Invisible Bruises

Sex

How Your Trauma Can Affect Your Sex Life

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on September 9, 2024

Experiences of trauma can have lasting impacts on sexuality and sexual experiences in adulthood, sometimes causing difficulty with sexual desire and response.

Experiences of trauma can have lasting impacts on sexuality and sexual experiences in adulthood, sometimes causing difficulty with sexual desire and response.

Trauma

How Do Abuse Victims View Justice?

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on September 6, 2024

A conversation with trauma pioneer Dr. Judith L. Herman on how abuse victims view justice and how, rather than revenge, most want validation and acknowledgment of their abuse

A conversation with trauma pioneer Dr. Judith L. Herman on how abuse victims view justice and how, rather than revenge, most want validation and acknowledgment of their abuse

Domestic Violence

BBC Report Finds Social Workers Lack Training to Spot Abuse

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on September 4, 2024

Many social work graduate programs fall short in addressing intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly in areas of coercive control and psychological abuse.

Many social work graduate programs fall short in addressing intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly in areas of coercive control and psychological abuse.

Trauma

Fears of Authority: A Common Result of Childhood Trauma

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on September 2, 2024

The power dynamics inherent in relationships with authority figures can exacerbate feelings of vulnerability and helplessness in individuals who have experienced abuse or neglect.

The power dynamics inherent in relationships with authority figures can exacerbate feelings of vulnerability and helplessness in individuals who have experienced abuse or neglect.

Social Media

The Danger of Unlicensed Mental Health Influencers

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on August 28, 2024

Social media has changed how we access and share mental health information. However, many influencers lack formal qualifications, posing a significant risk of harm.

Social media has changed how we access and share mental health information. However, many influencers lack formal qualifications, posing a significant risk of harm.

Parentification

3 Steps to Begin Healing From Parentification

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on August 21, 2024

Healing from parentification involves developing new patterns while prioritizing self-care and learning boundaries.

Healing from parentification involves developing new patterns while prioritizing self-care and learning boundaries.

Parentification

10 Common Traits of Parentified Daughters

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on August 12, 2024

Over-responsibility, trust issues, need for approval, and more.

Over-responsibility, trust issues, need for approval, and more.

Trauma

5 Reasons Why We Blame Ourselves After Trauma

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on August 9, 2024

Many trauma survivors blame themselves due to shame and the coping mechanisms they developed to survive in their environment. Unlearning this is the first step to healing.

Many trauma survivors blame themselves due to shame and the coping mechanisms they developed to survive in their environment. Unlearning this is the first step to healing.

Career

How Can Therapists Do Pro-Bono Work Without Risk of Burnout?

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on August 5, 2024

The concept of pro-bono work has long been a hot debate in the therapy field. Here are 6 ways that we are meeting this ethical obligation that we may not realize.

The concept of pro-bono work has long been a hot debate in the therapy field. Here are 6 ways that we are meeting this ethical obligation that we may not realize.

Friends

Why Are Some of Us More Affected by Friendships Ending?

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on July 28, 2024

When a friendship ends, it can trigger feelings of loss and loneliness, and uncertainty about our social identity.

When a friendship ends, it can trigger feelings of loss and loneliness, and uncertainty about our social identity.

Relationships

The Difference Between Toxic and Abusive Relationships

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on July 25, 2024

While all abusive relationships are toxic, not all toxic relationships are abusive. But there are some other differences that you should consider before labeling.

While all abusive relationships are toxic, not all toxic relationships are abusive. But there are some other differences that you should consider before labeling.

Forgiveness

4 Steps for Trauma Survivors to Decrease Self-Blame

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on July 22, 2024

Survivors of parental neglect and abandonment, particularly those abandoned during their teen or adult years, often internalize the burden of blame unfairly placed on them by others.

Survivors of parental neglect and abandonment, particularly those abandoned during their teen or adult years, often internalize the burden of blame unfairly placed on them by others.

Trauma

3 Ways Trauma Survivors Still Get Victim-Blamed

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on July 18, 2024

2. Minimization of the abuse: "Others have it worse."

2. Minimization of the abuse: "Others have it worse."

Mental Health Stigma

5 Ways to Support Someone With a Mentally Ill Parent

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on July 15, 2024

Knowing what to say—and what not to say—to a loved one who grew up with a mentally ill parent can be difficult. These tips can help guide the process for you

Knowing what to say—and what not to say—to a loved one who grew up with a mentally ill parent can be difficult. These tips can help guide the process for you

Anxiety

How to Support Clients in a Turbulent Political Climate

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on July 14, 2024

Addressing anxiety about the current political climate with clients, particularly those from marginalized groups, is crucial.

Addressing anxiety about the current political climate with clients, particularly those from marginalized groups, is crucial.

Trauma

How Childhood Trauma Can Impact the Brain

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on July 10, 2024

New research has illuminated how traumatic experiences during childhood can literally alter the structure and chemistry of the brain, leading to long-lasting consequences.

New research has illuminated how traumatic experiences during childhood can literally alter the structure and chemistry of the brain, leading to long-lasting consequences.

Trauma

Healing After the Trauma of Abandonment

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on July 10, 2024

It is difficult to explain the trauma of abandonment by a parent to those who have not experienced it. A new book called 'No Son of Mine' does just that.

It is difficult to explain the trauma of abandonment by a parent to those who have not experienced it. A new book called 'No Son of Mine' does just that.

Law and Crime

Why So Many People Are Obsessed with Gypsy Rose Blanchard

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on July 8, 2024

The case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard has captured the public's attention, in part due to its psychological intrigue, sparking widespread fascination and debate about victimhood.

The case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard has captured the public's attention, in part due to its psychological intrigue, sparking widespread fascination and debate about victimhood.

Narcissism

10 Common Traits of People Who Had Narcissistic Parents

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on July 2, 2024

4. Feeling that they don't deserve love.

4. Feeling that they don't deserve love.

Post-Traumatic Growth

Behind the Mask: When Success and Power Protect Abusers

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on June 28, 2024

As societal attitudes often prioritize the protection of powerful abusers over the validation of their victims, many survivors are retraumatized.

As societal attitudes often prioritize the protection of powerful abusers over the validation of their victims, many survivors are retraumatized.