Living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) can be a difficult, exhausting, and sometimes very frustrating experience. DID is a complex disorder that develops in response to prolonged exposure to trauma, such as childhood abuse or neglect. DID can cause significant disruptions in a person's life. This blog post aims to discuss five of the most common symptoms of DID, as well as discuss the causes of the disorder. We will also provide information on the best treatment options available for those who are struggling with this disorder.

I find myself driving to work, sitting in traffic, my mind swirling with non-stop thoughts. This happens often when I am sitting in the car alone, or heading to work. I have a barrage of thoughts on my mind. To be honest, it's more of a to-do list for the day, week, or month. Is this overwhelming? Or is this normal? Either way, it can be exhausting.

I do find it interesting that we have the capacity to zone out of one event that can cause anxiety and angst but allow our minds to dive into the stress elsewhere. For example, while we have the ability to tune out the stress of traffic, our minds have the ability to spiral out of control with other worries.  It can be challenging to stay rooted and centered in such moments.

Executive Leaders and CEOs, no matter how successful, face a unique set of challenges. As the leader of a company or organization, they often carry a large burden of responsibility that can weigh on them in ways other employees may not understand. While many Executive Leaders and CEOs are strong enough to cope with these pressures, there are times when counseling can help alleviate these issues and provide much needed clarity and direction. Many people think of counseling as a last resort, something to do when all else fails. However, counseling can be a great asset for anyone who is looking to improve when things are going well.

Personal boundaries define who and what we are. They define what we are responsible to control (personal thoughts, behaviors, actions) and what we are not responsible to control. The personal boundaries of individuals come into contact when two or more people interact about their wants or needs. You have something another person wants (time, support, body, permission, forgiveness, love, advice, possessions, etc.) and boundaries determine the way you will respond to these requests or what you will request of others.

Experiencing trauma can be a confusing and isolating experience. During this difficult time, it is important to find a therapist that you trust and feel comfortable with. If you have recently gone through a traumatic event, experienced trauma growing up, or are living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), here are some tips to help you find the right counselor for your trauma needs in Northdale, FL or South Tampa, FL.

Let’s be real, there is an incredible depth of love and joy that comes from raising another human being with our own values and beliefs. Raising a child can bring out our deepest and best selves, if we let it.

Dealing with depression can be a slow process, and it may take some time for your child to start seeing improvements. Do not get discouraged if things don’t seem to be moving as quickly as you would like; just keep doing what you know is best and trust that God will work in His own time and in His own way.  

Depression is more than feeling down for a few days. To be “depressed” one must have the majority of the following symptoms present for 2 or more consecutive weeks. (1) Difficulty performing normal tasks, or feeling numb when hearing good news. (2) The loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities. (3) Changes in appetite (increased or decreased) and weight changes are also common. (4) Change in sleeping habits. Either finding it difficult to sleep or sleeping longer than normal. (5) A change in energy, feelings of fatigue or moving slowly. (6) Trouble concentrating or thinking. (7) Feelings of being worthless, guilty about past failures, and at times thoughts of suicide. (8) Some people will also be more irritable, “on edge”, or seem distracted.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE A TIME OF JOY, BUT FOR MANY PEOPLE, THEY'RE A TIME OF SADNESS AND STRESS.

If you're dreading the holiday season because you're worried about your past trauma being triggered, you're not alone. Triggers can come in many forms such as songs, family rituals, scents, sights, and memories. Then there is always the pressure to conform to societal and familial expectations that says, “it is the most wonderful time of the year”.

In a survey by NAMI, “approximately 75% of overall respondents reported that the holidays contribute to feeling sad or dissatisfied and 68% financially strained. 66% have experienced have loneliness, 63% too much pressure and 57% unrealistic expectations. 55% found themselves remembering happier times in the past contrasting with the present, while 50% were unable to be with loved ones.”

If you are reading this blog post, you have most likely been experiencing symptoms for many years. The national average for a person to reach out for help from the time they first noticed symptoms is eleven years (nami.org). Reaching out for help can be difficult. The idea of sharing personal fears with a counselor can feel uncomfortable, which is why people wait so long to reach out for help. However, a good counselor understands the value of building a strong relationship with their clients in which they will feel comfortable sharing. When seeking help from a competent professional, one can expect to receive genuine care and understanding while being helped to build the necessary tools needed to reduce anxiety.

Research has revealed that the average couple waits approximately four years to start counseling, despite experiencing the need earlier. Many times, by the time the couple appears in the counselor’s office, one or both of the partners have already reached a level of indifference. Or lack of desire to work on their relationship. This is the most challenging and scary place for couples to find themselves. By this point, their primary motive in attending counseling sometimes is checking this off their list. Thus indicating that they tried everything, before heading to a divorce attorney.

