#trauma therapist san francisco

[drcammyfroude]

How to Find a Trauma Therapist in San Francisco | Trauma Therapist Bay Area

If you are in search of a trauma therapist in San Francisco and Bay Area, you'll be pleased to know that the region offers a range of qualified professionals to support you on your healing journey.

San Francisco, in particular, boasts a vibrant community of trauma therapists who specialize in providing compassionate care for individuals who have experienced trauma.

These therapists are trained to help clients navigate the effects of trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other related symptoms.

With their expertise and evidence-based approaches, trauma therapists in San Francisco can assist you in processing and resolving traumatic experiences, fostering resilience, and promoting overall well-being.

Whether you are seeking individual therapy, group therapy, or specialized trauma treatment modalities, you can find competent trauma therapists in the Bay Area who are dedicated to supporting your healing and growth.

Exploring Couples Therapy in San Francisco and Couples Counseling:

If you and your partner are in need of couples therapy in San Francisco, you'll discover a wealth of resources and skilled professionals to assist you in strengthening your relationship. Couples counseling is a valuable avenue for addressing challenges, improving communication, and deepening the connection between partners.

In San Francisco, you can find couples therapists who specialize in a range of approaches, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Imago Relationship Therapy. These therapists create a safe and supportive environment for couples to explore their concerns, resolve conflicts, and develop healthy relationship patterns.

Whether you're facing difficulties in communication, trust issues, intimacy concerns, or navigating major life transitions, couples therapists in San Francisco are equipped to guide you towards healthier, more fulfilling partnerships.

Don't hesitate to reach out and prioritize your relationship's well-being with the help of these experienced professionals.

Find the Nearest PTSD Therapist in San Francisco:

If you're seeking PTSD therapy or treatment in San Francisco or looking for PTSD therapists near me location, you'll find a range of specialized professionals who can provide the support you need. PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, can have a significant impact on an individual's well-being and quality of life.

Fortunately, San Francisco offers a diverse selection of therapists who specialize in working with PTSD and trauma-related conditions. These therapists employ evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Trauma-Focused Therapy to help individuals effectively process and manage their traumatic experiences.

Whether you prefer in-person therapy or online sessions, there are PTSD therapists and treatment options available in San Francisco and nearby areas to assist you on your healing journey.

Remember, seeking professional help is a courageous step towards healing, and you don't have to face PTSD alone – support is within reach.

[warningsine]

If the language used on the internet is a reliable indicator, we’re more psychologically enlightened than ever. We discuss attachment styles like the weather. We joke about our coping mechanisms. We project, or are projected on to. We shun “toxic” people. We catastrophise and ruminate. We diagnose, or are diagnosed: OCD, depression, anxiety, ADHD, narcissism. We make, break or struggle to “hold” boundaries. We practise self-care. We know how to spot gaslighting. We’re tuned into our emotional labour. We’re triggered. We’re processing our trauma. We’re doing the work.

The language of the therapy room has long permeated popular culture. Common terms like “repression”, “denial”, “slip of the tongue”, “hysteria” and “inner child” all lead back to Freud. But over the last decade or so, with the vast expansion of social media networks, a new, seemingly sophisticated language sits on modern society’s tongue. Some call it therapy-speak. Or psychobabble. But despite its prevalence, the language is divisive.

Last month, online discourse throbbed with disdain when Sarah Brady, the ex-partner of Jonah Hill, shared text messages he’d sent her about his “boundaries” (no “surfing with men”, no friendships with “women who are in unstable places” and no swimsuit selfies). Many argued that his self-satisfied language was a weaponising of therapy-speak; using “expert” terms to try to control her behaviour.

If we’re often online and are plugged into wellness, self-help or relationship worlds on social media, therapy-speak is our first language. Here, algorithms feed us from a bottomless well of content by coaches and other self-proclaimed experts who teach us how to cope with being triggered; how to identify a narcissist; how to “show up” in relationships; how to hold a boundary and so much more. With every scroll, a new tutorial in human psychology. But what are we actually learning?

“By virtue of being human beings, we’re masters at distancing ourselves from difficult aspects of emotional life,” says Dr Jonathan Shedler, a psychologist at the University of California, San Francisco. “One way we distance ourselves is through words. What we’ve got now is this kind of pop-psychology language of clichés, abstract concepts and turns of phrase that are so different from speaking from the heart.”

For Shedler, modern therapy-speak is “not actually a product of reflection and examination”. In psychotherapy, he says, “we always move from the general to the specific. People will say something general or abstract and a good therapist is always asking for examples. If a person says that they felt stressed, we might say, ‘OK, tell me more about that. How did you experience the stress?’ If a patient is using therapy-speak, the goal of the work has to be to move away from this to something more immediate and emotionally alive.”

Platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok pull in colossal viewing numbers on these abstract concepts. Search “gaslighting” on YouTube and the top result (“10 Examples of What Gaslighting Sounds Like”) has 3.3m views. On TikTok, the #narcissism hashtag has 3.8bn views. Search “triggered” on Instagram and a tidal wave of multimedia content appears. You can scroll for 10 minutes and still be fed lists, memes and vlogs. Even if only a small portion of viewers take the language they’re absorbing online into their offline conversations, we can still imagine how easily it seeps into public consciousness. Particularly among young people, the main demographic for platforms like TikTok.

We might argue that an increased awareness of psychological dynamics, and a growing ease for identifying and discussing mental health issues, are particularly good things for teenagers and young adults. The historical backdrop is that mental health was shrouded in stigma and taboo for so long. If young people can have a freer, more matter-of-fact understanding of mental health, it may lead to less suffering in silo. Maybe even a positive effect on generations to come. But the expansion of certain language worries some professionals who work with young people.

Kate teaches biology in a secondary school in Manchester, where she has worked for 15 years. She has been a form tutor for 10. In her experience, conversations she hears among teenagers – and the way issues brought to her are described – have changed dramatically in the last five years. “I hear words like ‘triggered’, ‘gaslighting’ and ‘narcissist’ so often now,” she says. “Young people are using these words to describe their fellow pupils and other teachers, when they feel hurt or singled out. I had to look up what gaslighting meant.”

She reflects empathically on how difficulties in friendships when you’re at school can “feel like the end of the world”. “You want to validate how they feel,” she says. “Because being a teenager is really hard. But sometimes it seems as if they’re wedded to words they’ve picked up on social media. They’re dismissing each other and, sometimes, struggling to take responsibility for their own behaviour because they have compelling words like ‘triggered’ that make their own feelings the most important thing, above all else.”

Kate wanted to be quoted under a pseudonym. She was worried that her reflections might be seen to be taking a coping strategy away from young people when “the world is stacked against them.” It makes sense.

Climate change weighs heavy on their minds. Media influence and gender norms continue to create a disparity between their lived reality and future aspirations. (Men are still portrayed as independent, emotionally stoic and in roles that signify strength; women as childcarers, home-keepers and care-workers. A young person’s real-life sense of themselves may not fit with the images they absorb, and may cause mental distress or limit a young person’s sense of potential.) The pandemic, social inequality, austerity and online harm have driven a huge rise in NHS mental health referrals – and the system is buckling. Thresholds for getting specialist help are so high that many young people are refused care, sometimes with fatal consequences. It is a curious phenomenon that, while statistics suggest young people’s mental health is declining, social media has provided a compelling language with which to navigate their lives.

But some therapists (including myself, and many I know) believe that the expressive nature of therapy-speak is, actually, not all that expressive. The language barely aligns with what therapy is; a singular relationship between the therapist and their client, with its own intimate context and idiosyncrasies.

Shedler focuses on the word “triggered”. “For some people, it’s very difficult to say, ‘I was angry’ or, ‘I was terrified’. So there’s already a layer of obfuscation about what their internal experience is. Something we try very hard not to do in therapy is locate the upsetting thing externally. If you leave the ‘I was triggered’ there, your internal experience is almost secondary. In meaningful therapy we try to reverse that. All our experiences take on personal meaning. The work of therapy is to explore those layers.”

The psychotherapists I have trained with, and been supervised by, use very little of the therapy-speak I see on social media. Theory and literature inform the work, but conversations are in much more plain English than you might think. This is what we try to invite in our clients: the freedom to speak plainly.

In my experience, some younger clients have brought in words like “triggering”, “gaslighting”, “narcissism” and some confident diagnoses of others’ “personality disorders”. Sometimes, it has seemed hard for them to name emotions like fear or anger. The influence over their language doesn’t just come from social media, but from reality shows like Love Island, Love is Blind and Married at First Sight. (I was struck at how often the term “gaslighting” was used in the last season of MAFS, a show that consumed me more than I’d care to admit.)

It can take a long time to get beneath the use of these terms – which may be described as a defence mechanism – and explore someone’s deeper, more vulnerable emotional experiences. This relies on building a safe, trusting relationship. But often we don’t have time.

