Invisible Bruises

Trauma

How Childhood Trauma Shapes Adult Relationships

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on June 8, 2026

We often repeat relationship patterns shaped in childhood, which, for some, might mean repeating the cycle of dysfunction.

We often repeat relationship patterns shaped in childhood, which, for some, might mean repeating the cycle of dysfunction.

Personal Perspectives

When Children Are Expected to Be the Adults

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on June 3, 2026

Personal Perspective: What happens when children are expected to suppress their pain and become adults?

Personal Perspective: What happens when children are expected to suppress their pain and become adults?

Trauma

A Quick Practice for When Trauma Responses Reappear

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on June 1, 2026

What to do when old trauma patterns resurface during healing.

What to do when old trauma patterns resurface during healing.

Relationships

When Unhealthy Relationships Feel Familiar

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on May 27, 2026

Many survivors of abuse blame themselves for "missing the signs." But when abuse was normalized in childhood, harmful behavior can feel familiar.

Many survivors of abuse blame themselves for "missing the signs." But when abuse was normalized in childhood, harmful behavior can feel familiar.

Trauma

When Trauma Responses Show Up as Overprotective Parenting

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on May 21, 2026

When someone grows up in an environment where safety and support were inconsistent or absent, they may become hyper-vigilant about protecting their own children from harm.

When someone grows up in an environment where safety and support were inconsistent or absent, they may become hyper-vigilant about protecting their own children from harm.

Trauma

How Historical Trauma Can Shape LGBTQ Relationships

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on May 17, 2026

Historical trauma and minority stress can shape how queer partners cope with fear, danger, and protection in relationships.

Historical trauma and minority stress can shape how queer partners cope with fear, danger, and protection in relationships.

Trauma

Mother’s Day and Estrangement: Holding Two Truths at Once

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on May 9, 2026

Mother’s Day can feel painful and isolating for those navigating different levels of family estrangement. Here’s a tip that may help ease the guilt while honoring your truth.

Mother’s Day can feel painful and isolating for those navigating different levels of family estrangement. Here’s a tip that may help ease the guilt while honoring your truth.

Trauma

You Can Still Heal a Painful Past—Even If You Don't Call It "Abuse"

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on May 4, 2026

Struggling to call your past “abuse”? You’re not alone. But you can acknowledge harm and begin healing without forcing a label you’re not ready to use. Here is how.

Struggling to call your past “abuse”? You’re not alone. But you can acknowledge harm and begin healing without forcing a label you’re not ready to use. Here is how.

Trauma

When Survivors Are Blamed for Family Estrangement

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on May 1, 2026

When someone is abandoned by a parent, the focus often shifts to what they did wrong. This reinforces the trauma and further harms survivors. Here are some ways to respond.

When someone is abandoned by a parent, the focus often shifts to what they did wrong. This reinforces the trauma and further harms survivors. Here are some ways to respond.

Grief

The Grief of Family Rejection

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on April 19, 2026

Family rejection often involves ambiguous loss: grief that lacks closure or recognition. This leaves survivors to mourn relationships with those who are still alive.

Family rejection often involves ambiguous loss: grief that lacks closure or recognition. This leaves survivors to mourn relationships with those who are still alive.

Trauma

When Should We Be Over Our Trauma?

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on April 9, 2026

How long is too long to be affected by trauma? Survivors are often told they should be over it—or that it wasn’t “real” trauma. But is getting over it realistic?

How long is too long to be affected by trauma? Survivors are often told they should be over it—or that it wasn’t “real” trauma. But is getting over it realistic?

Trauma

Healing From Our Trauma Helps Shape Future Generations

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on April 2, 2026

Healing could change more than your own life. Learn how breaking relational patterns today can shape safer, healthier futures for generations to come.

Healing could change more than your own life. Learn how breaking relational patterns today can shape safer, healthier futures for generations to come.

Trauma

The Lie Trauma Tells: 'No One Understands You'

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on March 21, 2026

Many survivors experience what therapists call terminal uniqueness: the belief that our suffering is so profound or unusual that no one else could possibly understand it.

Many survivors experience what therapists call terminal uniqueness: the belief that our suffering is so profound or unusual that no one else could possibly understand it.

Trauma

Why Family-of-Origin Trauma Is So Hard to Recognize

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on March 15, 2026

Many adults grew up in dysfunctional homes without realizing how much it impacted them. Learn why family trauma is hard to see—and how to begin healing from it.

Many adults grew up in dysfunctional homes without realizing how much it impacted them. Learn why family trauma is hard to see—and how to begin healing from it.

Trauma

When Childhood Trauma Shows Up in Parenting

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on March 8, 2026

Parents often want to give their children what they never had. But unresolved trauma can shape parenting in ways we don’t always recognize.

Parents often want to give their children what they never had. But unresolved trauma can shape parenting in ways we don’t always recognize.

Boundaries

Learning Boundaries to Break the Cycle of Family Dysfunction

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on March 2, 2026

Survivors of dysfunctional families often struggle with boundaries because they were never taught—or they were punished for having them.

Survivors of dysfunctional families often struggle with boundaries because they were never taught—or they were punished for having them.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

What Punch the Monkey Tells Us About Parent Abandonment

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on February 25, 2026

An abandoned baby macaque’s story reveals what family rejection does to the brain—and how new attachments can help us heal.

An abandoned baby macaque’s story reveals what family rejection does to the brain—and how new attachments can help us heal.

Boundaries

Why You Can’t Heal Your Partner’s Trauma

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on February 14, 2026

Trying to fix the people you love may come from childhood wounds. Learn how boundaries, not rescuing, create healthier relationships and support your own healing.

Trying to fix the people you love may come from childhood wounds. Learn how boundaries, not rescuing, create healthier relationships and support your own healing.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Can Adult Relationships Shape Memories of Childhood Trauma?

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on February 5, 2026

Childhood trauma is assumed to be something that permanently shapes us, but what if adult relationships play a role in shaping these memories? A recent study explores that question.

Childhood trauma is assumed to be something that permanently shapes us, but what if adult relationships play a role in shaping these memories? A recent study explores that question.

Relationships

12 Signs of Family Trauma That May Still Affect You Today

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on February 3, 2026

Are you able to recognize signs of family abuse or dysfunction and how these childhood experiences may be affecting your relationships today?

Are you able to recognize signs of family abuse or dysfunction and how these childhood experiences may be affecting your relationships today?