Trauma and Dissociation

My name is Mercedes Cusick, and I am a licensed trauma therapist specializing inEMDR. In this blog entry I want to talk today about DISSOCIATION.It is something that I come across a lot as a trauma therapist. I believe there is much confusion around what it is – so I’m hoping to help clarify it […]

The Avoidant Attachment Style

Are you Avoidantly Attached in your relationships? If you are – this is most likely due to a parent that was either rejecting or emotionally unavailable. So as an adult you basically replicate this dynamic and are emotionally distant and rejecting in your relationships. Keeping people at arm’s length. You are likely to have difficulty […]

What is Gaslighting?

Gaslighting is a form of persistent manipulation and brainwashing that causes the victim to doubt themselves, and ultimately their sense of perception, identity, and self-worth.

Unresolved Trauma and Addiction: Why I Became a Trauma Informed Therapist

I realized early on in my career when clients were not willing to deal with their trauma, the relapse rate was extraordinarily high. The main reason that I became a trauma-informed addiction therapist is because addiction is so often a response to past trauma. In my opinion, you cannot effectively treat the addiction piece without […]

Toxic Relationships: Are you Turning Red Flags Green?

It is so easy to get distracted in the honeymoon period of a new relationship; those first few months people are typically on their best behavior.  However, over time people show us who they are and it’s our job to listen.  In the excitement of a new relationship we want to only see their good […]

Staying Sober During the Pandemic

For me, it has been disheartening to witness the relapse rate during this pandemic.  In just a few weeks, COVID-19 completely changed the landscape of 12-step meetings and recovery support networks.  Isolation, stress and fear have been some of the major reasons why people are struggling to maintain their sobriety. Being able to interact with […]