For so many people, long-term therapy is unaffordable. In the UK, if you can’t afford private therapy, mental health support on the NHS is often dictated by a postcode lottery and limited to six-to-eight sessions of CBT. Short-term work can be effective and meaningful for some people. But in-depth therapy is often a luxury. This might explain why the confessional nature of therapy-speak annoys some of us. It might seem imperious; a white, middle-class gate-keeping of suffering from people who, in relative terms, suffer the least.

I’m reminded of a Twitter thread from 2019 on which someone offered a template for responding to a friend in distress when you don’t feel able to help. It said: “Hey! I’m so glad you reached out. I’m actually at capacity/helping someone else who’s in crisis/dealing with some personal stuff right now, and I don’t think I can hold appropriate space for you. Could we connect [later date or time] instead/Do you have someone else you could reach out to?” The vocabulary was widely made fun of, with many people identifying how hard the person was working to avoid a friend in distress.

For Shedler, the kind of therapy-speak we’re saturated with online is particularly destructive: “It alienates us from our internal experience while pretending to do the opposite,” he says. We might say it’s helping people to become so much more psychologically minded. But he feels “the reality is it’s actually doing the reverse.” It’s probably true that there’s little room for self-awareness, or taking responsibility, if we’re quick to tell people they’re gaslighting us by expressing something we don’t agree with. (Incidentally, the term comes from a film in the 1940s, not psychology literature.) Or if we confuse conflict with “abuse”.

I have shifted positions on the casual use of therapy-speak many times. I still don’t know exactly what I think, other than that I think about it a lot. I have worked in a charity providing therapy to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Many of my clients have struggled with the effects of austerity and navigating the benefits system, while living with chronic health issues that compound their emotional distress. As a result, I have bristled at the term “trauma” being bandied around. I have balked at pithy Instagram memes about drinking, after witnessing the devastation of addiction. I’ve also observed that people are still more likely to minimise their distress than embellish it.

I have struggled seeing “triggers” (a concept derived from the treatment of PTSD) so widely appropriated, and the increased cultural understanding that we should avoid being triggered at all costs. This is in conflict with the most robustly evidenced approach for trauma therapy: to slowly and carefully help someone tolerate their discomfort by increasing their exposure to their feelings, both in the room with a therapist, and in the outside world.

However, writing all this down also makes me think, what right do I have to assume passport control for certain words? The language of healing, or surviving, will look different for everyone. It’s complex.

Social media undoubtedly plays a role in flattening human emotions into neat, shareable terms. We’re encouraged to pathologise friends, family or lovers with vocabulary that strips away nuance and context. This probably does get in the way of the “speaking from the heart” that Shedler speaks of. It might help us feel more powerful when we’re hurt or afraid. But what happens to the pain and fear once we’ve labelled someone? Where does it go?

I’m not sure where I sit with some of the other language. If someone says they were traumatised by the pandemic – by isolation, caring for dying people, loss of loved ones, financial ruin, long Covid – is that not valid? If a young person is struggling because their parents can barely afford to feed them, or with their identity in a world that doesn’t seem hospitable to who they might want to be, might appropriating therapy-speak help them feel like they have more agency?

A good experience of therapy can help someone flourish. It’s also an experience many of us might struggle to have. But notions of the therapy world continue to be positioned as the “right” way of being; in ourselves, and with each other. Therapy-speak might be annoying, tiring and get in the way of authentic emotional expression. Perhaps even with damaging consequences. But something so pervasive requires a little more than suspicion.

Could the expansion of this language speak to a collective hunger for a framework that helps us talk about our existence in modern society? That is, trying to feel peaceful, purposeful and connected while many structural forces collide and make that existence feel harder and harder. There’s no clear solution, other than: make the world easier to live in. But a therapist might tell you that’s magical thinking.

[thebreakfastgenie]

Night Five is so funny because Stanley isn't even Josh's regular therapist. He specifically referred him out because he's a trauma specialist and Josh doesn't need intense care going forward. And then Josh calls him and convinces him to fly from San Francisco to DC so he must have told him it was an emergency. And then it turns out to be a ruse to secretly give the president who also does not need a trauma specialist therapy.

[calmagaincounseling]

At Calm Again Counseling, we believe in the power of body-mind connection to promote healing. Our experienced somatic therapist offers a safe, nurturing environment where clients can explore and process emotions stored in the body. We use gentle body-centered practices that empower clients to release stress and trauma, gain clarity, and build resilience.

Calm Again Counseling 4155 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (415) 480–5192

My Official Website: https://www.calmagaincounseling.com/ Google Plus Listing: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=9290124565637582330

Our Other Links:

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Service We Offer:

Counseling Psychotherapy Coaching Therapy Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness EMDR Therapy Trauma Therapy Anxiety Therapy Teen Counseling Grief Therapy Depression Therapy PTSD Therapy

Follow Us On:

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[dolliesrot]

Yeah, even at their best the public is exhausting. And honestly how often are they at their best? :/ You're in the service industry too, right? I don't know much about art but I figure if you keep looking at the world, trying things, and having fun with it that's what it's about.

You could tell I was hoping you'd ask what movies, right?

Sunday

Dracula (The Dirty Old Man) (1969, William Edwards) Pretty repugnant, but it was amusing how they saw their movie was shit and then MST3Ked themselves recording the voiceover narration.

Devil Story (1986, Bernard Launois) I was deliberately trying to pick "fever dream" stuff and this qualified. Devil horses are hard to shoot.

Monday

Calamity of Snakes (1982, Chi Chang) Kind of a dud. I watched the "cruelty free" version, which doesn't show snakes being killed on camera but supposes that they don't mind being sprayed with fire extinguishers. Captures Taiwan (?) at a truly unfortunate moment for fashion. Morbid curiosity was not rewarded.

Viy (1967, Konstantin Ershov & Georgiy Kropachyov) Banger! Magic and witches and state-of-the-art Soviet special effects courtesy of Aleksandr Ptushko.

A Virgin Among the Living Dead (1973, Jesus Franco) Rewatch, but I previously had only seen the Wizard VHS version with the alternate clothed takes and the added terrible slow motion zombie scenes. Much better in this version.

Conquest (1983, Lucio Fulci) Vivid in its gruesome derivative patchwork brutality, in spite of looking like it was shot through cheesecloth.

Tuesday

Kuroneko (1968, Kaneto Shindō) Awesome. Spooky and atmospheric and features a kitty.

The Empire Strikes Back Uncut (2012, Casey Pugh) Warm and cuddly fun starring multiple dogs as Chewbacca.

Wednesday

Blonde Ambition (1980, John and Lem Amero) Easily the most charming and effervescent porno I've ever seen. Also deserving of praise that isn't so faint as to be backhanded!

The Cassandra Cat (1963, Vojtěch Jasný) Pretty terrific and beautiful fable. The cat had little wee glasses!

Lord of Illusions (1995, Clive Barker) Enjoyed the LA scenery and stage magic milieu. Unexpectedly terrifying turn from George's boss Mr. Kruger from Seinfeld. (Daniel von Bargen RIP)

Torture Dungeon (1969, Andy Milligan) What can one say about an Andy Milligan movie?

Thursday

The Boogey Man (1980, Ulli Lommel) I was unprepared for how great this was. A slasher ghost story about how childhood trauma follows you through life. John Carradine, couples therapist. I wept. Watch this one, Anna!

Shogun Assassin (1980, Kenji Misumi and Robert Houston) Finally got to hear all the skits from Liquid Swordz in their proper context!

Friday

Hell Comes to Frogtown (1988, RJ Kizer & Donald G. Jackson) Total male fantasy about how hot it would be if Sandahl Bergman wore glasses and had a bomb she could use to blow up your cock whenever she so chose.

The Night of the Hunter (1955, Charles Laughton) Rewatch. Classic. Needs no introduction. It is so good!

The Night of the Hunted (1980, Jean Rollin) Eerily quiet time capsule of a particular era of Parisian architecture. Also weirdly prefigures Memento, but with more nudity.

Perversion Story (1969, Lucio Fulci) Total male fantasy about how hot it would be if Marisa Mell did anything, in this case send you to the gas chamber by framing you for her murder. Really amazing time capsule footage of San Francisco, too. And there's a photographer character, those are always fun.

Oh and I watched a bunch of old Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies in there, too.

Yay The Fly! I've never seen The Hunt. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you watched the one Mads Mikkelsen is in. :D Am I right?

Hope you're feeling better soon! Enjoy that time away from work.

