Trauma Archives | Plano Christian Counseling

Bullying Prevention in Today’s Hi-Tech Schools

Bullying Prevention in Today’s Hi-Tech Schools

Hannah Parks, Kate Motaung2026-04-22T14:23:00+00:00April 22nd, 2026|Christian Counseling for Children, Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured, Relationship Issues, Trauma|

Bullying can take many forms, especially in today’s schools with access to in-person and online classes, social media, and AI apps. Bullying prevention is necessary to protect the younger generation’s mental, emotional, and physical health. The long-term effects of bullying can be damaging, sabotaging relationships, opportunities, and jobs. Once you are knowledgeable of those effects, you can push for bullying prevention and school reform to address the impact bullying has on students. Although many school districts state they have a zero policy for bullying, many parents find that their children are bullied year after year. Why Bullying is Detrimental to Children’s Health Bullying affects children’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Coming to school afraid of what someone may say or do to them can cause psychological trauma with lasting effects on self-esteem. Bullying can be physical abuse if the bully hurts them. With advances in technology, more AI usage is becoming normalized, and with social media platforms, cyberbullying has grown in its prevalence. A child bullied online can feel as if the whole world is against them. Bullies can now say things online or create images using AI that are false, but appear believable. The earlier we introduce bullying prevention in schools and educate our children about the dangers, the better prepared they will be to confront bullies. Strategies for Bullying Prevention Bullying prevention is crucial in educating and raising awareness within communities and schools. Studies have shown that suicide is the third leading cause of death in children and young adults, aged 10 to 24. Although it is unclear how many of these deaths could be the result of suicide, bullying increases the risk of suicidal ideation. It’s time that we take control of the bullying epidemic. Cyberbullying changed the game. Now, children bully others without ever leaving [...]

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ADHD and Trauma: How They’re Related and Where to Find Support

ADHD and Trauma: How They’re Related and Where to Find Support

Sarah Harris, Kate Motaung2026-03-04T07:46:54+00:00March 4th, 2026|ADHD/ADD, Featured, Individual Counseling, Trauma|

Living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can pose some serious challenges. Dealing with trauma and living in its aftermath can also be life-altering. But combining the two -- ADHD and trauma -- can make life even harder. The Intersection of ADHD and Trauma Trauma is inevitable. Relationships shatter, employment ends, and accidents happen. No one is immune to shifting and evolution in their lives. And while these big traumas can impede life for non-neurodivergent people, they can be devastating for those with ADHD. But why does trauma hit so hard for those who have it? ADHD affects the prefrontal cortex, which is the parts of the brain that help with focus, planning, and decision making. ADHD also affects dopamine regulation, which is a chemical messenger in the brain that controls motivation, reward, and emotional responses, making it harder to stay engaged in tasks or maintain consistent focus. Trauma, on the other hand, activates the amygdala, the brain’s alarm system. This makes it hard to think clearly and stay calm. When these two collide, your brain gets stuck between panic and chaos. Can’t Concentrate in a Crisis When a crisis hits, like a car accident, you’ve been hit by a hacker, or a pet has gone missing, one of the most effective ways to mitigate the damage is to keep a level head. If you can think clearly, you can quickly react to the situation with reasonable and actionable steps. You can remember the number for emergency services, think about canceling your credit cards, or be thorough in your search. But if you have ADHD, that level head is as elusive as the crisis is stressful. Your ADHD brain cycles when you’re in a crisis, more than non-neurodivergent people. The logic that you need to respond to the crisis effectively [...]

