Understanding Betrayal Trauma: Why It Hurts So Deeply and How to Begin Healing

Understanding Betrayal Trauma: Why It Hurts So Deeply and How to Begin Healing As a therapist who works closely with individuals and couples navigating trauma, I can tell you—few wounds cut as deep as betrayal trauma. Whether it’s discovering infidelity in a relationship, uncovering years of deception, or recognizing that someone you trusted has violated […]
Why Communication Isn’t the Problem

Why Communication Isn’t the Problem—It’s What You’re Avoiding When couples come into therapy, one of the most common things they say is, “We just need to work on our communication.” And while it’s true that healthy communication is essential in any relationship, “communication issues” are rarely the core problem. More often, what’s being labeled as […]
How to Strengthen Your Relationship: Insights from Research and Therapy

How to Strengthen Your Relationship: Insights from Research and Therapy Building and maintaining a strong relationship takes effort, intention, and continuous growth. Whether you’re in a long-term partnership or just starting out, understanding how to nurture your connection is essential. At KDM Counseling Group, we help couples navigate challenges, improve communication, and develop deeper emotional […]
Understanding Internal Family Systems (IFS): A Path to Self-Healing

Understanding Internal Family Systems (IFS): A Path to Self-Healing Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a powerful and transformative approach to therapy that helps individuals understand and heal the different parts of themselves. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s, IFS is based on the idea that the mind is made up of multiple sub-personalities, […]
Navigating a Romantic Relationship with a Narcissist: Insights and Strategies

Navigating a Romantic Relationship with a Narcissist: Insights and Strategies Romantic relationships thrive on mutual respect, empathy, and compromise. But when one partner exhibits narcissistic traits, these foundational elements can feel elusive. Navigating a relationship with a narcissist requires awareness, strong boundaries, and a commitment to your emotional well-being. Here, we delve into the dynamics […]
Emotional Manipulation: What It Looks Like and How to Handle It

EMOTIONAL MANIPULATION: WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND HOW TO HANDLE IT Emotional manipulation is one type of emotional abuse where the perpetrator seeks to emotionally control, exploit, or influence the victim in a way that gives them an advantage. This behavior commonly takes place in abusive and toxic relationships, and it may be the only […]
Does Your Partner Know Their Behavior Is Abusive?

Does Your Partner Know Their Behavior Is Abusive? Even if they don’t, that doesn’t excuse their behavior. It is easy to look at someone who has bruises inflicted by their partners and surmise that they are being abused in their relationship. There is an obvious sign prompting friends, family, and therapists to ask, “Is everything […]
Tough Truths About Relationships

Tough Truths About Relationships Let’s talk about some tough truths when it comes to long-term relationships. Our culture presents a skewed set of expectations. We are told that “true” love is a feeling that should last. But love is work. There will be times when you’ll feel disconnected. You’ll wonder if there is someone better […]
Living With Unresolved Trauma

Living With Unresolved Trauma Living with unresolved trauma can result in a relationship that isn’t happy or healthy. You may think you have “dealt with it,” when what is really happening is that your behavior is being driven by what has happened to you. Trauma is unique to each and every one of us. None […]
Are You Embarrassed to Tell Your Therapist Something?

Are You Embarrassed to Tell Your Therapist Something? If you’ve ever been embarrassed to tell your therapist something, let me remind you of something: chances are, I’ve heard it MANY times before. Here are 10 things that people have been afraid to tell me in therapy because they think it’s weird or embarrassing: 1. Anything […]