Avoidance And Activation

When it comes to our mental health struggles, many of us have perfected the art of the dodge. We're talking about a deep-rooted pattern that keeps us haunted by the same painful themes or issues, never quite breaking free. Avoidance is the mind's automatic self-protection system. It's what happens when our brain decides, "This feeling is too scary, this memory too painful—let's go anywhere else, immediately!" And in the short term, it works brilliantly. That’s the problem.

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Trans in America, Part 3: Trans Kids and Debunking the Discourse

In the swirling currents of American discourse, trans kids have become an unjustified flashpoint in debates that prioritize ideology over humanity. From headlines claiming an "epidemic of irreversible medical interventions" to rhetoric portraying supportive parents as misguided, reckless, or harmful, much of the narrative surrounding these children is riddled with misinformation. As these narratives dominate the conversation, the actual threats to trans kids' lives are dangerously overlooked – their health, safety, and well-being. It’s time to debunk the myths and focus on what truly matters: supporting them so they have an equal opportunity to thrive alongside their peers.

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healthcare, trauma informed care Sara Walter Shihdanian healthcare, trauma informed care Sara Walter Shihdanian

Intersectionality, Mental Health, and Seeking Care

Intersectionality as a concept has become more widely known in recent years. It is a vital concept in contemporary discourse on social justice, identity, and inclusivity. Yet it has not yet reached the wider field of treatment and care in mental health. Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, it acknowledges that individuals experience multiple layers of discrimination or privilege due to their intersecting identities, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and socioeconomic status. When applied to mental health, intersectionality offers a crucial framework for understanding how these diverse facets of identity shape individuals' well-being, how they experience the world at large, and with support and mental health care.

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healthcare, trauma informed care, abuse, relationship issues Sara Walter Shihdanian healthcare, trauma informed care, abuse, relationship issues Sara Walter Shihdanian

Narcissistic Abuse: Tactics, Impacts, and Healing

Narcissism has been a hot topic recently. Narcissistic abuse is a form of emotional and psychological manipulation that aims to execute control over one person in effort to reduce insecurity in another. It can range from obvious to subtle and insidious but it uniformly leaves invisible scars that can take years to identify and heal. In this post, we’ll explore the tactics commonly used in narcissistic abuse, the mental health impacts survivors may experience, and how treatment can help facilitate healing and recovery.

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healthcare, trauma informed care Sara Walter Shihdanian healthcare, trauma informed care Sara Walter Shihdanian

Trans in America, Part 2: Gender Affirming Healthcare in the New Era

In recent years, the conversation surrounding gender-affirming healthcare has shifted dramatically, driven by both increasing visibility of transgender and nonbinary individuals and a surge in political attention and stigma. This era of heightened focus has brought both progress and challenges. Policies and legislation from the last five years have profoundly impacted access to care, shaping the experiences of many gender-diverse individuals seeking care.

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