JOURNALThoughts on Mental Health, Trauma & EMDR
A collection of honest, conversational resources about perinatal mental health, trauma, motherhood, and EMDR.
"But It Wasn't That Bad": Why We Minimize Our Own Trauma
Maybe you've tried to talk about something difficult that happened to you.
And before you've even finished the story, you've already started defending it.
How Does EMDR Actually Work? (And No, It's Not Hypnosis)
So your therapist tells you about EMDR.
They explain that you'll think about something difficult while moving your eyes back and forth or doing some form of alternating tapping.
You Know It's Over...So Why Does Your Body Still React Like It's Happening?
You know you're safe.
You know that relationship ended years ago.
You know you're not in that house anymore.
You know the accident is over.
Can EMDR Help With Birth Trauma?
Maybe you've told your birth story a hundred times.
You know exactly what happened.
You know the timeline.
You know which interventions were necessary.
Birth Trauma: When Your Birth Experience Wasn't What You Expected
Maybe you had a birth plan.
Maybe it was beautifully organized in a folder.
Maybe there were preferences, playlists, breathing techniques, support people, and very strong opinions about lighting.
You Can Love Your Baby and Still Struggle With Motherhood
There seems to be an unwritten rule about motherhood: once you have a baby, you're supposed to be completely in love with being a mom.
When Becoming a Parent Brings Up Your Own Childhood
You're standing in the kitchen.
Your child is crying. You've asked them three times to put on their shoes. Nobody knows where the water bottle is, even though you are fairly certain you just filled it
Intrusive Thoughts After Having a Baby: What Do They Mean?
Nobody really prepares you for how quickly your brain can become a full-time risk assessment department after you have a baby.
Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression: How Can You Tell the Difference?
You just had a baby.
You're exhausted. Your hormones are shifting. Your body is recovering. You may not remember the last time you slept for more than three consecutive hours.