The Gray Area Counseling: Angelica Gray, LCSW, CCTP

02/26/2026

Following a demanding week, Gretchen and I are taking a well-deserved break today. We made a trip to her preferred pharmacy to collect medication, where she received two milk bones as a treat. We then went to Walmart to purchase groceries and subsequently to Chick-fil-A, where she delighted in a pup cup and five grilled chicken nuggets. It's the small things.

02/24/2026

Why Do Some Clients Feel Relaxed After EMDR — And Can Bilateral Playlists Help Between Sessions?

Many clients report feeling calm, grounded, or physically lighter after an EMDR session. This response is not accidental.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) incorporates bilateral stimulation (BLS) — such as eye movements, tapping, or alternating auditory tones — to engage both hemispheres of the brain in a rhythmic, alternating pattern. 🧠

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What Happens Neurobiologically?

Research suggests bilateral stimulation may:

• Decrease amygdala activation
• Reduce limbic system hyperarousal
• Increase parasympathetic nervous system activity
• Facilitate adaptive memory reconsolidation
• Improve integration between emotional and cognitive processing networks

When distressing memories are reprocessed, the nervous system no longer responds as if the event is occurring in the present. As the brain recognizes that the threat is over, physiological arousal decreases.

This often results in:

• A sense of calm 😌
• Emotional distance from the memory
• Reduced muscle tension
• Mental clarity
• Temporary fatigue (the brain has done significant work) 💤

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What About Bilateral Stimulation Playlists? 🎧

Some individuals use alternating left/right audio tones (often found in “bilateral stimulation” playlists) outside of therapy.

Bilateral audio stimulation alone is not EMDR therapy. EMDR is an eight-phase, structured psychotherapy protocol that includes assessment, preparation, targeting, desensitization, installation, and re-evaluation. The therapeutic relationship and clinical containment strategies are essential components.

However, bilateral auditory stimulation may serve as a nervous system regulation tool when used appropriately.

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How Clients Might Use Playlists Outside of Therapy

When guided by their therapist, clients may use bilateral audio tones as a grounding or regulation exercise — not to process trauma, but to support stabilization.

Examples of appropriate use:

• Listening during mild stress to promote regulation
• Pairing with slow breathing exercises 🌬️
• Using before sleep to decrease physiological arousal 🌙
• Reinforcing calm states developed during EMDR preparation phases
• Supporting focus during overwhelm (without targeting trauma material)

02/23/2026

02/20/2026

ADHD or Bipolar Disorder?
Why They Sometimes Get Misdiagnosed.

As a therapist, I see this more often than people realize.

ADHD and bipolar disorder can look similar on the surface:

• Impulsivity
• Distractibility
• Rapid speech
• Big emotions
• Sleep changes

But underneath? They are very different conditions.

🧠 ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder.
Symptoms begin in childhood — with several signs present before age 12. It’s a lifelong pattern of executive functioning challenges.

Adults with ADHD can usually say,
“I’ve always struggled with this.”

🌗 Bipolar disorder is episodic.
It involves distinct periods of depression and mania or hypomania that last days to weeks.

Here’s an important distinction:

ADHD does not suddenly “turn on” in adulthood.

If someone was functioning well for years and then develops new impulsivity, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, or dramatic mood shifts — that deserves careful assessment.

And one more important point:

Difficulty concentrating is not unique to ADHD.

Depression can affect focus.
Trauma can affect focus.

Sometimes the brain is overwhelmed — not disordered.

Diagnosis isn’t about one symptom.
It’s about patterns over time.

Misdiagnosis can delay the right treatment.
Stimulants won’t treat bipolar.
Mood stabilizers won’t fix executive dysfunction.

Mental health isn’t black and white — it’s nuanced.
Thorough assessment matters.

—

Angelica Gray, LCSW
In-person therapy in Jonesboro, AR
Arkansas & Florida statewide telehealth

📞 870-819-4538
🌐 www.thegrayareacounseling.com

02/19/2026

02/17/2026

🧠🔎 What Are Serial Killers Actually Diagnosed With?

I’ve been on a trip to Florida this week and have spent some time listening to Dateline NBC on the road 🚗🎧. It got me thinking about how often true crime focuses on the story, but not always on the psychology behind it—so I thought I’d share a few interesting facts.

Many people assume there is a specific diagnosis called “serial killer disorder.” There isn’t. Serial murder is a behavior, not a diagnosis.

Some of the most common diagnoses or traits seen in forensic evaluations include:

• Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) – a long-term pattern of violating the rights of others, deceitfulness, impulsivity, aggression, and lack of remorse.
• Narcissistic traits – some offenders demonstrate a strong need for power, control, or recognition.
• Paraphilic disorders – in certain cases, especially when crimes are sexually motivated, deviant arousal patterns may be present.

