Many of us are carrying a lot right now.

​Heavy hearts. Big feelings. A mix of sadness, anger, fatigue, and worry... sometimes all at once.

This week, I want to gently invite you to do two simple things.

First, let yourself feel it.
There’s no right way to hold this moment. Cry if you need to. Take a long walk. Light a candle. Hug someone you love. Sit quietly and breathe. Give yourself permission to be human.

Second, remember that you are not alone.
Even in hard seasons, we find each other. We are the helpers: showing up quietly, steadily, imperfectly, and with care.

I’d like to share a song that has been grounding me: Melanie DeMore singing Sending You Light.

Take a few minutes this week to close your eyes and breathe. Let it wash over you.

🎧 https://youtu.be/cIsZuoNFtXg

I’m sending you light, steadiness, and care... for who you are and how you keep showing up, even when it’s hard.

And if this season feels heavier than you can carry alone, know that we are here for you. You don’t have to be in crisis to reach out. Sometimes having a warm, steady, compassionate space just to talk things through can make all the difference. 

​Look for the good. There is always so much good among us.

We will make it through together. Always. 💛

We're so proud of therapist Jamia Davis for her wonderful interview on UNC-TV on July 22, 2021. In recognition of National Minority Mental Health Awareness month, the purpose of this townhall was to educate North Carolinians about the challenges African Americans face in terms of mental health and substance use and access to services. Leading the conversation were representatives of Voices of Affrilachia (VOA), which is a broad regional coalition of stakeholders focused on improving equitable service delivery in behavioral and mental health services across the footprint of Appalachia region of North Carolina.

Watch the recording here. Thanks to Jamia for raising awareness and educating our community about these important issues. We're lucky to have her on the BTC team! 

​To schedule an appointment to work with Jamia, click here. 

As private practice clinicians, we are generally aware of the importance of the therapeutic environment we create, with lighting, comfortable seating, and soothing colors being the norm. 

​​What you may not think, however, is how to create a safe environment for clients who have experienced trauma.  Whether or not you specifically work with clients who have encountered trauma, it is important to recognize that certain things in the therapeutic environment can be triggers, even re-traumatizing, if we’re not careful.

As clinicians, these are small yet effective ways of intentionally creating a safe space for our clients to be able to be vulnerable and engage in healing. 

​The idea is to carry this through for all of our clients, as we may be unaware of trauma they have experienced in the past.  However, despite our best efforts at creating a safe environment, clients may still experience triggers, flashbacks, and panic episodes in session. Because of this, it is important for all clinicians to have basic knowledge of trauma, its impact on the brain, and how to deal with trauma responses in session. Even the most prepared and educated clinician may find themselves in a situation where a client is re-traumatized, and it is critical to understand how to respond in the moment. Psychological First Aid, Grounding Techniques, Breathing Exercises, and a neutral, calming presence, are all skills that clinicians should have in their repertoire, so we may help our clients process what they’re experiencing, and continue to grow and heal in therapy.

References:
SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. (2014). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service’s Administration.