Childhood trauma leaves lasting imprints on one’s psyche, shaping how individuals perceive themselves and relate to others. For men, societal expectations and norms about strength and emotional restraint can exacerbate these scars, with shame often playing a central, unacknowledged role. One of the most insidious aspects of shame, especially toxic
Why Your Past Matters
When someone comes to therapy to address an issue that is negatively impacting their life, part of the therapist’s job is to build an understanding of what is getting in the client’s way of living a more fulfilling life. This understanding evolves as more becomes known about the person and
Reflections on Depression
According to the World Health Organization, depression affects 264 million people worldwide. If you haven’t experienced it personally, you probably know someone who has. And yet, despite how pervasive it is, it is still widely minimized or misunderstood. Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say that people struggling with depression
Signs of Depression
According to the American Psychiatric Association, one in six people will experience depression over the course of their lifetime. Still, depression remains hard to talk about for many, and in some circles is minimized or seen as a weakness of will. It’s no wonder so many people choose not to
Holding Yourself Hostage: Living with an Inner Tyrant
“I’m really hard on myself…but that’s good, right? I guess you could say I’m a perfectionist.” Caesar goes on to give me several examples of his perfectionism: if he makes a mistake at work (“and there’s no mistake too small to overlook”), he doesn’t just beat himself up internally with