Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

November 21st, 2020

Pumpkin Spice and Parts Work My friend *Shani shows up at my door with a bowl of piping hot chicken soup. I have not been feeling well lately and she knows that a fragrant and nutrient rich bowl of her famous liquid gold will help me feel better. It’s incredible when a friend gets you that intimately. She knows just what I need. I realize immediately that something is not ok with her. Perhaps in the back of her mind she needs something from …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

April 23rd, 2020

Hello Trauma Survivor, As we both know, you’re not a stranger to chaos, you’ve been through loss, fear, panic, dread and being on-edge for some or most of your life. With the recent pandemic, coronavirus, you realize the world is in a state of trauma. Yes, it is a trauma, and a valid one. You look around and you see the world panicking, freaking out, or some being in utter denial, and you roll your eyes inside.  They just don' …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

May 6th, 2019

“Something is wrong with me, and I think I’m going crazy. I know my life wasn’t perfect, but suddenly I’m flooded with images I never knew existed and I can barely function. What’s wrong with me?” “I know I had trauma and/or anxiety, and I did some good talk therapy years ago, but suddenly it’s coming back with a whole new force, how do you explain this? And will it ever get better?” When cl …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

May 1st, 2019

When you say the word anxiety, you probably just shrug your shoulder and think “we all have it, sometimes.” And, you’re right. Anxiety is a very normal part of life. Anxiety is a response to stress and as humans, we are programmed to respond to stressors to get things done; finish the project, make a big decision or go for that last minute errand run. However, “regular anxiety” comes and goes. Anxiety that creeps i …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

April 18th, 2019

Want to deepen your living experience with the current Holiday and Spring Break? Seasons, Holidays, Changes and Shifts. With every season of the year theres a newness, a rebirthing, a shifting. As well, with every season of our lives, there are changes. Tight spaces, wide spaces, new spaces and old spaces. There’s darkness, and light. Empty branches and then, blossoming flowers. And as we go into the holiday and/or spring break season, we …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

February 18th, 2019

Boundary Setting & Somatic Therapy + 1 Step to Cultivate your "Felt Sense"   “I can talk you to you till I’m blue in my face, but I won’t be able to change the way I set limits. I know that I’m not good at setting boundaries, but I don’t know why.” I’m at a coffee date with an old work colleague, and she shares the above. It’s a story that she’s been repeating for some …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

February 7th, 2019

“Something’s making me feel really uncomfortable. I’m going to take a moment before continuing onward.” “Every time I spend time at this place/with this person I’m left feeling insecure and doubtful. Hmm, something to look at.” “I don’t like when you talk to me like that.” “Can you please take a step back, this feels too close for me.” “His/Her comment is making me re …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

October 2nd, 2018

    Have you been struggling with anxiety that has no “apparent” cause? There’s nothing in particular that’s on your mind, yet there’s this nagging feeling of worry, of panic or of fear. You may be dreading a time of year, a new interaction, a recent shift in your love relationship or demands your family or work life is putting on you, but none of these equate to the feeling of discomfort you&r …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

September 15th, 2018

“Don’t you think we all have trauma?” A sweet young woman inquired after we both shared about our professions as we waited on line. I answer , “Yes, most of us have gone through some sort of trauma, however, this does not mean that everyone needs therapy.” She seemed perplexed. A therapist who doesn’t push therapy? To help clarify I explained: “Well, the only reason you need treatment is if your mind an …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

September 12th, 2018

Trauma and Trauma Therapy Have you ever experienced a disturbing event that left you with this sense of overwhelm, helplessness and feeling out of control? If yes, it's possible that the stressful situation traumatized you. Psychological trauma leaves its mark by leaving you grappling with memories, anxieties and upsetting emotions that just won't let up. Traumatization can also present itself if you are left feeling disconnected, unable to tru …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

August 20th, 2018

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United states, age 18 and older. The good news is that anxiety disorders are highly treatable, but get this, only 36.9% of those suffering are receiving mental heath treatment.  Now, how do you know if you're one of those people who are experien …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

August 13th, 2018

An Easy Somatic Exercise to Process Triggers Last blog addressed what triggers are and where they come from. This blog is going to dive a bit deeper into how to support yourself when you are experiencing a trigger or stressful event, and are needing skills for relief. As we mentioned last week, one of the ways to work with triggers is to ground yourself, and orient to the room around you. This week we are practicing orienting you …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

April 26th, 2018

characters in this article are fictional, created for the purpose of portraying therapeutic process. "I dont have any specific trauma. I've never been in a car accident and I wasn't bullied when I was little. So then why am I suffering so much on the inside? Why do I feel like the light on the inside is dim? Why do I have a hard time trusting myself and letting others come close?" This confusion exists in many clients who reach out and are brave …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

February 1st, 2018

Satiating the Need for Emotional Connection In the past blog I discussed the concept  of emotional hunger.  If you’re in relationships that feel disconnected or where you're left thirsty for real, steady connections, read on.  What are emotional needs? And what does it meant to feel emotionally satiated? Emotional hunger is similar, yet different to physical hunger. Try to remember the last time that you were incredibly hungr …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

January 27th, 2018

What is this thing we call hunger?  Hunger represents the physiological need to eat food. Feeling satiated is the absence of hunger. Appetite is the desire to eat food. When your belly is empty, the hormone called ghrelin is produced by the stomach triggering a hunger message. Satiety is the feeling of fullness that tells you to stop eating.  Now let's look at emotional  hunger, its sensations and how it pl …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

January 1st, 2023

  WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL SAFE? You feel safe when you know you're cared for, that you're protected from danger and you have someone who has their eye out for you. When you're choosing who to bring into your life, it's important to know how to assess the healthy people from the potentially dangerous people. The ones who offer a sense of safety and let go of the ones who bring chaos, drama or danger.  YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO FILTER "SAFE …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

February 5th, 2018

The line is thin. The line of appreciating your parents for who they are and who they were as they raised you, while birthing your own inner voice of the kind of parent you want to be for your children.  The line is thin because there is a balance that we need to be cognizant of. Our parents have their stories and so do their parents. We have our hopes, dreams and aspirations as did they. I have never met a parent who hasn't tried their …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

January 24th, 2018

Survivors of trauma, just like anyone else, deserve to be able to have meaningful love relationships. Yet, just like a traveler needs to plan ahead and pack their "kit for the road", trauma survivors may hit some tricky steps in building relationships and may gain from knowing possible worries, bumps or confusion that may come up along the way.  Let's look for a moment at how the impacts of trauma can show up in current or future relationshi …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

December 25th, 2017

I've been approached by gentle, caring parents, family members and siblings of someone who has been through a trauma. They've been asking how to care for their loved one who has been through A big trauma or a small trauma. Here's the thing about trauma; even when it's over, it never really goes away. Yet the need for connection, the ability to love, and the innate desire to be embraced by others and life is always aflame.  Yes, goo …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

December 18th, 2017

Just this past week Time magazine published its cover page titled "Person of the Year 2017: The Silence Breakers". In there, Tarana Burke, creator of #metoo speaks about #metoo not just being a moment, rather it's a movement. A time to make a change. Burke speaks of the importance of setting actionable steps in keeping the momentum, to create a rippled effect that will have lasting change on society.  As a trauma therapist I am gra …
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