Authentic Insider January 2021 Issue : simplebooklet.com

THREE OF MY MOODBOOSTING GO TO'STHANK YOU FORYOUR SUPPORTYogaNo matter where mymind may be, I knowthat if I make time tostep on the mat, anysense of anxietyimmediately washesaway into calmness.By improving circulation in the endocrineglands, a consistent yoga practice enhancesthe functions of hormones that play aprimary role in the physiology ofdepression. This results in a reduction indepression and improved overall mood.Pet SnugglesOne of my favorite waysto boost my mood isgrabbing some snugglesfrom my furbaby, Penny.Even when I am in tears,her snuggles calm mynerves and makes mesmile. When you cuddleIt would be an understatement to say this was a dumpster fire of a year. But Idon't know if I would have survived 2020 without being forced to seektreatment this year. I count my blessings every day because 2020 taught methat I DO matter, that there are people who do love me, and that if I everneeded someone to lean on when my recovery goes sideways, I have manypeople who would not hesitate to come to my aid. Another silver-lining of probably the most challenging year has been creatingmy podcast, A Trauma Survivor Thriver's Podcast. Some people thought it wastoo soon, too ambitious, to start this endeavor while still in treatment. In truth, the podcast and YOU were a part of my healing. Just by reading thismagazine, you are supporting my life's purpose. Finding a purpose is whatturns a trauma survivor into a thriver. Releasing the trapped energy from mycomplex trauma allowed my creativity to flow freely and unhindered. If youare enjoying the podcast and/or this magazine, I encourage you to stay tunedbecause, at this moment, the sky's the limit for my creative spirit and my needto destigmatize mental illness. Thank you, Lorilee Binstock Editor in ChiefDear Readers,with your pet, it stimulates the brain'sproduction of Oxytocin (also called the “lovehormone”) in both of you.Breathing ExercisesBreathing exerciseshave been extremelyeffective for me. Intreatment, I was able toget my heart ratevariability (HRV) tested. Icame to find out Iactually took short shallow breaths causing me morestress. Now researchers have started to useHRV as an interesting marker for resilienceand behavioral flexibility. www.atstpodcast.comE D I T O R ' S N O T E4

Page 6

Page 7

Page 8

Conspiracies are flooding theinternet perpetuated by socialmedia. Theories recruiting a well-intentioned audience to continuepeddling misinformation to exposewhat they believe are specificindividuals tied to a sex traffickingring that they believe to be factual.Unfortunately, the spread of theseclaims is only inciting dangerousviolence. But they are not actuallycreating a safe place for any victimbeing trafficked or potential victims.Find out tangible ways to preventtrafficking in your community andways to help victims and survivorsin my interview with KathyMcGibbon, sex trafficking survivor,and advocate in Episode 14.The Story Behind the Art:Ruby Bridges & Kamala HarrisCreating art is a risk and an honor. It isthe most essential and most delicatechallenge. It's why art is at the centerof so many movements. It's why asong written by a person on one sideof the world resonates with someoneelse across oceans and continents. It'swhy art heals. It's why art deserves The World is Full of Suffering but it is also Full of the Overcoming of it.Noble Intentions,Short-sighted Means to an End-Helen Kellerwww.atstpodcast.comBria GoellerA R TBy Lorilee BinstockStatement by Bria Goeller7

Page 9

www.atstpodcast.comA R Tsupport. No matter how dangerous,no matter how controversial, itinspires people and it inspiresdialogue. Each new conversation is achance for empathy andcompassion. I am extremelyhonored to be a tiny part of thishistoric movement - to be able toinspire and uplift so many people,and to add an image to the collectivecelebration of empathy triumphingover short-sightedness and greed.Your messages and comments haveshown me that this has been, by andlarge, a piece of art that spoke truthto a moment and brought strengthand solidarity into our communities.As an artist, I could not dream ofmore. As an advocate, I could not bemore grateful. As a white woman, Ihave some things to clarify. And Ihope I can do so - to whoever'slistening - now. Gordon Jones,owner of Good Trubble (a black-owned and operated team), a Blackman himself, and my client, askedme to create this image in October.It was his vision, and I was hispartner in bringing it to life. I am anartist, and that's what I do. No one isever going to separate me from thework, nor should they be expectedto. I created it. But did so with withthe same intention I always create with- I used my art to help a voice(one that I believe deservedlistening to) be heard. For a numberof personal and practical reasons,since this has gone viral, Gordon hasasked that I be the face of the effort.I have managed to get him on a fewinterviews with me, but I've alsoallowed him to lay low. He's dealtwith a lot these past few months andyears, and particularly last weekwith the death of his father. Hedeserves the space, and I want togive it to him. I've tried my best toanswer his charge without steppingwhere I shouldn't. Speaking for himmakes me very uncomfortable, butI'm doing it because he asked. And Iwant what's best for him, even ifthat means I get called a Karen - orworse. With something that spreadsso quickly and so expansively,especially something of such adelicate nature, it's inevitable thatpeople will take meaningsantithetical to my and Gordon'sintentions. No one is ever going toknow the full story. Interviews arechanged, reports are edited, andcomments are overlooked.Information spreads slowly and No matter howdangerous, nomatter howcontroversial, itinspires people andit inspires dialogue.Each newconversation is achance for empathyand compassion.B R I A G O E L L E R8

