Neurobehavioral Counseling & Consulting

09/07/2025

People don’t abandon the person they love or even family they say they love. They abandon because they are not capable of love and they are users. The family that supports that behavior are enablers. We see this all of the time in addiction and codependent families.

When people enable an unhealthy persons behavior they are contributing and are part of the unhealthy problem.

08/31/2025

When Trauma Lives in the Body

Science now confirms what many survivors have always felt: trauma doesn’t just live in the mind — it lives in the body. Painful experiences etch themselves into tissues, muscles, and even organs, shaping how we move, breathe, and respond to the world.

Studies reveal that traumatic memories can linger in the nervous system, causing chronic stress, inflammation, and even disease decades later. A racing heart, tense shoulders, or sudden stomach aches may not simply be “in your head” — they may be echoes of wounds long past.

But there is hope. Practices like therapy, yoga, breathwork, and somatic healing are showing that the body, too, can be taught to release and let go. Healing is not only about changing thoughts — it’s about reconnecting with the body, listening to its signals, and teaching it that safety has returned.

Trauma leaves scars, but they do not have to define us. Our bodies, just like our hearts, carry the power to remember — and to heal.

08/27/2025

Sleep deprivation does more than make you tired, new research reveals it can literally trigger your brain to start consuming itself. Chronic lack of sleep activates certain brain cells, causing a process scientists describe as “cellular cannibalism,” where neurons begin breaking down their own connections.

This alarming phenomenon primarily affects synapses, the vital connections that allow neurons to communicate. Over time, chronic sleep loss can lead to reduced cognitive function, memory problems, and even accelerated brain ageing. The brain essentially prioritises survival, pruning synapses and consuming parts of itself to cope with the stress of sleep deprivation.

The study underscores just how critical regular, restorative sleep is for maintaining brain health. Missing a night occasionally may not cause permanent damage, but long-term sleep deprivation can have serious neurological consequences. Prioritising quality sleep isn’t just about feeling alert—it’s about protecting your neurons and keeping your brain functioning optimally.

08/27/2025

In 2011, researchers at University College London (UCL), working with the Anna Freud Centre, found that children exposed to family violence show increased activity in brain areas that detect threats. When these children saw angry faces, regions like the anterior insula and amygdala became more active—similar to the brain responses of soldiers who have experienced combat. The study looked at 43 children, 20 of whom had experienced family violence, and 23 who had not.

All the children were otherwise healthy, showing that family violence can affect brain function even without mental health issues. Researchers believe these brain changes may help children stay alert in unsafe environments but could also increase the risk of anxiety later in life. This study highlights how early exposure to abuse can shape the brain’s emotional systems and long-term mental health.

08/23/2025

Buyer beware… what they don’t tell you about the effects….  personally I can agree and tell you that I’ve seen a significant increase in the last 10 years in relationship issues related to testosterone therapy.

The Risks of taking Testosterone by Arnold R. Lopez, LCSW I’ve been a marriage therapist for 37 years and have a strong sense of the common pitfalls within marriages. From codependency issues, substance abuse, sexual abuse issues and more. About 5 years ago I started to see something in my practic...

08/23/2025

Over the last ten years there has been an increase in testosterone therapy, being advertised and driven towards men. The pictures I attracted men to the glamorous ideas of testosterone therapy.
However, in mental health, we have seen an increase in the number of couples or individual individuals coming to Therapy sharing their concerns over the effects of testosterone therapy in particular testosterone pellets, and the effect on mood and aggression in the marriage.
It is one of the hardest things for a spouse to deal with, as well as to treat because the idea of extended youth with testosterone therapy is addicting for many men. They feel a renewed sense of power and sexual appetite, which can result in infidelity and po*******hy.

How testosterone injections are rising in popularity but there can be unintended damage to marriages

08/23/2025

Did you know that there is a significant correlation between testosterone therapy in men and divorce? Something rarely talked about in a high dollar industry. What the drs don’t tell couples…

Explore the unexpected link between testosterone therapy and divorce. Learn about relationship challenges, legal considerations, and strategies for couples undergoing treatment.

08/23/2025

This is a tactic used with emotional manipulation in play, where the blame is shifted to you for reacting the way you did about the toxic behaviour as opposed to the toxic behaviour occurring. All the while focused on your reaction to their disrespect — with either anger, sadness or silence — but never acknowledging that their actions warranted it in the first place. It operates in a way that makes you question yourself and even blame yourself for defending what you feel. Fear leads people to throw others under the bus to avoid blame, but respect means owning it. If they constantly get mad at your reaction but never take the responsibility of their behavior, it is not love or care; it is manipulation—and you deserve better.
Neena Gupta.
ⓒ Love Is An Emotion of Strong Affection

08/21/2025

🔗 https://bit.ly/4oGqC8P
Emotional connections formed with an abuser are known as trauma bonds — and healing is possible with the right support.

These bonds can create mixed feelings toward a partner, where moments of manipulation are followed by periods of affection. For those with a history of insecure attachments, this can lead to repeating unhealthy relationship dynamics.

Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward breaking the cycle and beginning to heal.

05/10/2025

02/10/2025

Thank you for your patience during our relocation. Telehealth appointments are available to schedule for current clients through the portal.