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Emotional Trauma in Relationships: Causes, Impact, and Finding Healing

Emotional Trauma in Relationships: Causes, Impact, and Finding Healing

Rhonda Gist, Kate Motaung2026-02-27T05:46:22+00:00February 27th, 2026|Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues, Trauma|

Different kinds of wounds can be inflicted upon us, and we can inflict wounds upon others. From a young age, we learn that we can get hurt, that our actions have consequences, and that when we get hurt or hurt others, it can take time for healing to happen. Physical wounds are one thing, but emotional trauma is another kind of wound that can cause lasting damage in relationships as well as to a person’s well-being. The playground retort that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words alone won’t hurt me” is one way to respond to the mean things that someone says to you. Sticks and stones cause visible damage, and so the hurt they cause is obvious. However, it isn’t true that words can’t or don’t hurt. Words absolutely hurt, and even callous actions can leave a lasting negative impression. But what is emotional trauma, and how does it impact you? A Wound Beneath the Surface When someone says that they’ve experienced physical trauma, we know to give them a once-over to locate the hurt and then begin the process of treatment. When someone gets hurt in other ways, like emotionally, how do you even begin to know where to look and how to deal with it? Understanding emotional trauma is an important step that will get us closer to knowing what to look for, as well as understanding how it impacts someone. Emotional trauma can be a deep psychological wound that is caused by an experience that overwhelms your ability to cope. Some wounds happen, but you’re able to take it in stride. A colleague makes a snide remark during a work meeting, but you’re able to keep things moving, shrugging it off. There are other times when certain actions or words overwhelm you, [...]

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Trauma Counseling in Plano, Texas: Finding Your Identity After Emotional Abuse

Trauma Counseling in Plano, Texas: Finding Your Identity After Emotional Abuse

Melissa Plantz2025-10-02T13:36:44+00:00August 13th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Trauma|

Emotional abuse is scarring. It can rip away what sense you had of yourself. Once the abuse has ended and you have placed distance between yourself and your abuser, you may be left wondering who you are or trying to remember the person you were before the abuse. You can find your identity after emotional abuse with time, healing, and patience. Here at Plano Christian Counseling, we offer trauma counseling in Plano, Texas, to help you overcome the effects of emotional abuse.Tips for Finding Yourself After Emotional AbuseBe willing to work on your mental and emotional health after emotional abuse. It takes time for healing and for the discovery of what was hidden. The abuse slowly chipped away at you, but your identity is still there. You just need to rediscover it. Trauma counseling in Plano, Texas,T can help.Journal your emotionsYour emotions may feel like they are all over the place after experiencing abuse. It may be difficult to decipher exactly what you are feeling. Anger? Bitterness? Pain? Probably all three. Journaling is an excellent tool for identifying and working through emotions.Although you can use a digital version, many people find that using a paper journal gives them a sense of catharsis. Releasing strong emotions frees you from the bondage of emotional abuse. You can also use your journal as a reference if you decide to try counseling, providing insight into your thoughts and feelings.Be kind to yourselfIf the emotional abuse was severe, you may hear your abuser’s voice in your ear, whispering terrible things about you. Those words can become a false belief. Learning how to identify and challenge those thoughts will help you to be kinder to yourself.Abuse is not your fault. The fault lies with a person who is broken and hurts others. Show yourself kindness and [...]

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Common Childhood Experiences that Can Cause Emotional Trauma

Common Childhood Experiences that Can Cause Emotional Trauma

Tammy Varghese, Kate Motaung2025-07-23T06:22:46+00:00July 23rd, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Trauma|

Everyone starts life with a limited frame of reference for how the world works. It is a handful of adults and peers who shape us, teach us, help us grow. Sometimes, they damage us. It is only as we navigate adult relationships, intimacy, and careers that we begin to realize how we are damaged. We begin to wonder what went wrong. Though we start life with a small frame of reference for what is “normal,” we later learn that some of the common childhood experiences we had at home and school were damaging. They resulted in deep emotional trauma that we now have to confront and heal. A Bent Sapling Children can be resilient, but they will only thrive when they experience healthy conditions. Essentially, children are like delicate saplings of trees growing, taking shape, and bearing fruit. How well they grow, what heights they will reach, and what shape they will take is determined by their experiences in early childhood. All forms of violent abuse are like axes directed at the sapling. It is little wonder that they won’t grow if they had to endure those experiences at so tender an age. On the other hand, some children endure subtle forms of emotional trauma and are deeply affected by it, though they won’t immediately show it. Common Childhood Experiences That Cause Emotional Trauma The Silent Treatment Many adults are not equipped to handle their emotions. They go one of two ways when they are upset: either they blow up and externalize their emotions on their kids, or they internalize their emotions and use the silent treatment. This is damaging for many reasons, but mainly because children do not understand what their parents are doing when they suddenly become distant and silent. They are left to fill in the [...]

