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Heart 2 Heart Blog

Practical mental health insights from licensed therapists in California. Learn about anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, relationships, and what therapy actually looks like.

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A therapist takes notes while attentively listening to a client during a private counseling session in a bright, calm room.
Trauma & PTSD7 min read

Hypervigilance after trauma: why you can never fully relax

Hypervigilance after trauma keeps your body on alert long after the danger is gone. Here's what's happening in your nervous system and what actually helps.

Oct 5, 2026 · 7 min read
A woman stands in a bright room holding her head in her hands, appearing emotionally overwhelmed and stressed.
Trauma & PTSD8 min read

How to know if you have trauma from something small

Small t trauma comes from experiences that weren't life-threatening but still shaped you. Here's how to tell if what you went through counts and why your reactions make sense.

Sep 17, 2026 · 8 min read
A woman sits alone at a table with untouched coffee and pastries, holding her head in her hands in a posture of emotional distress and introspection.
Trauma & PTSD8 min read

Emotional numbness after trauma: what it means and how to reconnect

Emotional numbness after trauma isn't a personality flaw. Here's what's happening in your nervous system, why it developed, and how therapy helps you feel again.

Aug 27, 2026 · 8 min read
A distressed man sits on a sofa at home, covering his face with his hand while holding a tablet, conveying emotional overwhelm.
Trauma & PTSD8 min read

Complex PTSD vs PTSD: how they differ and why the distinction matters

Complex PTSD and PTSD share symptoms but come from different kinds of trauma. Here's how they differ, what CPTSD symptoms actually look like, and why the distinction matters for treatment.

Aug 13, 2026 · 8 min read
A psychotherapy session with a therapist consulting a client indoors on a sofa.
Trauma & PTSD8 min read

Trauma triggers: why small things set off big reactions

Trauma triggers can turn a smell, a tone of voice, or a song into a full-body reaction. Here's what's actually happening in your nervous system and what helps.

Jul 16, 2026 · 8 min read
A calm woman sits cross-legged by a large window with one hand on her chest and the other on her abdomen, practicing a grounding breathing exercise.
Trauma & PTSD8 min read

PTSD flashbacks: what's happening and how to ground yourself

PTSD flashbacks aren't memories. They're your nervous system reliving the past in the present. Here's what's actually happening and how to ground yourself when one hits.

Jun 18, 2026 · 8 min read

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A therapist provides support to a woman experiencing emotional distress in a therapy session.
Trauma & PTSD8 min read

Trauma bonding: why you can't leave someone who hurts you

Trauma bonding explains why you can't leave someone who hurts you. Here's what's happening in your brain and body, the signs to look for, and how to start breaking the bond.

Jun 8, 2026 · 8 min read
A family sits with a therapist during a calm session about emotions and support.
Trauma & PTSD6 min read

Childhood trauma in adults: how early wounds show up later in life

Childhood trauma doesn't always look like obvious damage. Here's how early wounds shape adult emotions, relationships, and the nervous system, and what helps.

Apr 30, 2026 · 6 min read
A therapist takes notes while a client sits on a sofa in a bright, calm office during a therapy session.
Trauma & PTSD5 min read

EMDR therapy explained: what it is and how it works for trauma

EMDR therapy helps your brain reprocess stuck traumatic memories. Here's what happens in a session, who it works for, and what to expect in California.

Apr 30, 2026 · 5 min read
A man sits across from a therapist in a calm, warmly lit office during a therapy session.
Trauma & PTSD7 min read

What PTSD feels like: signs your nervous system is still on alert

PTSD symptoms aren't always flashbacks. Here's what PTSD actually feels like, the signs your nervous system is still on alert, and how trauma therapy helps.

Apr 27, 2026 · 7 min read