One of the most common things I hear in therapy is some version of the same complaint: “They just don’t get it.” Sometimes it’s about a spouse. Sometimes it’s a parent, a friend, a sibling, or a coworker. The details are different, but the feeling is remarkably similar. Someone tries to explain why something hurt, … Continue reading The Real Reason Validation Matters
One of the more disorienting parts of adulthood is realizing that maturity gives you perspective you simply did not have as a child. Many people grow up believing their family dynamics were normal because, for them, those dynamics were normal. Children adapt to the emotional environments they are raised in. They learn what gets approval, … Continue reading Sometimes Adult Children Stop Trying to Be Understood by Their Parents
Somewhere along the way, “trauma-informed” became a branding strategy. It appears in mission statements, conference presentations, Instagram bios, and job descriptions. The phrase signals compassion. It signals awareness. It signals that we understand something about the impact of trauma. But I keep finding myself wondering whether we are actually practicing trauma-informed care, or whether we … Continue reading Have We Lost the Plot with Trauma-Informed Care?
Amanda Brindle, LCSW 