By Robert Espiau LMHC There is a particular kind of wound that can develop in a family without anyone ever striking a child, abandoning them, or intentionally trying to harm…
When most people in the United States hear the word psychology, they imagine a discipline that began in Europe in the nineteenth century, moved through Freud and psychoanalysis, developed into…
I remain deeply optimistic about psychedelic medicine. The research on psilocybin, depression, neuroplasticity, addiction, trauma, and psychological flexibility is changing our understanding of what may be possible when the brain…
For decades we have treated depression as though the primary question were how to suppress its symptoms. We developed medications that alter serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and other neurotransmitter systems, and…
Trauma separates. It separates us from our bodies, our feelings, our memories, and sometimes even from our sense of self. Dissociation is not just a symptom; it’s a state of…
Infidelity and the Effect of Attachment Trauma in Relationships Our model of love Infidelity is one of the most distressing experiences in intimate partnerships. For many, the discovery of betrayal…
Introduction: When Spiritual Guidance Becomes Control Religion has in the past served as a cornerstone for moral guidance, community belonging, and personal identity. However, this is starting to change in…
Rediscovering Each Other Through Therapy Over the years, I’ve sat with many couples, partners who care deeply for each other but feel disconnected, even lonely, within the relationship. It’s a…
The Limitations of CBT in Trauma Treatment Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely adopted as a first-line treatment for mental health conditions due to its structured, time-limited, and measurable framework.…
By Robert Espiau The Anxious Generation In an era where global news reaches our devices within seconds and social media relentlessly refreshes our awareness of the world’s crises, it has…
Understanding Emotional Availability As a practicing therapist, I often find that emotional availability (EA) is one of the most misunderstood yet critical elements in creating lasting and fulfilling intimate partnerships.…
Divorce represents a significant life transition, often accompanied by a complex array of emotions and challenges. The dissolution of a marital relationship not only signifies the end of a partnership…
Dr. Bessel van der Kolk has profoundly influenced the understanding and treatment of trauma, reshaping psychiatric and psychological approaches to this pervasive issue. His extensive research, clinical practice, and advocacy…
Hi there. If you’re reading this, you might be experiencing something that’s hard to put into words. Maybe you feel disconnected from yourself, like you’re watching life happen rather than…
Psychedelics, Awe, and Self-Compassion For over 20 years I have been witness to the profound impacts of psychedelic experiences on my clients. One of the most remarkable themes that consistently…
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a complex mental health condition that can significantly impact an individual’s daily life. Among the most distressing symptoms of PTSD are…
Over the past ten years, I have had the privilege of working with couples from diverse backgrounds as I have lived and worked internationally. I truly love helping couples to…
In an old Laurel and Hardy comedy movie Stan is supposed to keep guard while his friend Ollie sleeps. After a while Ollie wakes up and finds Stan asleep on…
I grew up in a whirlwind of cultures, languages, and shifting landscapes. As a Third Culture Kid (TCK), I was raised outside my parents’ culture while absorbing the influences of…
In our journey toward healing, we often confront deep-seated emotions that have shaped us, sometimes, unconsciously in ways we don’t even realize. When we have unresolved trauma from the past,…
Worrying is a pervasive and often harmful cognitive process that, rather than helping us prepare for future challenges, can lead to the development of chronic anxiety. When we rely on…
By Robert Espiau Understanding the differences between dissociation due to trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD/ADHD) is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. While these conditions…
Anxiety and panic attacks are increasingly prevalent in today’s fast-paced world, affecting millions of individuals globally. While the pharmaceutical industry has long promoted the idea that anxiety disorders are primarily…
Dr. Gabor Maté is not just a physician or a psychologist; he is a provocateur in the world of medicine, a figure whose writings and ideas have sparked intense debate…
The Children of God, now known as The Family International, is a religious movement that emerged in the late 1960s under the guidance of David Berg, also known as “Moses…
Reevaluating Panic Disorder Treatment: The Case for Somatic Therapies Over CBT Panic disorder is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide, characterized by sudden and overwhelming episodes of…
Introduction Buddhist conceptions of self are radically different from the conceptions of self that you find in Euro-American Psychology; such as those found in self psychology and depth psychology. The…
Introduction: The Roots of Codependency in Childhood Trauma Traumatic experiences during childhood can have profound and far-reaching effects on an individual’s psychological and emotional development. One of the more insidious…
Introduction I am going to take a crack at answering this question as a clinician with over 25 years’ experience working in the mental health field. I am going to…
