Mental Health Blog
Helpful tips, tools, and updates from the Expand Psychology team.
How We Learn to Survive: Understanding Trauma, Complex Trauma, and Dissociation
When we experience threats or overwhelming events, we develop responses that help us feel safe and protect us from further harm. These responses serve a purpose, but they can continue to shape how we experience the world even after circumstances change. While some people recover without lasting effects, others may experience ongoing changes in their emotions, relationships, sense of self, or ability to feel safe. Trauma can also contribute to mental health concerns such as PTSD, CPTSD, dissociative disorders, and other psychological difficulties. Check out this blog post to learn more about how trauma can affect the mind and body and what healing can look like.
How the Therapeutic Relationship Supports Healing
The therapeutic relationship with your therapist provides a foundation for exploring difficult experiences, developing new perspectives, and making meaningful changes.1 Feeling respected, understood, and safe can make it easier to explore parts of yourself that may be difficult to share elsewhere.
A note from our founder: Welcome to Expand Psychology
As we celebrate two decades of service, Dr. O’Meara shares the story behind our new name — and how it represents our continued commitment to growth and connection.
The Center for Cognitive Therapy & Assessment (CCTA) is now Expand Psychology
With a new name and expanded services, we continue to provide personalized, evidence-based mental health care.