When you have grown up in an environment where your needs were not met or ignored, you learned to disconnect from them. As an adult, this has created one of two situations: When your needs as a child were not …
Tag: Trauma
How to Have a Conversation with Someone You Are Worried About
If you’re worried about someone and want to start a conversation, here is a simple pocket guide for how to have that conversation. What NOT to Do If you are considering suicide, or you know someone who is, please reach …
Differences in Relationships: Why Conflict Isn’t a Sign You’re With the Wrong Person
Every relationship will have differences. It is not the differences themselves that determine whether a relationship thrives or struggles; it is how we navigate them. When we approach differences with curiosity instead of defensiveness, we open the door to understanding. …
A Suicide Attempt Is Not ‘Attention Seeking’ — It Is Always a Cry for Help
“A suicide attempt is not ‘attention seeking behaviour’, it is ALWAYS a cry for help.” – Jennifer Nurick It can feel confronting to sit with someone who is feeling suicidal. We are holding their pain while also managing our own …
When You Can’t See How Far You’ve Come
When you’re in the middle of change, it can be hard to see how far you’ve come. The shifts might feel small, but over time they add up. Someone who meets you weekly can often see them more clearly than …
Suicide in Australia: Why We Need to Keep Talking About It
Trigger warning. Over the next few days, I’ll be talking openly about suicide. Looking at the statistics is confronting. If suicide rates are any measure of how we’re doing as a community when it comes to mental health, we have …
Advocating for Yourself During Medical Procedures
It’s okay to: Remember: You are allowed to take the time you need to give your full consent. Your dentist, doctor, gynaecologist, and surgeon are there to support you. Yes, they are more knowledgeable than you in many areas, but …
Are You Terrified of the Dentist?
My first traumatic medical experience was at the dentist. I was having four healthy teeth removed so I could have braces fitted. This was standard practice in the UK then, but not now. I remember the taste of the injections, …
Medical Trauma
🧠 Medical trauma isn’t just about what happened, it’s about how it was experienced by the child. Even the most well-intentioned care can leave lasting emotional wounds if not met with safety, clarity, and support. If this resonates with you, …
A Trauma-Informed Perspective
When we meet someone who has experienced trauma, it helps to hold a dual lens. The first lens meets the behaviour—often the protective system that person has developed to stay safe. This might look like withdrawal, anger, or a refusal …