Michael Roth is The Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to "Overcoming Trauma". You can find complete information on Michael Roth and his products by visiting Transforming Trauma.
In expressive arts therapy, we are always working in the present. The here and now is the only real medium we have to work with, the only place where thoughts, feelings, and behaviors occur.
This may seem strange, especially if you are dealing with past traumatic or childhood issues. But ... Views: 1289
The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs reports that one in five combat veterans develops Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, either during or shortly after combat. The Mayo Clinic defines PTSD as having three main categories of symptoms: “re-experiencing symptoms,” “avoidance symptoms,” ... Views: 1289
What is you climb? Are you facing challenge in your life today? The climb is the most difficult part of the walk we face in our everyday life.
It’s where our realities are faced. It’s where we wonder whether or not we are able to complete all of the task in life we face. We all have a ... Views: 1288
This question has plagued all of us, including researchers for a long time! Could it be because we’re all inherently lazy and don’t exercise enough? Or maybe it’s because we have a job that’s too demanding on our back? To properly address this question, here are some interesting facts:
1. ... Views: 1287
According to an article released by CBS News called “Fake Service Dogs a Growing Problem,” real service dogs help assist a wide variety of individuals, including “people who use power or manual wheelchairs, have balance issues, have various types of autism, need seizure alert or response, need ... Views: 1286
“You may have a fresh start at any moment you choose, for this thing that we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.” Mary Pickford
Resilience def: the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive ... Views: 1284
Why Memories hurt.
When an experience is recorded as a memory, it goes through the emotional and cognitive filters, assumptions and interpretations of the person. This is one of the reasons why different people can have quite different recollections of an event they all witnessed.
As ... Views: 1284
I remember sitting at the dinner table, after I had come back from school and having an argument with my mother. This soon came to an end, though, as she ended up leaving the table and going to her room.
I can’t remember exactly why we had this argument as it was a long time ago, but I think ... Views: 1283
It could be said that whenever one spends time around others, they are going to be seen. Therefore, the only way for one to not be seen by others will be for them to spend time by themselves.
Black and White
This is then something that is not hard to understand; in fact, it is perfectly ... Views: 1273
I wasn’t aware that I was going anywhere until, I decided to look back and see from where I’d come. For over 39 years, I have been recovering from a severe brain stem injury that I sustained while I was a student. From being a patient who was on life-support, in a neurosurgery intensive care ... Views: 1271
In a world where encounters with sources of aggression and violence, trauma and grief are all too common, understanding the dynamics of “critical incidents/hazardous events” – both for adults and/or children directly impacted and for those encountering second-hand effects – is vital. This ... Views: 1267
A few years back, I decided I wanted to get back into Literacy Project implementation and socio-economic development with Natives somewhere on this planet. My wonderful children were all grown up and I felt the urge of filling the void with a passion of mine!
In spring, as I traveled Costa ... Views: 1266
Today about 17.5 million people are getting trained for waging wars. They are being trained to imbibe the ‘art’ of using murderous weapon, killing other humans and thus destroying precious wealth of the world. This then is their ‘artistic skills’. All specialties of their inner personality are ... Views: 1261
Ever since I wrote the articles, ‘My Healing Technique Is The Only One That Works!’ and ‘Every Healer Has issues!’, I have been reflecting on the kind of experiences I have had on the courses that I have done. There were times when I was in a desperate position and this meant that my thinking ... Views: 1258
A gift to yourself
The idea of forgiveness makes many people shout, Never!! Indeed, resentment, blame, recrimination and desire for revenge seem so much more natural than forgiveness.
Is there anything to be gained by forgiving an offender? Formerly associated only with spiritual ... Views: 1255
When we were young, very young, we made decisions about ourselves and the world we live in that have lasted throughout our lives. These decisions, or agreements about life, were made before we had a rational mind or the perspective and experience of an adult. Most of our beliefs about the world ... Views: 1250
I think it is safe to say that there is not one person on this planet that would choose to be born into an abusive situation, whether it is any of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual or sexual abuse.
