The Trauma Compass

01/21/2025

The post explores the challenges of self-discovery for individuals with Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), likening it to learning to ride a bike. It emphasizes how trauma can disrupt self-connection, leaving a sense of emptiness. Progress involves small, intentional steps towards self-awareness and acceptance, nurturing foundational needs for healing....

The post explores the challenges of self-discovery for individuals with Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), likening it to learning to ride a bike. It emphasizes how trauma can disrupt s…

01/16/2025

Showering can be particularly challenging for individuals with CPTSD due to various emotions and past experiences. Overcoming these hurdles involves recognizing personal motivations for hygiene, addressing self-shame, and finding manageable ways to create a comforting shower routine. It's essential to focus on personal needs and progress at one's own pace....

Showering can be particularly challenging for individuals with CPTSD due to various emotions and past experiences. Overcoming these hurdles involves recognizing personal motivations for hygiene, ad…

01/09/2025

Massage is a powerful healing tool for CPTSD, releasing tension, calming the nervous system, and fostering safety. Start small: find trauma-informed therapists, practice self-massage, or use breathing techniques. Explore healing through touch! 🌟

Growing up, my Dad changed his career towards Massage therapy. His route wasn’t to do the “fluff and buff” that he saw others do. The more I learned, the more I realized his focus…

01/07/2025

Welcome to The Trauma Compass! If you’ve found your way here, you’re likely navigating the twists and turns of trauma recovery—or maybe you Googled, “Why am I like this?” Either way, I’m so glad you’re here. I’m Candace Dickinson, a Licensed Mental Health Clinician with over 11 years of experience, and your guide through the messy yet meaningful journey of healing. Healing can feel like wandering through a forest without GPS—confusing, unpredictable, and frustrating (kind of like herding cats, a.k.a. emotions). But with a little humor, some practical tools, and a lot of compassion, this space is here to help you make sense of it all. Let’s get started....

Welcome to The Trauma Compass! If you’ve found your way here, you’re likely navigating the twists and turns of trauma recovery—or maybe you Googled, “Why am I like this?” Either way, I’m so glad yo…

12/19/2024

Adult coloring books can benefit individuals by reducing anxiety, promoting creativity, and encouraging presence. Research highlights their effectiveness, especially for veterans with PTSD. However, moderation is crucial, as excessive coloring may lead to disconnection from others and increased dissociative symptoms....

Adult coloring books can benefit individuals by reducing anxiety, promoting creativity, and encouraging presence. Research highlights their effectiveness, especially for veterans with PTSD. However…

12/12/2024

🌟 New Post: Tools for Managing CPTSD 🌟

This week, I’m sharing a powerful tool called "Hands-on Heart" to help with emotional regulation, distress, and connecting with your body. Try it out, and let me know how it worked for you in the comments! 💚

The content introduces tools for managing Complex PTSD, specifically the “Hands-on Heart” technique, which helps regain awareness and emotional regulation. Regular practice of this skil…

12/02/2024

🚨 Avoiding Impulsivity: Tips for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired 🚨

Ever find yourself spiraling after skipping lunch, lashing out over something small, or making questionable decisions after a sleepless night? Same. HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) is a simple yet powerful tool to help us recognize when we’re vulnerable—and to course-correct before things go sideways.

At The Trauma Compass, we’re all about finding our true north, even when life feels like a rocky trail. This post dives into each HALT state with a mix of personal stories, and practical tips for staying grounded.

🧭 Check it out here: https://wp.me/pg9ObR-1Q

✨ Let us know in the comments: What’s your funniest or most relatable HALT moment? Have you ever gone full-on hangry or made a late-night decision that still haunts you? Share your story and let’s laugh (or cry) about it together! ✨

At Trauma Compass, we emphasize self-awareness by recognizing states of vulnerability—hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. These conditions can lead to harmful behaviors and decisions. Understanding a…

11/12/2024

🌟 Get Ready to Navigate Healing with The Trauma Compass! 🌟

I’m thrilled to kick off a special pre-introduction series on The Trauma Compass! Before we dive into the full blog introduction, I’ll be sharing posts that explore some of the practical tools and foundational concepts you can expect to see throughout this journey.

The first post in this series, “Breathing: The Simple, Powerful Tool You're Overlooking”, is live now! 🧘‍♀️

💨 In this post, we’ll explore why breathing is more than just wellness trend (trust me, I thought the same thing at first). Breathing is one of the only life-sustaining functions we can control—and learning how to use it effectively can help calm your body, reset your mind, and bring relief in moments of stress or panic.

✨ What You’ll Learn:

Why your breath is the secret remote control for your nervous system.
Three simple breathing techniques to help with stress, sleep, or even a full-on panic attack.
How to find the style of breathing that works best for you.
💬 Let’s Start a Conversation:
What’s your go-to strategy when you’re feeling overwhelmed? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear what works for you!

👉 Read the post here: https://thetherapycompass.com/2024/11/12/breathing-the-simple-powerful-tool-youre-overlooking/
📅 Stay tuned for more pre-introduction posts leading up to the full launch of The Trauma Compass!

Disclaimer: This post is part of a series leading up to the official introduction of The Trauma Compass. Think of it as a sneak peek into the tools and insights we’ll explore together on this blog.…

11/08/2024

🌟 Welcome to The Trauma Compass! 🌟

Hello, friends! I’m so excited to share this space with you. The Trauma Compass is a blog dedicated to helping trauma survivors navigate the complex journey of healing with a little guidance, a lot of compassion, and maybe even a laugh or two along the way.

Healing can feel messy and overwhelming—like wandering through a forest without a map. That’s why I created this space: to offer practical tools, somatic practices, and relatable insights that make the process feel just a little more manageable. Whether you’re looking for clarity, feeling stuck, or supporting a loved one, this is a place where growth, understanding, and connection are always within reach. 💚

✨ Mark Your Calendars! Our first post will go live on 1/7/2025! ✨

Here’s what you’ll find at The Trauma Compass: ✨ Posts exploring trauma, PTSD, and emotional recovery. ✨ Practical tools like exercises, worksheets, and resources to help you along the way. ✨ A mix of humor, metaphors, and encouragement—because healing doesn’t have to be so serious all the time.

I’d love for you to join this journey! Head over to www.thetraumacompass.com to learn more and get ready for our first post. Let me know what topics you’d like to see in the future. Together, we’ll navigate the path to resilience, one step at a time.

💬 Drop a comment below to say hi or share what brought you here—I can’t wait to connect! And if you know someone who might benefit from this space, feel free to share this page with them. Let’s build a community of support and understanding, together. 🧭