There are some issues that we cannot simply talk ourselves out of. The part of our brain that thinks in verbal language and uses logic to solve problems is distinct from the area of our brain where we process emotions. This means that in order to move past deep-seated trauma and other difficult emotional wounds, we must intervene on the physical and emotional subcortical level as well as on the logical, neocortical level.
Brainspotting (BSP) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy both facilitate emotional processing and help us to see ourselves, others, and the world around us in a new light. Read on to learn more about both modalities and which one may be right for you.
Have you ever labeled yourself as the “black sheep” of your family, workplace, or somewhere where you’re “supposed” to naturally belong? The Black Unicorn highlights how intersectionality is an ongoing process that requires individuals to navigate and balance the multiple dimensions of their identity. Society often places marginalized individuals where they have to prove their worthiness, which can be a burdensome and exhausting experience. This expectation disregards the fullness of their experiences and reduces their identities to a single narrative, overshadowing their resilience, joy, and other aspects of their lives. This blog post, written by Susan Stork, located in Baltimore, Maryland, explores the four main qualities of a black unicorn and how we can harness our individuality into our superpower.
In 2021, Space between counseling posted a blog addressing the national shortage of couple therapists. Did anything change? Are there more couple therapists now? Since the pandemic hit, therapists, counselors, psychologists, and social workers have been seeking to address the concerns and needs of couples with relational concerns. But what happened? Why was the pandemic a catalyst for relational problems? It seems the pandemic, and subsequent shelter-in-place mandates, have served as a catalyst for relational issues and in some way forced couples to spend time with their emotions.
In this blog post, we explore some of the reasons for a shortage in couples therapists, reveal evidence based theoretical orientations for relationship counseling, advise clients on how to search for an ideal fit couples therapist, and provide resources and recommendations for those who are stuck on waiting lists to be seen.
Have you ever had a therapy session when you left feeling exhausted, emotionally drained, and unable to do much for the rest of the day? Has it made you wonder if the therapy isn’t working? In this blog post, written by our Graduate student intern, Sehar Palla, we explore what is therapy hangover, why it happens and some helpful post-therapy self-care strategies.
Dr. Stephen Porges has coined the term “neuroception”, which describes how our neural circuits distinguish whether stimuli are safe or dangerous. While this phenomemon is innate and serves to protect us, sometimes traumatic experiences result in faulty neuroception - which causes individuals to perceive a situation to be harmful, even if there is no presence of a threat. This post explores the implications of polyvagal theory, stress responses, and neuroception.
Space Between Counseling Services Graduate Student Intern, Sarah Miles, felt compelled to write this blog to remind herself and other individuals that we have a choice when it comes to how we treat our bodies, and that there is an alternative to the cycle of crash dieting, starvation, and binge eating that so many of us are familiar with.
Most people are aware of the negative impacts of stress and its ability to effect one’s mental health, physical health and ultimately affecting life expectancy. However, the inflicted impact of stress on marginalized communities continues to be overlooked. In this blog, Brittany Spencer, LCPC, explores how allostatic load impacts marginalized communities and individuals, and provides tangible ways to manage stress, cultivate awareness, and move towards positive change.
Guilt vs Shame, Guilt and shame are two emotions that come up throughout the course of our lives as we grow and develop. Guilt and shame often come up together and may even be felt in response to the same scenario. We often associate these emotions with each other, and while they may overlap or intertwine, they do also have some major differences that can impact how we think about how to manage them. In this post, written by Abby Smith, LGPC, we define both guilt and shame, and explore how to better manage these feelings.
This post is the second part of the two-part blog series titled, “Balancing Your Chakras” by graduate student intern, Sarah Miles. This post describes how to balance the heart, throat, third eye, and crown chakras. Read along to learn how the Chakras can be utilized as wonderful tool to become more self-aware, to conceptualize our needs on many levels, and to understand all of the different drives and motivations within us.
Whether it’s doing dishes in a timely manner or showering regularly—there is a lot of shame around not being able to keep up with your hygiene. Hygiene is a moralized topic in our society—meaning we often view those who struggle with hygiene as less than or failing in some way. This post by Abby Smith, LGPC, explores how these judgments fail to recognize the impact of mental health on hygiene.
When you’re struggling with your mental health, being told to think about your nutrition, hydration, or sleep can feel patronizing or like a non-essential. However, when some of your most basic needs aren’t being met, it can make dealing with any mental health issues even harder. . It might not mean everything is better, but instead that your hunger, hydration, and sleep are not contributing factors.
