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The Be Heard Live Well Blog
Articles on Relationship Trauma, EMDR Therapy, & Mental Health
Whether you're navigating the effects of relationship trauma, struggling with people-pleasing and low self-worth, healing from fear of abandonment and attachment wounds, or recovering from hurtful or emotionally abusive relationships, this blog offers compassionate, evidence-based insights to help you better understand your experiences. You'll find articles about EMDR therapy, trauma recovery, relationships, boundaries, emotional healing, and personal growth. My goal is to provide practical information that empowers you to take meaningful steps towards healing and lasting change.
If you're looking for personalized support, learn more about me, explore my insurance and payment options, or schedule your first appointment.
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Sexual Harassment at Work: How to Speak Up Without Losing Yourself
If you've already lived through trauma or emotional abuse, workplace harassment can open up old wounds. You might catch yourself thinking, "Maybe I am or overreacting," or "Maybe I misunderstood." These thoughts are incredibly common after trauma or abuse as harassment involves the same type of manipulation, boundary violations, and power imbalances found in abusive relationships. It's not uncommon to feel as though you are reliving past traumatic or abusive experiences.
Kassandra Barry, LCSW-C, LICSW, CTP
Aug 15 min read
Trust Issues in Relationships: Finding the Balance Between Giving and Protecting Yourself
Have you ever given so much of yourself in a relationship that you ended up feeling resentful, taken advantage of, or emotionally exhausted? Or maybe you've experienced trust issues after being hurt, making it difficult for someone new to get close.
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Jul 146 min read
Why Did My Adult Child Cut Me Off? A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Family Estrangement and Healing
When a child distances themselves or completely cuts off contact with a parent, it can be one of the most painful experiences a person faces. Many parents describe feeling confused, shocked, angry, or heartbroken.
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Jun 177 min read
When Empaths Reach Their Breaking Point: How to Set Family Boundaries Without Losing Yourself
Many people who identify as empaths describe themselves as deeply sensitive to others' emotions. They often notice subtle shifts in mood, absorb the energy in a room, and feel responsible for maintaining harmony in their relationships. Within families, empaths frequently become the person everyone turns to as the mediator, the caretaker, the problem solver, or the one who quietly holds everything together.
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Jun 168 min read
Early-Childhood Experiences and Parental Wounds: Exploring the Gifts and Challenges of Our Upbringing
Our early experiences with our parents and caregivers shape the foundation of who we become. Even seemingly insignificant moments can influence our future. Some of these moments can manifest as both gifts and challenges, affecting our self-esteem, relationships, and overall well-being. The more painful moments we experience with our parents can leave a lasting impact and challenges in different areas of our lives, sometimes referred to as parental wounds. At Be Heard Live Wel
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Mar 244 min read
When a Narcissist Leaves: Why It Can Hurt So Deeply and How to Begin Healing
When a spouse abruptly leaves a relationship, especially in a way that feels cold, dismissive, or self-serving, the pain often does not end when the relationship does. This is especially true when, after the relationship is over, the departing person begins behaving in ways that not only get your attention but also push your buttons. Many people describe feeling blindsided not only by the partner leaving, but by how quickly he or she moves on. What compounds this pain is when
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Feb 278 min read
Attachment Styles & Trauma: How EMDR Therapy Can Help
Have you ever wondered why relationships can feel intense, confusing, or draining? Do you tend to avoid relationships, fearing the difficulty they may bring? Or do you find yourself clinging to a relationship, fearing the loneliness that may follow? Perhaps it's a little bit of both. Your attachment style plays a significant role in how you navigate your relationships.
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Jan 295 min read
Understanding Trauma Recovery: Debunking Common Myths
Trauma recovery is often misunderstood. Myths perpetuating harmful ideas can hinder healing. By debunking these misconceptions, we can foster a clearer, more compassionate path to recovery. Here are five common myths about trauma recovery and the truths that can lead to healing.
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Sep 20, 20253 min read
EMDR Therapy: What It Is and How It Works
Traumatic events, whether they are a one-time incident or a pattern of abuse, can cause many emotional and psychological issues. Our mental well-being is shaped by our experiences, even those we don't remember or that happened a long time ago. How we process these experiences matters a great deal. Sometimes, we are unable to process such an experience. Perhaps it feels unsafe, or that we don't feel we have the chance to. One of the most effective therapies to treat trauma is
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Jul 9, 20257 min read
Understanding Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships: A Guide for Navigating Connections
Unhealthy relationships often start out fine with no immediate concerns; many people describe this as "the honeymoon phase". Eventually, subtle red flags start to appear. At first, you may not know what to make of it and ask yourself (or others) if you're making too big a deal out of it. If the issues persist, then they become commonplace, and the longer you're in the relationship, the harder it can be to get out.
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Jun 12, 20257 min read
Understanding Pop Psychology: Why Accurate Language Matters in Mental Health
When we are curious about a mental health condition, social media is often our first stop for answers. From TikTok to X, a scrolling through these platforms can flood us with mental health buzzwords like “OCD,” “triggered,” or “bipolar.” These terms are often used casually or even in jest. They are part of what many refer to as "pop psychology", which simplifies complex psychological conditions. Influencers and media personalities often use their platforms to reduce stigma an
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Jun 12, 20257 min read
Overcoming Medical Trauma: Empowering Your Healthcare Journey
Have you ever left your doctor’s office feeling unheard, dismissed, or even foolish for voicing your concerns? You know something is not right and your body is not feeling well but your symptoms are brushed off. You try to explain it to your medical provider in a few different ways but are met with interruptions, condescension, and minimization. You are assured that everything is fine but now you feel worse, like a fool wasting your doctor’s precious time. Sound familiar? Wel
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May 31, 20254 min read
Navigating the Storm: Overcoming Workplace Trauma from a Boss Bully
Have you walked into work with a knot in your stomach, knowing you are about to face a boss whose demands are never-ending, whose ego overshadows reason, and whose behavior creates an atmosphere of worry and fear? Sadly, this is a reality that many people face every workday. A toxic boss can create a work environment that feels more like a battleground and leaves dutiful employees feeling drained, undervalued, and trapped.
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May 30, 20255 min read
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If you’d like to explore therapy services, learn more about EMDR, or get additional details such as insurance and fees, please visit the links below.
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