Welcome to 2022! It is hard to believe the New Year holiday has already come and gone. As with every new year, the buzzword of the month is “resolution”; you may have already been asked by friends or family “What is your New Year resolution for 2022?”

The holidays are just around the corner, and they always seem to sneak up quickly. While this season often sparks happiness and excitement, it can also bring stress and a nagging feeling of trepidation. During this season, it is easy to get caught up in family gatherings, travel, finishing up end-of-the-year work responsibilities, and of course, holiday themed parties. In the midst of such festivities, mental and physical health often take a back seat on the holiday to-do list.

How would you define “counseling” or “therapy?”

For many people, we start by thinking about the standard therapy setting: a cozy room with a chaise lounge, a large chair, soft lighting, and inspirational quotes framed on the walls. We then picture a therapist sitting in that large chair, with a pen and notepad nodding thoughtfully along with your story, as you lay on the couch looking at the ceiling and contemplating where life went wrong.

Trauma can take on many forms and can occur at any point in one’s life. Whether physical or emotional, trauma leaves behind scars that influence the decisions people make throughout their lifetime. But what is trauma exactly? There are hundreds of ways to describe trauma, and each individual defines it in their own way based on deep, personal experiences.

The brain is a complex organ. It controls everything humans think and feel and allows us to interact in an ever increasingly multifaceted world. But, when you get right down to it, the brain looks quite fragile and uncomplicated. So how can such a humble-looking organ cause so much distress in our everyday lives?