The gray rock method is a strategy for disengaging emotionally from an abusive or manipulative person by becoming unresponsive, boring and emotionally neutral — like a gray rock. Nearly half of U.S. adults have experienced some type of psychological manipulation or emotional abuse in a relationship. When you’re dealing with someone who thrives on control, […]
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Enmeshment is a pattern of blurred boundaries in relationships, especially within families, where individual identity and emotional autonomy are compromised. People in enmeshed relationships often feel overly responsible for others’ feelings, struggle to make independent choices and may not even realize something is wrong. These dynamics can be deeply rooted in love and care —
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A single event doesn’t always cause trauma. It can stem from chronic stress, emotional neglect, physical harm or experiences that left you feeling powerless or unsafe. Whether the trauma happened years ago or just recently, therapy can be a powerful tool in reclaiming your voice, safety and connection to yourself. This guide explains how trauma
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Comparing IOP vs PHP as outpatient options: PHP: Full-day treatment, more intensive IOP: Fewer hours, more flexible Choice depends on symptom severity and support needs Mental health affects everyone, but only about 47% — less than half — of adults with a mental health disorder receive treatment. If you or someone you care about is
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OCD is often misunderstood as simply being “neat” or “a little particular.” But in reality, it’s a chronic condition involving unwanted, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) meant to relieve that distress. When left untreated, OCD can cause more than personal suffering — it can deeply affect families, partners, friends and
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A functional freeze is a trauma response: You appear fine but feel emotionally numb Going through the motions, not fully present Often misinterpreted as coping well Unlike a full freeze response, which can involve complete immobilization, a functional freeze allows someone to go through the motions — showing up at work, having conversations, managing tasks
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Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, distressing mental images or ideas: Common in OCD, anxiety, PTSD Not reflective of your values Treatable through CBT and mindfulness While driving, have you ever suddenly wondered what would happen if you went off the road into a nearby lake? Or maybe you’ve had a sudden thought to stab yourself while
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Whether it’s a noisy room, a hectic day or an intense emotional conversation, feeling overstimulated is a common experience for many people. For some, it passes quickly. For others, especially those with sensory sensitivities, trauma or neurodivergence, overstimulation can be deeply disruptive and difficult to manage. Learning to recognize, prevent and recover from overstimulation is
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While it’s natural to want to escape discomfort, repeated avoidance can stand in the way of growth and healing, especially in therapy. Whether it shows up as missing appointments, changing the subject when things get personal or brushing off strong emotions, avoidance behavior is one of the most common obstacles to progress in mental health
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A trauma response is your brain’s way of surviving danger: Fight, flight, freeze, fawn, or flop patterns Can show up as anxiety, numbness, or people-pleasing Often unconscious and treatable with support When something frightening or distressing happens — especially when it feels inescapable — the brain and body work together to protect us. These protective
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