Olga Wood Counseling

06/12/2024

Trauma is a deeply personal experience, and no one should have to face it alone. It's crucial to understand that each person's response to trauma is unique. Even if two people go through the same event, their perspectives will be different.

The aftermath of trauma can lead to various challenges, including anxiety, depression, hypersensitivity, and physical symptoms. It's important to acknowledge and respect each person's individual experience with trauma in order to provide practical support. Recovery from trauma is a complex process that often requires personalized professional care, including therapy, support groups, and, in some cases, medication.

Creating a compassionate and empathetic environment is crucial for those affected by trauma. By increasing awareness and understanding of trauma, we can build a supportive and inclusive community where individuals feel safe and validated. This will encourage those who have experienced trauma to seek help and believe in the possibility of healing.

04/17/2024

Susan Tankersley and Terance Dawkins discuss recognizing patterns of unhealthy behaviors we can identify within ourselves and our families. By increasing self-awareness, we can break the chains and free ourselves from transmitting and future generations from receiving faulty/unhealthy messages.

We are so happy you are here! Please continue to listen to this series on inter-generational trauma. We hope you find tools to equip yourself with and are en...

04/15/2024

03/31/2024

Recently, my husband and I had to renew the license plate for our "new-to-us" car. For the plate, he chose a phrase that read, "While I Breathe, I Hope." When I asked him why he decided on that, he said it reminded him of me. This prompted me to reflect on why I hold onto hope.

Like many others, I have experienced the loss of loved ones, faced trials and sorrows in my life, and encountered deep wounds of the soul. We, wounded souls, go through life with fragile bodies, often tormented by pain and suffering. My two decades in the medical field allowed me to witness firsthand how challenging it can be to take a deep breath, yet we must breathe to stay alive. So, we fight with every breath!

Life has taught me that during the most desperate moments, when I didn't understand the purpose of pain, faith gave me strength to believe in a newer, better day. I found that my hope stems from the story of resurrection, which accompanies me daily and offers solace and fortitude in the face of adversity. My faith gives me the courage to confront challenges and the certainty of a brighter tomorrow. This perpetual wellspring of hope humbles me, and I am grateful to have experienced Grace even when I didn't fully understand it. So, through faith, I Hope.

I like to think that breathing and hoping are twins that rely on each other to perpetuate life.

So, "While I Breathe, I Hope."

03/30/2024

How can we protect ourselves from the chaotic rollercoaster of distorted thoughts and negative feelings caused by the emotionally unsafe person? Boundaries! We have the right to protect our inner sanctuary from being violated by building defensive walls around it.

Setting boundaries with emotionally unsafe people can be challenging, but it is a powerful and transformative act of self-care that deserves prioritization. By identifying personal limits, communicating them clearly, and upholding them firmly, we take control of our lives and begin our journey toward emotional well-being.

It is important to remember that setting boundaries is not selfish or mean. Rather, it is a way to protect ourselves from toxic interactions and a necessary step toward earning the respect, kindness, and love that every human being deserves. If you struggle with setting boundaries, reach out for support from trusted friends or professionals who can guide you, encourage you, and listen to you when you need it the most.

Remember that you are worthy of respect, kindness, and love, and learning to set healthy boundaries is a crucial step toward achieving them. With confidence and compassion, you can navigate relationships and live a life full of positivity and happiness. So take a deep breath, trust yourself, and know that you are making a powerful and positive change in your life.

03/28/2024

An unsafe person shows patterns of behaviors harmful to relationships. They often project their own insecurities, making others feel responsible for their emotional well-being. They avoid taking responsibility for their actions and instead blame others for their behavior. They may constantly point out their partners’ flaws to boost their own ego and feel superior.

Apologies from an unsafe person are often insincere, lacking genuine effort to change their behavior. This lack of responsibility leads to cycles of repeated mistakes without resolution. They may hold onto past mistakes, refusing to forgive and hindering growth in the relationship.

In an attempt to evade facing reality, unsafe individuals may resort to lying. This dishonesty creates an atmosphere of distrust and undermines the foundation of the relationship. Moreover, when their partner expresses frustrations or concerns, they may dismiss the other person’s feelings or respond with anger, shutting down communication only to further increase the problem.

Overall, an unsafe person displays behaviors that erode trust, hinder growth, and create toxicity in relationships. It is often challenging for partners to recognize these signs, and it is crucial to establish healthy boundaries to protect their own emotional well-being.

