Many adoptive and foster caregivers find themselves confronted with behaviours that impact daily life—not being able to get out of bed in the morning, throwing things, hoarding food, violence and abuse, sexually acting out, emotionally short-fused, or flat-lined. It is no surprise caregivers seek out mental health professionals to "fix" the behaviours. Psychotherapist and co-author … Continue reading Safety: The antidote to “bad” behaviour
Bessel van der Kolk: What is Neurofeedback?
Trauma is not about a story that happened a long time ago. Trauma is the impact of that event on you. It changes your brain and your sense of self. The treatment for trauma is finding a way in which you can own yourself and be restored to your maximum internal functions. Where trauma becomes … Continue reading Bessel van der Kolk: What is Neurofeedback?
Pat Ogden: Dealing with angry children
Caregivers often first discover their child is having problems with anger when they get sent home from school or a teacher makes contact about aggressive behaviours. In some cases, defiance presents in the home, perhaps in the form of tantrums or refusing to do simple tasks requested by parents. In many cases, the child doesn’t … Continue reading Pat Ogden: Dealing with angry children
12 tips for dealing with anxiety
One of the challenges of living with a child who has experienced attachment trauma is the propensity to overload the nervous system. It is so easy for them (and ourselves) to move out of what Dan Siegel calls the "window of tolerance." And when that happens, it is common to either shut down or deal … Continue reading 12 tips for dealing with anxiety
Hello anger? Can we talk?
What is your response to anger: to fear it, avoid it, or express it in destructive ways that you later come to regret? Let’s face it, few of us have learnt how to have a healthy relationship with anger. (c) Pixar What is anger and its function? From an evolutionary standpoint, the role of anger … Continue reading Hello anger? Can we talk?
Hello mind? Can we start over?
Every one of us is born with an extraordinary mind. To an extent, confidence is hardwired into us from the start. But external factors play a huge role in shaping our feelings of self worth. Therapist, Marisa Peer, tells us we alone are responsible for our own happiness; we can't give that job to someone … Continue reading Hello mind? Can we start over?
Using energy medicine to heal trauma
For many people who have journeyed through complex trauma or PTSD, the final part of the recovery is usually spiritual. Donna Eden is the founder of Eden Energy Medicine and travels the world teaching people how to heal their energy systems; to restore natural energies that have become weakened, out of balance or blocked. This is … Continue reading Using energy medicine to heal trauma