Oh wowowow you managed to get through a lot! I have a hard time multitasking, which makes it hard to watch movies and paint :,c wish it wasn't either or, but god scrambled me that way so whatyyagonnado. DUDE I watched Night of the Hunter for the first time like two months ago and am pretty pissed off that I haven't watched it sooner! I wish the song about the pretty fly and the spider was on spotify 🕸️Also!! Thank you! You totally gave me some bangers I need to put on my list! (Probably gonna try and get to Viy, A Virgin Among the Living Dead, and The Boogey Man first!).

Also,,,, I think i'd bang him </3 religious psychosis and murderous nature be damned mans got a way with werds.

[riverdamien]

Living the Questions!

"Sloughing To Galilee!"

Mental Health Awareness Month!

Carlo Acuta

Damien of Molokai

Francis of Assisi

Dorothy Day

"Being Faithful In the Midst of Question!"

"All Work That Is Worth Doing is Done In Faith~" Albert Schiezer

"Down these Mean Streets a person must go who is not mean, tarnished or afraid (Blue Bloods)".

"Imagine if we all walked into the world with the belief that each person was inherently worthy.

Imagine if our goal was to help each other recognize that we are worthy of being loved.

Imagine if we sought to LISTEN MORE THAN WE SPOKE."

--Fred Rogers=

I wear around my neck a small piece of jewelry, all I have to do is punch it and the police and an ambulance suddenly appear; I go to a hospital and am treated. I can go to the store and pick up whatever I choose to eat; In the last two weeks I have sat with two young guys who overdosed; others are in tents, the doorways. Deep contrasts I see! Deep contrasts that are hidden! As I look at my own life I see the journey it has taken me to get here, a journey of pain, rejection, and deconstruction, and yet a journey of joy and healing.

I look back to my childhood in a small southern town, where I had great parents, but from the moment I was born, I was set up for religious trauma, which continues even now, in many ways in my life of faith-raising questions.

As far as I could remember I was taught that being queer, gay, was a deep sin; that such activities like masturbation, and cussing were sins. There was deep shame instilled. The environment was racist, with separate schools and separate parts of town people lived in. I was raised in the church, and at 12 at church camp found myself called to ministry, and even to this day that call is strong, leading my life and saving me from desperation.

Because of not being able to be myself truly I had many of the characteristics of low self-esteem, lack of maturity, lack of boundaries, and difficulty in interpreting relationships. My childhood and adolescence were harrowing and scary.

Through college, seminary, and years in the parish, I took anti-depressants. When my little brother was killed in an accident I broke down and told my District Superintendent I needed to see a therapist to look at my "sexual identity," and was sent to  "conversion therapy", my god, the way I was treated, harrassed, beaten and finally kicked out on the streets. The Church followed suit, and I lost every relationship I have ever had, I was so alone and fearful. I ceased believing in God and turned to the streets in L.A., became a hustler, a whore.

This was the time I rebelled--against the system; against society, and authority figures; there were days for the first time in my life I had no money for food or a place to stay, so I lived on the streets, and when I made money motels. I was raped, beaten up, and a life of survivor, but it provided me my first chance to experiment with my sexuality.

There was much shame in my life, had always been, much guilt, my closest friends were my fellow street kids, I came to love them, to understand them, receiving the greatest gift of all their acceptance, and my gift for my coming ministry.

So within three years, I had begun my coming off the streets, got a job in Minneapolis as a counselor lying about where I had been, and gave several "johns" as references, saying I had provided in-home counseling, and so off the streets, and my coming out continued.

Like an addict, who just gets clean off drugs, I was mentally stuck in adolescence and so I started growing up, I am not sure I have ever grown up. But am still growing!

And so I came to San Francisco for a workshop, and fell in love with the City, but more importantly the kids on the street. I missed the streets, and I understood those kids.  And so I came to San Francisco, found a job as a counselor, a place on Polk Street, and began by buying kids piazza, and as I have done all my years, simply listened, being a presence and a friend. I found a therapist and for ten years worked on my coming out, and finally found peace. Found peace in my ministry! Life is gray, full of gray areas, no black and white; my anger arises when conservatives come proclaiming their gospel; when people come in and make judgments on what the people on the street should do or believe.

Like the "Hound of Heaven," God never let me go, and during these years God reminded me that I was called in my mother's womb and knew exactly who I was.

These years have been tough and yet filled with joy. The established churches have never accepted me, because of the people I work with, for the Church seems to want to keep its distance. Other institutions very seldom work with the bottom ten percent like I do, and they too nervously work with me when they have to.

Again the church tries to shame me, tries to shame my queer kids, and all homeless people and I am no longer available for that shaming. Dorothy Day once said, "The system is dirty and rotten!" and she was right. Like her, I do not vote, and my protests are in listening, caring, and giving of food to the homeless!

As I am coming to my 30th year in ministry, I am still questioning God and myself, but I know without God I frankly would never have survived for in God I find my purpose. Rather than a place to hide, Calvary shines as a light on a cruel hill, a luminous revelation of God's utter self-give, revealed in all its bloody transparency. In honest faithfulness Christ discloses God's love as the perfect gift, calling us to share that love with everyone!

 For me God is universal, God is a God of Absolute love, and most of the guys know I am a priest, they see me in the Haight and elsewhere celebrating the Eucharist, and many come because it too is all-inclusive.

I have a gathering at my place twice a month early Sunday morning for individuals working overnight, be they hookers or nurses, and we share, no matter their beliefs, and I celebrate the Eucharist as a sign of God's inclusive love.

My ministry is one of presence, walking with each person where he or she is without judgment. No one knows the road of pain they are on, and so my ministry is that of simply listening and caring.

In my years only the therapists or others who could simply walk with me, without judgment with Roger's approach of listening is where I found my path.

In these years I have been beaten, stabbed, shot at, and threatened; the gossip has been the most painful. Again there is much joy!

Religious Trauma has been and is a major part of my life. It has shaped my personality, but now on the whole I am at peace. Religious Trauma has brought me in service to others in the same boat.

The painting at the head of this article was drawn by a young man questioning his beliefs in light of being condemned for being gay, and he committed suicide. It is a painting that haunts me, a haunting presence of the cruelty of religious trauma. A painting of the cruelty of black-and-white religion, not of the presence of inclusive love!

I question all the time if there is a God, and I often wonder if my trust in the presence I feel a lot is fake, but ultimately God is what has gotten me through these years! Like Mother Teresa, I have my doubts, but like her, I continue on understanding, that "God has not called us to success; He has called us to be faithful."

In listening to an interview on "Sixty Minutes" Sunday with Pope Francis, he summarized the major problem in our world--"indifference" people ignoring others and the pain around them, and the ever-present trauma. For me, I got off my duff as a result of faith, and summoned others regardless of belief to do the same!

Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!

--------------------------------------------------

I affirm that I believe in God the Father, Almighty.

I believe and trust in Jesus Christ, his Son.

I believe in the Holy Spirit.

I believe and trust in the Three in One.

I respect with all of my heart where others are in their lives and meet them unconditionally.

--------------------------------------------------------

Dr. River Damien Sims, sfw, D.Min., D.S.T.

Post Office Box 642656

San Francisco, CA 94164

www.temenos.org

paypal.com

415-305-2124

Dr. River Sims, D.Min., D.S.T.

Director

Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Certificate in Spiritual Direction

Prayer of St. Brendan!

"Help me to journey beyond the familiar

and into the unknown.

Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with You. Christ of the mysteries I trust in You to be stronger than each storm within me.

I will trust in the darkness and know that my times, even now, are in Your hands.

Tune my spirit to the music of heaven,

and somehow, make my obedience count for You"

------------------------------------------------

(Temenos and Dr. River seek to remain accessible to everyone. We do not endorse particular causes, political parties, or candidates, or take part in public controversies, whether religious, political or social--Our pastoral ministry is to everyone!

================================

[bayareacbtcenter212]

Bay Area CBT Center

Therapy is a dynamic and transformative process aimed at improving mental, emotional, and relational well-being. Rooted in diverse theoretical frameworks and approaches, therapy provides individuals with a confidential and supportive space to explore, understand, and address a wide array of challenges.

The Purpose of Therapy:

1. Promoting Mental Health: Therapy is not just for addressing problems; it's a proactive tool for enhancing mental health. It helps individuals gain insights, build resilience, and develop coping mechanisms to navigate life's complexities.

2. Emotional Well-being: By delving into emotions, therapy facilitates a deeper understanding of oneself. It encourages emotional expression, helping individuals process and manage their feelings in healthier ways. trauma therapist san francisco visit.

Types of Therapy:

1. Psychoanalytic Therapy: Based on Freudian principles, this approach explores the unconscious mind and past experiences to understand present behavior and alleviate emotional distress.

2. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviors, fostering practical solutions to current issues.

3. Humanistic and Person-Centered Therapy: Rooted in empathy and acceptance, this approach emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and the therapist-client relationship.

4. Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Incorporating mindfulness and meditation, these therapies aim to cultivate present-moment awareness, reducing stress and promoting mental clarity. For more anxiety therapist san francisco  visit.