Page 10

incompletely - pictures a little faster and more forcefully.That's why I believe in art. Gordon has advised me to"block the haters" and "delete the negative comments."But that much I won't do. Art is a dialogue, and I won't bedeleting anything.* At the same time, I cannot and will notinsert myself into Black or Brown communities. Theconversations happening in those spaces go beyond thisimage, beyond this moment, and beyond any movementthat's in play today. They are extremely valuable to have,but they are not mine to interfere with. I have my ownopinions about our culture, our legal system, and ouradministration. I do my fair share of wrestling with theirproblems and their complexities. I have my own opinionsabout high heels, gender and racial representation, andthe prison complex. But I also have an opinion thatsupersedes all of this - which is that my voice isn't the onethat needs to be heard most right now. As an artist, I try tobe a translator more than an active hand, because I thinkthat's incredibly important as an advocate (particularly awhite one). I bring in my design and art expertise, but I letmy clients decide the message. Because of this, I havechosen only to work for individuals with messages Ibelieve in. This message was no different. Gordon believesboth Kamala and Ruby are trailblazers, and he wasinsistent on putting their stories together in this way.When he asked me to create this design for him, I myselfwas inspired. I also had the feeling that, maybesomewhere, there would be others who'd feel the same. Iagreed with him that this moment deserved recognition -even as it stood before the election was called. We wantedto represent this moment in history for what it was: avictory of compassion against oppression. The designsymbolizes two powerful women (of color) in history whoovercame the odds and stood with strength againsteveryone who didn't want to see them succeed. Rubywalked into a white-dominated school, and that tookcourage and made history. Kamala is walking into a white-dominated White House, and she, too, is trailblazing forwomen and women of color. In both cases, the odds wereunfairly stacked against them. They are ultimately fightingfor the same thing. They have both changed the game ofrepresentation. Nothing is finished. But both will be seenas firsts. For women, and for women of color. Thesewomen are not the same, and that is not something eitherGordon or I believe. They have different journeys, different values,different backgrounds, and different lives. But what they share is afight for freedom - and an intimate familiarity with oppression.Kamala is walking in Ruby's footsteps, and her path to the WhiteHouse has been paved by Black women before her - Ruby beingone of them. I have many clients - Good Trubble included. All ofthem are advocating for causes I believe in and all of them havevoices that need to be heard. My time and effort are best spentcontinuing to work for them. I want to help people speak, notspeak for them. And I do not enjoy spotlights. Although this is alevel of public visibility that I have never desired (nor currentlywant) for myself, I do want my art to bring inspiration and comfortto as many people as it can. And I'll try my absolute hardest tomake that possible. I have a platform now, and that fact does notescape me. But platform or no platform, I have - personally andprofessionally - dedicated my life to amplifying the voices ofcommunities that need it. I have made it my job as an artist tospeak empathy and compassion through art. That will not change.And that will always be where I direct my energies. I'm grateful toRuby Bridges for her support and grace. I'm grateful for theendless and unparalleled support of my family and friends - andthe love that everyone has shown me. I'm grateful to Gordon forentrusting me with his idea. I'm grateful for my mentors andfriends in the Black and Brown communities for their wisdom andguidance over the years, and for their continued enthusiasm andencouragement now. Most importantly, I'm grateful to themothers who have messaged me, moved to tears. I'm grateful tohave created something that is an inspiration to daughters,families, women, and men. I'm grateful to all of you who have toldme your stories. I'm grateful for your kind words and theanecdotes. Those are why I do this. For the teachers, the parents,the partners, the advocates. The people fighting for change, andthe people who see something in this art that they can use tocapture a feeling - and have conversations with a little more ease.Lastly, I am grateful for the attention that has been drawn toGood Trubble. Good Trubble is, again, a black-owned business inSan Francisco, and they are the ones selling the shirts, prints, andmerchandise. They will be the ones receiving most of the profits -and Gordon plans to donate a significant amount to charities andcauses of his choice. He and I both want this image to be atangible force for change. And I promise all of you: he is a very,very good man. It will be.www.atstpodcast.comA R T9Right: Art by Bria Goeller: From Left to right, Partners of Minds, Skin Deep, Depths of Mind

