Many of the mindfulness studies that I come across examine either healthy volunteers or patients who have severe clinical conditions. But what about people whose symptoms fall somewhere in between? Could mindfulness practice be effective with them too? That’s why this recent research study done by Wendy Pots, DClinPsych from the University of Twente (Netherlands), […]
A Simple Mindfulness Practice That Can Lower Anxiety
Some degree of fear and anxiety is inevitable in life. But for some people, these emotions can become truly debilitating, keeping them trapped in cycles that can lead to depression and even chronic pain. So how can we help patients better manage fear and anxiety when they come up? Below, you’ll find a simple exercise […]
Working with Memory to Reframe a Traumatic Experience
A single moment can last forever in the memory . . . Now when the memory is of something special, a time or an event that we hold dear, reliving the experience can feel almost as good as the actual moment did. But when someone is remembering a traumatic experience, that memory can trigger a […]
Could a Better Night’s Sleep Improve Treatment Outcomes for PTSD?
Is it possible that what happens with trauma patients at night could undermine all the hard work we’ve done with them during the day? Or asked another way, could improved sleep actually enhance our interventions with patients? We know that disrupted sleep patterns and nightmares are common symptoms of PTSD. But a team of researchers […]
Two Chemical Reactions That Happen in the Brain during Trauma
When a traumatic event triggers our internal alarm system, the body goes into fight, flight, or freeze . . . . . . but what happens in the brain during trauma? According to Dan Siegel, MD, there are two key chemical reactions to trauma (and one can play a role in actually shrinking part of […]
Can Traumatic Experience Strengthen Brain Function?
For years we’ve been able to see differences between a healthy brain and that of a person who’s been diagnosed with PTSD. But can we detect differences within a population, all of whom have experienced traumatic events? And if so, what could that reveal about why some people develop PTSD while others don’t? Dr. Samantha […]
How Mindfulness Can Help Us Work through Grief
When a person experiences significant loss, it’s natural to want to offer comfort and relieve their pain. But according to Jack Kornfield, PhD, it’s crucial not to rush past difficult emotions in the healing process. In fact, as Jack explains, it’s important to learn how to honor and acknowledge grief. Jack reveals more in the […]
The Impact of Mindfulness in the Lives of At-Risk Youth
Research is starting to show that mindfulness is impacting new populations. But can it help at-risk youth who are exposed to negative role models, experience unstable homes and are getting in trouble with the law? To look at this issue, Dr. Karen Bluth and her team of researchers from the University of North Carolina, Chapel […]
Three Ways Trauma Changes the Brain
The treatment of trauma can be some of the most complex work practitioners face. And for years, this challenge was complicated by not having a clear picture of the impact that trauma has on the brain. But scientific advances within just the past few years have opened the eyes of practitioners to what actually happens […]
Treating Severe Trauma in Iraq
Trauma doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone, anywhere throughout the world and, unfortunately . . . . . . not everyone has similar access to resources for treating trauma or PTSD. So, what can we do to reach survivors of trauma who have limited access to treatment options? Paul Bolton, MBBS and a team of […]