Robyn Watchorn Newbrey, LLC

04/05/2026

04/04/2026

💜 Early childhood trauma can cause us to ‘space out’ ‘in a world of her own’ ‘loner’ my mothers words… However, what’s really happening is our mind is escaping the emotional, physical, sexual abuse and or neglect. Our mind is protecting us. WE are actually dissociating.
If the abuse continues, we will eventually create different parts of us to cope. So losing time is inevitable. 💜

03/31/2026

According to child psychologists, the main sign a child feels safe at home is not “perfect” behavior, but rather their ability to be their most authentic, unfiltered self in your presence. This often manifests as saving their biggest meltdowns, “weirdest” behaviors and hardest emotions for the people they trust most.

Many children behave perfectly at school or daycare but “fall apart” the moment they get home. Clinical psychologists explain that children only show their hardest feelings to those they trust will not leave or judge them. A meltdown is often a biological “exhale” of pent-up stress from the day.

A child who feels safe moves freely around the house, making noise, singing, or humming. Research indicates secure children move significantly more during free time because their nervous system is not on high alert. Being silly, wearing costumes or using nonsensical voices are also signs of a relaxed nervous system that feels allowed to explore without fear of criticism.

Instead of hiding or lying abut a mistake (like breaking something or spilling), a safe child will generally return to the adult for help. Secure children expect “repair” rather than immediate punishment, allowing them to recover from stress twice as fast as those who feel unsafe.

Testing rules is also a sign of safety; the child is checking to see if the adult remains a steady “anchor” even when they are at their most difficult. Secure children feel safe sharing strong opinions or even saying “no” because they trust their voice matters and the relationship is strong enough to hold their disagreement.

You may also notice your child playing independently but occasionally glancing back or returning for a quick “refuel” (like a hug) before heading out again. This “secure base” effect is a foundational concept in attachment theory.

Conversely, if your child does not feel safe emotionally around you, they may communicate discomfort through behavioral changes rather than words, such as becoming unusually quiet, withdrawing and shutting down, behavioral regression (acting like a baby again, baby talking or bedwetting).

03/30/2026

03/26/2026

03/25/2026

| 🤎

03/14/2026

We often believe that time heals all wounds, but Dr. Francine Shapiro’s Getting Past Your Past proves that time only heals the wounds that the brain can properly process. As the creator of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Shapiro argues that our "overreactions" today are actually just old, unprocessed memories being "triggered" in the present. She proves that your brain has a natural, internal healing system, and that by learning how to unlock it, you can finally put down the stones from your past and walk freely into your future.

​1. The Living Nature of Traumatic Memory
​Shapiro introduces the revolutionary idea that trauma is not just a memory of what happened; it is a memory that is physically "stuck" in the nervous system. When an event is too overwhelming, the brain fails to process it into a normal narrative. Instead, it stores the images, smells, and negative beliefs as if they are still happening. This is why a simple comment from a boss can make you feel like a terrified eight-year-old. You realize that you aren't "crazy" or "weak"; you are simply experiencing a memory that hasn't been filed away yet.

​2. The Power of the "Adaptive Information Processing" Model
​The heart of the book is the AIP model, which suggests that our brains are naturally wired to move toward mental health. Just as your skin heals from a cut if the debris is removed, your mind will heal from a trauma if the "blockage" is cleared. Shapiro provides self-help techniques to help you identify the "touchstone memories" that are driving your current anxieties. By understanding how your brain processes information, you regain a sense of agency. You move from being a victim of your triggers to being a mechanic of your own healing.

​3. The "Light Stream" and Resource Building
​Before diving into the heavy lifting of processing old pain, Shapiro emphasizes the importance of "Resource Development and Installation." She provides practical exercises, such as the "Light Stream" or the "Safe Place" technique, to help you calm your nervous system in real time. These tools are designed to give you a "grounding wire" so that you don't get swept away by the intensity of your emotions. You learn that healing is not about reliving the pain, but about observing it from a position of safety and strength.

​4. Changing the Internal Script
​The final goal of the book is to shift the negative cognitions that trauma leaves behind. Instead of believing "I am powerless" or "I am unlovable," Shapiro shows you how to install positive, adaptive beliefs like "I am in control now" or "I am resilient." This is not just "positive thinking"; it is a physiological rewiring of the brain’s pathways. You move from a state of "survival" to a state of "thriving," where the past is finally just a story you tell, rather than a reality you inhabit.

03/08/2026

Control patterns are observable and predictable. Learn the behaviors to watch for and why “it’s just her mood” is a dangerous diversion.