Peace and Perspective Counseling, LLC

This Special Life ❤️

If beating yourself up worked it would have worked by now. Watch the negative self talk and then tendency to label yourself lazy or incompetent as you navigate the absolutely inevitable ebbs and flows of change.

Most of the time it's not even us who is beating ourselves up, it's the internalized voices of those who verbally abused or beat up on it.

Gentle with self. It might seem counter-intuitive, but it's the ONLY way forward.

ℹ️🌿 HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SELF-IMAGE |

Here's a liberating truth: you don't have to be perfect to be worthy. In fact, acknowledging your imperfections is a sign of emotional maturity and strength. When we accept that we're works in progress, we open ourselves up to incredible opportunities for growth and learning.

Think about a child learning to walk. They don't give up after the first fall, convinced they're "bad" at walking. They keep trying, improving a little each time, until walking becomes second nature. That's the mindset we need to cultivate in all areas of our lives.

Instead of obsessing over whether you're "good" or "bad" at something, focus on building competence. Every skill you develop, every challenge you overcome, contributes to a more accurate and positive self-image. And the best part? This kind of growth-oriented mindset takes the pressure off. You're no longer trying to prove your worth – you're simply working on becoming a better version of yourself.

Read the Full Article: https://www.boundaries.me/blog/how-to-improve-your-self-image

ℹ️🌿 WHAT IT TAKES TO TRUST OTHERS… |

Trusting our own heart and mind and others is definitely a skill we have to acquire in order to thrive. Being our most authentic selves, marching to the beat of our own drum, and charting a course that aligns with our own values all rely on trust.

Yet, for many, the journey to trust can be hindered by past experiences of abuse, which often sow seeds of self-doubt. However, overcoming these challenges is not just possible but essential for reclaiming one’s narrative and identity.

Building trust requires consistency, integrity, and mutual respect. It often begins with small interactions that demonstrate reliability and goodwill. These interactions create a sense of predictability and safety, reinforcing the belief that the other person can be relied upon.

Read the Full Article: https://cptsdfoundation.org/2024/08/21/what-it-takes-to-trust-others/

ℹ️🌿 TRAUMA BONDING: EXPLORING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ABUSE |

Question of the day: Why would the victim of a toxic abusive relationship emotionally bond with the person who is inflicting that harm on them?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is complex and often misunderstood. Trauma bonding can lead to profound psychological effects, creating a bond so powerful that it overrides the victim’s rational judgment, keeping them trapped in a cycle of abuse. It also confounds the loved ones and friends of that victim, who cannot see any logical reason for the continuation of a negative relationship.

Today, we’ll delve into the concept of trauma bonding, explore its psychological impact on victims, and discuss why it is essential for both individuals and professionals to recognize and address this issue. We hope to provide valuable insights that can aid in breaking the cycle of abuse and fostering healing and recovery.

Read the Full Article: https://cptsdfoundation.org/2024/08/14/trauma-bonding-exploring-the-psychological-effects-of-abuse/



📷: unknown

We are moving! Due to this, Peace and Perspective Counseling, LLC is not currently accepting new in-person clients, except for those who are willing to transfer to Telehealth or travel to the new location.

While there are not words enough to convey just how impactful it has been to create outreach in Fayette County, after much deliberation, the Uniontown office will be closing at the end of September. I have been so blessed to have the honor of partnering with so many amazing people, clients and other professionals in the area. One chapter closes and another begins.

Wishing everyone nothing but the very best, continued wellness and intentional joy! I will update the page once moved. Thank you for the support, encouragement and love. We are forever changed when we connect with others, and always carry a piece of the people we have been honored to accompany on their life journeys. I’m so grateful for the time I have been given to spend with all of you ❤️ Take care.

ℹ️🌿 HAVE YOU SURVIVED SOMETHING FRIGHTENING? EMDR THERAPY CAN HELP YOU FEEL IN CONTROL AGAIN |

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, EMDR psychotherapy or EMDR Therapy, is an evidence based mental health treatment helpful for easing anxiety, depression, trauma.

The most frequent use of Emdr Therapy is as form of psychotherapy to help clients resolve and heal symptoms of trauma. It’s a form of treatment that incorporates elements of a few different psychotherapy modalities, combining them into an effective treatment method.

Traumatic experiences leave their mark on our bodies and minds. They can leave us struggling with bursts of emotion, like fear, embarrassment and anger. Or they can force us to relive terrible moments over and over. They can disrupt your sleep, or fill you slumber with nightmares.

