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.
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.
This post explores the 7 A’s of healing detailed by Dr. Gabor Maté in his book, book, When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress.
When most people think of trauma responses usually they think of “fight-or-flight” but there are actually four different types of trauma responses: flight, fight, freeze or fawn. Having a better understanding of the different ways trauma can show up can help to create more insight while you or someone you love is in the healing process. In this blog, Space Between Counseling Services Graduate Student Intern, Amber Tunney, explains the 4 trauma responses.
In this post by Diana Harden, LGPC at Space Between Counseling Services, Diana shares aspects of her own relationship with nature shares research that links our connection to the outdoors with our mental and physical health. Diana provides readers with four ways to cultivate their own relationship with nature, including connecting with nature, connecting with others in nature, changing language, and setting realistic goals.
In this post, Kat Filipov, a second-generation Ukrainian-American speaks to the inhumanity of the war in Ukraine and suggests organizations we can donate to + actions we can take to provide aid to Ukrainians during this crisis. Kat validates the emotions, thoughts, and fears can that feel overwhelming and suffocating as we watch the crisis unfold in real-time. Kat reminds us that to feel broken down and weary right now is to experience the essence of what makes us human; compassion and love for our fellow human beings, even those whose languages we do not speak or whose cultures we do not understand.
Therapy has undergone a telehealth revolution during the last two years, and many folks had their first experience with therapy through a screen. When we do therapy on the same devices that we use to scroll on TikTok + Tinder, it can be easy to treat it like just any other social media app.
In this blog post, we explore how to effectively navigate therapy in the age of the telehealth app, including looking for a therapist, creating a working alliance, and terminating with your therapist when it’s time.
In this post, Diana Harden, LGPC at Space Between Counseling Services, shares her perspective growing up overseas and settling in Baltimore with her family in the early 90’s as a Mexican “military brat.” Diana shares practical ways that ethnic folk whose primary experience with their culture comes from their family can connect to their roots while living in areas of low diversity.
