What to Do When You're Triggered: 25 Tips From an EMDR Therapist

We all get triggered. Literally everyone. We find ourselves reacting strongly to something, and it makes us super-anxious, angry, or overwhelmed. I’m sure you know the feeling… your heart starts racing, you can’t think of anything else… it’s like tunnel vision. So what can you do to quickly recover, so it doesn’t wreck your day? It’s a question that comes up so often in EMDR therapy. In this post are 25 easy, practical methods for you to use right away. And better yet, they’re science-based and brain-based. Have at it!

mindfulness, traumaAndrew KushnickMarch 25, 2024anxiety, brain, compassion, EMDR, window of tolerance, self-help, neuroscience, stress

What Is Trauma Really? We Misunderstand It, and You’ve Probably Experienced It.

Trauma goes well beyond what we think it is. Unfortunately, when early caregivers are distracted or anxious, or make their child feel badly about emotions that happen naturally, it registers in the brain as traumatic. This leads to patterns that negatively affect us in our relationships, in our work, and in our daily functioning. In this post, we explore things that you wouldn’t expect to be trauma, and what you can do about it.

Profiles in Tech, Part IV: Ambassador to the Republic of Tech

Our fourth installment of “Profiles in Tech” focuses on Jake, a software engineer at a bioscience lab. Jake works with scientists to identify what they’re needing from software, and relishes his role in translating the language of tech to an unfamiliar audience. As a reminder, this blog series highlighting the unique mindset of those who work in tech… their outlook, their concerns, and their quest for fulfillment. Each post derives from an interview with an engineer, programmer, or developer in the San Francisco Bay Area, and begins with their story, followed by a few reflections from a mental health perspective.

techiesAndrew KushnickAugust 3, 2021brain, communication, technology, window of tolerance, mindfulness, neuroscience

5 More Cheesy Relationship Analogies That Every Couple Should Know

It all started with “5 Cheesy Relationship Analogies That Every Couple Should Know.” Analogies that were totally cheesy, but easy to remember. When you’re in an argument with your significant other, higher brain function can be hard to come by. Anything you can remember from therapy is likely to help. Since then, couples have told me that they’re using some of ‘em successfully, but not every analogy resonates with everyone. Clearly, a sequel was necessary. So try them out, and see if you can steer your relationship towards peace.