Must reads to recognize & heal complex ptsd
How to express your emotions in spite of toxic family
If you grew up in a dysfunctional home, learning to express your emotions may be challenging. If you encountered emotional neglect and abuse, you had to suppress your feelings to survive.
How to recognize contempt in a dysfunctional family
If you grew up in a dysfunctional family, you may have been treated with contempt. When your parents looked at you with disdain rather than love, that was contempt.
How to kick your inner critic to the curb
You may be surprised to learn your inner critic is often the internalized voice of your parents and caregivers.
How to stop needing closure after a toxic relationship
When a relationship ends, people often seek closure. When you leave someone due to their toxicity, freedom is often not enough. In fact, you cannot feel free without answers to lingering questions.
How to overcome suppressed anger and why it's dangerous
Much of the self-help advice out there seems to advocate suppressed anger. They bypass this important emotion and go straight to forgiveness instead.
How to deal with a narcissist or toxic person
Much of the self-help advice out there seems to advocate suppressed anger. They bypass this important emotion and go straight to forgiveness instead.
Hoovering: how to overcome the narcissist's tactic
Hoovering is a term named after the vacuum cleaner brand. It describes the narcissist’s attempts to “suck” you back in after you’ve separated or they sense you detaching from them.
Why you stay in an abusive relationship with family
I received a message from a reader that described her mother’s abusive behavior. Despite having reached her 30s this woman continued to live with her mother and endure the abusive relationship.
How to spot parental alienation and avoid mistakes
Parental alienation happens when one parent tries to turn a child against the other parent. This usually goes on in the case of divorce or separation. One parent launches a campaign of attack on the other in his or her absence.
What are flying monkeys and how to deal with them
The term “flying monkeys” comes from the classic film The Wizard of Oz. The wicked witch enlisted these creatures to do her bidding. They followed her instructions regardless of their evil intent.
How to spot dysfunctional family roles in a toxic system
Growing up in a system of dysfunctional family roles can be confusing. You’ve never known anything different, so it may take a long time to realize you’re part of a toxic machine.
How to regain your sense of self when you think it's lost forever
One of the outcomes of childhood emotional neglect is a lost sense of self. You may feel like you’re not sure who you are or what you stand for.
How to overcome fallout from family estrangement
First of all, family estrangement is more common than you think. If you’re in the difficult position of having to limit or go no contact with family members, you’re not alone.
Is forgiveness necessary for healing and how to know
Is forgiveness necessary for healing? Especially if you come from a faith background, you’ve probably learned a lot about the power of forgiveness.
How to use meditation to shift your hard work mindset
I know from experience that the best things in my life never came from hard work. And when I started a morning meditation practice (literally sitting there doing nothing), money began to appear.