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Ways to Deal with Emotional Abuse in a Relationship

Ways to Deal with Emotional Abuse in a Relationship

Sarah Harris, Kate Motaung2025-06-03T06:38:24+00:00June 3rd, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues, Trauma|

If you take a walk in a park, soak in your surroundings in a coffee shop, or look around you as you sit in the vibrant heart of your city, you may have the privilege of witnessing the magic of great relationships. It’s amazing when you see two people whose eyes are alive with joy in each other, oozing genuine affection for each other as they share stories or sit in an easy silence with each other. When a relationship is thriving, it can lift you to amazing heights, helping you to flourish. On the other hand, an unhealthy relationship can cast a pall over a person’s life. You can see a radiant person slowly begin to dull because of a toxic relationship. A healthy relationship can be a great joy, but an unhealthy one can make it feel as though the world itself is crumbling beneath your feet. One way for a relationship to be unhealthy is when it is emotionally abusive. What makes a relationship emotionally abusive? There are different ways to hurt a person. People are creatures made in the image of the eternal and majestic God, and He loves them deeply (Genesis 1:26-28; John 3:16). For many reasons, people deserve to be treated with respect, kindness, and compassion. When they are treated in ways that cause them harm and detract from the fullness and flourishing God intends for His creation, that treatment is abusive. In a relationship, emotional abuse consists of a pattern of behavior where one partner relates to the other in ways that diminish their well-being and sense of self. This often occurs through attempts to diminish, control, manipulate, and dominate the other, often through non-physical means. Emotional abuse leverages words, attitudes, and tone to damage another person. Ultimately, what makes a relationship [...]

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What is EMDR Therapy?

What is EMDR Therapy?

Ashlynn Barnette, Kate Motaung2025-05-27T06:56:37+00:00May 27th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Trauma|

Trauma affects people differently. Some people are affected in such a way that they need extensive treatment for their mental health issues. Traumatic situations can create memories that cause people to have a variety of mental issues, such as PTSD. One type of therapy that is becoming more widely used is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, or EMDR. If you’re wondering, “What is EMDR therapy?” this article is for you. This method of therapy for trauma revolves around eye movements as you process memories of traumatic experiences. The main goal of this treatment is to help you heal from those experiences and move toward better mental health. The most helpful aspect of EMDR is that it is based on the body rather than just talking about the problem. This can be helpful for those who are affected by PTSD, panic disorders, depression, and anxiety. How does EMDR help with PTSD? To understand how EMDR can help PTSD, you need to understand what PTSD is and how it affects people. PTSD is one of the most common mental health issues related to trauma. There are thousands of people who deal with post-traumatic stress disorder each day. PTSD was at one time associated with combat veterans but has been expanded to include those who have experienced a serious event such as rape, terrorist act, sex trafficking, natural disaster, or serious accident and injury. Those who suffer from PTSD usually show signs of having flashbacks and may seem detached from people. They do not want to be around any situation or person that may remind them of the traumatic event. To overcome these feelings and behaviors, those with PTSD may engage in therapy with a counselor who is trained to understand PTSD and its effects. In addition to these therapies, medication [...]

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Gaslighting in Relationships: Effective Ways to Respond

Gaslighting in Relationships: Effective Ways to Respond

Sarah Harris, Kate Motaung2025-09-29T13:02:46+00:00May 21st, 2025|Couples Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues, Trauma|