Read the Full Article: https://michaelgquirke.com/emdr-therapy/



📷: Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle

ℹ️🌿 SHAME: WHAT IS IT AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? |

Shame is more of a flight/freeze response than a fight response. Think of a child who is experiencing shame. What do they do? They hide! They turn inward, withdraw, get sad, get quiet. Shame serves to protect us by allowing us to focus inward on ourselves in the midst of pain. It can keep us surviving, but sometimes it does not feel like it helps us much.

If we look at shame as secondary, then what feeling is underneath that shame? Unloved, not good enough, wrong, bad? Let’s take unloved as an example. Let’s say you get broken up with, making you feel unloved.

Shame may come in and say “you got broken up with because you are so unloveable, no one will ever love you, so you better figure out what to do to make yourself more loveable so this doesn’t happen again.” See how shame is trying to help you survive?

Read the Full Article: https://woventraumatherapy.com/blog/what-is-shame



📷: breakingdowncptsd

ℹ️🌿 COMORBID CONDITIONS: EXPLORING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN C-PTSD AND ADHD |

One of the more daunting scenarios when diagnosing mental health conditions is comorbidity. When two (or more) issues are present, they can be tough to identify and differentiate. For example, complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are associated more than people might imagine.

Since some of their symptoms overlap, comorbid C-PTSD and ADHD have the potential to go undiscovered for a while. This can obviously slow down the introduction of proper treatment protocols. In other words, more awareness is needed about both disorders and about their connection. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look.

Read the Full Article: https://michaelgquirke.com/comorbid-conditions-exploring-the-connection-between-c-ptsd-and-adhd/



📷: acesconnection.com

ℹ️🌿 CAN NARCISSISTS CHANGE? |

Let’s address a pervasive myth: the idea that narcissists can be effectively treated through traditional therapy if they’re self-aware. This notion is problematic for several reasons:

Self-awareness in narcissists is often superficial. They may recognize their behaviors but not truly understand or feel their impact on others.

Even with awareness, the narcissist’s core traits – grandiosity, lack of empathy, and need for admiration – remain intact.

Read the Full Article: https://kimsaeed.com/2024/07/02/can-narcissists-change/

ℹ️🌿 FEAR OF ABANDONMENT IN YOUNG ADULTS |

Young adults often struggle with the fear of abandonment, stemming from childhood experiences and relationships. This fear can impact their mental health and relationships in significant ways, making it important for parents to understand and support them through this challenging time. Here’s what parents need to know to help young adults with a fear of abandonment and when it can be necessary to seek treatment.

Fear of abandonment in young adults is the dread, feeling of overwhelm, or panic that loved ones will leave them in an emotional and/or physical way.

A young adult with a fear of abandonment can give clear indicators or show symptoms, such as struggling to develop healthy attachment styles, having a history of being previously abandoned, having difficulty with separation, people-pleasing, or hyper-independence.

Read the Full Article: https://www.fulsheartransition.com/blog/fear-of-abandonment/

ℹ️🌿 WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS WHEN HELPING OTHERS? |

We all have people in our lives we wish would change. Maybe it's a spouse who isn't pulling their weight around the house, a friend struggling with addiction, or a child who won't do their homework. We want to help, but often our attempts to "fix" others fall flat or even make things worse.

The truth is, we can't force anyone to change. Real, lasting transformation has to come from within. But that doesn't mean we're powerless. By understanding the principles of change and learning to be an effective "change agent," we can create an environment that supports and encourages positive growth in others.

The key is to shift our focus from trying to control or manipulate to empowering others to take ownership of their own growth. This requires patience, empathy, and a willingness to examine our own motives and behaviors.

Read the Full Article: https://www.boundaries.me/blog/what-actually-works-when-helping-others

ℹ️🌿 HOW TRAUMA SHOWS UP IN YOUR TIME, SPACE & RELATIONSHIPS |

Ever wonder why some people have clean homes but seem to be uptight and struggle with being flexible or able to change? They come across as perfectionists and get stuck in doing things a certain way only. If you open up their cupboards, they are super packed, and there is a legitimate reason to keep everything. This is no judgement on a person’s state of being, it’s more about understanding where they are in their nervous system and stage of processing their behaviors and/or their trauma.

Another example is people who have homes that look like a tornado just passed through, and they have no routines, set chores, and they most likely don’t integrate meal prep or self-care in their day-to-day lives. Everything is last minute, on the fly, and there is always some sort of emergency.

They often blame others for things being this way and that they can never keep up. In both cases, there is always an external explanation as to why things are not manageable.

