Speaking About Trauma

Attachment

Is There Room for Your Stuff and Your Partner?

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on November 28, 2021

We all have things that have particular meaning to us. The question is whether attachment to our stuff leaves room for our partner.

We all have things that have particular meaning to us. The question is whether attachment to our stuff leaves room for our partner.

Loneliness

The Pros and Cons of Reconnecting With an Ex

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on November 7, 2021

Regardless of what we tell ourselves about the good old days, or that things will be different, reconnecting with an ex warrants crucial considerations.

Regardless of what we tell ourselves about the good old days, or that things will be different, reconnecting with an ex warrants crucial considerations.

Relationships

What Makes a “Thank You” So Difficult Between Partners?

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on October 22, 2021

If you are wondering why you rarely hear a “thank you” from your partner, the problem may not be a lack of love. It may be the imbalance of human adaptation versus appreciation.

If you are wondering why you rarely hear a “thank you” from your partner, the problem may not be a lack of love. It may be the imbalance of human adaptation versus appreciation.

Trauma

Tattoos After Trauma: 6 Qualities of Healing Potential

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on July 18, 2021

Man has always used his skin as a canvas to bear witness to pain and survival. As more Americans get tattoos, a close look reveals the healing qualities of tattoos after trauma.

Man has always used his skin as a canvas to bear witness to pain and survival. As more Americans get tattoos, a close look reveals the healing qualities of tattoos after trauma.

Marriage

Why You Should Consider an Affair, with Your Partner

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on May 25, 2021

Crisis and stress leave partners out of time, out of touch, and feeling out of love. They may need an affair—with each other. The dynamics of an affair can reignite a marriage.

Crisis and stress leave partners out of time, out of touch, and feeling out of love. They may need an affair—with each other. The dynamics of an affair can reignite a marriage.

Animal Behavior

5 Ways to Cope When a Pet Dies

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on May 7, 2021

Pets have always been a loving source of resilience, buffering pain, loss, and loneliness. What happens when a pet dies? How do we cope?

Pets have always been a loving source of resilience, buffering pain, loss, and loneliness. What happens when a pet dies? How do we cope?

Rejection Sensitivity

Can’t Risk Rejection for Connection? 5 Risk-Reducing Steps

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on April 16, 2021

While social connection is vital for health and happiness, fear of rejection can impede efforts to connect.

While social connection is vital for health and happiness, fear of rejection can impede efforts to connect.

Trauma

5 Reasons Gardening Can Help to Heal Trauma

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on March 28, 2021

After a frigid winter and a deadly pandemic, many feel traumatized and robbed of their capacity to cope. The garden opens paths of healing and possibility.

After a frigid winter and a deadly pandemic, many feel traumatized and robbed of their capacity to cope. The garden opens paths of healing and possibility.

Relationships

An Overlooked Couple Skill: Knowing When Silence Is Golden

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on March 19, 2021

Increasing couple communication is important, but an easily overlooked skill is knowing when it is best to say nothing.

Increasing couple communication is important, but an easily overlooked skill is knowing when it is best to say nothing.

Sex

Repairing Sexual Withholding in a Marriage

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on March 8, 2021

The problem with sexual withholding in a marriage has far less to do with actually having or not having sex and much more to do with misunderstanding each other.

The problem with sexual withholding in a marriage has far less to do with actually having or not having sex and much more to do with misunderstanding each other.

Mating

Online Dating: From Challenge to Adventure

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on February 8, 2021

Online dating becomes less of a challenge and more of a personal adventure when you add your authenticity, self-reflection, curiosity and laughter.

Online dating becomes less of a challenge and more of a personal adventure when you add your authenticity, self-reflection, curiosity and laughter.

Anxiety

A Mindset for Dealing With Uncertainty: Two Guidelines

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on February 1, 2021

Everyone living in this age of Covid has suffered loss and fear in life as they knew it. As challenges continue, developing a mindset to cope with uncertainty becomes essential.

Everyone living in this age of Covid has suffered loss and fear in life as they knew it. As challenges continue, developing a mindset to cope with uncertainty becomes essential.

Forgiveness

I’m Sorry, But: How Do You Offer a Real Apology?

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on January 17, 2021

While some people offer apologies with the potential for repair, others use “ I’m sorry,” as a quick fix. Many feel remorse but don’t know how to make a real apology.

While some people offer apologies with the potential for repair, others use “ I’m sorry,” as a quick fix. Many feel remorse but don’t know how to make a real apology.

Marriage

Three Destructive Dynamics to Recognize in Your Marriage

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on January 4, 2021

To protect their relationship, a couple needs to recognize the destructive dynamics that can slowly kill the heart and soul of their bond.

To protect their relationship, a couple needs to recognize the destructive dynamics that can slowly kill the heart and soul of their bond.

Addiction

Could Your Relationship Really Be an Addiction?

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on December 20, 2020

The efforts to “desperately keep someone” may have much more to do with a need for another person than sharing a loving relationship with that person.

The efforts to “desperately keep someone” may have much more to do with a need for another person than sharing a loving relationship with that person.

Trauma

Narrating Trauma—From No Words to Your Words

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on December 13, 2020

Central to healing in the aftermath of a traumatic event is the transformation of trauma’s unspeakable imprint to a story that can be told without reliving it.

Central to healing in the aftermath of a traumatic event is the transformation of trauma’s unspeakable imprint to a story that can be told without reliving it.

Resilience

3 Strategies to Build Brain Resilience

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on November 29, 2020

Resilience is tied to brain function and we have the power to change it to become more stress-resilient.

Resilience is tied to brain function and we have the power to change it to become more stress-resilient.

Relationships

4 Essential Ingredients in a Loving Relationship

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on November 16, 2020

The number of self-help books on relationships reflects the search for getting it right. Consider these 4 essential ingredients of a loving relationship.

The number of self-help books on relationships reflects the search for getting it right. Consider these 4 essential ingredients of a loving relationship.

Fear

Have You Considered the Power of Hope?

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on October 31, 2020

Research reveals that hope makes a difference, physically and psychologically. In times of uncertainty, it's worth considering how to cultivate hope.

Research reveals that hope makes a difference, physically and psychologically. In times of uncertainty, it's worth considering how to cultivate hope.