Page 11

Page 12

Page 13

In the book The Happiness Advantage,Shawn Achor writes about The Tetris Effect,and in it, he says if you're too focused onwhat you don't have then, you'll live anegative life; you would be focusing on theglass half empty when you should be lookingat the glass half full. People say “the sky's thelimit,” but what people don’t realize is thatthe sky's the glass ceiling -- they're limitingthemselves to only the sky. Women havebeen put in the social norm to stand back,not outshine men and follow men's’ leadinstead.Life is not like a ballroom dance, where menare supposed to be the leaders and thewomen follow -- because men can mess uptoo. The women of this generation shouldnot see themselves in society's eyes becausethat keeps the glass ceiling present in ourmindset. Instead of saying “the sky’s thelimit,” we should say we’re reaching for thestars.Society has heavy expectations of women.They are stereotyped that they should dono-brainer jobs and flaunt their bodies. Thisobjectifies women. Everything about awoman is compared to the stereotypicalqualities of them. But women have so muchmore to give than to look pretty. They can domuch more, but unfortunately, most of thefemales of the generation see themselveswith society’s eyes. Walls are put up withjobs such as firefighters, astronauts, andengineers behind them, and women can actas if it’s an indestructible wall.Women can break these expectations;following Coco Chanel’s footsteps.Coco broke expectations of women; shechanged the feminine style and dress for the20th century. Her ideas revolutionizedfashion; she would take traditional maleclothes and redesign them for the benefit ofwomen. We should do just this -- turn whatis used by men so women can do it too. Notonly in fashion, but in life as well. Womencan reach even higher than amazing white-collar jobs, they can be leaders.Take Queen Elizabeth II, who is the longestruling British monarch. She has witnessed arapid social and economic change in her 69 years of being on the throne. Rosa Parkschanged history by being the strongconfident woman we should all aspire to be.When one thinks about their personal limits,the only thing they're doing is limitingthemselves. Just like what Achor writesabout in The Tetris Effect, “The problem isthat if we get stuck in that pattern, alwayslooking for and picking up on the negative,even paradise can become a hell,” hecontinues, “and worse, the better we get atscanning for the negative, the more we missout on the positive -- those things in life thatbring us greater happiness, and in turn fuelour success… It undercuts our creativity,raises our stress levels, and lowers ourmotivation and ability to accomplish goals.” W O M E N E M P O W E R M E N Twww.atstpodcast.comTime To Break TheGlass CeilingBy Sarah Correa-Dibar12

Page 14

W O M E N E M P O W E R M E N Twww.atstpodcast.comThe same goes for limits. If everyone isfocused on what they can’t do, theyultimately forget about what they can do.People can manipulate their minds to filterout what we do and do not want. If someonewere to filter out their limitations, theywould eventually feel much better and strainto reach higher.To conclude, women should break the glassceiling with grace. Pass the sky, and reach allthe stars possible. They should take thosewalls down and be the firefighters,astronauts, and engineers that society tellsthem not to be and prove that women canalso lead a dance.Furthermore, the females of the generationneed to stop bringing themselves down. Justlike Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “The mindis the limit,” “As long as the mind canenvision the fact that you can do something,you can do it, as long as you really believe100 percent.” It’s not rocket science -- just setyour mind to place yourself on a higherpedestal and never stop reaching higher.13

Page 15

Sarah Correa-Dibarwww.atstpodcast.comI've always found it hard tointroduce myself in writing -- notbecause I don't know myself butrather because I learn new thingsabout myself every day. Not justabout who I am, but also where mycareer-related passions lie.To start, I am a senior at theUniversity of Florida majoring injournalism. I really like writing, and Ialways have (even before I realized Iwas any good, I would always havea diary -- probably at every age). Ihave a blog (where one of my newyear's resolutions will be to writemore in it...), and as silly as it mightsound, I love writing Instagramcaptions and coming up with cleversentences.Working with Lorilee and at "ATrauma Survivor Thriver's Podcast"has given me so much confidence inthe workplace, and I've also learnedmore than I would've bargained for.Every guest who has come on hasproved more insight into whatcomes with mental health and thatno one really knows what is behindsomeone's appearance. Lorilee haslistened to all ideas I brought to thetable, and I've realized that is what Ihave to look for in a job aftergraduation.14M E E T S A R A H

Page 16

www.atstpodcast.comI've always had a passion for art,fashion, and culture. No matter wherelife takes me, I know I will always beconnected to my passions. I'm thatfriend you go to a museum with thatwill read the descriptions, the one thatwill read the history plates of a nationallandmark (even from the simplest park),and the one that will actually readthrough those bigger-than-your-facebooks dedicated to the fashion designerof the couture store. When I went toFlorence (pictured above), I visited theMEET SARAH 15Uffizi Gallery with my friends and Ibecame an art tour guide. They didn'tunderstand why I would stand in frontof the painting for more than oneminute, hypnotized by the original Birthof Venus and Primavera by Boticelli orMedusa by Caravaggio.I would much rather get lost in a cityamong locals than stick to theoverrated restaurants and bars. I wouldrather walk alone in the streets than bewith friends who complain about doingsomething conventionally more fun.Culture is what builds us, and I graspfor any chance to surround myself withthat. I am thankful for my observantnature and craving for wanderlust. I amnot afraid of graduation because I knowthat there's a path for me, and as longas I do what makes me happy, I will beOK. Sarah Correa-Dibar@SarahsHappiness

