Insights and Resources for Your Mental Health Journey

Unseen Wounds: Understanding and Addressing Sibling Abuse

Sibling abuse is often overlooked because it can be mistaken for typical sibling rivalry, leading to dismissing harmful behaviors.

Understanding the Origins of Sibling Abuse

Stacey Alvarez

Jan 1918 min read

Understanding the Origins of Sibling Abuse

The origins of sibling abuse can often be traced back to a combination of individual, familial, and environmental factors.

Differentiating Sibling Rivalry from Sibling Abuse

Stacey Alvarez

Jan 1216 min read

Differentiating Sibling Rivalry from Sibling Abuse

While sibling rivalry can be resolved through constructive conflict resolution strategies, sibling abuse demands more serious intervention.

Beyond 'Just Leave': Effective Support Strategies for Abuse Victims

Stacey Alvarez

Dec 15, 202411 min read

Beyond 'Just Leave': Effective Support Strategies for Abuse Victims

Leaving an abusive relationship is not as simple as walking out the door with victims facing a range of barriers.

How the Holidays Can Fuel Abuse and Ways to Help

Stacey Alvarez

Dec 8, 202424 min read

How the Holidays Can Fuel Abuse and Ways to Help

For abuse victims, the holidays can feel anything but festive, with countless individuals navigating increased fear, isolation, and harm.

Spotting Red Flags: 22 Indicators of Emotional Immaturity

Stacey Alvarez

Nov 24, 202419 min read

Spotting Red Flags: 22 Indicators of Emotional Immaturity

Emotionally immature relationships or friendships can be draining, confusing, and ultimately unfulfilling, and is a significant barrier to..

Defiance & Reaction: Shared Origins of ODD and Reactive Abuse

Stacey Alvarez

Nov 10, 202414 min read

Children

Defiance & Reaction: Shared Origins of ODD and Reactive Abuse

ODD and reactive abuse, while distinct in their nature, share notable similarities that can often blur the lines between them.

Is It a Preference or Control? Examples to Guide You

Stacey Alvarez

Sep 15, 202410 min read

Is It a Preference or Control? Examples to Guide You

The distinction between sharing a preference and exerting control can sometimes be unclear, leading to misunderstandings.

Is It a Preference or Control? How to Tell the Difference

Stacey Alvarez

Sep 15, 202414 min read

Is It a Preference or Control? How to Tell the Difference

The balance between expressing personal preferences and exerting control is delicate but crucial because it helps maintain mutual respect.

When Love Becomes a Cage: The Emotional Trap of Abuse

Stacey Alvarez

Sep 8, 202413 min read

When Love Becomes a Cage: The Emotional Trap of Abuse

Victims of abuse frequently maintain a deep, genuine love for their abusers, a love that complicates their ability to recognize the abuse...

Why Victims Stay: Silence and The Power of Trauma Bonds

Stacey Alvarez

Sep 1, 202416 min read

Why Victims Stay: Silence and The Power of Trauma Bonds

One of the most powerful forces keeping victims in these relationships is the formation of trauma bonds.

From Power to Pain: Understanding Abuse Dynamics

Stacey Alvarez

Aug 25, 202416 min read

From Power to Pain: Understanding Abuse Dynamics

Abuse is a deeply unsettling issue that manifests in various forms, from physical violence to emotional manipulation, and its prevalence...

Decoding Abuse Dynamics: Primary Abuse vs. Reactive Abuse

Stacey Alvarez

Aug 17, 202414 min read

Decoding Abuse Dynamics: Primary Abuse vs. Reactive Abuse

Primary and reactive abuse are two concepts that are crucial to understand when examining the dynamics of abusive relationships.

Dynamics of Power and Control in Relationships

Stacey Alvarez

May 11, 202411 min read

Dynamics of Power and Control in Relationships

Dynamics of power and control often play a significant role in relationships, influencing the course of their connections.

How Parents Create Unintentional Trauma Bonds with Their Children

Stacey Alvarez

Mar 25, 20248 min read

How Parents Create Unintentional Trauma Bonds with Their Children

In situations where a parent or caregiver is the source of trauma or abuse, even if through unintentionally passing on intergenerational...

The Golden Child’s Experience of Abuse in a Dysfunctional Family Dynamic

Stacey Alvarez

Mar 11, 202413 min read

The Golden Child’s Experience of Abuse in a Dysfunctional Family Dynamic

While the golden child may appear to have a privileged position within a dysfunctional family, their experience is far from idyllic.

Understanding and Healing the Mother Wound

Stacey Alvarez

Feb 26, 202416 min read

Understanding and Healing the Mother Wound

Not all mother-child connections are nurturing and supportive, which may leave behind a lasting imprint, known as the “mother wound."

Understanding Trauma and Defining its Complex Nature

Stacey Alvarez

Feb 15, 20245 min read

Understanding Trauma and Defining its Complex Nature

While the term is commonly used, defining and understanding trauma requires delving into its multifaceted nature.

Stalking: Understanding, Recognizing, and Seeking Help

Stacey Alvarez

Jan 11, 20246 min read

Stalking: Understanding, Recognizing, and Seeking Help

Stalking is a form of abuse, involving persistent & unwanted attention, contact, harassment, or surveillance that instills fear and control.

Signs of Abuse in Gabby Petito Bodycam Footage

Stacey Alvarez

Jan 13, 20227 min read