By Debra Cohen-Melamed, LCSW, CCTP, TF-CBT, CPDTP In Part 1, we explored how the Fight response turns fear into control. In Part 2, we saw how Flight becomes motion as a way to escape emotional overwhelm. And in Part 3, we looked at how Freeze shuts the body down when nothing else feels possible. But […]
The Fawn Response – When Pleasing Others Becomes Survival (Trauma Responses, Part 4) Read More »
A 4-Part Blog Series by Debra Cohen-Melamed, LCSW, CCTP, TF-CBT, CPDTP In Part 1, we explored how the Fight response turns fear into control. In Part 2, we unpacked how Flight keeps us moving to escape overwhelming emotions. But not all trauma responses are active. Some are invisible—misread as apathy, laziness, or indifference. As a
The Freeze Response – When Numbness Becomes a Way of Life (Trauma Responses, Part 3) Read More »
by Debra Cohen-Melamed, LCSW, CCTP, TF-CBT, CPDTP In Part 1 of this series, we explored the Fight response—the way some nervous systems protest fear through control or confrontation. But not all systems push back. Not all systems push back. Some run. As a trauma therapist, I often remind clients that every trauma response is an
by Debra Cohen-Melamed, LCSW, CCTP, TF-CBT, CPDTP When Gabriella yells at her teacher or Marcus storms out during an argument, people often label them as difficult or aggressive. But these reactions aren’t about drama—they’re about survival. As a trauma therapist, I spend a lot of time helping people understand this: what looks like defiance is
The Fight Response: When Control Is a Survival Strategy (Trauma Responses, Part 1) Read More »
By: Michelle Hintz, PsyD If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “Wait… what just happened?”—and somehow, even though you were the one with the valid concern, you’re suddenly the one apologizing—you may have just experienced DARVO. DARVO stands for Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender, a term coined by psychologist Jennifer Freyd. Originally
Wait… How Did I Become the Bad Guy? Understanding DARVO in Everyday Relationships Read More »
By: Maria Guasone, MS, RCMHI Understanding Attachment and Its Impact on Relationships Human beings are wired for connection. From the moment we are born, we seek comfort, security, and emotional closeness from those around us. Psychologist John Bowlby’s attachment theory explains how early relationships with caregivers shape the way we relate to others throughout life.
Keys to Healthy and Balanced Relationships Read More »
Por María Guasone, MS, RCMHI Comprender el Apego y su Impacto en las Relaciones Los seres humanos estamos diseñados para la conexión. Desde el nacimiento, buscamos seguridad, apoyo y cercanía emocional con quienes nos rodean. La teoría del apego, desarrollada por el psicólogo John Bowlby, explica cómo nuestras primeras relaciones con los cuidadores moldean nuestra
Claves para Relaciones Saludables y Equilibradas Read More »
By Michelle Hintz, PsyD Laundry, often seen as a mundane household chore, can hold deeper metaphorical meaning when viewed through the lens of relationships. For many couples, laundry represents the division of responsibilities, expectations, and the subtle ways we communicate our needs. When one partner constantly feels burdened by this task, or it becomes a
Laundry Wars: Why a Simple Chore May Be the Key to Understanding Your Love Language Read More »