As human beings, we are programmed to not like pain or suffering, however, at the hands of ... Views: 1247
All happy families resemble one another; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own fashion.” From Anna Karenia by Leo Talstoy
Mental illness in a family may be passed down from one generation to another. It can be hereditary or acquired. It may come from stress, brain injury, traumatic ... Views: 1243
People are looking for ways to improve their lives and create more success. Many methods focus on changing thoughts and behaviors. Releasing emotional wounds from the past is another option. Could this option be right for you?
What causes emotional wounds?
Painful or traumatic events from ... Views: 1240
The Grand Jury file on reports filed against Sandusky in the Penn State Sex abuse scandal illustrates some of the most egregious rationalizing (right up there with the Catholic Church's sexual abuse of children) in our country. There are some people involved who attempted to do the right thing ... Views: 1240
In the middle of 2010, my life was going in the right direction; I felt confident, I had a relatively fulfilling job, and I had a plenty of good people around me. It was as though my life could only get better.
Unfortunately, my life was about to get worse, a lot worse, and everything changed ... Views: 1240
3 September of 2015 I got married to a wonderful lady. I admit, I have been married before, so this shouldn’t be any different. Yet, this was different. My now wife and I had been dating for five years. Our dating consisted of being together roughly two months over the course of the ... Views: 1238
The number of children who suffer from panic attacks is on the rise, causing concern for parents. While most adults wouldn't worry about the risks of taking anxiety medication, many parents would prefer natural cures for panic attacks, when it comes down to their children. CBT is widely regarded ... Views: 1236
Psychological abuse leaves no visible marks and often remains hidden within families, romantic relationships, toxic individuals and groups, cults and organisations of various religious and non-religious orientations. However, it is at least as damaging as the more explicitly violent forms of ... Views: 1231
Psychologist Roger Callahan tells a fascinating anecdote about a patient he calls Mary. Around 1980, they were working together on her intense, life-long phobia of water. He’d been working with her for about a year and had tried every conventional therapy he could think of. She’d gotten a ... Views: 1229
There are three internal elements of yourself that determine whether your relationship and life is satisfactory or not and whether you are stressed and unhappy or not. One is how often – and to what degree – you either feel negative emotions or bottle up the ones you don’t know how to express ... Views: 1219
PBS Frontline estimates that almost half a million soldiers are afflicted with some form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, admittedly, that number is “hard to pinpoint,” because TBIs can easily go either mis/undiagnosed by the medical community. However, some TBIs can be deadly if left ... Views: 1213
I was recently thinking about what factors play a part when it comes to what makes someone a good healer/therapist. During this time, I thought about the kind of people who I had worked with over the years.
Over the years, I have worked with numerous healers and therapists, and I would say ... Views: 1210
A young mother experiences a difficult birth and illness of her first child and then a difficult choice when her own illness affects her next pregnancy. Learn how writing became a saving grace and sense of hope during this difficult time.
A Witch's AuraDevon Volkel is now a 30 year old stay ... Views: 1205
My favorite fairy tale when I was a child was Rumpelstiltskin, the story of a girl who makes a bargain with an imp-like creature in exchange for saving her life from being executed by the king. First she gives the imp a necklace, then a ring, then promises her firstborn child. But when her child ... Views: 1202
When I was having hypnotherapy towards the end of 2012, I was told we were all nothing more than a conversation in our head. As a result of this, the way for me to change my life would be for me to change what was taking place in my mind.
I remember hearing this and being amazed at what I ... Views: 1201
Unwanted changes, unexpected challenges, loss, disappointments, abuse or other forms of adversity often bring with them hurt or harm. Feelings of self-pity are quite normal and understandable. Life has changed in some way and often not for the better. It is only natural to feel sorry for ... Views: 1198
What I feel in my body does not match how I feel in my mind. It comes as a shock to let the number of my age surface to consciousness. How can this be? I still feel like I’m 18 years old some days.
Sure, I know I've transitioned though many developmental stages and my body has changed, but it ... Views: 1197
The funeral was lovely. It was packed with friends paying their respects. But once everyone else has gone back to normal routines, close family and dear friends still grieve for the lost loved one. They may feel that the world has passed them by and feel very alone.