The Therapeutic Relationship:

1. Building Trust: Central to therapy is the therapeutic alliance – a trusting relationship between therapist and client. Trust provides a foundation for open communication and vulnerability.

2. Effective Communication: Therapists employ active listening, empathy, and non-verbal cues to create a safe space for clients to express themselves and explore their thoughts and feelings.

Specialized Areas of Therapy:

1. Marriage and Family Therapy: Addressing relational dynamics, family therapists work to improve communication and resolve conflicts within familial relationships.

2. Trauma-Informed Therapy: Tailored for individuals who have experienced trauma, this approach focuses on safety, trust, and empowerment in the healing process.

The Future of Therapy:

1. Technological Advances: couples therapy oakland ca Online therapy platforms, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing accessibility, making therapy more convenient and inclusive.

2. Destigmatization of Mental Health: Efforts to destigmatize mental health are encouraging open conversations, making therapy a normalized and accepted avenue for self-care.

Conclusion:

Therapy is a powerful tool for self-discovery, growth, and resilience. Whether addressing specific challenges or proactively enhancing well-being, therapy offers a unique and personalized journey toward a more fulfilling and balanced life. It's a testament to the human capacity for change and the belief that, with the right support, individuals can navigate life's complexities with strength and understanding. Take the step towards a healthier, more fulfilling relationship by contacting online therapy san francisco today. Located conveniently in Oakland, Bay Area CBT Center welcomes couples of all backgrounds and orientations to embark on a journey of growth and connection.

[bayareacbtcenter7]

Exploring the Healing Journey: Therapy in San Francisco

San Francisco, a city known for its picturesque landscapes, cultural diversity, and progressive mindset, also stands out as a hub for mental health and well-being. As the pace of life accelerates and the challenges of the modern world unfold, many San Franciscans turn to therapy as a valuable resource for self-discovery, healing, and personal growth. In this article, we delve into the vibrant landscape of therapy in San Francisco, exploring the various approaches, cultural nuances, and the thriving community of mental health professionals.

Diverse Therapeutic Approaches: One of the remarkable aspects of therapy in San Francisco is the diverse range of therapeutic approaches available to individuals seeking support. The city hosts therapists san francisco ca trained in traditional psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness-based practices, and more. This diversity allows residents to find a therapeutic approach that resonates with their unique needs and preferences.

Moreover, San Francisco is at the forefront of incorporating holistic and alternative therapies into mainstream mental health practices. Practices like art therapy, somatic experiencing, and ecotherapy have gained popularity, emphasizing the mind-body connection and the importance of holistic well-being.

Cultural Competence: The cultural diversity within San Francisco is mirrored in its therapy landscape. Therapists in the city often undergo specialized training to enhance their cultural competence, enabling them to better serve clients from various backgrounds. This emphasis on diversity and inclusion helps create a safe and supportive space for individuals of different ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and cultural backgrounds.

Community Support and Group Therapy: The sense of community is deeply ingrained in the fabric of San Francisco, and this is reflected in the availability of group therapy options. Group therapy provides a unique opportunity for individuals to share their experiences, gain insights from others facing similar challenges, and build a support network. Whether it's therapy groups focused on specific issues like anxiety, depression, or trauma, or more general personal growth groups, the city offers a variety of options for those seeking a collective healing experience.

Innovative Therapeutic Practices: San Francisco's progressive culture extends to its adoption of innovative therapeutic practices. Technology-assisted therapy, including virtual sessions and mental health apps, has become increasingly prevalent. This allows residents to access therapy conveniently and addresses the evolving needs of a tech-savvy population.

Additionally, integrative practices that combine traditional therapy with activities like yoga, meditation, and outdoor experiences have gained popularity. These approaches acknowledge the importance of lifestyle factors in mental health and offer a more comprehensive approach to well-being.

Therapy in San Francisco is not merely a service; it's a reflection of the city's commitment to holistic well-being and the diverse needs of its residents. The rich tapestry of therapeutic approaches, cultural competence, community support, and innovative practices creates a landscape where individuals can embark on a healing journey tailored to their unique circumstances. Whether you're navigating the complexities of city life, facing personal challenges, or simply seeking personal growth, San Francisco's therapy scene stands ready to offer a diverse and supportive array of resources.

[happysolhealth]

PTSD trauma therapy San Francisco

Dealing with PTSD? Happy Sol Health provides specialized trauma therapy in San Francisco. Our experienced therapists offer a safe space to work through your experiences, fostering healing and resilience. Learn how we can support you at . Your path to recovery begins here.

[fatliberation]

Here Are Some Fat Positive Activists, Educators, Therapists, and Artists to Know!

First and foremost, the pioneer of organized fat activism:

• Bill Fabrey (he/him)

Bill Fabrey, a self-proclaimed fat admirer, founded NAAFA (the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance) in 1969 after gaining an understanding of the day-to-day oppression and discrimination faced by his wife, Joyce. Fabrey founded the organization in hopes to raise awareness of weight stigma, criticize biased studies, and increase overall acceptance and accessibility to fat Americans. He is considered one of the pioneers of the fat liberation movement, and is heavily involved to this day.

• Judy Freespirit, Sara Fishman, Lynn McAfee, Ariana Manow, & Gudrun Fonfa (she/her for each)

(Members of The Fat Underground, 1979)

Fat, radical, feminist members of NAAFA! Their agenda was much more aggressive than NAAFA’s, and eventually they broke off and formed their own group called The Fat Underground, which acted as a catalyst in the creation and mobilization of the fat liberation movement. Based in LA in the 1970s, the Fat Underground did not fight to change discriminatory laws but rather discriminatory thoughts and practices in different aspects of society, which included those of doctors and other health professionals who perpetuated the unhealthy habits encouraged by diet culture. In 1973, Judy Freespirit and Alderbaran published the “Fat Liberation Manifesto” which establishes that fat people are entitled to what they were denied on a daily basis: “human respect and recognition.” The other objectives then outline the commercial exploitation of fat bodies by both corporations and scientific institutions. (x) I will go into more detail about the Fat Underground in my next post, “The History of Fat Activism!”

• Dr. Lindo Bacon (they/them), PhD

(no photo)

Creator of the concept of HAES (Health At Every Size).

Dr. Bacon is best known for their paradigm-shifting research and advocacy upending the weight discourse. They have mined their deep academic proficiency, wide-ranging clinical expertise and own personal experience to write two best-selling books, Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight, and the co-authored Body Respect: What Conventional Health Books Get Wrong, Leave Out, or Just Plain Fail to Understand about Weight. Both are credited with transforming the weight discourse and inspiring a hopeful new course for the fat liberation movement. Dr. Bacon holds their PhD in physiology, as well as graduate degrees in psychology and exercise metabolism. Dr. Bacon formerly taught at City College of San Francisco, in the Health Education, Psychology, Women’s Studies, and Biology Departments. A professor and researcher, for almost two decades Dr. Bacon has taught courses in social justice, health, weight and nutrition; they have also conducted federally funded studies on health and weight and published in top scientific journals. Their research has been supported by grants from the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Institutes of Health. A truly great pioneer in medical health research! 

https://lindobacon.com/ | HAES | IG

• Aubrey Gordon, a.k.a. Your Fat Friend (she/her)

(no photo)

Aubrey Gordon writes about the social realities of life as a very fat person, previously publishing anonymously as Your Fat Friend. She is the author of What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Lit Hub, Vox, Gay Mag, and has been covered in outlets around the world. She also hosts the podcast Maintenance Phase, in which she and cohost Michael Hobbes debunk and decode wellness and weight loss trends. Her articles are incredibly heartfelt and enlightening. You can read all of them at www.yourfatfriend.com !!

@ yrfatfriend on IG & Twitter

• Sabrina Strings (she/her), PhD

Sabrina Strings is an associate professor of sociology at the University of California, Irvine and the author of Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia, which exposes fatphobia’s roots in anti-blackness. Strings contributed an opinion story to The New York Times titled “It’s Not Obesity. It’s Slavery.” With Lindo Bacon (creator of HAES), she coauthored “The Racist Roots of Fighting Obesity,” published in Scientific American. Strings has a BA in psychology and an MA and PHd in sociology. This book is #1 on my to-read list!!

https://www.sabrinastrings.com

• Hannah Fuhlendorf (she/her), MA LPCC NCC

Hannah is a highly educated and experienced counselor whose work focuses on self acceptance, eliminating the effects of internalized oppression, and practicing through a HAES lens. She is a fat liberationist who puts out educational videos daily. Hannah is also married to a healthcare professional, and the two of them are working toward making the medical field more accessible to fat people in their local community, and offering education on how to be fat allies. I really admire Hannah and the work that she does!

