The Calm Self

Trauma

When Self-Compassion Is a Struggle

Dan Roberts MBACP on September 8, 2026

Many people have a tough time with self-compassion, but knowing that this is a skill makes it a great deal easier to learn.

Many people have a tough time with self-compassion, but knowing that this is a skill makes it a great deal easier to learn.

Trauma

How Could Childhood Trauma Make You Sick?

Dan Roberts MBACP on August 24, 2026

Do you struggle with chronic pain or illness? If so, the root cause may be painful or traumatic events in childhood—and trauma-informed therapy can help.

Do you struggle with chronic pain or illness? If so, the root cause may be painful or traumatic events in childhood—and trauma-informed therapy can help.

Child Development

Do You Feel Defective? You Are Not Alone

Dan Roberts MBACP on July 24, 2026

Childhood trauma and neglect cast a long shadow over our lives, affecting our happiness and self-esteem. But trauma can be healed, with the right help and support.

Childhood trauma and neglect cast a long shadow over our lives, affecting our happiness and self-esteem. But trauma can be healed, with the right help and support.

Trauma

How Trauma-Related Schemas Shape Your Life

Dan Roberts MBACP on July 20, 2026

Schemas formed early in life can shape lifelong emotional patterns. But with the right help and support, these schemas can be revealed, examined, and healed.

Schemas formed early in life can shape lifelong emotional patterns. But with the right help and support, these schemas can be revealed, examined, and healed.

Self-Talk

Transform Your Inner Critic Into an Inner Ally

Dan Roberts MBACP on July 16, 2026

Do you have a harsh inner voice? If so, this critical part of you needs help to change, which can lead to much-improved mental health.

Do you have a harsh inner voice? If so, this critical part of you needs help to change, which can lead to much-improved mental health.

Self-Esteem

Change Your Life Story to Unroot Shame and Regret

Dan Roberts MBACP on June 23, 2026

When you tell your life story, is it critical or kind? If it's critical, it is time to tell a new, more compassionate story.

When you tell your life story, is it critical or kind? If it's critical, it is time to tell a new, more compassionate story.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

The Enduring Heartache of Unmet Childhood Needs

Dan Roberts MBACP on June 19, 2026

If you struggle with your mental health, the root cause may be unmet childhood needs. But you can learn to get those needs met in adulthood, with the right help and support.

If you struggle with your mental health, the root cause may be unmet childhood needs. But you can learn to get those needs met in adulthood, with the right help and support.

Empathy

How to Protect Yourself From Empathy Fatigue

Dan Roberts MBACP on May 18, 2026

If you are a sensitive soul, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the world's suffering. Buddhism has the answer: taking compassionate action.

If you are a sensitive soul, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the world's suffering. Buddhism has the answer: taking compassionate action.

Highly Sensitive Person

The Sensitivity Paradox

Dan Roberts MBACP on May 12, 2026

If you are unusually sensitive, don't despair—your sensitivity brings great gifts as well as challenges.

If you are unusually sensitive, don't despair—your sensitivity brings great gifts as well as challenges.

Anxiety

The Aching Feeling of Never Enough

Dan Roberts MBACP on May 8, 2026

If you chronically worry you don't have enough resources, like food or money, you may have a scarcity mindset, but you can help yourself.

If you chronically worry you don't have enough resources, like food or money, you may have a scarcity mindset, but you can help yourself.

Therapy

Befriending the Child Inside

Dan Roberts MBACP on April 27, 2026

We all have young, wounded parts living in our mind. These parts can be healed, with compassion and understanding.

We all have young, wounded parts living in our mind. These parts can be healed, with compassion and understanding.

Self-Esteem

Do You Like the Person You See in the Mirror?

Dan Roberts MBACP on April 14, 2026

Many women struggle with body-image issues, which may be linked to a painful schema in the brain causing body dysmorphia and low self-esteem.

Many women struggle with body-image issues, which may be linked to a painful schema in the brain causing body dysmorphia and low self-esteem.

Mindfulness

When Mindfulness Is Not Enough

Dan Roberts MBACP on March 16, 2026

Mindfulness meditation is incredibly helpful for millions of people, but enduring problems may also require a compassion-based approach, like internal family systems.

Mindfulness meditation is incredibly helpful for millions of people, but enduring problems may also require a compassion-based approach, like internal family systems.

Trauma

Why Children Are Especially Vulnerable to Trauma

Dan Roberts MBACP on March 9, 2026

Not all painful experiences in childhood are traumatic. But childhood trauma is prevalent and can cause significant problems in adulthood.

Not all painful experiences in childhood are traumatic. But childhood trauma is prevalent and can cause significant problems in adulthood.