Sex trafficking doesn't happen in distant places to other people—it thrives on trauma that exists in every community. During my nine months working with survivors at The Cupcake Girls, I learned that traffickers are skilled predators who specifically target those whose past wounds have left them vulnerable. But I also witnessed extraordinary resilience: survivors rebuilding their lives, reclaiming their voices, and teaching us that while trauma may create vulnerability, it doesn't determine destiny.

My biggest takeaway as a first-year MSW student: EMDR and trauma-informed care share the same heart. EMDR offers a precise way to unlock stuck neural networks; TIC makes sure we follow a treatment plan with the client, at their pace, and with deep respect for culture, history, and choice. When those pieces come together, “what happened to me” shifts from a constant alarm to a past-tense story and one that the client can hold with more calm, meaning, and control.

Isolation in prisons can destroy mental health. This article explores how solitary confinement, loss of autonomy, and lack of care fuel trauma and despair behind bars.

Navigating therapy costs under a private health plan can feel like deciphering a complex code when you are seeking mental health support in the US. This guide empowers you to address key insurance questions effectively, ensuring clarity on deductibles, copays, session limits and network rules. You will learn what costs your plan covers, how to confirm mental health benefits, the distinction between in-network and out-of-network providers, referral and pre-authorization requirements, processes for billing and appeals, the impact of pre-existing conditions and the role of employer-provided programs. By mapping these themes you can approach your insurance provider with confidence and secure the coverage you need for counseling, psychotherapy and online support.

Aging is something we all hope to experience, yet for many people, it comes with an unexpected cost: their voices are no longer valued the way they once were. In workplaces, politics, and even families, older adults often feel dismissed, unheard, and overlooked. This isn’t just a generational gap—it’s ageism, one of the most common and socially accepted forms of oppression today. While society regularly talks about racism and sexism, ageism often goes unmentioned, leaving millions of people silenced simply because of their age.

High-functioning anxiety is often hidden. It doesn’t always look like panic, shutdown, or isolation. In many cases, it looks like achievement, productivity, and showing up consistently, no matter how overwhelmed a person feels inside.

In Black women, high-functioning anxiety often goes unrecognized and unaddressed. It can blend into the cultural norm of being “strong,” independent, and emotionally self-sufficient. However, the internal weight of anxiety can take a toll on the mind and body, even when it’s not visible to others.

Carrying the burden of a chronic condition can feel more demanding than a full-time job. You can’t ask your lupus, diabetes, fibromyalgia, or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome to take a day off. Managing symptoms, adhering to treatment plans, navigating the healthcare system, and fighting the good fight is an everyday commitment with no respite. While these physical challenges may be exhausting, the mental health impacts are equally significant.

Discover how to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of becoming an empty nester and supporting a young adult's journey to independence. Our insightful guest, Erica Connor, LMSW, shares her expertise on the feelings of loss, identity crisis, and grief that often accompany this significant life transition. Erica provides actionable strategies for parents to find new purpose and identity and emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying anxiety and depression. Learn why open communication about these anxieties should be with peers, not children, to foster a healthy adjustment.

Find Free Online Counseling for Depression

Struggling with depression can be overwhelming, making it tough to handle daily life. But what if there was a convenient way to get the help you need without leaving your home?