Page 17

Page 18

The Five Rs By Michael Robb During childhood, I struggled with beingseparated from my parents and home. Asearly as pre-school, I would throw fits as I wasbeing dropped off by mom or dad, andproved to be a great challenge for myteachers. Similarly, when I decided to give summercamp a whirl at age 7, I socially withdrewafter just a few days, longing to be backhome, back in my element. Fortunately, mymother was working at the camp as a nurseand was able to take me home early. However, the older I got, the more I realizedthat I could not depend on my family andhome for everything. Sooner or later, I wouldneed to blaze my own trail, choose my ownpath, and build my own future.In my early teen years, I gave summer campanother shot and was more than satisfiedwith the impact, which continues to resonateto this day. It is my pleasure to share with you all thecode of principles my camp stronglyencourages all of its members to follow. Ihope that they can be as helpful andinfluential to your daily life and moralcompass as they have been to me in myhighest and lowest times, especially this year.Respect RFirst and foremost, respect is the foundation ofyour best self. It is important to remember,though, that you cannot devote all your energy toone form of respect. Respect for others, yourself,and your environment are an inseparable triothat, when synergized, will enable you to acceptyourself as you are, build loving relationships, andwork with, not against, the world around you. If you'll pardon the geeky reference, there isunmatched wisdom in the idea of responsibility.Knowing your place in the world is essential toliving your best life. However, that is only half thebattle. It would be best to visualize your effects onyourself and those you associate with and takewhat you feel is the best course of action. But thisis easier said than done - sometimes the mostrighteous decisions are the most difficult ones tomake. esponsibility17THE FIVE R'swww.atstpodcast.com

Page 19

RRResilienceeaching out easonable Risk If I've learned anything from this hectic year, it isthat everyone has the strength to survive theinsurmountable deep inside. From losing lovedones to abandoning my life in college as I knewit, to suffering severe anxiety attacks, I just keptpushing. Even if you break, you always have thefire inside of you to keep pushing. As ViktorFrankl, holocaust survivor and acclaimed authorwrote: "He who has a why can bear with almostany how."Perhaps most important, one must find it in themselves to adhere to the golden rule, andgive everyone the golden gift of opportunity.Sometimes, all anyone needs is a smile. Learningto live and love with those you come across, nomatter how different they are from you or howrandom your encounter is, will help you tacklethis precarious road called life. There is strengthin numbers!Let's face it - we need each other - we're socialanimals. The least we can do is be nice about it. All right, that technically makes 6 Rs. Jokes aside,taking a reasonable risk is the key to almostevery famous success story. When trains werefirst invented, people feared their limbs would flyoff, moving at speeds over 20 mph. Beethoventried his hand at composing some of the world'smost renowned symphonies - while going deaf.Martin Luther King Jr. stood up for blacks at thepeak of segregation - and paved the road for anew age of activism worldwide. What will you create with your next daring feat? www.atstpodcast.com18THE FIVE R's

Page 20

Page 21

www.atstpodcast.comPsychedelic TherapyLSD VS. MDMA TherapyBy Lorilee BinstockAround the holidays in 2019, I was struggling with flashbacksof my childhood sexual abuse for the first time sober which Ihad never experienced in the 25 years that I had kept thissecret to myself. I was meeting with my therapist weekly.Each time we met, I would start off by saying something tothe effect of "I am ready to talk about what I think is PTSDand the reason for my anger and feelings of worthlessness."And each time my therapist would wait patiently while we satin silence until I would break that silence with, "I don't think Ican."It was then I began researching other modalities that wouldhelp me heal from my trauma besides talk therapy, whichseemed impossible. Then one night while watching anepisode of the Goop Lab, I stumbled upon an episode aboutLSD therapy. As I watched as the group of Goop stafferstraveled to Jamaica to experience LSD-assisted therapy totreat anxiety and depression, I began thinking about my ownpersonal experience with LSD and mushrooms, orpsilocybin. Although my trip on acid was rather enjoyable, itwas a bad trip on mushrooms, that had my heart pounding.I was 16 or 17 years old when a group of my friends decidedto make a mushroom tea and throw some on pizza at myfamily home while my parents were away. It was fun at first,experiencing some out of body moments. But suddenly, Ibecame paranoid, creating narratives of feeling worthlessand that my friends were trying to abandon me. I felt myselfplunge into a rabbit hole of nightmarish scenarios.Somehow I ended up in my brother's room staring at the Art by Cali BinstockP S Y C H E D E L I C T H E R A P Yshadows on the wall from the branches blowing in the winduntil I began seeing myself hanging from the tree by a noose.At that moment, I started to get my first flashbacks of thesexual abuse by my father. I'm sure it had crossed my mindbefore, but I had the ability to suppress it. However, this time,my brain wouldn't shut it off. It was the worst experience ofmy life playing over and over again. I wanted to die. It wasn'tthe first time, and it wouldn't be the last.The only thing that saved me was the fact that my body couldnot move. Eventually, my friends found me and decided Ineeded to take a walk, which was exactly what I needed. I'mnot sure what would have happened if my friends didn'tunknowingly intervene. I could survive another day, but Iwould continue to attempt to take my own life several times inthe subsequent years until the age of 35.If I was in a different environment controlled by a speciallytrained therapist, I feel like I would have no other choice thanto confront my trauma instead of dancing around it with myown therapist. I did my research and realized that the GoopLab staff went to Jamaica for the LSD-assisted therapybecause it's still illegal in the United States.Eventually, I hit rock bottom and settled for residentialtreatment in Arizona, which was a miracle. Unfortunately,there is only so much you can do in 31 days. Although I wasable to treat the sexual abuse and can now talk about it, Icould not address the subsequent trauma that followed the20