Now is a perfect moment to ... Views: 1193
Went I went to a new salsa dancing class in the middle of 2010, there was one woman who caught my eye. And while we were dancing together, I asked her about where she was from and what she did, amongst others things.
I was pulled in by her appearance, and her easy going and friendly nature ... Views: 1191
Breaking the Trauma-Anxiety-Anger PTSD symptom Loop
You have read all about it in the tabloids, newspapers and on-line news and entertainment sources… Celebrity relationship melt-downs, due to their inability to respond appropriately to repeated trauma-related anxiety that suddenly looms up ... Views: 1190
It seems as though one cannot make it through an entire day without drama popping up somewhere. Whether at work, in the news, or within our own homes, we are constantly surrounded with chaos and crisis. While some seem to thrive on it, others avoid it like the plague. Not all drama is harmful. ... Views: 1190
“How do I cure a phobia?” is such an important question to all who suffer - often on a daily basis - from some form of irrational fear. A fear that can be so severe it debilitates both the mind and the body of the sufferer. Take the first step on the road to your own cure by searching first for ... Views: 1188
Why another blog on 9/11?
Because I want to remember this date by offering something that hopefully can shed further light on some of the repercussions of the fateful events of ten years ago.
As a psychotherapist, I am deeply aware of the importance of traumatic events that occur ... Views: 1172
If someone is in a position where they are unable to handle life, it could be said that it will be a good idea for them to reach out support. What this could show is that one feels depressed, or they might suffer from fear and anxiety, for instance.
A Number of Things
Or, there is the ... Views: 1170
A lot has been written on the various areas of our lives affected by the current economic recession. One area that deserves attention, albeit not as immediately identifiable as others, is that of intimate relationships. When under a lot of stress, intimate relationships often cease to be haven ... Views: 1169
A worldwide web of viewers watched 33 miners being pulled to the surface following a 600,000 ton cave-in that happened nearly one-half mile below the ground on a barren plain in southern Chile. Besides showcasing the tenacity of rescuers and the miracle of technology, the miners themselves offer ... Views: 1162
As per Encyclopedia Britannica a report given by United Nation’s Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO in 1980 says 172.582 billion dollars the world over are blown up in designing war based technology and weapons. This forms 7.25% of the world’s total income. Further every ... Views: 1162
“Every time a terrorist murders an innocent person and falsely invokes the name of God, it should be an insult to every person of faith,” said Trump.
Historians say Daniel 8 was fulfilled when Alexander the Great conquered the Medes and Persians (v 20) but they overlooked verse 17 where ... Views: 1154
Combat soldiers are placed in a very precarious position once they join the military. While they were civilians, soldiers were taught that violence and murder were both morally wrong, and should refrain from committing such acts against others. However, on the battlefield, these same soldiers ... Views: 1151
I was much older when I first recognized the voice of the inner critic. I’d known it for so long that I believed it to be my own.
My later studies in psychology and working with wonderful women made me realize that we all carried this voice in our heads. Denying it or challenging it was often ... Views: 1144
One of the most direct ways to transform your life is to let go of the past. Many people try to let go of painful memories or forget the past. Another option is to let go of emotional wounds from the past.
Emotions are different from thoughts. Emotions are experienced in the body. According ... Views: 1137
Is your past still affecting you? Are painful emotions from childhood holding you back?
How do you know if your past is still affecting you?
Some people are very aware of how their past affects their present. For example, being a child of divorce can create insecurity and worry in present ... Views: 1131
As a Divorce Coach and Consultant, by the time people find me, they are well beyond marital bliss and about to embark on one of life’s major life changing events, we know as divorce.
There are woman that sit in my chair and as I listen to their stories and the history of their marriage, I ... Views: 1120
I begin the coaching sessions ( after background and introduction ) by seeking to have the client identify the issues that are holding him/her back from success.We have already agreed that success is our destination and this means personal as well as business success.
Here is the opening ... Views: 1119