Praxis Thriving / Dissociation Therapy Austin

12/15/2022

Image creditPoppy Leigh Social Media

12/29/2021

Sometimes, things pop up that are just helpful to hear... Peace to all and wishes for a safe and happy New Year! Kristen

"Today was a Difficult Day," said Pooh.
There was a pause.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Piglet.

"No," said Pooh after a bit. "No, I don't think I do."

"That's okay," said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.

"What are you doing?" asked Pooh.

"Nothing, really," said Piglet. "Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don't feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.

"But goodness," continued Piglet, "Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you've got someone there for you. And I'll always be here for you, Pooh."

And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs...he thought that his best friend had never been more right."

——————

I hope that you have a piglet in your life when you have a difficult day ###

I have shared this before but it appeared on my time line and it’s so good I thought I’d share it again.

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

12/17/2021

This piece is part of Bustle's My Life With, which is all about removing the invisibility around living with a chronic illness. While Hollywood never seems to tire of sensationalizing dissociative identity disorder (DID), formerly known as multiple…

10/22/2020

I have no memories of my childhood, teenage years, + most of my adulthood.

I only realize this wasn’t normal when I’d be with friends or partners + they would recall all different part of their lives. I couldn’t share much. I had no idea. At one point, I questioned if I been sexually assaulted a young age + completely blocked out memories. Deep down, I always knew something was off.

Because I’d never experienced what I was trained to believe trauma was: severe abuse + neglect.

It wasn’t until my partner stated jokingly saying I was in a “spaceship” (her word for when I was physically present but mentally absent) that I started to pay more attention. Then, a friend told me someone from our psychoanalytic training said I was “aloof.” This shocked me, because in my mind we had a connection.

What I came to understand was that I HAD gone through trauma. It’s why I’m so passionate about expanding the definition. Trauma is not just the ‘big’ things. In fact, trauma cannot be measured by the event. It’s all the impact. It’s the way the brain + body process that impact. No two people experience trauma the same + at its core trauma is the loss of connection to Self. A loss that leads to deep loneliness + isolation.

In my case, my mother was emotionally disconnected + chronically ill. Distracted by her own wounding + pain, she couldn’t connect with me. This emotional abandonment cause my adaptive response of dissociating. And, because I learned quickly the way to be seen was through achievement, I achieved. I believe MANY overachievers have high levels of dissociation. A trauma response rewarded by society. Where everyone else in your life believes you’re “ok,” but internally there’s immense pain.

Have you ever experienced dissociation?

06/14/2020

Inspiring words for today. With warmth and compassion...

Friends, now is the time to do the most important work of life: Love...then love some more.

11/08/2019

If you've ever wondered about finding a therapist for DID, Depersonalization, Derealization, or dissociative symptoms in general, then you know that it can feel like an overwhelming task. Here are just a few suggestions to help, including questions to ask a potential therapist.

Last month, I wrote a post on Dissociation Therapy Austin . The post addressed some concerns of people with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) who are trying to find a therapist to work with. Click here to view the original post. As promised, these are my answers to some of the questions tha

11/04/2019

Telling trauma survivors to deny their experiences ("choose a different reaction," or "get over it") is insulting, shaming, and adding trauma on top of trauma. People can heal from trauma, but they can't just "get over it" by thinking or willing it away. Physiologically, their bodies will not let them until it can reprocess those experiences and heal.

Society is awash with really unwise advice for abuse and trauma survivors.
Suggesting people should move on, let it go, think positively, get over it etc, is often very harmful advice.
Trauma needs to be processed fully, grieved fully - or it stays with you for the rest of your life and manifests in ways many don't even realise.
I've learned to ignore unwise advice, and accept most people don't understand trauma and in particular complex trauma.
But, it is hurtful and harmful and I have felt that pain in the past.
It's especially hard if this advice comes from loved ones and friends.
And just because someone may have what they believe are good intentions in giving this (harmful) advice, does not make it any less unwise or hurtful.
Much love,
~ Lilly Hope Lucario

11/03/2019

This is great post explaining how trauma impacts the brain, and how trauma-informed care can help the brain to heal.

The entire series in January will be focusing on how trauma-informed care can help adults overcome the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). However, to understand the process of healing…

11/03/2019

"Just as chronic toxic stress can rewire a child’s brain, the exposure to interventions that promote resilience (including trauma-focused therapy, proper nutrition, yoga and mindfulness) can help the brain to form new connections, a phenomenon called neuroplasticity. With the right tools, children can thrive despite having experienced trauma."

With the right tools, children can thrive despite having experienced trauma.