Even if you aren’t a full-time attention-seeker, being serenaded likely gives you an adrenaline rush and makes you feel wanted, connected to others. When humans bask in either genuine or false positive attention, we often feel worthy—like we’re on top of the world. When others look the other way, however, we likely feel wounded, worthless. These are innate responses rooted in human nature, and, … [Read more...] about “I liked it?”: Unpacking Sexual Coercion and Sexual Trauma Response Misconceptions
Sexual Trauma and Abuse
Exploring the Connection between Sexual Abuse Rape Culture and (Mass) Grooming
Dear cancel culture, Cancel rape culture, already. Nowadays, cancel culture mainly intimidates public figures—leaving them deathly afraid of the demise of their careers, as well as willing to think twice about the words that they utter or have expressed about others in the past. Cancel culture likely knows that it’s beyond time for larger society to eradicate the toxic attitudes and traditions … [Read more...] about Exploring the Connection between Sexual Abuse Rape Culture and (Mass) Grooming
Secret Lifesaver: The Freeze Response (Tonic Immobility) and Sexual Assault-related Trauma
We often hear pet owners—particularly dog lovers—attempt to train man’s best friend to: “Roll over and play dead!” On the surface, this behavioral conditioning session appears to be just for fun and games. The owner enjoys an opportunity to develop or maintain secure attachment with the pet, and the pet looks forward to a tasty treat after compliance. However, have you ever taken a moment to … [Read more...] about Secret Lifesaver: The Freeze Response (Tonic Immobility) and Sexual Assault-related Trauma
10 Things you Should Know About Women & Trauma
Whether you are a woman who has experienced a traumatic event or are wondering how to support a female partner who has experienced a traumatic event, it is helpful to know more about how gender impacts the way women experience trauma. Gender can influence the way people experience trauma due to expectations of behavior based on social/cultural gender norms, how much a person ascribes to gender … [Read more...] about 10 Things you Should Know About Women & Trauma
10 Things You Should Know About Men & Trauma
Whether you are a man who has experienced a traumatic event or are wondering how to support a male partner who has experienced a traumatic event, it is helpful to know more about how gender impacts the way men experience trauma. Gender can influence the way people experience trauma due to expectations of behavior based on social/cultural gender norms, how much a person ascribes to gender role … [Read more...] about 10 Things You Should Know About Men & Trauma
When Trauma Gets in the Way of Treating Pelvic or Sexual Pain
If you have pelvic or sexual pain your doctor may have recommended you do pelvic floor physical therapy. Other recommendations may have also included dilator therapy or getting injections or using suppositories. These treatments not only require time, energy and financial resources, but they can also be triggering for those with trauma in their past. Sexual trauma, medical trauma, an abusive … [Read more...] about When Trauma Gets in the Way of Treating Pelvic or Sexual Pain