@ hannahtalksbodies on IG and TikTok

• Tracy Cox (she/her)

Tracy is an award-winning performer and artist, who co-created the web series “Angry Fat People” with Matthew Anchel, which takes a pop culture approach on serious issues faced by fat performers. She has been interviewed by the New York Times on fat politics and accessibility, and currently has a huge following on IG where she unpacks fat performance, fashion, and politics. You may know her as the creator of the ‘fat vanity’ trend on TikTok!

@ sparklejams on IG & TikTok

• Da’Shaun L. Harrison (they/them) 

Da’Shaun is a non-binary abolitionist, community organizer, and writer. They are currently a managing editor and columnist at Wear Your Voice Magazine. They travel throughout the United States and abroad to speak at conferences, colleges, and lead workshops focused on Blackness, queerness, gender, class, religion, (dis)abilities, fatness, and the intersection at which they all meet. Da’Shaun is the author of the book Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness, which is expected to be published in July 2021. They have an incredibly enlightening social media presence as well!!

@ dashaunlh on IG and Twitter

• Lauren Buchness (she/her)

Lauren Buchness is one of my favorite artists. She’s a contemporary artist and fat activist based in Tucson, Arizona. By combining painting & performance, she aims to question Western standards of beauty and create conversations that alter preconceived notions about the fat body. Go check out her gorgeous work!!

@ ladybuchness on IG and TikTok

If you’re interested in learning about diet culture and intuitive eating, check out

Shana Minei Spence (she/her), MS RDN CDN

Shana is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who opposes food restriction and encourages intuitive eating! She spreads food positive daily messages on her platform. She used to work in fashion, but she left after being dissatisfied with the industry and went back to school to become involved in food policy and public health. She offers counseling on a HAES approach. I have much respect for Shana!

@ thenutritiontea on IG

And right here on tumblr (who was my personal introduction to fat lib) -

@ bigfatscience !!!

An anonymous fat liberationist. They share so many great resources, diving head-first into the scientific research of weight and health, they’ve found that the relation between the two is extremely complex. They tackle the biases of  research in a system that profits off of fatphobia, and they offer a fat positive perspective based on scientific studies. Their blog serves as an easily accessible resource for fat folx and fat activists who want to learn about fat positive science to support their own personal interests/activism. Thank you for your work, bigfatscience!! (if you have questions for them, you will have a greater chance of getting a response with anon off!) 

• Sonalee Rashatwar (she/they), LCSW MEd

Sonalee is an award-winning clinical social worker, sex therapist, and grassroots organizer. They’re a superfat queer bisexual non-binary therapist and co-owner of Radical Therapy Center. Sonalee is specialized in treating sexual trauma, internalized fatphobia, immigrant kid guilt, and South Asian family systems, while offering fat positive sexual healthcare. Go, Sonalee!!

@ thefatsextherapist on IG

• Fat Rose (org)

Fat Rose organizes fat people, building a more radical fat liberation movement in strong relationship with other social movements, such as anti-fascism, anti-ableism, and anti-racism. Check them out on Facebook!

fatrose.org

Honorable IG mentions: (Some anti diet culture specific blogs in here, as well)

@fatangryblackgirl  @msgigggles @thefatphobiaslayer @bodyimagewithbri @saucyewest @fatpositivetherapy @fatlippodcast @chairbreaker 

BOOKS

And here’s an amazing list of fat-positive book recommendations from HannahTalksBodies!

Science & Health:

Health at Every Size by Lindo Bacon PhD

Body Respect by Lindo Bacon PhD and Lucy Aphramor PhD, RD

Secrets from the Eating Lab by Traci Mann PhD

Anti-Diet by Christy Harrison MPH, RD

Fat Liberation:

Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings PhD

Fat Activism by Dr. Charlotte Cooper

Fat Politics by J. Eric Oliver

The Fat Studies Reader by Esther Rothblum (Editor) and Sondra Solovay (Editor)

Fat Shame by Amy Erdman Farrell

Self Acceptance:

The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

Things No One will Tell Fat Girls by Jes Baker

Eating in the Light of the Moon by Anita Johnson PhD

Happy Fat by Sofie Hagan

You have the Right to Remain Fat by Virgie Tovar

Thanks for reading! Please feel free to share this list of resources!

Image descriptions below.

1. [ID: A black and white photo of Bill Fabrey, a straight-sized, balding white man with thick black glasses wearing a suit and tie, standing at a poduim in front of a sign that reads, “NAAFA”. Beside the image is another photo of Fabrey, from his left side.]

2. [ID: A black and white photo of seven fat, female and gender non-conforming members of The Fat Underground, performing a recital.]

3. [ID: The cover of Sabrina Strings’ book, Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia. On the cover is an illustration of four upper-class white people in fancy colonial period clothing showing shock and disgust at a Black woman’s exposed body. Beside the book cover is a photo of Sabrina Strings, a straight-sized Black woman with dark brown curly hair wearing a blouse.]

4. [ID: Hannah Fulhendorf, a fat, white woman with straight hair dyed blue, wearing a black tank top and holding her shoulder while smiling brightly and looking into the camera.]

5. [ID: An artistic picture of Tracy Cox, a fat, white woman with long, straight brown hair, laying topless on a bed of flowers. There are flower petals placed strategically in her hair on her skin, and along her lower eyelid. Beside that image, is an image of the album cover for Angry Fat People, picturing two angry faces made out of white paper against a grey background. In the top left corner, black, bolded text that reads “AFP” and “FAT LIBERATION”.]

6. [ID: Da’Shaun L. Harrison, a fat, non-binary Black person with a beard, glasses, and long dreadlocks, wearing a shirt that reads, “TO BE VISIBLY QUEER IS TO CHOOSE YOUR HAPPINESS OVER YOUR SAFETY. -DA’SHAUN HARRISON” against a natural backdrop of autumn leaves.]

7. [ID: A watercolor painting by Lauren Buchness of a white and tattooed fat body, hands caressing abstract rolls of fat with wild blueberries and grapefruit between folds. Beside it is another Buchness watercolor painting of Black hands with long sharp nails, caressing the midsection of a fat Black body, with purple crystals growing out of the skin.]

8. [ID: Shana Minei Spence, a straight-sized, Black woman smiling with bright pink lipstick and her long wavy hair pulled back, wearing a floral pattern shirt and jean shorts. She is holding small marquee that reads, “BE CAREFUL OF WELLNESS COMPANIES THAT SAY THEY’RE PROMOTING HEALTH YET ARE STILL ONLY TRYING TO GET YOUR BODY SMALLER” and a heart symbol.]

9. [ID: Sonalee Rashatwar, a superfat, South Asian non-binary person with short black hair, wearing a long floral dress, standing in front of large glowing text that reads, “BIG GIRL ENERGY” against a coarse-textured wall.]

10. [ID: A circular logo with a red fist in the center, with text surrounding it that reads, “FATTIES AGAINST FASCISM” with roses separating the word “RESIST”. Beside it is another image, of eleven fat and superfat activists, standing and sitting on mobility scooters, holding fists and middle fingers in the air, wearing T-shirts and holding banners that both read, “FATTIES AGAINST FASCISM”. In front of the group is a large cardboard sign that spells the acronym “F.A.B.” which stands for “Fat Antifascist Brigade”.]

[drcammyfroude]

10 Steps to Finding the Right Trauma Therapist in San Francisco and Bay Area

Finding the right trauma therapist in San Francisco and the Bay Area involves careful research and consideration. Here are 10 steps to help you in your search:

Understand your needs: Begin by gaining clarity on your specific trauma-related needs. Consider the type of trauma you've experienced, any specific therapeutic approaches you're interested in, and any other factors that are important to you in a therapist.

Seek referrals: Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or healthcare professionals for recommendations. They may have firsthand experience with trauma therapists in the area or know someone who does.

Utilize online directories: Use online directories specifically designed to help you find therapists in your area. Websites like Psychology Today, GoodTherapy, and TherapyDen allow you to filter results based on location, specialty, and other criteria.

Research therapists' credentials: Once you've identified potential therapists, research their credentials and background. Look for therapists who are licensed, experienced in trauma therapy, and preferably have additional certifications or training in evidence-based trauma treatments.

Read therapist profiles: Carefully read the profiles and biographies of therapists to learn more about their approaches, specialties, and areas of expertise. Look for therapists who specifically mention trauma therapy and describe their experience working with trauma survivors.

Check for compatibility: Assess whether the therapist's approach aligns with your preferences and needs. Consider factors such as gender, cultural sensitivity, and therapeutic orientation. If a therapist offers a free initial consultation, take advantage of it to assess compatibility.

Consider logistics: Take into account logistical factors such as location, availability, and fees. Ensure the therapist's office is easily accessible and their schedule matches yours. If cost is a concern, inquire about sliding scale fees or whether they accept insurance.

