ptsd Archives - Synergy eTherapy

Grief at the Holidays: Holding Joy and Sadness at the Same Time

The holidays have a way of magnifying whatever we’re carrying. For some, this season brings warmth, connection, and celebration. For others, it brings aching memories and empty seats at the table. And for many, it brings both. As a therapist, I often remind people that it is completely normal to feel joy and sadness side by side. Grief doesn’t disappear in December. It changes shape, and sometimes it becomes louder.

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A Calmer December: How to Slow Down in a Season That Moves Fast

Relationships / Dr. Lisa

December can be beautiful, but it can also feel like pressure wrapped in twinkle lights. Expectations rise. Schedules fill. Emotions intensify. As a therapist, I often hear people say they feel like they’re rushing through the month on autopilot instead of experiencing it. If you’re craving a December that feels more intentional, grounded, and meaningful, you’re not alone. Slowing down doesn’t require a major life reset. It starts with awareness, boundaries, and self-compassion.

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How to Have Healthier Family Conversations This Thanksgiving

Family / Dr. Lisa

Thanksgiving often brings warmth, gratitude, and shared memories, but it can also bring tension, old wounds, and uncomfortable conversations. Maybe there’s that one relative whose comments always sting, or a topic that always seems to spiral into conflict. As a therapist, I often see how these moments can stir deep emotions that have little to do with the turkey and everything to do with years of unspoken feelings or unmet expectations.

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Your End-of-Year Mental Health Check-In: 5 Questions to Reflect and Reset

General Mental Health / Dr. Lisa

As the year winds down, many of us feel an instinctive pull to pause and take stock, not just of what we’ve accomplished, but of how we feel.
It’s easy to move from one season to the next without noticing the quiet emotional shifts that have shaped us along the way.

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Honoring Native American Heritage Month and Mental Health

General Mental Health / Dr. Lisa

November is Native American Heritage Month – a time to honor the history, traditions, and wisdom of Indigenous peoples across the United States. It’s also a time to reflect on how mental health care can honor these legacies of resilience while acknowledging the intergenerational pain that many Native communities continue to carry.

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Diabetes Awareness and Mental Health: Nurturing Mind and Body

Chronic Pain / Dr. Lisa

Living with diabetes means managing more than just blood sugar, it means managing emotions, uncertainty, and daily vigilance that can take a toll on mental health. November’s Diabetes Awareness Month invites us to not only raise awareness about physical health but also to acknowledge the deep emotional resilience it takes to live with a chronic condition.

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How to Support a Friend Experiencing Domestic Violence

Trauma / Dr. Lisa

It’s deeply painful to watch someone you care about struggle in an abusive relationship. You may feel powerless, unsure of what to say, or afraid of making the situation worse. As a therapist, I often see clients who are desperately trying to help a friend leave an unsafe situation and feeling overwhelmed by the weight of it all. This blog will guide you through compassionate, grounded ways to support a friend experiencing domestic violence.

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Domestic Violence Awareness: Breaking the Silence and Finding Support

Relationships / Dr. Lisa

Domestic violence is one of the most painful and isolating experiences a person can endure. It is not limited to physical harm, it can include emotional, financial, and psychological abuse that slowly erodes a person’s sense of safety and self-worth. As a therapist, I often see the deep impact of abuse on mental health: trauma symptoms, shame, anxiety, and difficulty trusting again.

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Rewiring Your Brain for Resilience: The Healing Power of Mindfulness

PTSD, Trauma / Dr. Lisa

For trauma survivors, silence and stillness can sometimes feel unsafe. Sitting with thoughts may bring up difficult memories or emotions. This doesn’t mean you’re doing mindfulness “wrong.” It simply means your body is asking for support.

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Independence Day PTSD & Anxiety: Therapist Insights

PTSD / Dr. Lisa

Fireworks and gatherings can trigger PTSD and anxiety on July 4th. Learn therapist-informed strategies to stay grounded and supported this Independence Day.

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Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for the treatment of trauma.

Anxiety, General Mental Health, Mood-E Blog / Dr. Lisa

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for the Treatment of Trauma. by, Dr. Elizabeth Merrill You experienced a traumatic event. Now what? For many, online counseling can help. A treatment called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, otherwise known as PTSD. What causes PTSD is typically a traumatic event you experienced, witnessed or even heard

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