03/05/2024

Love this podcast!

Welcome to Part one of "Understanding Your Child". We are excited to have Cathy Sparks with us on Solutions for Mental Wellness, a podcast that provides hope...

03/03/2024

In the weakly lit room, I sit curled up on my favorite armchair, my mind swirling with a storm of anxious thoughts. The heavy burden of worries weighs me down like a heavy blanket, smothering me relentlessly. I find it hard to breathe.

This is Anxiety. She and I go way back. She seemed to always be there. Uninvited, unwelcomed, yet returning even if I didn't want her to be there. We spent many sleepless nights together, seeking answers to empty questions and feeding on "what ifs.". Even at my most important milestones, she would appear out of thin air, uninvited, causing familiar havoc. Eventually, amidst all the chaos, I learned to find comfort in my sanctuary.

With a deep breath, I close my eyes and envision myself standing on the edge of a quiet lake, the water shimmering in the gentle glow of the setting sun. In my mind's eye, I dip my toes into the cool water. It feels good. Its soothing touch washes away the tension that grips my soul. I breathe in and slowly breathe out, releasing my worries each time, allowing them to dissipate like the ripples on the lake's surface.

I start listening to soft music, allowing its strains to calm the air I breathe. I embark on a mindfulness journey, letting my senses guide me to the present moment. I savor the taste of a warm cup of tea, its delicate aroma enveloping me in a cocoon of peaceful presence. With each sip, a sense of grounding anchors me to the here and now.

Turning to my journal, I pour my heart onto the pages, pen dancing across the paper as I unleash my thoughts and emotions. A weight slowly lifts off my shoulder as I put my feelings into words, and I gain a sense of clarity, releasing the trapped thoughts.

I light a candle. Lavender. I take a deep, slow breath, allowing the smell to fill my lungs. The flickering candle cast a warm, golden glow, its gentle flame symbolizing hope and resilience. I focus my gaze on the flame's rhythm for a moment, finding strength in its simple presence.

Soon, I notice Anxiety is gone, together with her chaos. Unexpectedly, I am left marveling at my two new friends, Grace and Resilience, embracing their gift of newfound inner peace.

03/02/2024

Unprocessed trauma erodes the soul. Reaching out for help may seem like an overwhelming task, parallel with traveling through a maze of suffering with no end in sight. But know this: within the dark paths of this maze, there are soft voices whispering words of encouragement and support. They offer the comfort found in healing through redemption, restoration, and reconciliation.

To those who hesitate at the brink of healing, I say: do not fear the unknown, for within the embrace of compassionate hearts lies the power to transform pain into resilience. Your scars are not marks of weakness but rather a testament to the strength that resides within you. Embrace your vulnerability and find solace in the human connection and compassion.

03/01/2024

In the depths of the human soul, at times, we nurture two shadows that dance an elegant yet destructive dance: Shame and Guilt.

Shame, a heavy cloak, wraps around us like a suffocating fog. It whispers of our perceived flaws, casting a dark shroud over our sense of self-worth. It is the weight that presses upon our shoulders, the chains that bind us to the past; it whispers in our ear tales of unworthiness and inadequacy. “You are not good enough. You are broken. You are back.”

Guilt, a goul that haunts our every move. It is the ghost of our past transgressions, the lingering echoes of actions we wish we could undo. It whispers of responsibility and consequence, urging us to confront the repercussions of our choices. Like a relentless tide, it washes over us, leaving behind the wreckage of remorse and regret.

But amidst the darkness, there is a glimmer of light. For in the dance of Shame and Guilt, there is also the promise of redemption. Through faith and self-reflection, we find the courage to confront our demons, to unravel the tangled threads of our mistakes and misgivings.

Shame teaches us humility, reminding us of our humanity in all its imperfection. It invites us to embrace our vulnerability and acknowledge our shortcomings with compassion and grace. Through its crucible, we may emerge stronger, tempered by the fires of self-awareness and acceptance.

Guilt, too, has its lessons to impart. It beckons us to make amends, to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. It is the compass that guides us back to the path of integrity and honor, reminding us of the bonds that connect us to one another.

And so, we dance on, navigating the delicate balance between Shame and Guilt, guided by the faith’s brilliant light, flickering between self-discovery and redemption. For in the depths of our darkest moments, we may find the seeds of our greatest triumphs, and in the embrace of our shadows, we may discover the true essence of our humanity.