Page 22

www.atstpodcast.comP S Y C H E D E L I C T H E R A P Yabuse. Serendipitously, I was able to find a traumatherapist who is also an MDMA-assisted psychotherapist. Iam on a list of participants hoping to be a part of the nextstudy and if I am selected, I plan on documenting myjourney on my podcast and youtube channel.Even though I was seeking treatment for LSD therapy,MDMA-assisted therapy is a modality that would better suitme for PTSD.Multi-disciplinary Assisted Psychedelic Studies isundertaking a plan to make MDMA-assisted psychotherapyinto a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approvedprescription treatment by 2023. MDMA was designated abreakthrough therapy for PTSD by the FDA, a status thatcan expedite approval (Kupferschmidt, 2017). Also studiedfor social anxiety in autistic adults, existential anxiety, andalcohol use disorder. MDMA is commonly confused withthe street drug “ecstasy” (also known as “molly”). However,these illegal products frequently do not contain MDMA,only adulterants (Vogels et al., 2009; Wood et al., 2011;Togni et al., 2015; Saleemi et al., 2017; Vrolijk et al., 2017).This loose terminology creates unfortunate confusionabout MDMA's safety (Amoroso, 2016). In research withhealthy volunteers, occurrences of high blood pressure,rapid heart rate, and hyperthermia or dangerouslyoverheated body temperature were below a third of thecases, not leading to serious adverse events (Vizeli andLiechti, 2017). In clinical populations, serious adverseevents were rare, with only one brief and self-limiting caseof an increased irregular heartbeat in more than 1,260sessions (MAPS, 2017). Therapeutic results obtained withsevere, treatment-resistant PTSD patients in Phase 2studies were considered “spectacular” (Frood, 2012).Approximately 70% or more of the participants no longerqualified for the diagnosis after 12 months, while theremaining third had less intense symptoms. Furthermore,the improvements lasted up to 4 years, mostly withoutadditional treatments and without inducing drug abuse ordependence (Mithoefer et al., 2013; Yazar-Klosinski andMithoefer, 2017). An independent preliminary meta-analysis found MDMA-assisted psychotherapy was superiorto prolonged exposure when evaluated by clinician-observed outcomes, by patient self-report outcomes, andalso by drop-outs (Amoroso and Workman, 2016). InMDMA-assisted psychotherapy, MDMA is onlyadministered a few times, unlike most medications for mental illnesses,which are often taken daily for years and sometimesforever. MDMA is not the same as "Ecstasy" or "molly."Drugs sold on the street under these names may containMDMA but frequently also included unknown and/ordangerous substances. In laboratory studies, pure MDMAhas been proven sufficiently safe for human consumptionwhen taken a limited number of times in moderate doses.According to research done by the American College ofNeuropsychopharmacology, LSD, the most potentpsychedelic currently administered in clinical trials, hasproved to have long-lasting effects with a very high safetyratio (Gable, 2004; Passie et al., 2008) and is notassociated with major health impairments afterunsupervised use (Krebs and Johansen, 2013; Hendricks etal., 2014, 2015; Johansen and Krebs, 2015). It is the activesubstance in just two recent Phase 2 trials for existentialanxiety in the terminally ill (Table (Table1).1). Its use inclinical trials has been limited, most likely from the stigmasurrounding large-scale recreational use since the 1960s,with considerable political implications (Dyck, 2005; Nutt etal., 2013; Smith et al., 2014). However, before any politicalinterference, more than one-thousand studies thatincluded 40-thousand patients were done (Grinspoon,1981), mostly showing positive results (Abraham et al.,1996). Despite limited trials, a recent meta-analysis withrigorous research from 60 years ago confirmed LSD alsohas important potential for alcohol use disorders (Krebsand Johansen, 2012).For more information on psychedelic-assisted therapy,visit MAPS.org or visit the American College ofNeuropsychopharmacology at nature.com.21