Christian Counseling of Tampa is offering a trauma support group for survivors of trauma. This trauma support group will educate participants about the neurobiological impact of trauma. The group will also serve as a support group and allow the members to grow from their experiences. There will be a limit of 10 participants with at least 6 people committed to the trauma support group before it will start. The group focuses on helping those who have experienced physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and relationship betrayal. Christian values will be incorporated as part of the group process. If interested, please contact Christian Counseling of Tampa. You can meet with a trauma therapist to set up an interview with the group facilitator.

Meltdowns at the grocery store. Screaming before bedtime. Sullen silences in the car on the way home from an activity that was supposed to be fun. That’s a normal part of parenting.

It becomes harder when your child is engaging in these behaviors more than is normal for their age. Even though children are verbal, they often express themselves through behaviors. There can be outward behaviors, like meltdowns, tantrums, and fights. There are also inward behaviors, like being sad often, withdrawn, or not as engaged in their favorite things as they usually are. Because behaviors are often how children communicate their experiences, these things may be a sign that a child could benefit from play therapy.

For me, I find myself doing it often. It is so easy to let our identities become lost in what we do. Or, how busy we are as opposed to finding the root of our identity in who we are. What does it even mean to figure out who we are, and why does it matter? Well, what happens when there is a sudden change in our circumstances that can cause our sense of self to waver? That is when it matters most to be grounded in our values and inherent traits that God created in us individually. We are assuredly going to go through some major changes in this life.

She shared with tears that she was not a good wife. Also, she found it difficult to make decisions around the house and at work even over the most basic things. She also shared that sometimes when her husband touched her, she felt scared and didn't understand why. Paige said that her husband always treated her with kindness and was respectful. She felt confused, needed help, and did not know where to turn for answers.

Paige did not understand she was experiencing a reaction to previous traumas in her life. It can be difficult for someone to determine when they need help for reactions they do not understand.

For some reason, the idea of men going to counseling is considered foreign. I’m not sure I can singlehandedly capture the complicated relationship between men and therapy, but I hope to be able to shed some light. As men, we are often drawn to problems that have solutions. Flat tire? Change it. Running toilet? Fix it. Relational conflict? Resolve it (the process of how we resolve it varies greatly amongst men). Men like solutions. We like results. We like answers. If we’re humble enough to say we don’t have the skills to fix something, we’ll begrudgingly call someone who does... but not before at least trying ourselves, am I right?

So far, I’ve been fairly quiet with my thoughts about COVID-19 and the effect it’s had on our lives as individuals and as a society. I, like many of you, have felt a mix of concern, anxiety, hope, and fatigue. To an extent I’m tired of talking about quarantine and social distancing and I long for life to move forward. No matter how many self-care tactics or strategies for managing stress and anxiety I’ve learned, even though I’m a licensed mental health practitioner, I still had to practice what I preach. When the adrenaline rush wore off, the fatigue set in as I contemplated what living fully looks like in our strange new world. Few blogs I’ve read have adequately captured the heart of what I’ve been feeling during this time, so I thought I would share my own thoughts in hopes that it may help you put words to your own experience.

Dear Valued CCST Client,

I want to take this opportunity to announce Christian Counseling of South Tampa’s new Owner/Managing Director. You have entrusted us with your life’s journey and challenges; and, therefore, I want to assure you during this exciting transition that your services will go as normal.

After 16 years of serving the community, I wanted to seek out the right professional who really understands the heart behind the vision and mission of the practice; one who truly appreciates the value of our service and provides able leadership with an eager capability of future potential as well.

A lot is going on right now with the COVID-19, and it seems like it is creating a lot of anxiety and worry in regards to health, finances, relationships, etc. Is it really creating anxiety or just revealing what already exists beneath the surface? We can often arrange our lives in a way to cover up our fears, and we are addicted to control. As a part of my counseling training, I was required to attend Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Al-Anon meetings. I found it interesting in the meetings that the family members of alcoholics typically liked the alcoholic in their life better when they were drinking. Why? The real person is revealed when they don’t have the alcohol to cover up whatever they’re using alcohol to cope for. We use control to cover a lot of what we are dealing with and pretend everything is ok.

Grief can be an overwhelming feeling of sadness, depression, anger, and happiness all in one. We all grieve differently; some have lost loved ones, some have recently been healing from a broken heart, and others grieve someone who hasn't even passed yet. Typically, we think of grief coming after death, but it often comes long before death arrives. When the likelihood of death is presented, we often start the grieving process.