Read client reviews: Look for client reviews or testimonials on the therapist's website, online directories, or other platforms. While individual experiences may vary, reading reviews can provide insights into the therapist's effectiveness and client satisfaction.

Contact potential therapists: Reach out to the therapists on your shortlist and schedule an initial phone call or consultation. Use this opportunity to ask questions about their experience, approach, and how they typically work with trauma survivors.

Trust your instincts: Finally, trust your gut feeling when making a decision. Pay attention to how comfortable you feel during the consultation, and whether the therapist seems understanding, empathetic, and supportive. Ultimately, choose a therapist with whom you feel safe and understood.

Remember, finding the right therapist is a personal process, and it may take time and multiple consultations before you find the best fit. Don't hesitate to explore different options until you feel confident in your choice.

[redgoldsparks]

May Reading and Reviews by Maia Kobabe

I post my reviews throughout the month on Storygraph and Goodreads, and do roundups here and on patreon. Full reviews below the cut.

The Third Person by Emma Grove

Don't be intimidated by this book's page count- I read the entire thing in one evening. The simple yet expressive art, the well-paced dialogue and emotional journey of the lead character drew me in. Grove writes of her experience seeking therapy to advance her gender transition, only to uncover a Dissociative Identity Disorder and a deep well of unprocessed childhood trauma. The majority of the story takes place in a therapist's office, in which a questionable medical professional out of his depth tries to sort through the truth of Grove's three distinct alters. Misunderstandings and deliberate concealments on the part of both the therapist and the patient lead them to distrust each other, accuse each other of lying, and at various points storm out of therapy sessions on each other. Yet, these sessions continued for over six months and did begin to chip away at some of the blocked memories Grove was hiding from herself. I left this narrative with a much better understanding of how Dissociative Identity Disorder manifests and the struggle it is to live with. I have so much empathy for the author, and I'm extremely glad she was able to heal to the point where writing this book was possible. I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy and writing a blurb for this book!

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American by Laura Gao

The author writes of an idyllic childhood spent in Wuhan, China, surrounded by cousins, grandparents, and countryside. This time was interrupted by a move to Texas when the author was four years old, and then years of trying to fit in at primarily white elementary schools and high schools. Laura only began to find an Asian community, and a queer community, in college and afterwards when living in San Francisco in her first shared apartment with a group of POC friends. Drawn in a lively, energic style with limited colors and humorous asides, this memoir untangles some of the challenges of identity that come from home meaning many vastly different places and cultures. A fast, enjoyable read!

Real Hero Shit by Kendra Wells

A fun, fast-paced short comic that reads like a single session D&D campaign. Eugene is the handsome, flirty, single son of a queen and heir to a kingdom. He whimsically joins an adventuring crew with a gentle nonbinary cleric, a mysterious knife-wielding thief, and a prickly mage. They pick up odd jobs on the way to their goal: a small town plagued by disappearances. Tensions run high in this misfit band, and it's only a matter of time until they start stabbing each other, or making out, or both! Delightful art and character designs from an artist/author I've been following since we met in a mutual fandom :D

They Call Me Mix/Me Llamo Maestre by Lourdes Rivas and illustrated by Breena Nunez

A short, sweet, bilingual book about nonbinary gender identity. The book emphasizes the importance of listening to your heart, speaking your truth, and respecting the identities and pronouns of others. Una breve y tierna historia bilingüe sobre la identidad de género no binaria. El libro enfatiza la importancia de escuchar tu corazón, decir tu verdad y respetar las identidades y los pronombres de los demás.

Never Have I Ever Stories by Isabel Yap

I absolutely loved this debut short story collection. It contains thirteen stories, some spooky, some sweet, many queer, many infused with Filipino myths or set around Manila. Every story was special in its own way but "How to Swallow the Moon," a fairytale drenched with lesbian yearning, and "A Spell For Foolish Hearts," a gay meet-cute story about a part-time witch who works at a tech startup in San Francisco really stood out to me. But there was also "Milagroso" about a future of fully human engineered food and a saint's day miracle; and "Hurricane Heels" about the bachelorette party of a Sailor-Moon-esque crime fighting magical girl. So much to enjoy! I plan to keep an eye on this author.

Squire by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammas

Aiza has always dreamed of becoming a Knight for the Bayt-Sajji Empire. Also, as a member of the recently colonized Ornu people, its one of her only paths to full citizenship. Her parents don't want her to go, but eventually they allow to let her enlist, if she hides her race. Aiza befriends a dreamer who grew up on stories of heroes; a strong, practical, no-nonsense older girl; and a retired Knight with one arm who trains Aiza in secret. She is the runt of the trainee litter but she's determined to prove herself. What she didn't realize is that joining the army means joining the machinery of empire, conquest, and violence. As she rises in the ranks, she must confront what she is fighting for, and against. This is a very beautiful and richly drawn story, which reminded me of a childhood favorite, Alanna but from a refreshingly non-European perspective.

The Hazards of Love vol 1 by San Stanley

Amparo is a gender-nonconforming teen deadbeat, frequently suspended from school, who stresses out their single working mom and abuela. When a talking cat approaches them offering them a wish, Amparo foolishly thinks this is a kindness. Instead, the cat steals Amparo's name and identity, banishing them, nameless, into The Bright World. Here, humans are seen as food or toys by the monsters and magical animals who inhabit this place somewhere between life, death, and fairyland. Our hero has to use their wits and reckless confidence to scheme, scam, and bluff their way through this dangerous new world. I love watching the boldness of the way this protagonist takes on a very scary situation, and the rich, decorative page designs. I know that this comic was initially posted online as a webcomic, and it has a certain mid-2000s webcomic feel. Online the story was in black and white; in print, the story is in color for the first time. Some of the pages did unfortunately print a little too dark, but it's still exciting to see the bright colors of The Bright World.

A-Okay by Jarad Green

Jay is having a hard time in eighth grade. His best friend has joined a band and no longer seems to have time for him; getting the art class he wants give him a challenging and lonely schedule; and he's developed a very intense and painful case of acne, far beyond what any of his peers seems to be struggling with. He also doesn't understand the crushes and romantic feels his classmates seem to all be developing for each other. Jay sets out of a long series of dermatology appointments, a medication with uncomfortable side effects including mood swings, hot flashes, cracked and peeling lips, and rashes. He does his best to make his way through the rough last year of junior high with as much creativity and joy as he can find. This is a simple yet important story of feeling self-conscious and alone in the very years it's most painful to feel like an outsider. But Jay stays true to himself and I think many young readers will feel seen by this book.

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi read by Bahni Turpin

Like Pet, I listened to this as an audiobook and that added a ton to my experience of it! Bahni Turpin is truly one of the most delightful audiobook narrators out there. Bitter is a student at a well funded and mysterious art boarding school, the first place she has ever felt really safe after a life in the foster care system. She has good friends, but she has not shared with them her deepest secret: that if she puts a drop of blood on one of her drawings, it will come to life. Bitter's school is in Lucille, a city scarred with inequality and violence. A corrupt mayor and a city council in the pockets of a billionaire put profit above the citizen's needs. There is an active resistance movement, but Bitter wants nothing to do with it. She has panic attacks when thinking about the protests and police shootings, but also feels guilty that as an art student she isn't doing anything for social change. This book wrestles with hard questions, about the role of violence and art in revolution, about what is needed to shake up a broken system and begin again. I also loved that the majority of the characters are queer.

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

I was utterly charmed by this fantasy coffee shop romance. Viv, an orc who has spent her whole career traveling and fighting with adventure crews, decides she wants to settle down to a quieter life. In her journeys she had the chance to try a rare gnomish drink, a latte, and she still thinks of that delicious drink and the peaceful atmosphere of the café often. She decides she wants to open her own café- even though she has no food service experience, no one in her chosen city of Thune has ever heard of coffee, and the local gang demands monthly "tributes" from all businesses on Viv's side of the river. But Viv is determined, and she will build this business brick by brick if she has to. Similar in tone to Terry Pratchett, but a bit gentler and sweeter, I'd recommend this for anyone who wants to read an easy story about a woman thriving and achieving her dreams.

[why-this-kolaveri-machi]

just because you’re afraid it doesn’t mean you’re broken.

Titans 3.05

once more into the cold dark void of the internet with my stream-of-consciousness take on a superhero tv show...

spoilers ahead.

1. i cannot believe that among the first things i get to hear in this episode with my own two ears is the line 'eluded our overdudes'. why must you give me such pain along with so much joy, show?

1.5. scarecrow stringing jason along on this path to red-hood-dom is not something i would’ve ever expected, but does kind of make sense. 

