LGBTQIA+ or Queer). “A 2016 review of research found 17% of LGB adults had attempted suicide during their...
by Rebekah Brown | Jul 7, 2022 | Anxiety, Attachment Trauma, CPTSD, CPTSD and Narcissistic Abuse, Grief, Healing Codependency, Healthy Relationships, Trauma
How to Break A Trauma Bond I could hear the yelling outside despite the fact that I was in the house with the door closed. My husband was on a cell phone with my trauma-bonded abuser. They weren’t on speaker either. I could still hear every word. Cultivated over many...
by Sunny Lynn, OMC | Jul 6, 2022 | Anger, Anxiety, Attachment Trauma, Complex PTSD Healing, CPTSD and Inner Child Work, CPTSD and Narcissistic Abuse, CPTSD Survivor Stories, Guest Contributor, Mindfulness, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Self Care
Scapegoated! (as published in The Friday Edition of HeartBalm Healing at https://heartbalm.substack.com) For the adult who blames themselves – who see things go wrong around them and perceives the familiar feelings of self-blame, guilt, shame, and “it’s my fault”...
by Shirley Davis | Jul 6, 2022 | CPTSD, Self Care, Self-Acceptance
No one is harder on a survivor of complex trauma than the survivor. Survivors feel they are a burden, be unable to have a voice for themselves, or feel shame. Also, survivors often lack trust in who they are and believe no one is trustworthy. This article will focus...