Imagine waking up to a world where your reality feels like a mirage, where the truth is foggy and distorted by someone else’s perceptions. This is the haunting reality of gaslighting. Gaslighting in relationships can leave you feeling disoriented, questioning even your reality, and undermining your self-worth. Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which one person tries to make another person doubt their perception of reality, memories, or feelings. The term originates from the play, “Gas Light,” where the husband manipulates his wife into thinking she is losing her sanity by dimming the gas lights and denying it. Gaslighting in relationships often involves tactics such as denying facts, twisting the truth, blaming the victim, and using emotional manipulation. The goal is to gain control over the victim, leading them to feel confused, anxious, and insecure about their own judgment and perceptions. Powerful Strategies to Combat Gaslighting in Relationships During this emotional turmoil, it’s important to respond in ways that are effective. Here are some powerful strategies to combat gaslighting in relationships. Trust your gut Listen to your gut feelings. If something feels off in your relationship, don’t dismiss those feelings. While the world might tell you that you should trust your instincts, as Christians, we know that at times, that still small voice warning you of potential danger may be the Holy Spirit. Journal your truth Start a personal journal dedicated to your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Document specific incidents where you felt gaslighted, including quotes from the abuser and your reactions. This practice can serve as a concrete reminder of your reality and help you reclaim your narrative. Be sure to store your journal in a secure place, out of the hands of your abuser. Keep evidence If you feel comfortable doing so, gather evidence of [...]

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The Link Between Abandonment Trauma and Vulnerability

The Link Between Abandonment Trauma and Vulnerability

Ashlynn Barnette, Kate Motaung2025-05-20T09:35:44+00:00May 20th, 2025|Abandonment and Neglect, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues, Trauma|

Most of us have one or two close friends to whom we can open up, even though we might default to bottling things up and dealing with struggles alone. Vulnerability is a risk that requires us to trust someone else with personal information, not unlike an animal exposing its belly to potential predators. We might not have realized it, but there is often a link between our struggles with letting our guard down and abandonment trauma. As tricky as vulnerability can be, it is a skill that we can learn and practice. However, we might have to confront the abandonment trauma we have experienced before we can learn to trust others. The Lonely Child The first person we learn to trust in life is the parent we are closest to. We tell them about our day at school and the things we learned, and we ask them questions about the world around us. Their openness and availability provide a safe place in which we can learn, grow, and feel valued. However, not every child has this kind of bond with an adult. Others experience moments of closeness and intimacy with their parents, followed by times when they are distant and closed off. Some children learn to be self-reliant at a young age. This is a survival tactic; they are learning to cope with the trauma that comes from neglect or abandonment. A parent might be physically present in their child’s life, performing all the tasks that a parent should, but emotionally distant from them. When a parent fails to show concern and interest in their children’s lives, their kids will learn that their experiences, fears, preferences, and accomplishments are meaningless. Some children appear to be resilient on the outside, while on the inside, they are lonely and scared, always [...]

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5 Trauma-Informed Beliefs That Can Cause Anxiety

5 Trauma-Informed Beliefs That Can Cause Anxiety

Sarah Harris, Kate Motaung2026-04-01T14:28:38+00:00April 21st, 2025|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling, Trauma|

🎧 Listen to this article https://planochristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Plano-Christian-Counseling-5-Trauma-Informed-Beliefs-That-Can-Cause-Anxiety.mp3 Many people experience anxiety without knowing where it comes from. While anxiety can be linked to external events or part of a disorder, more often than not, anxiety is connected to the way we see the world and the beliefs we carry. It is possible to gain control over certain types of anxiety. It might require that we face past experiences and rewire our limiting beliefs that are connected to unresolved trauma. In this article, we’ll consider some trauma-informed beliefs that can lead to anxiety. Inside Out: The Way We See the World Our childhood experiences shape the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. Some of the things we faced growing up were traumatic, even though it might have felt normal or common. For example, some parents have a rule not to lock doors in the home. They regularly snoop and inspect their children’s rooms. A child who grew up without being afforded trust or privacy will likely struggle with boundaries as an adult and may be anxious as they try to enforce them. Their underlying belief might be that personal boundaries are wrong, dangerous, or only afforded to others, but not themselves. Plano Christian Counseling can help individuals unlearn harmful patterns, establish healthy boundaries, and embrace their worth through faith-based guidance and support. We don’t always frame certain experiences as being traumatic because we were exposed to them as a norm. It is only as we grow and get close to people that they become mirrors that we can look into and see ourselves. A friend, loved one, coworker, or counselor might question a belief that we didn’t even realize was abnormal. This causes us to see ourselves or our beliefs in a new light. Unresolved trauma [...]

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