I hope this newsletter finds you doing well. We’ve got news!

WHAT’S NEW?

Home Page

Rate our site for Psych Central!
Updated & Improved Site Map

Counseling Office

Information about Ritual Abuse

Writing Room

10 new poems / creative writings – Thanks everyone!
More comments from site readers

Art Room

New Picture with a poem - Thanks, Anna.

Library

New Links
Newsletter Archive
The Daffodil Principle

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?

Working effectively with trauma is still one of the most rapidly developing and changing areas of psychiatry and mental health. As a profession, we are still learning what works, and what doesn’t. Your input is essential, and we are eager to hear from you.

Have you felt pleased with the skill level and helpfulness of a therapist or counselor that you know? This is your chance to say words of appreciation and to point out what has helped you the most. Help other therapists to learn from those that know!

Have you known a therapist to mess up terribly, or to cause harm, or be simply ‘out to lunch’? This is your chance to point out their mistakes, to speak your peace about the difficulties you experienced, and help other therapists learn what NOT to do!

Have trauma and abuse had a negative impact on your life? Have you considered the various areas of life that trauma can effect? How much devastation have you experienced in your life due to the negative impact of trauma?

What you have to say matters to us!
What you have to say matters desperately to survivors still fighting for help and understanding!
What you have to say matters to students that are training to be effective therapists!

From the results submitted so far, I’m betting that lots of therapists will be surprised…

By the way, if you belong an online support group, would you please consider posting a note or a link to your friends and group members encouraging them to fill out the surveys? Thanks! They are invited too!

SURVEYS

Negative Impact of Child Sexual Abuse

THANK YOU

Thank you, thank you, and thank you – Nina, Angela, Lin, Larry, and The Phoenix Factor for volunteering hours of kindness and generosity
Helping us to reach survivors around the world
And again, and again, and again… Your devotion is commendable, and SO appreciated.
New volunteers are always welcome because
Kathy certainly needs help!!! (And so does this trauma-ridden world…)

You are bringing more life and joy to this group with your contributions
Oh boy! I can’t wait to see what we can do next!
Uniting our strengths, our abilities, our efforts – we ARE making a difference!!!

T H A N K    Y O U  !!!

DID THERAPY TIP

Well, here in Texas, the daffodils are in full bloom, the grass is getting its first sprigs of green, and the earliest blossoms on the cottonwood trees are starting to flower like popcorn. It looks like a beautiful, fresh spring season is about to appear.

Everyone should be thrilled at the beauty of the season, right?

If it were only that simple… Spring is not a beautiful time of year for everyone. The changing of the seasons and the fast-approaching Easter holidays can be difficult times for many survivors who have been ritually abused. Trauma memories, internal screams, and tortured nights can be the most prominent part of this season for those still caught in the past or the present. It is a difficult time of year, and the beauty of nature cannot be seen or enjoyed when ritual abuse forces itself upon survivors.

Therapists – remember to check the current safety of your clients – check frequently and thoroughly. Develop personalized safety plans and safety options to help your clients avoid contact with perpetrator groups. Teach them they deserve to be safe!

Survivors – plan to have more frequent contact with safe and helpful people – you may need extra support from others during the hard times. That’s ok. Make arrangements ahead of time to add more safety options on the difficult days, i.e.: plan to spend a few nights with a trusted safe friend, plan to have hours of IM contact with safe people on the difficult nights, make sure the kid parts have their favorite teddy bears and blankets close by to snuggle in, talk with your system about not answering the phone and not opening the door to anyone wanting to involve you in ritualistic activities.

For more information about ritual abuse, come to our new page describing ritual abuse in the Counseling Office, or request a clinical consultation for personalized attention.

Thank you, Svali, for permission to link with your articles and information about ritual abuse. You are truly an inspiration to others. Your courage to fight the perpetrators, to leave the cult, to speak out publicly, and to teach about ritual crimes is truly incredible. Never, ever, ever underestimate the amount of good that you are bringing back into this world.

May Spring become a beautiful time of life for you all…
May music bring comfort to your deepest sorrows and pain…

As you find and rest in safety, know that joy, freedom, happiness, and peace are available for you – it’s allowed now. Safety first!!!

Sending warm thoughts your way –