Blame, Shame, and Criticism in Your Relationship is Toxic

Criticism, defined as the expression of disapproval or disappointment, can take many forms and can range from constructive feedback to harsh or attacking statements. In this article, criticism is defined as language that blames, shames, or belittles your partner. Regardless of the form it takes, excessive criticism can be harmful to the health of a […]

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Trauma Shapes Our Relationships

Trauma 101 Peter Levine, Ph.D., a pioneer in body-oriented psychotherapy, describes an epiphany he had while treating a woman who suffered from excruciating agoraphobia (an extreme or irrational fear of entering open or crowded places) and a host of other symptoms:  …her body learned that in that time of overwhelming threat (a childhood trauma in […]

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Understanding Sexual Trauma

Treating Sexual Trauma Stories such as Dr. Ford’s decades-old sexual trauma may be frozen in the mind and body. Traumatic experiences remain cocooned in the nervous system and are susceptible to the effects of brain chemistry. Imago therapists use core skills to be an empathetic, neutral listener.  Trauma therapists employ these core skills AND an additional […]

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