Page 23

Page 24

Page 25

Page 26

Page 27

Content Warning: This article discuss trauma from sexual violenceand suicide.I am a Trauma Survivor. For 10 years, I had been misdiagnosed and treatedfor bipolar disorder after my fourth attempt to take my life. Never did I think Iwas suffering from trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I hadonly understood PTSD as a disorder that affects soldiers who went to war.However, little did I know, for the last 20 years I was experiencing symptomsof childhood trauma. A trauma that I kept a secret until my fifth and mostrecent suicide attempt.As a child, somewhere between the ages of nine and twelve, I was sexuallyand physically abused by my father. I was always raised with the idea that if Idon’t think about what is bothering me, it will go away. However, someonewho is dealing with untreated trauma is a ticking time bomb. For me, myemotions seeped out in “bad” behaviors: hypersexual behavior, substanceuse, and self-harming behavior. I would become explosive, leading to mymultiple suicide attempts. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and tookLithium and Trileptal, an anti-seizure medication, to treat it. (To continuereading this article, please click here)The Importance of Trauma Infomed Care (TIC)*The articles on displayed on pages XX &XX are taken from blogs written by LorileeBinstock for Relias. To continue reading the articles, you will be redirected to the site itwas originally written for.T R A U M A I N F O R M E D C A R Ewww.atstpodcast.com26

Page 28

tunnel. If you feel stuck, the idea of suicide may feel like the only way out.But there is another way out. Believe me—I can say that because I foundmy way out and the other side is everything I thought I’d neverexperience.The truth is, I was holding myself back. I experienced sexual and physicalabuse as a child by my father. Instead of seeking help, I isolated myselfand kept this secret hidden in the darkest parts of my soul, until it grewlike vines taking up space in my body. I didn’t know that this secret wassuffocating me. I thought I was just born this way and that I would diethis way.When I was 13, I went into my parent’s medicine cabinet and tookwhatever pills I could find. I don’t remember what they were. I was ateenager and had no idea what I was doing. I just knew I no longerwanted to live, or maybe I was crying out for help. At this point, I hadalready asked to see a therapist but was told I could not. Maybe if Ioverdosed, I would be taken to the hospital and forced to see someone.However, this suicide attempt didn’t send me to the hospital like I hadhoped. My parents forced me to vomit up all of the pills and get rest. Itdidn’t even push them to take me to see a therapist. I felt helpless.Theonly thing I could do was suppress the pain of the trauma. However, inorder to cope, I sought love in early sexual experiences with boys andnumbed myself with alcohol and marijuana at the age of 13. My motherand father had no idea what was going on with me. My mother had noidea about the sexual abuse and I don’t believe my father understoodthe repercussions of his actions. They just assumed I was badlyinfluenced by friends. My parents would call me a slut and a whore,among other derogatory terms. Because of my behavior, kids in highschool began saying the same things. I began to believe them; After all, ifyou are told something enough times, how could you not believe it to betrue? (To continue reading, click here)Seeing Hope Beyond SuicideContent Warning: This blog discusses personal experiences with attempted suicide.Building a life worth living can be difficult, especially ifyou have no interest in living at all. However, assomeone who was stuck in a dark tunnel of what I canonly describe as a living hell, and then coming out onthe other side, I realized it is achievable and worthwhile.One person described suicide to me as “a fatal result ofa restricted perspective.” I found this definition to reallyencompass the idea of suicide. When you have tunnelvision, it’s impossible to find the light at the end of the.Written by Lorilee Binstock for Relias.comH O P E B E Y O N D S U I C I D Ewww.atstpodcast.com27

Page 29

Page 30

Feeling sad or having a depressed moodLoss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyedChanges in appetite; usually eating more, craving carbohydratesChange in sleep; usually sleeping too muchLoss of energy or increased fatigue despite increased sleep hoursIncrease in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) orslowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable toothers)Feeling worthless or guiltyDifficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisionsHold on just a little longer! 2020 is almost over. With the uncertainty and isolation, the year hasbrought on, mental health is becoming more and more of a concern. And, as we round out theend of the year, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) also known as seasonal depression or winterdepression can have us singing the 2020 winter blues. Researchers are linking the lack of vitamin D from the shorter winter months to the phenomena.People with SAD experience mood changes and symptoms similar to depression. The symptomsusually occur during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight and usually improvewith the arrival of spring. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the most difficultmonths for people with SAD in the United States tend to be January and February. Although muchless common, some people experience SAD in the summer.The symptoms can be distressing and overwhelming and can interfere with daily functioning.However, it can be treated. About 5 percent of adults in the U.S. experience SAD and it typicallylasts about 40 percent of the year. As seasons change, people experience a shift in their biologicalinternal clock or circadian rhythm that can throw them off of daily schedule. SAD is more commonin people living in the warmer climates in the U.S. where there are fewer daylight hours in thewinter.Common symptoms of SAD include fatigue, even with too much sleep, and weight gain associatedwith overeating and carbohydrate cravings. SAD symptoms can vary from mild to severe and caninclude many symptoms similar to major depression, such as:www.atstpodcast.comB R E A K I N G S A DSymptoms and Treatment29

