Speaking About Trauma

Fantasies

Fiction Is Indispensable to Life’s Journey

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on March 26, 2026

Changes and challenges will come and go but we will always have the gift of transporting ourselves in time and place through stories.

Changes and challenges will come and go but we will always have the gift of transporting ourselves in time and place through stories.

Compulsive Behaviors

Is It Holiday Shopping or Compulsive Spending?

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on December 12, 2025

Holiday season shopping can be a dangerous gateway that escalates into compulsive shopping for those who are prone to it.

Holiday season shopping can be a dangerous gateway that escalates into compulsive shopping for those who are prone to it.

Loneliness

The Power of Music to Address Loneliness

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on October 19, 2025

There is a significant degree of loneliness in Seniors. One invaluable asset for seniors and others of any age is the power of self-chosen music to serve as a social surrogate.

There is a significant degree of loneliness in Seniors. One invaluable asset for seniors and others of any age is the power of self-chosen music to serve as a social surrogate.

Aging

Retirement and Marriage: Rules of Engagement

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on September 26, 2025

As increasing numbers of seniors retire, it is important to recognize the role of marriage in navigating the unexpected negative and positive life changes of retirement.

As increasing numbers of seniors retire, it is important to recognize the role of marriage in navigating the unexpected negative and positive life changes of retirement.

Animal Behavior

An Unexpected Way for Pets to Improve Your Relationship

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on July 20, 2025

What if couples struggling with connection could look toward the acceptance and forgiveness they show to their pets for answers?

What if couples struggling with connection could look toward the acceptance and forgiveness they show to their pets for answers?

Family Dynamics

For Father’s Day, Give and Receive the Gift of Stories

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on June 12, 2025

Most parents are aware of the benefits of reading to their children. Often unrecognized are proven benefits of sharing their stories with children of any age. It is a special gift.

Most parents are aware of the benefits of reading to their children. Often unrecognized are proven benefits of sharing their stories with children of any age. It is a special gift.

Relationships

Driving With Your Partner — A Chance for Stress Regulation

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on May 16, 2025

While most couples spend hours driving together, it is not always “paradise by the dashboard light.” Everything from traffic to weather invites the need for stress regulation.

While most couples spend hours driving together, it is not always “paradise by the dashboard light.” Everything from traffic to weather invites the need for stress regulation.

Sexual Abuse

Why Can’t We Speak About Rape?

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on April 15, 2025

As a culture we must better understand the incidence and impact of rape and the support needed to restore the lives of victims.

As a culture we must better understand the incidence and impact of rape and the support needed to restore the lives of victims.

Trauma

Understanding Hoarding Behavior From a Trauma Perspective

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on March 25, 2025

The impact of trauma on someone unable to let go of anything.

The impact of trauma on someone unable to let go of anything.

Trauma

Recognizing Pain and Seeing Possibility in the Face of Disaster

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on January 12, 2025

In the face of catastrophic events, consider an understanding of the unique history everyone brings as well as strategies for coping, sharing, and restoring self and other.

In the face of catastrophic events, consider an understanding of the unique history everyone brings as well as strategies for coping, sharing, and restoring self and other.

Trauma

From Trauma to a Legacy of Hope: Creating a Family Narrative

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on November 23, 2024

A traumatic event can leave a family in pain without the words they need to address the unthinkable together.

A traumatic event can leave a family in pain without the words they need to address the unthinkable together.

Dreaming

Why You Needed the Dream You Had Last Night

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on August 9, 2024

Whether or not you remember, you dream several times a night. Your dreams are crucial in enhancing memory, integrating new skills, regulating emotions and healing trauma.

Whether or not you remember, you dream several times a night. Your dreams are crucial in enhancing memory, integrating new skills, regulating emotions and healing trauma.

Anger

Is It Safe to Be Angry in Your Relationship?

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on May 20, 2024

If it is not safe to be angry with your partner, it is not a safe bond. A relationship needs to contain anger along with love and trust.

If it is not safe to be angry with your partner, it is not a safe bond. A relationship needs to contain anger along with love and trust.

Anxiety

Avoid Worry: Strategies to Protect You and Your Relationship

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on April 19, 2024

Worry can be hazardous to you and your relationships. It takes time and energy but brings few rewards. Strategies of connection, postponement, and regulation can make a difference.

Worry can be hazardous to you and your relationships. It takes time and energy but brings few rewards. Strategies of connection, postponement, and regulation can make a difference.

Laughter

Look Who’s Laughing: Are There Differences in Men and Women?

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on February 19, 2024

Some feel that the purpose of laughter is to strengthen human bonds. Men and women both laugh but they differ in engendering and responding to laughter.

Some feel that the purpose of laughter is to strengthen human bonds. Men and women both laugh but they differ in engendering and responding to laughter.

Spirituality

Spirituality as Resilience

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on November 29, 2023

For centuries, people have responded to war, illness, and disaster by reaching for something beyond them to make meaning and ease pain. This is why.

For centuries, people have responded to war, illness, and disaster by reaching for something beyond them to make meaning and ease pain. This is why.

Anger

“Anyone Else Angry?” The Link Between Trauma and Anger

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on October 23, 2023

Anger is a common and complex response in the aftermath of trauma. When it persists it can obscure grieving, loving, and connecting. Addressing anger fuels hope and recovery.

Anger is a common and complex response in the aftermath of trauma. When it persists it can obscure grieving, loving, and connecting. Addressing anger fuels hope and recovery.

Family Dynamics

The Keys for Blending Families: Time and Understanding

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on September 14, 2023

Blending a family is not easy. Often prefaced by a death or divorce, it takes time and an understanding of adults' and children’s reactions to make blending possible and positive.

Blending a family is not easy. Often prefaced by a death or divorce, it takes time and an understanding of adults' and children’s reactions to make blending possible and positive.

Adolescence

Cannabis, Teens, and Risk: Postponement as Prevention

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on August 12, 2023

With the legalization of cannabis, it is likely more teens will using it. Even recreational use has an unknown impact on teen brain development and warrants asking teens to "Just Wait."

With the legalization of cannabis, it is likely more teens will using it. Even recreational use has an unknown impact on teen brain development and warrants asking teens to "Just Wait."

Sex

What If You Find Your Partner Using Porn?

Suzanne B. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP on June 5, 2023

Finding a partner using porn can leave a couple in a crisis of exposure and betrayal. Guidelines for sharing and learning can make mutual repair possible.

Finding a partner using porn can leave a couple in a crisis of exposure and betrayal. Guidelines for sharing and learning can make mutual repair possible.