All Posts

Healing from complex trauma (C-PTSD) isn't like fixing a broken bone. It isn't a straight line, and you don't just "go back" to who you were before. It’s a deep, cellular restructuring of how you exist in the world. While many look to the lion for strength or the phoenix for rebirth, there is a much stranger, smaller, and more profound teacher living in the ancient lake beds of Mexico: the Axolotl. The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is a biological anomaly. But more importantl

We are a society obsessed with labels. When someone acts in a way we don’t understand—when they lash out, shut down, or push us away—we are quick to reach for a diagnosis disguised as an adjective. We call them angry. We call them dysfunctional. We call them crazy. But do these type of words ever describe who someone actually is? What if these labels are just our way of trying to make sense of a pain we cannot see? When we identify people using these limiting words, we miss o

In a world that often prioritizes quick fixes and superficial gestures, the true art of human connection lies in our willingness to embrace accountability, authenticity, and the profound power of a genuine apology. We've all been there – a clumsy word, an unintentional slight, or a missed expectation. The immediate reaction might be a mumbled "I'm sorry," but is that truly enough to mend a rift, rebuild trust, or foster deeper understanding? The answer, unequivocally, is no.

You’ve done the work. You’ve bought the self-help books, you’ve listened to the podcasts, and you show up to your therapy sessions every week. You can now identify your childhood wounds, you understand the "why" behind your triggers, and you can give a masterclass on the theory of healthy boundaries. But then, you go home. You get a text from that one family member, or you face a conflict at work, and suddenly all that knowledge evaporates. You find yourself reacting with the

The phrase "pro-life" is one of the most powerful—and polarized—terms in our modern vocabulary. In many circles, it is used strictly to define a stance on the protection of the unborn. However, if we peel back the layers of what it truly means to value life , we find a much broader, more demanding calling. To value life is to honor the dignity of the human person at every stage, in every circumstance, and within every struggle. It is a commitment to humanity that doesn't end

By Lisa King, LPC In the middle of our own healing journeys, it is easy to develop tunnel vision. When we are in pain, our focus naturally narrows to our own survival and recovery. However, a crucial part of emotional maturity and true healing is widening that lens to acknowledge a simple, profound truth: Everyone is dealing with something you know nothing about. We often look at others—colleagues, friends, or even strangers on social media—and see people who seem to "have it

By Lisa King, LPC Growing up in high-control religious environments, many of us learned an unwritten rule early on: questions are dangerous. We were taught that faith was a fragile thing, easily shattered by too much probing. Doubt was framed not as a natural part of human cognition, but as a moral failing or a spiritual attack. But as many of us begin the arduous, often unwanted process of deconstructing our faith—especially in the aftermath of religious trauma—we discover a

By Lisa King, LPC I remember the meeting vividly, even though I was just in elementary school. My parents were frustrated. I had been missing too much school, constantly complaining of stomachaches and “feeling sick.” It started early—around first or second grade. I was the child who couldn't stop talking to my neighbors when the teacher was speaking. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful; the words just bubbled out of me before I could catch them. And then there was math. From

By Lisa King, LPC There is a distinct geography to how we live our lives. There is the Shore , and there is the Water . Most of us oscillate between the two, but we usually have a "home base"—a default setting for how we engage with the world, our relationships, and even our own emotions. The question is: Are you watching the waves, or are you riding them? The View from the Shore (The Wave Watcher) The shore is seductive because it promises one thing above all else: Safety. W