Vickie Lamb, M.Ed, LPC

08/04/2023

If you’re looking for reliable, trauma-informed mental health information, I highly recommend The Holistic Psychologist. On target again and again!

Jill, 32, has found herself in a history of toxic relationships.

She’s drawn to men who challenge her, give mixed messages, and who can’t emotionally regulate. In her last relationship with Dan, she cried herself to sleep many nights. At the end of their relationship, she was having gut issues and dizziness.

He was bad for her health.

The breakup hit Jill hard. As unhealthy as they were together, she missed everything about him. She loved his charm and the feeling she had around him. But she chose herself.

After reading and learning all about emotional patterns, attachment, and generational trauma, Jill was gaining self awareness. Instead of shaming herself for always picking the wrong men, she started to have empathy for herself.

These men were a lot like her father. The dynamics in her relationships were all similar to the dynamics she witnessed between her parents. She always wondered why her mom stayed. Now, she understood.

Jill spends 6 months creating a sleep routine, walking every day, drinking plenty of water, and getting to know who she actually is from reading .

She’s healing.

Ready to date, she connects with Jordan. Jordan is calm, open, expressive, and in touch with his true nature. He lacks the false bravado she’s typically attracted to. He’s also direct and clear. His words align with his actions.

Jill is noticing she sees him as boring. Her body craves the excitement and feelings of fireworks. Educated and aware, she knows that is actually dysregulation from her nervous system. She gives Jordan a chance. She knows that her physical responses have led her wrong in the past.

A year later, her and Jordan are in a relationship. Jordan is caring, has integrity, and just being around him calms her down. Jill loves him deeply, and she still feels bored from time to time. Jealousy and explosive fights have turned into nights in, planting a guarded, and going hiking.

One night they’re sitting out back. They’re laughing and listening to music. Jordan looks at her and says “want me to turn on the grill for dinner?” Jill smiles.

She chose herself. She gave herself the peace she never knew and always wanted

08/01/2023

I highly recommend Sarah. She's an excellent therapist!

Hello. Allow me to introduce myself! I am Sarah Klawun LPC-A. I specialize in working with individuals aged 13 and up. Specifically on depression, anxiety, PTSD, disability issues, and major life transitions. I also work with many individuals who are q***r and/or neurodivergent. I currently have openings as early as August 14th! Email me at sklawun@outlook.com or leave a message at 940-373-0990 if you'd like to book with me!

06/04/2023

Spent today passing out Free Mom Hugs at the Dallas Pride Parade! Covered in sweat, glitter, and lots of love!!

06/02/2023

Happy Pride Month! I love you ALL!!

05/20/2023

Crying is a natural human response to various emotions, such as sadness, frustration, and even happiness. While it is often associated with negative emotions, crying can actually have a positive effect on our mental and physical health. When we cry, our body releases stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can help reduce tension and promote relaxation.

According to a study published in the journal Emotion, tears contain a higher concentration of stress hormones than other bodily fluids, such as urine and saliva. The study also found that crying can help to regulate emotions and reduce stress levels, leading to an overall improvement in mood.

In addition to reducing stress, crying has also been shown to have physical health benefits. A study published in the journal Ophthalmology found that tears can help to flush out harmful substances, such as toxins and other irritants, from the eyes. This can help to prevent eye infections and other eye-related health problems.

Overall, while crying may not be the most pleasant experience, it can have a positive impact on our mental and physical health by reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation. So the next time you feel the urge to cry, don't hold back - it might just be what your body needs.

Sources:

- Rottenberg, J., Bylsma, L. M., & Vingerhoets, A. J. (2008). Is crying beneficial? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17(6), 400-404.
- Ophthalmology, “The chemical composition of human tears”

Most people do these 3 things when they cry:

1. Apologize “I’m so sorry”
2. Block the natural release (suppression)
3. Self shame “I hate that I cry so easily”

This is to be expect in a culture that doesn’t understand the nervous system and how it works. And, that shames people for natural human reactions.

When we experience fight or flight, our body goes into sympathetic energy.

We can go into fight or flight from:
- hearing about layoffs at work
- getting into conflict with a co-worker
- a partner raises their voice at us
- our mother in law brings up a subject we don’t want to talk about

Fight or flight is when our body senses external danger and: mobilizes or immobilizes to escape that danger.

Sympathetic energy will: dilate our pupils, increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, and increase sweating. All of this happens (usually beyond our awareness.)

Sometimes all of that sympathetic energy triggers a tear response. You’ll know it’s happening when you get a flash of anger and tears flood your eyes...

This is an attempt to discharge that energy— the body attempting to self regulate.

Let the tears flow.

Your body is working *for* you.

Notice how calm and regulated you feel after

01/02/2023

365 new days, 365 new chances! Happy New Year!

12/26/2022

Excellent advice for adult children on setting boundaries with parents. Good reminder for the parent too!

Setting boundaries with your parents can improve your relationship. Therapists share practical advice for how to have these conversations.

10/13/2022

10/12/2022

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4760995250591920&id=116119651746193

08/30/2022

I highly recommend Sarah as a kind, knowledgable, affirming therapist.