Growth After Trauma: Finding Purpose & Meaning

Posted by Gina Petrella in Blog, Trauma After going through a traumatic experience, it’s normal to grieve. It’s normal to feel as though you’re going through a period of suffering. Many victims of trauma blame themselves and end up feeling guilt or shame for what happened.  As a result, it can be difficult to find any purpose in your life or what you’re doing.  But, it doesn’t have to be that way.  You don’t have to blame yourself for...
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5 Common Defense Mechanisms (& How to Tell if Yours are Holding You Back)

Posted by Gina Petrella in Anxiety, Blog Defense mechanisms are strategies people use to fight back against stress and worry. Everyone uses them at some point, and there are different defenses that seem to work better for some people than others.  Unfortunately, not all defense mechanisms are helpful. First, some of them might be allowing you to ignore reality. When you don’t face your stressors head-on, you’ll never get to the bottom...
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Am I Sad or Depressed? How to Tell and What to Do About It

Posted by Gina Petrella in Blog, Depression It’s perfectly normal to feel sad from time to time. If you’re going through a particularly rough situation or hard time in life, you might have feelings of sadness more than you usually would.  But, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re struggling with depression.  On the other hand, it’s important to recognize depression for what it is. If you do have the signs and symptoms of depression and...
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Why Online Therapy Is So Effective For Alleviating Depression

Posted by Gina Petrella in Blog, Online Therapy Online therapy has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Advancements in technology have made it easier than ever for patients to connect with therapists all over the country.  As you know, there are many benefits to online therapy. It’s convenient, it’s accessible, and it’s often even less-expensive than in-person options.  The biggest benefit of online therapy, though, is how...
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How You May Be Minimizing Your Trauma & Key Ways to Honor Your Emotions

Posted by Gina Petrella in Blog, Trauma Trauma impacts everyone differently. But, one of the biggest mistakes those dealing with a traumatic event can make is ignoring their own feelings and emotions.  It’s not uncommon to feel as though you need to push your emotions down for a variety of reasons. Maybe you think they aren’t justified. Maybe you’re embarrassed. Perhaps others are telling you to “get over it” or move on. ...
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