Amy G Nash

Amy G Nash

@trotter47.bsky.social

Trauma therapist (LCPC) & author/ Healing from Religious Trauma & CPTSD/ Memoir: The Runaway/ Monthly virtual support CPTSD and Deconstruction group. See http://amygraceynash.com

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Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

Abuse isn’t always easy to see. I started seeing it when I became more honest with myself. I had to stop letting others tell me who I was. I had to recognize when I used religion as a drug. I had to face the bad habits I’d adopted to ease my pain. I gradually began to have inner peace. As a

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

A good therapist works on her own issues. I remember sitting in the therapist's chair teaching calming techniques as required by EMDR protocol. Suddenly an image popped into my mind, a situation so overwhelming nothing helped me. I looked at my client and admitted, "These are good. But there

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

will be times when nothing helps." My client looked over at me with relief. I was giving her tools without guilting her if they didn't always work. We need to be honest about what we offer.

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

For those healing from trauma or in deconstruction, if you feel alone, join my free group where you will meet others who are also looking for community. Topics will cover the pain we endure, finding solid ground to stand on, and the struggles in this process. amygraceynash.com/healing-from...

amygraceynash.comHealing From Trauma | Monthly Support Group | Amy Gracey NashA monthly support group for people healing from religious trauma. Sign up to join Healing From Trauma, led by Amy Gracey Nash, LCPC, NCC.
Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

In a session, a client asked where my dog, Jasper, was. The person was having a difficult time and what just wanted to see the dog. So I turned around and picked Jasper off the floor and put them in my lap so she could see him on the telehealth. Dog therapy.

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

I was sitting on the couch doing some work. I'd turned had Bose play some of my favorite pieces. "Lifting the Darkness" came on, one of my favorite pieces by Abbey Gunderson. I closed my eyes as I leaned back into the couch, letting the emotions this piece envelope me. As i sat there,

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

totally enveloped by the piece, i felt a tap on my arm. I opened my eyes and saw these eyes staring up ate full of concern. My dog, Jasper, was looking at me and asking quietly if I was okay.

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

I used to spend a lot of time grieving what could have been. It took some time for me to realize I was depleting my energy on something I couldn't change. Now, I spend it on imagining what I can still become.

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

How do you heal from trauma? Let me count the ways.... Speak kindly to yourself. Give yourself gifts. gGet enough sleep. Remember to play. Read good books. Find the music that excites you. Lay on the grass and watch the clouds drift by. Sit by a stream and listen to the ripples.

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

When we were about to move, a neighbor friend told Mom that she was going to throw us a big party. I got all excited, my 8 year old mind imagining the fun we would have. Mom turned to me and said, “You can’t believe everything people say. Most likely, this will never happen.”

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

I didn’t want to believe Mom. Not even when the party didn’t happen. Boy, if only I had heeded her words sooner! Any words of wisdom you wish you had heeded sooner?

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

It was a sunny afternoon that October Saturday. I slipped away after lunch to wander the orchard, get myself a Macintosh straight from the tree, and spend some time alone. We didn’t often get time alone, with eight siblings and endless chores, especially during apple season

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Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

fresh apples permeated the whole orchard. I lay there for about ten or fifteen minutes. Then I heard an apple drop off the tree. A few minutes later, I heard another one. “I’d better go before one drops on my head,” I thought as I got up. Years later, when I was in EMDR therapy, my therapist asked

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

Me to imagine a place that was peaceful, without any negative emotions attached to it. “It can be real or imagined,” she said. This scene immediately came to mind. Where is your calm place? It can be real or imagined, and you can have more than one. I still use my scene under the apple tree.

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

It was a sunny afternoon that October Saturday. I slipped away after lunch to wander the orchard, get myself a Macintosh straight from the tree, and spend some time alone. We didn’t often get time alone, with eight siblings and endless chores, especially during apple season

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

As I wandered the orchard, I crouched down and sprawled out underneath a Cortland tree. As I lay on my back, I looked up at the clouds. We had a game where we named images we could see in the clouds, and I began to play that game with myself. It was peaceful, the air was perfect, and the scent of

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

Childhood should be safe to be healthy. Being told you are a burden is not safe. Being ignored is not safe. Being neglected is not safe. Was your childhood safe? Mine started out safe, and then things changed.

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

What gaslighting technique did the most damage to you? I'll go first. Telling me I exaggerated everything so that i started doubting my own self.

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

I think when we heal, those who took advantage of us often get upset. I've seen this regularly. It leaves the individual lonely, feeling they've done something wrong. And diminishes the joy we should feel when we've taken back the ability

Amy G Nash
@trotter47.bsky.social

I have an issue with trite sayings, like, "Look at the good" or "Others have it worse" because in effect, it's saying you are not allowed to feel negative feelings. Too many don't want to feel uncomfortable. Too many look away when others are struggling.