Lived Experience Blog
The Mirror of Projection: Why We See Narcissists Everywhere but Ourselves
The word narcissist has become one of the most overused labels of our time. Scroll through social media or listen to conversations and it doesn’t take long before someone is accused of being one. It’s a word often thrown like a dart—sharp, loaded, and designed to stick. But what happens when the…
The Girl in the Dirty Dress
The Girl in the Dirty Dress: Shame, Survival, and the Power of Co-Regulation When our nervous system is overwhelmed, our rational, intelligent thinking brain goes offline. In those moments, the body does what it must to survive. We freeze. We go silent. We disconnect. Years later, many of us look…
When Trauma Speaks in Dreams: From Nightmares to Healing
For many years, I have experienced vivid dreams that stayed with me long after waking. You know the kind - that leave a trace of terror in your soul. At times they left me panicked, sweating, or in tears. For a long time, I wondered why my mind wouldn’t let me rest. But as I’ve learned more about…
Breaking the Self-Fulfilling Prophecies of Trauma
Complex trauma leaves invisible imprints that can quietly shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world. One of the most powerful — and painful — ways this shows up is through self-fulfilling prophecies. Rejection Take rejection, for example. A simple, everyday situation like sending a text to…
The Power of Telling the Truth About Anxiety
Last night, during our CBT group for anxiety, we watched a short video showing common situations that can trigger anxious thoughts — like public speaking. The narrator offered examples of typical worries: “I might forget my words… I might embarrass myself… people will see I’m nervous and judge……
What Does It Really Mean to Love and Accept Yourself Unconditionally?
“Love and accept yourself unconditionally.” It sounds beautiful, doesn’t it? But for many of us, those words land with a thud. Instead of comfort, we feel resistance. Instead of inspiration, we feel guilt, shame, or even anger. I remember hearing that phrase at different points in my own healing…
Gratitude Attitude: Planting Seeds of Self-Worth
In our Self Discovery for Recovery program, we begin with the foundations: looking within, practising self-care, and repeating daily I Am affirmations. Why? Because repetition drives neuroplasticity. The more often we plant healthy thoughts, the stronger they grow. Our thoughts shape our lives.…
The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Neural Pathways, Trauma, and Self-Worth
From the moment we are born, our brains are wired with remarkable potential. Dr. Dan Siegel’s Interpersonal Neurobiology reminds us that human beings develop through two kinds of neural pathways: Experience-Expectant Pathways These are the “hardwired” pathways we are born with, designed to expect…
STAND: Parents as Protectors – A Journey of Awareness, Not Blame
Parenting in today’s world can feel overwhelming. We’re constantly juggling everyday responsibilities while trying to keep our children safe in a world that doesn’t always feel safe. That’s why we created STAND: Parents as Protectors — a free, online, self-paced program for parents, caregivers, and…
Through the Lens of the Dorsal Space
Through the Lens of the Dorsal Space: Why Forcing ‘Motivation’ Can Harm, Not Help When you’re in the dorsal space, you can see life happening around you — people laughing, planning, dreaming — but it’s like watching it all through thick, soundproof glass. You can see their joy, but it doesn’t touch…