Blog | Grief, Trauma & Therapy Insights from Creating Space

Creating Space Therapy team standing against a brick wall with the founder holding The Best Mental Health Service in Batavia award.

Creating Space Therapy Wins 2025 Best Mental Health Services in Batavia

When the results came in, my first thought was not about the award itself. It was about the people behind it. Every client who sat with something hard and decided…

A mom and a daughter holding hands and walking down the path together. Symbolizing trauma healing for children happens when they feel supported.

What Every Parent Should Know About Childhood Trauma

This article is for parents who are just starting to wonder whether what their child is going through might be trauma. We’ll talk about what trauma actually is, why getting…

Mother and young daughter smiling and in a loving embrace.

Why Does Parenting Feel So Hard? A Guide for Raising Kids Through Meltdowns and Temper Tantrums

Parenting is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do, and also one of the most exhausting. If you have ever found yourself standing in the kitchen after…

Hand-written love notes and affirmations

Love Begins With You

February often invites us to look outward for signs of love. We scan our relationships, hope for meaningful gestures, and measure connection by how seen we feel by others. Valentine’s…

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Sharing Your Calm: Parenting a Child With Big Emotions

Every parent has been in the middle of a grocery store, playroom, or bedtime routine when a child suddenly collapses into tears, screams, or complete overwhelm. In those moments, it…

What To Do When Your Child’s Behavior Changes After a Loss or Trauma

When Children Struggle in Silence Sometimes, a parent simply knows that something feels off. A once-playful child grows quiet, or a teen who used to laugh easily now seems distant…

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When Your Body Feels Stuck in Survival Mode: How Somatic Practices Can Help You Feel Safe Again

Have you ever wondered why you can understand your stress but still feel it in your bones? Maybe you tell yourself, I’m fine, but your body keeps clenching your jaw or…

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Overcoming Intergenerational Trauma: Healing Through Relational Trauma Therapy

Intergenerational trauma can cast a long shadow on families, as unresolved wounds from the past seep into the present. The effects of relational trauma can manifest in many ways, impacting…

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Coping with Pregnancy Loss

Learn nine ways to cope with the grief over a miscarriage or stillbirth. Grieving a lost wanted pregnancy can be devastating. As soon as you found out that you were…

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5 Things I Learned as a Grief and Trauma Therapist

As a grief and trauma therapist, I have had the privilege of working with individuals who are going through some of the most difficult times in their lives. While every…

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EMDR Therapy is an incredibly effective integrative psychotherapy that helps individuals heal from trauma. One of the reasons EMDR is so effective is because it combines elements of several evidenced-based…

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6 ways to help loved ones grieving deaths during the coronavirus pandemic

Dr. Katherine Shear, a psychiatrist, clinical researcher, and the director of the Center for Complicated Grief at Columbia University shares 6 ways that family and friends can help bereaved cope…

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Understanding Emotional Neglect Trauma

Emotional neglect, often pervasive even in the most loving and well-meaning homes, can profoundly impact an individual’s ability to form secure attachments and maintain emotional stability. This subtle yet pervasive…

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Lessons Learned from a Grief Therapist about Navigating Loss and Healing

Being a grief therapist has given me the incredible opportunity to walk alongside individuals on their unique grief journeys. In my practice, I’ve adopted an approach that draws inspiration from…

Benefits of Bibliotherapy

What is Bibliotherapy? Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic intervention that involves using literature to aid in personal growth and healing. Therapeutic or creative bibliotherapy is most often used as an adjunct…

Grieving During the Holidays

The holidays are often stressful for most folks. There is an expectation to make this time of year magical and delightful- to have the most beautiful, awe inspiring decorated Christmas…

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Healing Without Shame: A Compassionate Approach to Substance Use Therapy

If you’re struggling with substance use, you might feel overwhelmed by feelings of shame or guilt. Perhaps you’ve faced judgment from people around you, or maybe you’ve become your own…

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Coping with Family Trauma During the Holidays

The holiday season, a time often portrayed as the pinnacle of joy and togetherness, can be a kaleidoscope of emotions for many. While the air might be filled with the…

Parent comforting grieving child, emotional support guidance.

Parenting a Grieving Child: 5 Ways to Navigate the Waves of Grief

As parents, our instinctual role is often to shield our children from harm and discomfort. Yet, despite our best efforts, we can’t entirely protect them from experiencing loss—be it the…

Polyvagal theory illustration with nervous system diagram.

Understanding Polyvagal Theory Basics

The Polyvagal theory presents us with the “science of safety- the science of feeling safe enough to fall in love with life and take the risks of living” (Deb Dana,…

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Understanding The Griever’s Bill of Rights

Grief is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs that can leave you feeling disoriented and emotionally drained. No one can predict precisely how they’ll react to loss, which…

How to Work with Your Inner Parts with Parts Work Therapy and Get Unstuck

If you’ve ever felt like part of you is moving forward while another part is holding you back, you’ve already experienced inner conflict. Maybe you deeply want to set boundaries…

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Do You Know If Your Teen Is Self-Harming?

Teen self-harm and trauma are deeply connected, affecting many adolescents who struggle with emotional distress. Self-harm, also known as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), is a coping mechanism some teens use to…

Is Bibliotherapy right for you?

Dealing with grief and trauma can be a difficult and overwhelming experience. It can feel like you’re alone and no one truly understands the pain you’re going through. However, there…

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What to expect in an EMDR Session

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a psychotherapy approach that has been successfully used to treat people who suffer from panic attacks, anxiety, PTSD, and other emotional issues.…

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What is Grief?

