Self-soothe is a skill taught in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy that can be very helpful for distress tolerance. In times of crisis or episodes of anxiety related to trauma, self-soothing can be used to calm down significantly. This skill is simple and personalized. The most effective way to use this skill is to create a self-sootheRead More
The past few weeks have been very overwhelming with the news and changes made due to the coronavirus pandemic. As actions have been taken quite quickly and information has been spreading at a rapid pace, many of us with trauma and anxiety are feeling affected by the chaos. Emotions are running high and we areRead More
Once we have started working our 12-Step program, we find improvements in our life are bountiful and satisfying. If this is our first time working through the steps or even the tenth, we are discovering new things about ourselves and improving our recovery. Connection with a Higher Power has given us a new sense ofRead More
Every relationship is a two-way street. There are compromises, give, and take. Whether you are interacting with family, friends, coworkers, or a significant other, boundaries are a vital part of maintaining a healthy connection. Setting and keeping boundaries is not a weakness, in fact, it shows a strength in a relationship. If this is somethingRead More
Moving through our 12-step program, we come to the point where we make amends with the people we have harmed in our past. This is a step that can be intimidating. Reaching back out those we own amends to may be less than ideal. We may have not been in contact with a few ofRead More
Judgement can control our lives and is heavily linked to our fears. Whether these are fears of rejection, failure, intimacy, or of not being good enough, we sometimes cloak them in judgement as a form of protection. Unfortunately, this creates a barrier between us and others and restricts our ability to lead happy and peacefulRead More
For many of us in recovery or struggling with trauma, the current state of the world can be very triggering and upsetting. While others are able to maintain a sense of peace, for the most part, those with PTSD and other mental health issues find their fear and anxiety in overdrive. Social distancing isn’t easyRead More
People-pleasing is one of the ways that we put on a front of happiness and balance. If you find yourself saying yes to every request or favor, agreeing with the ideas of others even if you truly don’t, or spreading yourself too thin in helping the people around you, you may be guilty of people-pleasing.Read More
At the end of most meetings, or sometimes in daily life, we say the Serenity Prayer. It is a quick and efficient call to our Higher Power that we sometimes forget to relish in. After repeating it so many times in our recovery, at our 12-Step meetings, and on personal occasions, the words of theRead More
Moving to a new city or location can be a daunting thought when you are in recovery. If you have lived in one place for a long time and started your journey in recovery there, it can be frightening to leave. Whether you are relocating for your career or other circumstances, separating from the meetings,Read More