Page 31

SAD can be effectivelytreated in several ways,including light therapy,antidepressant medications,talk therapy or somecombination of these. Whilesymptoms will generallyimprove on their own withthe change of season,symptoms can improvemore quickly withtreatment.Light therapyinvolves sitting in front of alight therapy box that emitsa very bright light (andfilters out harmfulultraviolet (UV) rays). Itusually requires 20 minutesor more per day, typicallyfirst thing in the morning,during the winter months.Most people see someimprovements from lighttherapy within one or twoweeks of beginningtreatment. To maintain thebenefits and preventrelapse, treatment is usuallycontinued through the Treatmentwinter. Because of theanticipated return ofsymptoms in late fall,some people may beginlight therapy in early fallto prevent symptoms.Talktherapy, particularlycognitive behaviortherapy (CBT), caneffectively treat SAD.Selective serotoninreuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)are the type ofantidepressant mostcommonly used to treatSAD.For some people,increased exposure tosunlight can help improvesymptoms of SAD. Forexample, spending timeoutside or arranging yourhome or office so that youare exposed to a windowduring the day. (However,exposure to UV light fromthe sun can increase yourrisk of skin cancer.and youshould talk with yourdoctor about risks and benefits.)Taking care of yourgeneral health andwellness can also help—regular exercise, healthyeating, getting enoughsleep, and staying activeand connected (such asvolunteering, participatingin group activities andgetting together withfriends and family) canhelp.If you feel you havesymptoms of SAD, seekthe help of a trainedmedical professional. Justas with other forms ofdepression, it is importantto make sure there is noother medical conditioncausing symptoms. SADcan be misdiagnosed inthe presence ofhypothyroidism,hypoglycemia, infectiousmononucleosis, and otherviral infections, so properevaluation is key. Amental health professional candiagnose the conditionand discuss therapyoptions. With the righttreatment, SAD can be amanageable condition.If you feel yourdepression is severe or ifyou are experiencingsuicidal thoughts,consult a doctorimmediately or seekhelp at the closestemergency room.National SuicidePrevention Lifeline – 800-273-TALK (8255).www.atstpodcast.comB R E A K I N G S A D30

Page 32

I was staring at my therapist during my stay at my eighthresidential treatment center for anorexia nervosa when thestatement “your recovery will be far from linear” was said quietlywith the utmost importance. My hands were sweaty, my heartracing, and my sight remained blurry. It was the day of mydischarge from a nine-month stay in what felt like a jail. Thoughexcitement brewed in the air, my fear tapered below my belly in aknot that was all too reminiscent of previous traumaticexperiences. I knew the statement held truth, and I also knew atthat point, I had two choices. Either I was to stay stuck in a ragingeating disorder or choose a long and windy path to recovery.“Recovery is not linear” is a well-known statement that carries atumultuous amount of weight. As someone with an eatingdisorder, I did not want to hear of the possible relapses that couldoccur, and I’m sure the same would be reminiscent for those whostruggle with a substance abuse disorder. Though recovery maynot be linear, what has remained linear, is the process ofdeciphering why my struggle with an eating disorder was sodifficult and tedious throughout adolescence into my earlytwenties. To say that I developed anorexia and bulimia to cope with adversechildhood experiences is a mere understatement. Intermittently,the question often pops into my head, of how impactful was mytrauma? Having been adopted at two from an orphanage overseas,and just four years later, being shot with a bullet into my lower backin a terrorist attack and attending a high school where a studentshot himself in the head. While several years later experiencing asexual assault in a psychiatric unit when medicated onbenzodiazepines, it would make sense that I would resort to aneating disorder in my early adolescent years through the earlytwenties. Looking back on my early childhood, I realized Iexperienced most of it through dissociation. The eating disorderserved as a way to cope with dissociative episodes. It was not untilmy early 20’s that I realized that suffering from a gunshot woundcreated the fog of dissociation. The anger developed when thatrealization occurred was inconsolable, and truthfully all too validfor the extenuating circumstances that had happened in my earlychildhood years and early adulthood. We, as a society, oftenminimize the effects of adverse childhood experiences. In reality,the impact can be monumental for a child and can affect braindevelopment, interpersonal relationships, and create a trajectoryof one’s relationship with self and often skew self-esteem. It is onlypervasive that when addressing trauma, clinicians address allpossible psychiatric disorders that can stem from trauma, and ifunable to do so, refer the client to the care that is deemed necessary www.atstpodcast.comA S U R V I V O R ' S S T O R Y"It was not untilmy early 20’s thatI realized thatsuffering from agunshot woundcreated the fog ofdissociation."31

