We are not minorities, we have been minoritized. We are not underrepresented, we have been historically excluded. Language matters.

Becoming a therapist is complex and exhausting because now you are the tool of your work. Unlike a saw to a carpenter, you can't set aside your self once the work is done. And if you are not taking care of your self, it will show. It's easy, then, for the work to follow you.

Recovery is about finding balance, sometimes you need to push yourself forward and other times you need to hold yourself close.

Humility and curiosity are powerful therapeutic forces. Many people have never experiened them in combination. "I don't yet understand, but I really want to."

If as a child you had adult responsibilities, this is your reminder to pause, put your hand on your chest, and breathe deep breaths into the part of you who questions if they’ve done enough to rest.

The attempt to escape from pain, is what creates more pain. Gabor Maté #escape #pain

We create stories in our minds & these narratives match our nervous system. Identifying your story state is helpful. Sympathetic: The need for control- fight or flight Dorsal: Overwhelmed-want to give up Ventral: Full of curiosity & wonder What feeds your ventral state?

The question is never “Why the addiction?” but “Why the pain?” The research literature is unequivocal: most hard-core substance abusers come from abusive homes. Gabor Maté #addiction #pain #substanceabuse #childhood

So self-acceptance does not mean self-admiration or even self-liking at every moment of our lives, but tolerance for all our emotions, including those that make us feel uncomfortable. Gabor Maté #selfacceptance #tolerance #emotions #discomfort

You are better at taking care of others when you take care of yourself.

Quick de-escalation phrases for kids: You’re not in trouble. I want to hear your side. I’m not mad at you. What happened? How can I help you right now? Let’s talk about this.

Sending compassion & peace to those who have lived in survival mode as their norm. As you uncover what has hurt you the most & why, I hope you also find what brings you pleasure. And, on your hard days you anchor yourself in what feels like rest rather than pushing harder to heal

Be gentle with yourself, healing takes time.

So we actually have inner children…not just one child. We have different child parts and it’s been interesting getting to know them all Using Internal Family Systems (IFS) with my own therapist has been life changing for me

Struggling with your mental health does not make you a bad therapist.

“You are not the voice of the mind—you are the one who hears it.” Michael A. Singer, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself

You can’t even start to HEAL from abuse until you are SAFE from abuse.

10 Ways to Emotionally Validate 1. "That makes sense you would feel that way." 2. This sounds (insert emotion), am I hearing this right?" 3. "How can I support you?" 4. "I am here." 5. "Would it be helpful if I (insert support that you can offer)."

The longer I work in psychiatry, the more & more I'm reminded that poverty is one of the most harmful factors (if not the most harmful factor) affecting peoples' mental health.

“There are two possibilities why your memories of childhood are so hazy. Either nothing happened worth remembering, or too much happened that may be hurtful for you to recall.” Dr. Gabor Maté