Well That F*cked Me Up!

Last week I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Luke Colson for his phenomenal podcast “Well That F*cked Me Up!” Luke and his colleague Kyle Wise interview people who have experienced life-changing events. The podcast is full of remarkable stores of survival from severe traumatic events. Give their podcast a listen, if you are…

Glowing Reviews for One Reason to Live!

“Not for the faint of heart, Christine Rose’s memoir, One Reason to Live, describes her strength and willingness to build her life back into a state of well-being after multiple traumas including sexual violence, an ending marriage, and some very confusing relationships. Poignant, yet hopeful, this book will evoke many emotions in its readers. Christine’s…

The Dangers of Platitudes

Platitudes. Most people don’t know what they are, though they are present in our everyday lives. The definition of platitude is a statement that has lost its original weight and meaning due to being overused. Statements like “nobody’s perfect” and “it is what it is” are examples of them. It can be frustrating to be…

The Difficulty of Trauma Anniversaries

Anniversaries usually bring us lots of joy because they help us remember something wonderful that happened in the past. Weddings, relationships, and even moving into a new house are all things celebrated with an anniversary. Unlike regular anniversaries, trauma anniversaries can be extremely difficult. Instead of helping commemorate a past event that brought you joy,…

How Mental Trauma Can Lead to Physical Exhaustion

Mental health is very three-dimensional. Many see it as solely in the mind and isolated to that part of our body. In truth, our mental state affects our overall well-being. Things like mental trauma often manifest in physical ways as well. It’s not an uncommon sight to see someone who has gone through some trauma…

Navigating the Holidays with PTSD

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year. They involve much-needed time off from work, family, and celebrations like Christmas, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Krampusnacht, and Hanukkah. They also represent the end of a year and closing another chapter of our lives. Most of the time, we associate the holidays with joy and happiness. Traditional…

How to Handle Intrusive Thoughts

Intrusive thoughts are unwelcome ideas, images, or impulses that enter your mind unexpectedly. They come out of nowhere and can be disturbing, violent, and highly distressing. They may be about something terrible or violent, sexual or profane, or even self-harming. Intrusive thoughts can feel like a betrayal of what we value most in life: our…

How To Deal With Abusive Family During the Holidays

For most people, holidays like Christmas, thanksgiving, and new years are a source of joy. They include festive traditions, gifts, and time off work to relax. Holidays can also be a time for family. Many people don’t get to see their family year-round. Holidays are a convenient time to gather. People travel to see and…

Love Bombing & Oxytocin Addiction

Love bombing is a term widely used within the context of a romantic relationship. It’s essentially a form of manipulation that attempts to artificially create intimacy. When someone love bombs you, it means they lavish you with intense affection, attention, and praise in an attempt to win your trust and affection early in the relationship….

Losing Your Identity After Trauma

In a moment, you can lose everything. The stability of your world is rocked. You no longer trust what you see or believe. What was once solid and trustworthy now feels fragile and rotten. Nothing is safe, nothing is reliable, nothing makes sense. Maybe you were a child when it happened. Maybe your parent died….