My Stories
My blog, essays and articles feature stories on healing from trauma, coping with disorder and practicing mindfulness
Fear and Trauma: Noticing Signs of PTSD After Another Mass Shooting and 12 Tips to Help
This month’s blog is dedicated to the victims of the recent splash pad shooting in Rochester Hills, Michigan. May you heal swiftly and have the resources you need to fully recover and to feel safe. *** In the wake of yet another mass shooting, my PTSD is back in full swing. The shooting happened only miles from my house. And my mind and body have not been settled ever since. When I first heard the news, I cried. Because of [...]
PTSD and Trauma: Feeling Violated (+8 Tips and a Recipe)
Right after it happened, I was in complete shock. I was angry. I was angry that it happened. I was angry with myself that I didn’t see it coming. That it wasn’t on my radar. But most of all, I [...]
PTSD and Trauma: The Magic of Setting (and Achieving) Goals (+10 Tips)
As a new mom, I’m finding it difficult to set and keep goals. Finding the time (and the mental capacity) to even think about my goals has been hard since having a baby, and when I have goals, meeting them [...]
Fear and Trauma: Noticing Signs of PTSD After Another Mass Shooting and 12 Tips to Help
This month’s blog is dedicated to the victims of the recent splash pad shooting in Rochester Hills, Michigan. May you heal swiftly and have the resources you need to fully recover and to feel safe. *** In the wake of [...]
CPTSD, Fight-or-flight Response, PTSD and Trauma: Practicing Meditation to Reconnect to Yourself (+8 Tips)
I’ve been practicing meditation for close to 20 years. A practice that has changed my life. A practice that I call a practice because that’s what you have to do. You have to practice. Every day. It’s a commitment. [...]
Fight-or-flight Response and PTSD: Getting Back into Your Body (+7 Tips)
Experiencing trauma at 14 caused me to spend most of my adult life in a fight-or-flight response. My body was always on edge. Ready to fight or flee. Which has resulted in my body feeling tense. Achy. Painful. And has [...]
Agoraphobia, Fear and OCD: Learning to Leave the House Again (+3 Tips)
After having a baby two months ago, I’ve been on maternity leave and have barely left the house. Getting into a routine with my baby has consumed me. Days and nights have blurred together. I’ve been lucky if I remember [...]
Depression and Trauma: Recognizing the Importance of Self-care (+5 Tips)
I haven’t always understood the importance of self-care. After suffering trauma, every day was more like surviving than thriving and self-care became nonexistent. I loathed myself and didn’t take care of myself very well for decades. But after uncovering my [...]
Fear, OCD and Postpartum Depression: Reimagining Intrusive Thoughts (Plus 5 Tips)
I recently gave birth to our daughter, and while I love her more than I can explain, I haven’t loved the intrusive thoughts that have flooded my mind since. I’m used to having intrusive thoughts about myself. Sometimes I’ve even [...]
CPTSD, PTSD and Trauma: Managing Fear Triggers (Plus 6 Tricks)
My husband and I decided to take an adult, infant and child CPR class. While I’m eight months pregnant. And I had no idea how many fear triggers it was going to set off. To begin, the class was five [...]
Trauma and Self-acceptance: The Continued Journey to Self-love (+5 Tips)
Because of my thyroid, I gained 20 pounds before getting pregnant. And while pregnant, I’ve gained another 30, and I’m seven months in. Which means I’m going to gain more. Gaining this much weight has made me feel out of [...]
Bipolar, OCD and Trauma: Leaning into Discomfort (+6 Tips)
I started yoga again for the first time in months. I’m six months pregnant, and I’ve had a baby bump for quite some time, so I had to stop my regular class because I couldn’t do the positions anymore. Then [...]
Anxiety, CPTSD, PTSD and Fear: Learning to Separate Anxiety from Intuition (Plus 4 Tricks for Distinguishing Between the Two)
I’m in my second trimester of pregnancy, and I’m not feeling the baby yet.* A very fear-inducing feeling. An all-consuming feeling. And while I can sometimes quiet my fears, it’s easy to let them rule me. To let them lead [...]
“Loved reading this Jenna, what a great explanation of how your OT helped you. I have taken a few tips for a client of mine I am treating at the moment! Great post. Cheers!”
JAYNE OT