Marta Muntean, LCSW - Therapist

04/20/2026

"When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower." Den Heijer

04/16/2026

I’m excited that the days are noticeably longer!
A reminder that we are not stuck, even when the darkness feels endless.

03/28/2026

Grateful to hear Milissa Kaufman open ISSTD this morning.
This recent New York Times Magazine article featuring her offers a thoughtful look at dissociation.

The researcher Milissa Kaufman lived with what is, perhaps, one of psychiatry’s most misunderstood diagnoses. Spurred by past struggles, she has devoted her professional life to studying it. https://nyti.ms/4qdvIsx

03/27/2026

I’m heading to the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation conference for the first time this spring. It’s something I’ve hoped to attend for many years, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.

03/09/2026

This season has reminded me how much people carry quietly. It has also reinforced my belief in pacing, compassion, and not rushing change.

03/02/2026

Dissociation is a protective response of the nervous system. When experiences feel overwhelming, the mind and body may reduce awareness as a way of coping. This can look like numbness, disconnection, losing track of time, or feeling distant from yourself or your surroundings. These responses are not failures. They are adaptations that once helped someone survive. Healing often involves gently increasing awareness while prioritizing safety and pacing.

02/23/2026

"Humor was another of the soul’s weapons in the fight for self-preservation.” - Viktor Frankl

02/16/2026

Coping skill tip:
When you feel overwhelmed, try slowing your exhale. Inhale through your nose, then exhale slowly through your mouth, letting the exhale be a little longer than the inhale. Repeat a few times.

02/09/2026

“Trauma is not what happened to you, but what happens inside you as a result.” - Janina Fisher

02/02/2026

Awareness is foundational to behavior change. As awareness grows, more options become available.

Without awareness, we often move on autopilot. We react, shut down, push through, or avoid without fully noticing what is happening internally. Awareness allows us to pause long enough to notice patterns, body cues, emotions, or thoughts, and that pause creates space for choice.

Change does not usually start with doing something differently. It often starts with noticing.

01/26/2026

During periods of stress or loss, people often notice increased fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or emotional numbing. These responses reflect a nervous system under strain, not a lack of coping.
Rather than pushing through, it can be helpful to ask: What does my system need right now?

01/19/2026

The new year is already well underway. Wishing steadiness, support, and moments of ease as we settle into what this year holds.