Suicide is not an easy conversation. It lives in a place many of us would rather turn away from, and that silence can feel devastating when we are the ones carrying these thoughts. When we already feel overwhelmed or hopeless, being misunderstood can deepen the ache. Myths and assumptions widen the distance, leaving many of us feeling more alone when we most need connection.
Read MoreOften, couples’ trauma histories interact to cause relational ruptures. For example, one partner’s need for space during conflict may be rooted in a survival strategy from childhood. The other’s fear of abandonment may stem from early losses or inconsistent caregiving. Over time, these opposing needs may cause a pattern where one partner demands attention and the other withdraws, leading to a loss of connection. Couples therapy provides a safe environment to explore each partner’s story and pain so that the couple can begin to reconnect and move forward together.
Read MoreMany individuals seek therapy for help navigating trauma, but trauma’s effects are rarely limited to the person who experienced it. Often, symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress create strain in a survivor’s closest relationships. These difficulties can manifest in various ways, such as emotional distance, communication struggles, and physical withdrawal. Understanding how trauma impacts a relationship is essential for both partners to navigate the healing process together.
Read MoreRelational trauma occurs when the people we trust most—those we look to for safety, stability, love, validation, and security—are also a source of significant psychological harm. This kind of trauma most often occurs in childhood from our caregivers but can extend into adulthood, particularly with romantic partners.
Read MoreWhen we feel powerless, our internal system develops protective mechanisms as a survival strategy. These protective parts emerge with the noble intention of preventing future harm, manifesting in a wide spectrum of behaviors. What might appear on the surface as problematic—whether it's perfectionism, people-pleasing, excessive caretaking, or more extreme responses like addiction and self-harm—are actually sophisticated survival strategies developed by our internal parts to shield us from potential pain.
Read MoreIn Internal Family Systems (IFS), these protective coping mechanisms are called protectors—aspects or parts of our personalities that help us stabilize and/or soothe so that we hopefully navigate life with more ease and an increased sense of safety.
Read MoreTherapy can be incredibly healing because we feel heard and seen. Our pain is witnessed, not dismissed. The therapeutic space is held with compassion, not with judgment. We are held with care, not with indifference. Although these qualities may seem simple, a therapist can only effectively implement these skills if they are culturally sensitive. As some of you may relate, it can take so much from us to feel safe and comfortable enough to open up to someone. Some of us may have attempted to share vulnerable feelings and memories with others, which turned out to be a negative experience.
Read MoreThe unexpected death and sudden loss of a loved one due to an accident, suicide, forced separation, or war ask the bereaved to confront two tasks: healing from trauma and metabolizing grief. In the face of trauma-related grief, the task of healing from trauma involves reprocessing memories.
Read MoreRelationship conflict, family-of-origin issues, and communication challenges are some of the most common reasons people seek Trauma Therapy with Therapy on Fig. Clients often ask, "Does everything really tie back to my childhood?" While not all issues are necessarily rooted solely in one's childhood, past traumas, and stressful events can impact one's present-day relationships. Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles, CA can be a safe space to gain clarity around how these past traumas might be impacting your relationships. While answering the question, "How did we get here?"
Read MoreRecent trauma research has indicated a link between a history of trauma and being diagnosed with an anxiety or adjustment disorder in adulthood. Instead of seeing anxiety disorders as a biological defect in the brain, we are learning that these responses may be heightened. This is due to an overactive nervous system. One that appropriately matched the stressors of our external environment growing up. Even if the trauma does not lead to a complete PTSD diagnosis, we can still be left with the lingering effects of trauma. This can manifest as anxiety symptoms like hypervigilance, excessive worry, panic attacks, and restlessness. If you're experiencing these symptoms, seeking help from a trauma therapist who specializes in Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles, CA can provide you with the support and tools you need to heal and manage your trauma-related anxiety.
Read MoreMany people come to therapy with an awareness that intergenerational trauma exists in their family. I often hear clients express a desire to heal and move forward from intergenerational trauma by trailblazing a new path. This "new path" might look like:
Considering a career change or pursuing past interests/passions.
Re-imagining a new life for the next generation, such as parenting your children or relating to your nieces and nephews differently.
Exploring identity development/formation and figuring out, "Who or what do I want to be?"
Something I often hear from clients navigating romantic relationships is something along these lines: “how do I know if the anxieties showing up in this new relationship are coming from my past trauma, or if the unease I feel is because there are real red flags?”
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