Read the Full Article: https://cptsdfoundation.org/2024/06/13/how-trauma-shows-up-in-your-time-space-relationships/



📷: Dr Glenn Patrick Doyle

ℹ️🌿 THE STRANGE WORLD OF DISSOCIATION |

Dissociation runs on a continuum from road hypnosis, daydreaming and losing yourself in a good book to Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and then to the extreme of Dissociative Identity Disorder…

It is normal for children to dissociate when faced with severe trauma they have to escape somehow, so they go away mentally and emotionally to protect themselves…

The act of dissociating is a coping skill to prevent a child from going crazy or dying. Unfortunately, when a child with severe developmental trauma continues to rely on this coping skill as an adult it can cause problems. It initially helps with survival and can give an adult a much-needed break from stress so that they can function. When used exclusively though it can interfere with having a normal life.

Read the Full Article: https://cptsdfoundation.org/2024/06/17/the-strange-world-of-dissociation/



📷: Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle

Covert narcissists for example think they are really good people. They buy into their “humble demeanor” There is a delusional aspect to narcissism, there has to be for them to believe they are perfect or superior. They rationalize all the bad things they do.

They find a way to blame you, or make it your fault, or believe you deserve it. That is how they could live with themselves. Especially covert narcissists, they can’t imagine being looked at as anything other than wonderful people. - Maria Consiglio

7 Reasons Everyone Seems So Angry All the Time We're tired, we're overwhelmed—and we're hot.

ℹ️🌿 THE 5 TRAUMA RESPONSES, AND THEY MIGHT NOT LOOK HOW YOU THINK |

Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event or events, one which exceeds our ability to cope or lasts for a prolonged period of time. Whatever coping mechanism kicks in at this time to protect us from the stressor or threat, will then show up repeatedly throughout our lives when we perceive a similar danger. It is our mind and brain’s way of protecting us, but sometimes it can be responding to things from our past, and not those in the present, or continuing on for much longer than it needs to.

When the part of our brain which detects danger kicks in, it activates our sympathetic nervous system. This is set up to escape risk, rather than our parasympathetic nervous system which is designed for rest and daily bodily functions. Our senses become heightened as our mind then very quickly tells us what to do in this situation based on past experiences, and here is where the five responses come into play.

We are all individuals and so our responses to trauma will vary, even under these categories, but to give you a sense of what they look like, here are some signs to notice.

Read the Full Article: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/memberarticles/the-5-trauma-responses-and-they-might-not-look-how-you-think



📷: inthistogethern, Instagram

ℹ️🌿 A NEW WAY TO SPOT THE HIDDEN NARCISSIST |

Identifying people who are high in narcissism might seem like a pretty obvious process. The grandiose type, who lets everyone know about how great they are, provides plenty of clues to their need for attention and special treatment. The vulnerable type, whose narcissism reflects more of an anxious desire for approval, can be more difficult to detect, at least until they become angered and revengeful.

However, given that narcissism is such an undesirable quality, especially in group settings where people must work together, people high in this personality trait may put on a façade to achieve their goals of recognition and status.

Instead of pushing their way ahead of everyone, they put on a guise of false modesty as they seek surreptitious ways to accomplish their goals. You can’t call them out on their behavior, because it's not apparent.

Read the Full Article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-at-any-age/202404/a-new-way-to-spot-the-hidden-narcissist



📷: narcissisms.com

ℹ️🌿 WHAT IS DEPERSONALIZATION? |

For those of you who have experienced or continue to experience depersonalization firsthand, the descriptions I provide below may feel all too familiar. However, it may be useful for relatives, friends, or a therapist you a working with to read who are less familiar with its phenomenology.

I have made a conscious choice to write about it from this perspective first, as an experience that belongs to people, that differs amongst people and can alter perception across different domains of what is thought of as the self. Understanding depersonalization as a subjective experience first and foremost likely provides an essential basis from which to think about its meaning and function for the individual to whom it belongs.

Depersonalization is the subjective experience of in some way feeling disconnected from one's self. This can typically be experienced across different domains or realms of what is thought of as the self, including the self that inhabits a physical body, the self as an agent, the self as a thinker, and the self as a feeler. Accordingly, the depersonalized state can encompass feeling detached from one's body, actions, thoughts, and emotions.

Read the Full Article: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/memberarticles/what-is-depersonalisation



📷: yourtango.com, (Pinterest)

Please, dont be discouraged.... keep moving forward.... even when life seems not to be on your side....
One day, it will make sense......
Keep moving forward!!!!!!