Alex Houseknecht, MA, TLLP

Alex Houseknecht, MA, TLLP updated their business hours.

A reflection on the tension we can feel between the part of ourselves that wants to get better, and the part that seems to ruin everything.

The Unwelcome Passenger Is it possible to be opposed, to be two things at the same time? I ask this question when I sit with others, though I’m sure it’s because my attention is drawn to my own internal landscape. Clients are often surprised when I pay so much respect to the ways they have sabotaged their lives. I ofte...

This week I examine the unrelenting "force" of trauma. In my work with survivors and exploration of the literature, I am increasingly struck by the dis-integrating movement of traumatization. Is trauma simply a consequence of the perpetration of violence, or something that moves beyond any individual act of harm?

Conceptualizing Trauma as a Force As I reflect on the phenomenon of trauma, I am continually struck by its appearance as a force, a dis-integrating movement through identity and relationships. Much like a shockwave, it is released and explodes outward, reverberating through individual lives and communities. In terms of semiotics, I....

This month's Resource Spotlight is PGLAG, a grassroots organization with local chapters supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.

Resource Spotlight: PFLAG Every month I highlight a helpful resource. PFLAG is a grassroots organization focused on supporting le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, and q***r (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. There is a large network of chapters throughout the U.S., including one in the Holland/Lakeshor...

In this week's post I argue that the loss of self is a significant aspect of therapeutic learning. Gaining insight is not solely a process of advancement, we always leave a construction of the self behind.

Loss in Therapeutic Learning One aspect of therapeutic learning that can often go unnoticed is the loss of self that occurs in the process of change. I use the term “therapeutic learning” to reflect my growing understanding of the therapeutic process as a developmental process. In other words, the clinician focuses more on ...

This is the second part of a three part series on sexual abuse and embodiment. Here I look more closely at the definition and function of embodiment.

Choosing Embodiment (Part II) This is the second of three posts on sexual abuse and embodiment. You can read the first post here. Embodiment is the act of moving inward, into the context of the body. In order to better understand how and why this might be realized, embodiment can be conceptualized as the process of recovery. Her...

For this month's Resource Spotlight I recommend March, the graphic novel trilogy written by Congressman John Lewis. These graphic novels outline Lewis' involvement in the civil rights movement, and provide an essential historical backdrop for the protests occurring today.

Resource Spotlight: March Every month I highlight a helpful resource. The March trilogy is a series of graphic novels written by renowned civil rights activist Congressman John Lewis. March is an illustrated documentation of John Lewis’ experiences as a leader in the civil rights movement. These experiences are presented i...

This month I'm sharing a brief, three-part series about sexual abuse and embodiment. This first post explores dehumanization and perversion, and provides a framework to better understand the significance of embodiment.

Choosing Embodiment (Part 1) This is the first of three posts on sexual abuse and embodiment. Sexual abuse is fundamentally an act of oppression. The dynamics of sexual abuse are complex, but two concepts I will explore here include dehumanization and perversion. The interplay of these two constructs is significant in understan...

In this week's post I briefly examine both the difficulties and reasons for identifying past abuse when engaging in the therapeutic process.

The Significance of Identifying Abuse Many on the path of recovery are at this moment asking themselves an important question: “Was I abused?” The answer to this question might seem apparent. If you were abused, wouldn’t you know this from the moment it occurred? But this question ends up being far more difficult to address than w...

Our Trans Loved Ones is a great, free resource for family and friends of folks who are transgender and gender expansive. This publication answers many common questions and provides tips for supporting trans people throughout all phases of life.

Resource Spotlight: Our Trans Loved Ones Every month I highlight a helpful resource. This month’s resource is the publication “Our Trans Loved Ones: Questions and Answers for Parents, Family, and Friends of People Who Are Transgender and Gender Expansive.” This publication is produced by PFLAG, which was founded in 1972 with “the s...

This week I share a brief, personal story about an experience of shame and forgiveness.

Holding On and Letting Go A few years ago, I received a phone call from a dear friend who lived in a different area of the country. He left a message and, in a typical manner, I decided I would wait until a more convenient time to call him back. I reasoned that I was busy and would want to have space for a longer conversatio...

Once a month I summarize a recent study that I think is interesting or important. This month, Black university women's understanding of sexual violence.

Current Research: Black University Women's Understanding of Sexual Violence ‘No One...Saves Black Girls’: Black University Women’s Understanding of Sexual Violence - Nelson O. O. Zounlome, Y. Joel Wong, Elyssa M. Klann, Jessica L. David, and Nat J. Stephens How do Students of Color at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) understand sexual violence* and campus sexua...

A post I wrote for River City Psychological Services about creating meaning in the midst of a pandemic.

Creating Meaning in Despair by Alex Houseknecht, MA When I was a young boy, maybe four or five, I remember laying on my family’s grey, sagging couch, looking out the picture window and thinking about heaven. It’s not what you might imagine though, because instead of thinking about roads paved with gold or choirs of angels,...

Addressing the role of fear in the therapeutic process.

Facing the Monster: The Role of Fear in Healing Fear plays a significant role in the process of healing. This is especially true when addressing past trauma or abuse. The decision to explore memories of harm for the sake of healing can provoke anxiety and dread. There are many times when fear is telling us to avoid imminent harm, like when we see...

Resource Spotlight: PsyberGuide - A mental health app guide.

Resource Spotlight: PsyberGuide There are hundreds of different mental health apps available on major app stores. These apps address concerns like anxiety, sleep, and PTSD, and utilize treatments like mindfulness and CBT. But it’s not always clear how helpful any one of these apps may be. PsyberGuide is a non-profit project that...

Reflecting on loss for the sake of hope.

Building Monuments of Hope As spring approaches, it is a natural time to think about rebirth. But with the lingering darkness of winter, I can’t help but think of the times when newness has not emerged. When it feels as though atrophy is more defining than change. How do we address the areas where we long for change? The pl...