I get this asked often by my friends and clients. So let’s unpack this a bit and see if I can help make sense of what grief is, what it…

FAQ’s about Bibliotherapy

Do you enjoy reading? Is it easier to connect with yourself and the world through literature? Have you attempted to engage in therapy in the past but could not fully…

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Creating Space for Pride: Why LGBTQIA+ Pride Matters for Mental Health and Human Rights

Given that I’m a lesbian and a therapist, I thought it would be easy to write a blog post about Pride and mental health. Then I tried to begin, and…

Navigating Caregiving for Abusive Parents

Years ago, a teacher, let’s call her Carrie came to me for guidance on navigating caregiving for aging parents. Carrie had spent years teaching and nurturing her students, but when…

Why You Feel Stuck—And How to Get Unstuck with Parts Work Therapy

Have you ever felt like you’re standing in your own way—like part of you wants to move forward, but another part holds you back? Maybe you desperately want to set…

Does Your Teen Need Trauma Therapy?

Teen trauma can have a profound impact on teenagers, affecting their emotional, mental, and physical well-being. While some teens naturally work through difficult experiences over time, others may struggle with…

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Why EMDR is Effective in Treating Trauma?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a therapeutic protocol used in the treatment of mental and emotional trauma. It has been widely praised in the United States and…

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“Why Can’t I Just Move On?” How Somatic Therapy for Trauma Helps Heal the Body and Mind

Trauma isn’t just something that happens to the mind—it lives in the body. You may logically understand that the past is over, yet your body still reacts as if the…

Comparison of idealized and real grief experiences.

Are the “5 Stages of Grief” Real?

What are the “5 Stages of Grief”? Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance: are the very well-known five stages of grief, as postulated by Swiss psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her…

Coping with Anxiety in Uncertain Times

Life feels especially heavy for many people in the U.S. right now. You might find yourself overwhelmed, unable to fully process the many layers contributing to this weight. It’s common…

Navigating the Holiday Season While Grieving

As the holiday season unfolds, it brings with it a tapestry of emotions, especially for those who are navigating the journey of grief. This time of year, often characterized by…

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What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, or EMDR, is a set of standardized protocols that incorporate elements from many different treatment approaches. It has been researched extensively and proven effective…

Woman sitting, head in hands, looking distressed.

What is Trauma and do I have it?

Trauma is the result of stressful events that shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless in a perceived dangerous world. Trauma can leave you struggling with upsetting emotions,…

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Understanding Parts Work/IFS: A Path to Healing from Trauma

Healing from trauma is a deeply personal and transformative journey. Traditional talk therapies often focus on the conscious mind, but trauma goes much deeper. That’s where Parts Work/IFS (Internal Family…

My friend’s dog died. What do I do?

When someone loses a beloved pet, it’s important to recognize the unique nature of their grief. Losing a pet often falls into a category called “disenfranchised grief,” which means that…

Thoughtful person gazing outside window.

Grief and Relationships: How Loss Changes Your Support System

Experiencing the death of a loved one is often one of the most profound challenges a person faces. Grieving can feel overwhelming and impact every aspect of life, including relationships.…

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Meaningful Ways to Remember Mom on Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day can stir something deep within the heart of anyone grieving the death of a mother or a mother-like figure. Whether your loss was recent or decades ago, grief…

Smiling woman in yellow headscarf outdoors

Hidden Signs of Trauma and How Trauma Therapy Can Help You Heal

When you think about trauma, incidents such as violent assault, abuse, or severe accidents might come to mind. However, trauma isn’t always obvious. Emotional wounds from neglect, toxic relationships, childhood…

Snow-covered branches with red berries in winter.

Navigating Family Trauma During the Holidays

In the first part of this series, we explored the complex emotional landscape of the holiday season for those dealing with family trauma, and the importance of having an escape…

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What is Ambiguous Loss?

For years, I have worked with individuals who feel they are all alone in this nameless, unidentifiable space and who often feel that nobody understands what they are going through.…

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Attachment Trauma Therapy Can Help You Find Your Path to Connection

Do your relationships leave you feeling anxious, disconnected, or stuck in painful patterns? You may find yourself pushing others away when they get too close or clinging to relationships out of…

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Why You’re Always Tired: Depression, Survival Mode, and Emotional Fatigue

If you’ve been feeling exhausted no matter how much you sleep or rest, you’re not alone—and you’re not lazy. You might start the day already drained, struggle to focus, or…

Young woman with headphones using smartphone on couch.

Digital Mourning and Teen Grief

In today’s digital world, social media plays a significant role in the daily lives of teenagers. It serves as a space for connection, self-expression, and even emotional support. When teens…

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Does Trauma Drive Substance Use? Breaking the Cycle and Finding Freedom with Trauma Therapy

Struggling with substance use can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like no one understands the deeper pain behind it. Many people turn to substances as a way to numb…

A smiling woman making a heart shape with her hands symbolizing self-love.

Importance of Self-Love for Healing

Before we can be authentic and vulnerable with others, we need to be authentic and vulnerable with ourselves. We need to show ourselves compassion and love. For most of us,…

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What I want for you–Soul healing.

I want you to feel solid in your own thoughts, feelings, wants, and needs. For you to feel confident in knowing that what you see inside is your truth. I…

A smiling woman making a heart shape in a mirror symbolizing self-compassion

3 Steps to Self-Compassion when Healing from Grief and Trauma

“God, you can be so stupid sometimes.” “Why would he be attracted to YOU?” “You’re just going to screw this up.” These are things you would probably never say to…

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