Yulia Tsarenko Carey (she/her)

Both have profound impacts on mental health, both individually and collectively. On an individual level, historical trauma can contribute to mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and complex trauma responses. Collectively, it can shape the cultural identity, worldview, and coping mechanisms of entire communities, leading to a heightened state of vigilance, mistrust of dominant systems, and a a legacy of unresolved grief.

Depression is one of the most commonly experienced mental health conditions. In the context of therapy, the goal is to help clients understand the underlying causes and contributing factors of their depression, as well as equip them with coping strategies and tools to manage their symptoms effectively.

From a therapeutic perspective, anxiety disorders are characterized by persistent and excessive worry, fear, or anxious thoughts that can significantly interfere with daily life and well-being. In the context of mental health therapy, the primary goal is to help clients understand the nature of their anxiety, identify triggers and contributing factors, and develop effective coping strategies to manage the symptoms.

Person-centered therapy in psychotherapy emphasizes the client's perspective, feelings, and experiences. It focuses on the client's innate tendency towards growth and self-actualization, while also valuing their autonomy and self-determination. The underlying belief is that when individuals feel truly accepted, understood, and free from external judgments or evaluations, they can tap into their own inner resources and inherent tendency towards personal growth and positive change.

EMDR is a type of therapy designed to help the brain process and resolve distress associated with traumatic experiences. The goal is to reduce the intense emotional charge and negative beliefs related to the trauma. Although it may sound unusual, EMDR has been extensively researched and is recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It's like "digesting" the unprocessed traumatic experience in a healthy way.

The core idea is that infants have an innate need to form emotional bonds with primary caregivers. A secure attachment is formed when these caregivers are responsive, nurturing, and available. Secure attachment provides the infant with a safe base from which to explore the world. However, if the caregiver is inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or unresponsive to the infant's needs, an insecure attachment can develop. Attachment styles are not set in stone and can change over time.