02/23/2024

For the survivor of trauma, it might seem as though there's no end to the suffering. The thought of confronting the traumatic experiences may feel overwhelming, even terrifying, due to the intensity of the pain. Here's a message of hope: Don't hesitate to seek support. There are skilled professionals ready to assist you in navigating through the pain and finding a path toward healing.

Image courtesy to ART.

02/12/2024

Trauma. It's a word that carries weight, a word that many know all too well. Whether it's from a single event or a series of experiences, trauma has a way of leaving its mark, both physically and emotionally. But amidst the pain and turmoil, one simple thing can be a guiding light: self-care.

In the aftermath of trauma, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and lost, unsure of how to navigate the turbulent waters of our own emotions. But it's precisely in these moments that self-care becomes not just important, but essential.

Self-care isn't just about bubble baths and face masks (although those can certainly be part of it). It's about tuning into our own needs and nurturing ourselves in whatever way feels most healing. It's about setting boundaries, saying no when we need to, and surrounding ourselves with people who support and uplift us.

Self-care can be about finding solace in nature, getting lost in a good book, and leaving space to feel whatever emotions come up without judgment. It is about seeking out therapy and support groups, and permission to take things one day at a time.

But perhaps most importantly, self-care is about learning to be gentle with ourselves, to treat ourselves with the same kindness and compassion that we would offer to a friend in need. Because healing from trauma isn't easy, and it certainly isn't linear. It's messy and complicated and often painful. But it's also possible.

So, to anyone out there who is struggling in the aftermath of trauma, I want you to know that you are not alone. And while the road to healing may be long and arduous, there is hope. There is hope in the simple act of taking care of ourselves and tending to our wounds with tenderness and care.

Because even in our darkest moments, there is light. And sometimes, that light comes from within.

02/11/2024

Have you ever noticed how your mood and outlook on life can shift depending on how authentic you are with yourself and those around you? I've come to realize that my own sense of well-being is deeply intertwined with my ability to be genuine and honest, both with myself and others.

There's a profound power in genuine reflection, in being able to acknowledge and accept both our strengths and weaknesses. It's through this process that we can begin to peel back the layers of thoughts and behaviors that may be contributing to our distress or unease.

I'm reminded of the story of the woman at the well, who encountered Jesus and found herself confronted with her own truth. In that moment, she had no choice but to confront the reality that he wasn't just there for water but to offer her something far more significant – a chance at redemption and rescue.

Similarly, when we embrace authenticity in our own lives, we open ourselves up to the possibility of transformation and healing. We allow ourselves to be seen and known for who we truly are, flaws and all, and in doing so, we create space for growth and change.

Strive to be like the woman at the well – courageous enough to face our truths, humble enough to accept help when it's offered, and open enough to embrace the journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Because ultimately, it's through authenticity that we find true freedom and fulfillment.

02/09/2024

Food for thought Friday.

ADVOCACY Mental Illness, Stigma, Self Care, HOPE

02/09/2024

The 1st in a 4-part series on Cultivating Peace! We are so excited to share Jessica and Susan's latest conversation with you. In our current cultural climate...

02/05/2024

Interesting information about the Vagus Nerve and ART

The vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve or simply the "wandering nerve," is the longest and most complex cranial nerve in the your body! It plays a crucial role in regulating a wide range of bodily functions and connecting various organs and structures to the brainstem.
Stimulating your vagus nerve increases your state of calm, there are so many ways to do so!

Deep breathing
Singing and chanting
Gargling
Cold exposure
Laughter
Massage
Exercise

An 𝘼𝙍𝙏 session with a trained therapist can increase your vagal tone, which means you’ll be living more fully in a relaxed state free from all the symptoms of hyper arousal.

To work with an 𝘼𝙍𝙏
trained therapist near you visit. www.𝘼𝙍Tworksnow.com.

02/05/2024

‼️ Save The Date ‼️

This is the second of a four-part series on Intergenerational Trauma hosted by Heritage Institute and provided by Terance Dawkins! You don't want to miss this series.

REMINDER - this series is open to everyone, and it is a great opportunity for those who are not in the helping profession to learn and understand more about transgenerational trauma. With knowledge comes power! Power to change for a healthier life.