1.55. i don’t know all the details of the original resurrection arc in the comics but i like that jason, weirdly, has a greater role to play in his own demise and rebirth? i think it makes it easier to draw a line between his past trauma, the demonstrably shitty and terrifying responsibility of being robin, the ways bruce and the titans wronged him, his responses to that, the reasons he turns to scarecrow, and his final evolution to red hood. it makes for a smoother character arc rather than a one that was interrupted for two decades before somebody went oh hey let’s resurrect that kid that the audience once voted to kill and make him an anti-hero!

1.75. what’s crane giving him? anti fear toxin? anyway, crane is a fucking creep and i’m not sure i want to see a whole lot of him on my screen.

2. oh, um, heads up: there’s a long sequence of unsteady cam + flickering lights right after the title card upto the 3:16 mark. it’s a bit headache-inducing so if you want to skip, you can go ahead and do that. 

2.45. that’s... weird... why would he dream about... donna...

ok, who am i kidding. i’m going to jump right into my theory about Why Titans Makes Sense Actually because the show itself is apparently not interested in explaining itself:

a) it makes no sense for jason to be conjuring up donna--who famously did not care much for him!--in his dreams. (he wasn’t even there when she died.) or for her to be telling him don’t go or there’s still time.

b) this leads me to think that that’s actually donna, in some sort of limbo between life and death, the kind of place where jericho used to be

c) rachel has demonstrated that she has the power to link the minds of the titans across great distances--she called jason and hank/dawn for help in 2.01, she linked up everybody later in the season, projected dick’s hallucination of his father into their brains without even realising she was doing it, and in the finale, she managed to get dick into conner’s brain. she’s in themyscira now. is this how she gets donna back to life? but reaching out to her in that non-space between life and death?

d) the next obvious question is: why isn’t donna appearing in the dreams of the other titans? she probably is, but they have better reason to be dreaming about her since they were actually close to her, unlike jason.

e) but why would she warn jason in particular? does she foresee jason entering the afterlife--however briefly? does she have an idea of what jason plans to do and what he will become?

f) anyway, more trippy mindscapes and weird psychic powers, yay!

2.5. my heart clenched when bruce comforted jason post-nightmare: clearly i’ve been reading way too much batfam fic. this is a side of bruce we haven’t really been told to expect by all the characters on the show calling him a ‘psychopath’ (*cough*unreliablenarrators*cough*) and him getting jason to speak to a professional speaks volumes about the kind of self-reflection he’s done post dick’s departure, and maybe some of the regrets he has with regards to how he dealt with dick’s traumas.

i mean, just look at him when jason dismisses his concerns! BRUCE IS TRYING JASON

anyway, i have a whole lot more i want to say about this, but i’ll save it for later. 

also: LESLIE THOMPKINS!!!!

3. i really like molly--and i love that she’s a friend from before jason got taken in by bruce, the implication that they meet up regularly and that she’s a grounding influence on him (tho clearly not grounding enough to not go along with his dumbass idea about confronting a child trafficker alone). 

3.5. aw, jason. robin was his armour against everything in the world that would throw him down and chew him to bits, but san francisco proved that even robin wasn’t enough to protect him. it’s really interesting how ‘disillusionment with the idea of robin’ is so integral to the traumas of both dick and jason but in such different ways. 

4. LESLIE!!!!!!! i even forgive her office being so goddamn blue because leslie! 

4.5. it makes so much sense for titans!verse leslie to be a therapist, because this show is so inward looking anyway, and therapist sessions are a useful tool to showcase this character work in a story. besides, at least in fanfic, leslie often seems to double up as a counsellor anyway. 

4.6. oh man. i’m not terribly convinced by walters’ red hood (tho i think that may be the point--argh. i’ll come back to this thought later. have to stop getting distracted!) but he plays the asshole kid that’s trying not to let any real emotion seep through really well.

“you’d like me to punch you, wouldn’t you”

5. not sure what to think of batman’s little trophy case other than the show winking unsubtly at us and going look look - catwoman! the riddler! two face! you excited yet?! it’s like the scene from the end of amazing spiderman 2 when they were trying to drum up excitement for a sinister six spinoff by having harry osborne walk by a bunch of display cases with stuff from iconic villains in them.

... but then again, bruce does like to display a lot of shit in his batcave, including his dead robin’s bloodstained costume, so.

5.5. bruce is so soft with jason it’s killing me. beyond just trying to learn from his mistakes with dick, it speaks to his own genuine desire to balance his dedication to gotham with doing the best by his sons, although he’s often not successful with that. 

i love that titans is really playing the long game with bruce wayne, with each season and character-perspective sliding in fresh pieces of a bigger puzzle. titans’ bruce has always been a phantom of other peoples’ making, but now we’re getting the idea that he’s a whole lot more complicated than other people make it seem.

5.75. it really recontextualises some of his actions from previous seasons: the fact that he locked dick out of his security systems in 1.06 is likely his way of respecting dick’s independence and his desire not to be associated with batman/gotham anymore. jason knowing about bruce’s tracker while dick doesn’t is probably bruce trying to be more honest and upfront with his charges. bruce sending jason packing off to sanfran to spend time with the titans is probably not him passing on a big responsibility to dick (as i first uncharitably thought) but him trying to get jason out of the toxic influence of gotham for a while and a sign of his trust in dick as a leader and a mentor,

5.8. i mean, bruce is a prick, but he’s also human.

6. i think leslie is doing some good work with jason here, though she may have overstepped the line with her line about robin as a construct being projected by a man with BPD. her speculations about bruce’s diagnosis have no place in her session with jason, and if bruce confides in her, an egregious violation of patient-therapist confidentiality. 

(about the diagnosis itself... i don’t know. i can’t really confirm or refute this without a whole lot more information, and i’m not sure if the writer of this episode means BPD in the same way an actual professional might.)

6.5. i think a huge thing that gets missed out in a lot of recent comics as well as movies/shows is that bruce didn’t create the robin persona out of whole cloth. dick did. he’s the starting point of that legacy and to call it entirely bruce’s creation is blatant erasure of that. in fact, i’m surprised that dick doesn’t feature more in the conversations they’re having about the pressures of being robin. after all, the guy had been robin--bruce’s partner--for such a long time before jason. 

6.8. (and here’s the primal part of me that resonates the deepest with dick grayson--the Eldest Daughter part--that’s sort of resentful: that jason gets the therapy and softness and the learning from mistakes when it took years and years for bruce to reach out in any meaningful way to dick.)

7. oooh that was a great scene!

it’s fun to do these stream-of-consciousness live reactions, because the moment you step down from your soapbox, the episode goes right into tackling what you were just complaining about. bruce means well, he’s learning, but he goes about exactly the wrong way to help jason: taking away robin now can’t be read by jason as anything but a devastating judgment call from bruce. and iain glen really sells the moment that bruce realises this--too late--and his helplessness in trying to get jason to see that it isn’t jason’s fault that he’s trying to do this. he loves jason enough that jason is enough. 

7.5. aaaah so jason brings up the elephant in the room at last. dick got everything makes sense from his perspective, where getting to put on a costume and fight crime means approval, means being something stronger and better than you are. dick got to be robin, then nightwing, and a leader of a whole team of other costume-clad heroes. 

8. ... how did jason just walk into arkham????? this is ridiculous.

8.3. i mean, clearly jason’s not thinking straight, but betraying batman like this puts his possibilities of being robin again even further away. 

8.5. watching that chemistry experiment montage was strangely funny. this guy is looking for an antidote to fear? well, constantly mixing up and inhaling gases concocted by a mad-scientist supervillain is something only the very fearless--reckless to the point of foolishness!--would do. what’s to say crane’s not given you a formula for a drug that will keep you tethered to his every will and whim? hmmmm?

8.7. so he sought out the joker to... test the formula??? 

9. wow the “loud and clear... boss” hits different after a whole episode of them referring to each other as father and son.

9.3. waitwaitwait HOLD UP. wait a DANG MINUTE. you’re telling me that scarecrow had enough resources that he could not only have folks on the outside steal jason away and dunk him in a lazarus pit (i TOLD you that this show would bring up and dismiss ra’s al ghul in a ten second aside! I TOLD YOU) but also have his own little chemistry lab in the basement, AND have enough resources for jason to build his red hood persona???????? all of this in barely twenty four hours?

well there goes my ‘jason orchestrated his death’ theory. it was nice while it lasted. *cups hands to the sky* fly away, my baby.

9.6. a part of me is gleeful at the rushed nature of such an iconic transformation though, especially when compared to all the character work that went before it. we’re so used to getting the opposite that it’s fucking delightful to have a show that’s more interested in exploring its characters’ minds rather than battle scenes or recreating transformations from the comics. that’s taken such bold and exciting steps to fully convey all the nuances of its most recognisable character, bruce wayne, from casting an older actor to play him to unflinchingly showing just how damaging the vigilante lifestyle has been to him and the people he loves. BRILLIANT

*sporfle*

10. again, heads up: a whole lot of flashing lights between 40:28 and 42:00. 

