Give the Gift of Healing Through Literature

–by Janyne McConnaughey, PhD   Manager’s note: A few years ago, I started buying my kids’ Christmas gifts to the mantra “something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.” Here are some ideas for the “read” part. Look for other ideas soon, as well as tips for trauma travel. And if […]

I Wish I Hadn’t Adopted

–by Donald Craig Peterson I wish, I wish, I wish…I wish I hadn’t adopted. There I said it. Like a majority of families who’ve adopted children, I wasn’t mentally prepared for the surprises. You know, the chaos inside Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The manipulation and triangulation inherent to attachment disorders. The invisible insanity associated with developmental […]

It’s Not Always Depression, Sometimes It’s the Holidays

Sometimes it's the holidays, not depression

–by Hilary Jacobs Hendel There are many myths and “shoulds” about how families and holidays should be: Families should love each other. Families should get along. Holidays should be fun…To name but a few. The fact is: Many people do not have happy families, happy family memories or happy holidays. Therefore, holidays and families may […]

That Familiar Holiday Rant: “You’ll never be my real family!”

by:  D. Craig Peterson   Six words. For many vulnerable children, they give context to a complicated history.  For many parents who’ve opened their hearts, they cut to the bone. The words unfortunately rear their ugly head, especially during the holidays – when family gatherings are the norm. I know too well. After years of […]

Got Self Compassion?

December 4, 2014 by:  David Kerrigan In the holiday season, we’re reminded to remember the neediest among us. From every spiritual tradition I know of, we’re called to compassion, mercy, loving kindness, treating others as we would want to be treated… For therapeutic parents, that means having compassion for traumatized kids. Being patient when they’re […]