Simply put, trauma is what happens when one’ psyche is so overwhelmed by an event, that it splits into pieces. I mean that metaphorically, but it’s also quite literal. Trauma disorganizes and cuts off communication between the brain's parts. While part of our brain might knows we’re safe,  another part can perceive threat. 

How do you know if your relationship is healthy? Whether you are romantically involved or not, it is important to keep in mind that relationships extend beyond the romantic and include family, friends, and colleagues.

If you’re looking to cultivate the skills needed for healthy relationships under the supportive guidance of a relationship expert, we can help you!

Human trafficking is more common than you might think. Although many cases go unreported, the FBI found that a staggering 1,100 cases were reported across California in the year 2019. In order to help victims and survivors in our community, we must first educate ourselves on what human trafficking is and the signs that someone may be trapped in the cycle of abuse.

Counseling Col:lab’s mission to uplift the East Sacramento community through holistic and effective counseling recently went a step further. Through a California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) grant awarded to The Family Justice Center (FJC) and Community Against Sexual Harm (CASH), Counseling Col:lab will be serving human trafficking survivors. The Counseling Col:lab recently signed an operational agreement with FJC and CASH to provide supervision to their employees, staff trainings to increase their knowledge on serving this population, and temporary, short-term crisis intervention therapy services for FJC and CASH clients.

The biggest misunderstanding about individuals that struggle with their mental health is that they are increasingly dangerous or unproductive. Fortunately, we are in a position where we can and should alleviate the situation.

Teachers and school administrators are usually the first to detect immediate shifts in a student’s participation, conduct, and achievement. But how do you differentiate between what is normal and what requires outside intervention?

The path to recovery after sexual abuse in childhood is one that cannot be defined in absolute terms. It differs for each person. Working with a sex-positive therapist who has training in sexual abuse, somatics (mind-body therapy), and/or trauma can be a safe and contained place to continue the healing journey. You deserve intimacy, pleasure, and safety in your body and with others.

Relationships are under immense stress during shelter in place orders. This blog seeks to help keep relationships healthy during this time.

Therapists were not trained in how to respond in a pandemic. This article seeks to normalize therapists responses and give practical tips on how to have community and self-care during this time.

If I were to break my leg, would you tell me to pray for it to be healed, go to a doctor or a mixture of both? After healing from my broken leg, when I then tell you that staying indoors all day and not being able to pursue what makes me feel happy is making me feel depressed, would you tell me to pray for it to be healed, go to a therapist or a mixture of both?

We often think of therapists as having their life put together and that they are immune to things like domestic violence.

When a therapist experiences an unhealthy relationship there is an immense amount of shame and a feeling of being an impostor.

Recently I got the opportunity to say goodbye to a friend who is utilizing end of life hospice. He had a living wake. In the weeks before, I found myself having a profound curiosity about this process. I wanted to intellectually understand what this process was like for him.

For individuals who grew up in a household with a parent or caretaker with mental illness, life was more likely unpredictable, stressful and anxiety-provoking.  Our relationship with our caretakers shapes our internal beliefs and perspective on how the world works.

With regard to addiction, boundaries often become distorted. A part of setting healthy boundaries is knowing what you're comfortable with and what you want to protect. Once you have recognized and clarified these values you can establish healthy boundaries. Breaking the most important areas into groups may help an individual to recognize their limits and set healthy boundaries.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, over half of drug addicts and alcoholics also suffer from a mental illness. Known as co-occurring disorders, the combination of both substance abuse and a mental illness can create a painful situation. Dual diagnosis centers are treatment facilities that specialize in the treatment of co-occurring disorders.

Studies show that many abusive relationships are accompanied by addiction.

Addiction can manifest itself in many ways. Many individuals in abusive relationships who have trouble getting out of the relationship or are actively abusing their partner have addiction issues. This is not just limited to dependency on a mind-altering chemical. Love and sex addictions also can be a contributing factor in abusive relationships.

Co-dependency is a behavior that sometimes is classified as a "relationship addiction". It is an unhealthy obsession with a relationship in which the co-dependent partner becomes dependent on the other even if the relationship is toxic or abusive. It is most commonly referenced when someone has a relationship with a loved one or spouse who is in active addiction.

Family expectations, holiday parties, memories…all of these can be stressors and therefore triggers that make us think about drinking or using again. The holiday season can really test our wills, but we can keep our heads about us during this time of year and not reset the clock on our hard-earned sobriety. Even if you are not someone who is keeping sober, these tips can help you get through the season without overdoing it.