Changing old patterns
Many people I work with struggle to ask for what they need. They worry about being too much, causing conflict, or being rejected. For people with trauma histories, addiction, or codependent patterns, this fear often comes from past experiences where needs were ignored, punished, or used against them. DEAR MAN is a practical communication tool …
Continue reading “DEAR MAN: A Trauma-Informed Guide to Asking for What You Need”
My introduction to trauma came through a book that made a bold claim: If trauma didn’t exist, we wouldn’t need prisons, social services, or many of the systems we rely on to manage human suffering. I remember reading that and immediately disbelieving it. It felt like a massive overstatement — almost offensive in its simplicity. …
Continue reading “Trauma: The Invisible Thread Shaping Our Lives”
Relationships can bring us joy, support, and connection. But when we get caught in unhealthy patterns, they can also feel draining, confusing, and painful. One model that helps explain these dynamics is the Drama Triangle, a concept developed by Stephen Karpman in the 1960s. If you’ve ever felt stuck in repeated arguments, cycles of blame, …
Continue reading “Understanding the Drama Triangle: Breaking Free from Toxic Relationship Patterns”