10.3. i guess it’s the super-compressed timeline that’s really throwing me off. where did he have the time to get/develop the mind control thing from? or is it something that he got from the cabal of villains that he intimidated at the beginning of 3.02? very messy.

10.5. i love molly, i hope she shows up again this season.

11. aaaand that’s it! that was a solid episode as flashback episodes go, but now i can’t wait to return to the present.

[calmagaincounseling]

Calm Again Counseling, we specialize life counseling in San Francisco CA, dedicated to guiding you through personal challenges with empathy and expertise. Life can present numerous stressors, from work-related burnout to relationship struggles, but with the right support, you can navigate these challenges effectively. Our therapists work collaboratively with you to develop personalized strategies that empower you to make positive changes in your life. Calm Again Counseling 4155 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114 (415) 480–5192

My Official Website: https://www.calmagaincounseling.com/ Google Plus Listing: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=9290124565637582330

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[riverdamien]

Religous Trauma: Two Sides of a Coin

"Slouching Towards Galilee!"

Two Signs of the Same Coin:

Healthy Religious Exerperience

or

Religious Trauma

"The Greatest Commandment: "You shall love the Lord Your God with all of your soul, mind, and strength and Love your neighbor as yourself, there is no greater commandment than this!"

================================

In the past month or so there have been three young men, one who is 17, and the other two 20 and 21, who are homeless, and they each love sitting down with me and talking about their religious experience in and out on the streets, and the  pain and what I see as "religious trauma."

Presently I am taking a 60-unit CEU course entitled "Religious Trauma", and the course and these guys have brought much up within me, in which I am looking at the trauma I suffered and sometimes suffer in religion. I have found no therapists that understand religious trauma, for the most part, many are far away from religious experience.

And so I begin this by looking back through my life, to its very beginning, and within the context, I see both the very negative and the most life-giving experiences I have had. My faith now is very decentralized, and it has given a lot of power to my ministry. I see everyone as a child of God, without judgment and this comes from the experience of my relationship with Christ. There are two sides of the coin.

I have spent most of my life living under shame, a shame instilled in me since I was very young in the Church.

The Church taught me shame over my sexuality from masturbation to being queer; shame over depression; shame over questioning my theology; and the list continues.  The Church is excellent at teaching us about our sins but ignoring the cultural and social sins of our day. The Church often gives little grace!

I know of a church trying to work with homeless people who had "nice" clothing for them to change into, and a section of pews to sit in--similar to the slaves of the past. None go there.

Some organizations require people to hear preaching before they can eat a meal.

Flipping the coin over I find my coming in touch with the spirituality of a loving caring God, a God who called me to ministry and sustained me through the hell I went through in my early years. Through my experiences in the past and now I have learned to have compassion for myself. And from that learning greater, much greater compassion to others.

I always approach people now more compassionately, giving them compassion and entering into their suffering with them.

I have been known to be mad as hell at people who throw out the "gospel" to others; I remember when Zac died, at the funeral a group of Christians shook my hand, and said, "Too bad

he was not saved," that was painful; the same group sometime later was counseling a young man on how being gay was a sin, and this young guy sliced his testicles, when I took him to the hospital, they smiled and said, "We are praying for his salvation."

Jesus cared only for love and this is the Jesus I serve, love without judgment but compassion and grace:

"The Greatest Commandment: "You shall love the Lord Your God with all of your soul, mind, and strength and Love your neighbor as yourself, there is no greater commandment than this!"

-----------------------------------------

==================

Fr. River Damien Sims, sfw, D.Min., D.S.T.

Post Office Box 642656

San Francisco, CA 94164

www.temenos.org

paypal.com

415-305-2124

Fr. River Sims, D.Min., D.S.T.

Director

Prayer of St. Brendan!

"Help me to journey beyond the familiar

and into the unknown.

Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with You. Christ of the mysteries I trust in You to be stronger than each storm within me.

I will trust in the darkness and know that my times, even now, are in Your hands.

Tune my spirit to the music of heaven,

and somehow, make my obedience count for You"

------------------------------------------------

(Temenos and Fr. River seek to remain accessible to everyone. We do not endorse particular causes, political parties, or candidates, or take part in public controversies, whether religious, political or social--Our pastoral ministry is to everyone!

================================

Tomorrow is Earth Day--Have thoughts of what you can do to help preserve Earth;

Three things I do is I am a vegetarian, use cloth bags for groceries and drive as little as possible, and use public transportation.

We only have to do something small and that one or two things added to everyone saves the world.

\

[addictedtostorytelling]

would you headcanon that Sara ever sought out counseling/therapy voluntarily ?

hi, anon!

in canon? probably not.

i think she completes her required peap sessions in s5 and then pretty quickly thereafter commences her romantic relationship with grissom, which kicks off an upswing in her life. not only does he become a confidante and emotional anchor for her, but she probably starts sleeping better, eating better, and living a generally more balanced lifestyle once they are together, all of which factors combined with just how over-the-moon happy she is to be with him make it so she feels better to the point where she thinks she doesn't need to pursue future therapy at all.

it isn't until her abduction by the miniature killer that her old mental health issues resurface, exacerbated by her trauma response from her ordeal in the desert.

however, while at this point it probably would be wise for her to return to therapy, she doesn't, instead trying to conceal her symptoms and deal with them on her own so as not to freak out grissom and/or sabotage their relationship.

of course, she is unsuccessful fighting this battle on her own, which is why she eventually cracks under the pressure and ends up leaving las vegas before grissom can even really get a handle on what's going on with her.

to my mind, if she ever goes to therapy of her own volition, it would probably be during the time she is away from vegas (most likely in san francisco); however, i kind of tend to think that she doesn't attend therapy even then, though she may pursue some kind of alternative mental health treatments, like visiting a nature retreat or taking up yoga or meditation.

"when in san francisco," you know?

in any case, she's only in san francisco for six months before warrick dies and she returns to vegas to be with grissom and then in vegas with grissom for four months before she takes off again to join the sea shepherd.

to me, she just doesn't read like someone who's attending therapy during this brief vegas period, as she seems to be carrying a lot of sadness, anxiety, and uncertainty with her without having much sense of how to deal with it. one would like to believe that had she been in therapy at this time, she might have had more cognitive and emotional tools in her mental toolbox for dealing with the stress in her life and specifically in her and grissom's relationship. the fact that she, once again, just kind of skips out on him when things get rough suggests that she's still left to her own devices, resorting to old patterns, cognitively and emotionally fending for herself, etc.

so from there:

considering that she immediately joins the sea shepherd expedition after leaving town, there's not really any opportunity for her to do therapy prior to the time that she and grissom finally reunite during the events of episode 09x10 "one to go."

and after that point, i don't think she feels the need to, as, once again, as was the case during s5-s7, her life takes an upswing, and she feels happier than she probably ever has once she and grissom get married.

since she's still basking in newlywed bliss when she returns to vegas in s10—seriously, look at how much that girl smiles!—i again don't believe she prioritizes therapy.

she just falls into her routines of visiting and talking with grissom, working her job, going about her life, etc.

—which is why when her marriage starts to fall apart between s12 and s13, she's left to flail.

any therapist worth their salt who listened to her talk about her fears regarding her and grissom's lack of communication would've been like, "you know there's a simple solution to this problem, right? just call your husband. or better yet, get on a plane."

there's no way they would have let her get away with that "though i don't know anything for sure (because i haven't asked), i'm just going to assume the worst and let things spiral out of control, self-sabotaging until this whole situation becomes unsalvageable" shit.

she's obviously not attending therapy during s13 when she's abusing sleeping pills and making reckless, self-destructive choices, and as for whether or not she starts going after the divorce, at any point between s13 and the events of "immortality," i'm again gonna go out on a limb and say "no;" girl just reads too much like someone who's keeping her sadness to herself, soldiering through her pain, and not talking to anyone about what's going on inside of her.

so then come the events of "immortality," and, again, as has been the pattern, i think that once sara is back with grissom (and they are remarried), her life improves, as do her self-care and health habits, and she gets happy, and she feels no need to seek out therapy.

and especially not because she wouldn't even have access to it if she wanted it, considering that they're living a nomadic lifestyle on a boat traversing international waters (at least some of the time during a global pandemic).

so the way i see things? in canon, i don't think she probably ever does go to therapy of her own volition.

now.

all of the above said, i really wish she would have gone to therapy post-s5, as i think it probably very much could have helped her and maybe even prevented a lot of the angst of the later seasons had she done so.

(i'm only kind of joking.)

in the big, giant canon rewrite au i'll never get around to, i'd write her going to therapy after her kidnapping by natalie davis, and everything being different from that point forward, not entirely because of the therapy but certainly at least in part thanks to it.

anyway.

thanks for the question! please feel welcome to send another any time.