Psychoeducational facts and statistics from forensic psychology:

📊 Serial killers make up far less than 1% of all homicides. Most murders are committed by someone known to the victim.
📊 The majority of identified serial killers are male, with estimates often cited around 85–90%.
📊 Studies have estimated that roughly 40–50% of serial offenders experienced significant childhood abuse or neglect, though trauma alone does not cause violent behavior.

Other important facts:

• Most people with personality disorders are not violent, and most violent offenders are not serial killers. These are very small, specific populations.
• Serial offenders often engage in “cooling off periods” between crimes, which is one factor that distinguishes serial homicide from other types of homicide.
• Many offenders display instrumental violence (planned, purposeful behavior) rather than impulsive violence.
• Contrary to popular belief, individuals with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.
• Media portrayals often exaggerate the idea of the “evil genius,” but many offenders are of average intelligence, and investigative breakthroughs often come from routine police work rather than dramatic profiling.

Understanding the psychology behind extreme behavior helps separate myth from science and encourages more accurate conversations about mental health. 🧠

— Angelica Gray, LCSW
The Gray Area Counseling
📍 In-person in Jonesboro, Arkansas
💻 Telehealth statewide in Arkansas and Florida
📞 870-819-4538
🌐 www.thegrayareacounseling.com

02/16/2026

Six years ago this month, I took a leap of faith and opened my solo private practice—not fully knowing where the journey would lead, but believing in the importance of creating a safe space for people to heal.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside so many people through trauma, anxiety, depression, family struggles, and life transitions. Watching people grow, heal, and find their strength continues to be one of the greatest honors of my life.

I’m also excited to share that I am now licensed to provide telehealth therapy in Florida, in addition to Arkansas. I’m grateful for how much The Gray Area Counseling has grown over the years.

Thank you to everyone who has trusted me with their story and supported this journey.

Angelica Gray, LCSW
The Gray Area Counseling
📍 In-person in Jonesboro, Arkansas & Telehealth in Arkansas & Florida
📞 870-819-4538
🌐 www.thegrayareacounseling.com

02/10/2026

One of the things I’ve always appreciated about being a therapist is getting to sit with people from all kinds of backgrounds and walks of life. 🤍

Over the years, I’ve worked with people from different cultures, immigrants, people with different political beliefs, and people whose life experiences look very different from my own. I’ve worked with grocery store employees, machine operators in manufacturing, teachers, Realtors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, business owners, and executives. I’ve also worked with people who were struggling financially or experiencing homelessness, as well as individuals in the LGBTQ+ community and people deeply rooted in their faith. 🌎

What I’ve learned is that no matter where someone comes from, what they believe, or what they do for a living, the things people carry—stress, trauma, anxiety, grief, relationship struggles, and life transitions—are deeply human experiences. Therapy isn’t just for one kind of person—it’s for real people living real lives. 🌿

You don’t have to share my background, beliefs, or experiences to be understood here. My job is to listen, to respect you, and to help you work toward the life you want. 🫶

If you’ve been thinking about therapy but weren’t sure if you’d feel comfortable, you’re welcome here. Everyone deserves a place where they can be heard without judgment and supported without conditions. ✨

Angelica Gray, LCSW
The Gray Area Counseling
In-person in Jonesboro, Arkansas
Telehealth available statewide
📞 870-819-4538
📠 870-617-0991
🌐 www.thegrayareacounseling.com

02/09/2026

I think it’s important to encourage kids to try their best in school. Effort, responsibility, and perseverance are valuable life skills. 📚✨💪

At the same time, a letter grade doesn’t define a person’s worth or their future. I’ve worked with many people over the years, and I’ve seen individuals who struggled in school or made poor grades grow up to be very successful, fulfilled adults. Success doesn’t come from one report card—it comes from what you choose to do afterward. 🌱

Some students go to college. 🎓
Some learn a trade. 🔧⚙️
Some enter the workforce and build meaningful careers in other ways. 🛠️🏢

It’s also important to remember that not every student starts from the same place. Some kids are struggling just to get their basic needs met. Some may be hungry. 🍎🥪 Some are going to school exhausted because there was conflict at home the night before. 🌙😔 Some are carrying stress, trauma, anxiety, or responsibilities that most people never see. 💭🧠

When a child is in survival mode, learning becomes much harder.

As adults and as a community, we can encourage effort while also leading with understanding. 🤝 Sometimes what a child needs most isn’t more pressure—it’s support, stability, and someone who believes in them. 🤍🌱✨

Angelica Gray, LCSW
The Gray Area Counseling
📍 In-person in Jonesboro, Arkansas & Telehealth statewide
📞 870-819-4538
📠 Fax: 870-617-0991
🌐 www.thegrayareacounseling.com

02/09/2026

Gretchen hopes everyone is enjoying their superbowl snacks ❤️