How To Use Expressive Writing To Heal From Trauma

How to Use Expressive Writing to Heal from Trauma

Have you ever felt relief after writing about something troubling? Personally, the experience of getting my thoughts and opinions sorted out and onto the page usually feels cathartic. It turns out there’s a scientific reason behind this catharsis. Dr. James Pennebaker, a pioneer in the field of psychology, has significantly contributed to our understanding of the therapeutic benefits of expressive writing.
Are You Ready To Stop Feeling Guilty After Divorce

Are You Ready to Stop Feeling Guilty After Divorce?

Guilt is a heavy feeling that can arise from specific actions you regret or as a persistent, lingering mist that seeps into every aspect of your life. It often feels like a shadow constantly looming over your shoulder, causing you to doubt your choices, your character, and your future. For many divorced people, guilt becomes a constant companion in life after the end of a marriage. It can arise from worries about the well-being of children, the impact of the divorce on family and friends, the financial challenges that often accompany divorce, and even the emotional experiences of their ex-partner.
What About the Longing? - The Importance of Finding the Dreams within Conflict

What About the Longing? – The Importance of Finding the Dreams within Conflict

While in the middle of a heated argument, it’s hard to see or hear anything but that your partner is totally in the wrong. You must do everything you can to defend your position, stand your ground and get them to admit you’re right! But what happens if we slow down and take a deeper look? You may be shocked to learn that behind every complaint, there is a longing; within every conflict, each person has not just a position but a dream. In couples therapy, understanding the dreams within the conflict, the longing behind the complaints, is crucial for fostering deeper connection, empathy, and resolution between partners.
Avoid These 2 Defensive Behaviors and Powerfully Transform Your Relationships

Avoid These 2 Defensive Behaviors and Powerfully Transform Your Relationships

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By Tara Rullo, LCSW

Defensiveness is lethal to relationships.

As a relationship therapist, I am trained to be on the lookout for defensive reactions when I’m working with couples. Longitudinal studies by Dr. John Gottman have shown that defensiveness is one of the predictors of divorce.
Leave Defensive Reactions Behind and Learn Solutions to the 2 Most Common Barriers to Constructive Conflict

Leave Defensive Reactions Behind and Learn Solutions to the 2 Most Common Barriers to Constructive Conflict

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By Tara Rullo, LCSW

What is the defensiveness trap?

Defensiveness escalates conflict, but many people still get trapped in a pattern of reacting defensively in conflict. This is what I call the defensiveness trap. Longitudinal research conducted by the founder of Gottman Couples Therapy, Dr. John Gottman, shows that over time, defensiveness kills relationships.
Building a Strong Foundation: Pre-Commitment Counseling with Gottman Couples Therapy

Building a Strong Foundation: Pre-Commitment Counseling with Gottman Couples Therapy

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By Tara Rullo, LCSW

The journey of committing to a life partner is a beautiful and meaningful one, but it is not without its challenges. For couples looking to ensure a strong and lasting bond, pre-commitment counseling can be an invaluable tool which can help couples build a solid foundation for a lifetime of connection and good communication!
Mind-Body Disconnect in the Digital Age: Understanding and Enhancing Interoceptive Awareness for Better Health

Mind-Body Disconnect in the Digital Age: Understanding and Enhancing Interoceptive Awareness for Better Health

By Tara Rullo, LCSW

The concept of interoception, the sense that helps us understand and feel what's going on inside our bodies, is crucial to our overall well-being and health. However, in our modern, tech-driven society, there is a distinct lack of emphasis on bodily awareness and the importance of listening to the messages our bodies send. This cultural oversight can lead to widespread interoception difficulties among individuals who do not have any specific medical condition or diagnosis.
Effective Conflict Resolution: The Body-Mind Approach in Gottman Couples Therapy

Effective Conflict Resolution: The Body-Mind Approach in Gottman Couples Therapy

By Tara Rullo, LCSW

Conflict is an inevitable part of any relationship, be it a new relationship or a long-standing partnership. How couples navigate these conflicts plays a pivotal role in determining the health and longevity of the relationship. Gottman couples therapy is a groundbreaking approach to couples therapy that focuses on effective conflict resolution and is distinguished by its holistic "body-mind" approach to helping couples turn conflict into connection.
Daring to Disappoint: The Art of Embracing Your True Self

Daring to Disappoint: The Art of Embracing Your True Self

By Tara Rullo, LCSW

In a world that expects us to conform to standards and meet the expectations of others, daring to disappoint can be a revolutionary act of self-discovery and authenticity. The journey of embracing your true self and defying societal, familial and social pressures is not only empowering but also liberating.
Discover Healing Through Somatic Therapy: Reclaim Your Body, Reclaim Your Life

Discover Healing Through Somatic Therapy: Reclaim Your Body, Reclaim Your Life

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By Tara Rullo, LCSW

Somatic therapy is a treatment approach that recognizes the mind-body connection and focuses on the experiences of the body, sensations, and movement to promote emotional healing and overall well-being. In the context of trauma, somatic therapy can be particularly effective because trauma often manifests not only as psychological symptoms but also as physical sensations and tensions in the body. Here's how somatic therapy helps trauma survivors: