Several people that have been reading Discussing Dissociation have made posts and comments about how enormously painful and difficult it is to lose a therapist. There are several different ways to “lose a therapist” but for the purposes of this particular blog entry, I’d like to focus on situations where there was sudden loss. In my years of experience, I have seen a variety of circumstances that have led to … [Read more...]
Life-Changing Heartbreak Hurts
Something about heartbreak totally changes a person. Repeated heartbreak. Changes your life. I’m not sure I can put words to it yet, but I know it happens. Depression. Sadness. Loss. Grief. Pain. It consumes your thoughts, your mind, your time. What hurts the most? Abandonment? Abuse? Neglect? Betrayal? Dishonesty? Physical pain? Sexual trauma? Aloneness? I … [Read more...]
Cats and Dogs and Trauma Survivors
Pets are very important to trauma survivors for a variety of reasons: A place to express love, affection, and tenderness Many abuse survivors have difficulties with attachment issues due their extensive histories of trauma, abuse, and neglect. Because people were the perpetrators, trauma survivors frequently find it difficult and complicated to express caring and affection to other people. And yet, … [Read more...]
When a Perpetrator Dies….
Oh my goodness..... What were you doing on this day..... ? Flashing back to several years ago ...... **** Did you experience the social earthquake today? The sudden death of Michael Jackson today has caught everyone by surprise. Will he be more remembered as the King of Pop? Or will he be forever remembered as a suspected and accused child molester? Everyone will have … [Read more...]
One Mother’s Heart…
Once upon a time, my little boy grew up. He grew, and he grew, and he grew until he was big enough to live by himself. Then that day came.... That terrible horrible lousy no-good day when I had to help my son move into his own place. Gosh. I really dreaded that day. It was truly a terrible horrible lousy no-good day. It was a lot of work. There were boxes upon boxes to haul, big pieces of furniture to … [Read more...]