Page 33

for recovery.Dissociation is hardly discussedenough and truthfully needs a morecompassionate approach whenaddressing the issues at hand, oftencausing the brain to escape the reality itfaces. In an article constructed by RuthA. Lanius, she conveys howdissociation relates fervently to trauma.As well as how when one experiences adissociative state , it is most likelylinked to trauma. She further states,“Despite the wide range of dissociativephenomenology observed, oneunderlying theme that spans bothcurrent theoretical constructs andobserved clinical presentations ofdissociations centers around trauma-related altered states ofconsciousness” (Lanius, 2015). It isevident that when one experiences anyadverse childhood experience or eventin adulthood that is consideredtraumatic, dissociation is a very naturalpart of the recovery experience.Though uncomfortable andfrightening, it is essential to rememberthat it serves as a form of protectionwhen in a state that triggers either animplicit or explicit memory. At age 24, shortly after leaving thetreatment center, I wanted to addressthe impact one of my traumas had onmyself, and the effect my actions andbehaviors had on others. For the firsttime in my life, I started to experiencethe memories of the terrorist attack.Both the implicit and explicit memoriesfrolicked around in my brain, and Ineeded a place to address them. Formultiple nights on end, I stayed upfearing my own body and thesensations within my body. Fornumerous nights in a row, it felt like Iwas reliving the moments I witnessedwhen a sum of my educators andfriends died upon gunshot. One night, after a date, I rememberedwalking into my new apartment inSeattle, WA and seeing someone deadon the floor, with blood everywhere,and having to tell myself what I wasexperiencing was not real and merely aflashback. Of course, my gut reaction was to let out a blood-curdling scream,and it took a few minutes before I wasable to fully process that it was mybrain’s way of attempting to process theevents that occurred at six years old. Tosay that I did not engage in anydisordered eating behaviors that nightwould be a lie. Shortly after that, Iexperienced a small lapse in myrecovery from anorexia and bulimia.During the lapse in my eatingdisorder, I learned to associate mytrauma’s effect on myself after myeating disorder. The two went hand inhand; if I found myself dissociating,purging was a way to ground myself.Truthfully, the eating disorder wasnever about the weight and never willbe about the importance. Through aviolent act on one’s own body, purgingfelt suited for the disgust and shamethat resided in me when experiencingmoments of fear and anxiety.Restriction served as a form of controlwhen I found myself unable to controlthe thoughts and flashbacks occurringthroughout the day and night. To saymy initial months in Seattle weredifficult, again, is an understatement. It isn’t easy to have to re-train your bodyfrom doing what brings it comfort. Ifpurging through dissociationbrings one’s body comfort, learningstrategies that induce a sense of controland power can feel momentous. For myself, I often find the processoverwhelming and extraordinarilyisolating. Though while the process canseem overbearing, it is possible.Learning strategies to cope with aneating disorder is difficult, and truthfullymuch of recovery’s foundation is builtupon doing precisely what you do notwant to do. Often which is eating orsitting through the distress of havingjust eaten. For me, I find often findmyself having to resort to coping skillsthat I never intended to work butseemingly have. I have usually foundthat taking control of my breathing, orof my physical posture, and creating apros and cons list of engaging inbehaviors, to be most beneficial when itcomes to the panic moment of ‘I mayhave just overeaten.’ I have foundmeditation practices in self-compassionand self-love to be more than helpful, aswell as further educating myself in PTSDand the bearing effect it has had on me inthe past. I also have found creating astructure for attending classes andschoolwork and creating normalcy toreduce shame to be the most beneficial.Although, perhaps the most significantskill I have learned is to look at my storywith compassion rather than judgment. Ibelieve that healing from an eatingdisorder and PTSD is entirely possible ifwe can look at ourselves withunderstanding rather than hostility. I intend to finish undergrad and attendgraduate studies in either psychology,engineering, or English, depending onwhat feels right at the time. I believe myeducation has given me the stabilitythat no one else could give to me. I oftenfind myself thinking of howgrateful I am to be a trauma survivor whois now thriving.Lanius, Ruth A. “Trauma-related dissociation andaltered states of consciousness: a call for clinical,treatment, and neuroscience research.” Europeanjournal of psychotraumatology vol. 6 27905. 19 May.2015, doi:10.3402/ejpt.v6.27905A S U R V I V O R ' S S T O R Ywww.atstpodcast.com"I remembered walking into my apartment andseeing someone dead on the floor, with bloodeverywhere, and having to tell myself what I wasexperiencing was not real and merely a flashback." 32

Page 34

Page 35

1PhysicalYou know that saying, "Your body is a temple?" I'm almost positive it hassomething to do with religion and abstinence but for the sake of self-care, let'ssay it's the foundation on which to build all of your self-care needs. If thefoundation has cracks, at any moment it can all collapse, regardless of the hardwork you put into any other aspect of your self-care needs It could be just as simple as drinking 8 glasses of water, cutting back on sugarallowing yourself to get 7-8 hours of sleep or integrating exercise or yoga intoyour lifestyle.2EmotionalGrounding and stabilizing your personal energy allows you to build emotionalintelligence in order to have more control over your emotions. This createsopportunities to reach your full potential.Take some time to think of the activities that make you feel emotionally fulfilled.It might be volunteering, meditating, and even yoga. As with yoga whichencompasses the mind, body, and spirit, other forms of emotional self-care mayoverlap with all other forms of self-care.3SpiritualThe deep-rooted feeling of calm and inner peace is important no matter whatyour beliefs are. It's connecting to a higher power, something bigger thanyourself. It's something you can put your faith in outside of the physical world,which can be religion, mother nature, or just your deepest values in which youlive your life.Examples of ways to achieve spiritual self-care could be through meditation,yoga, helping others, or being in nature.4IntellectualHave you learned anything new lately, besides how to stay safe from thepandemic? Stimulating your mind can recharge your brain and make you feel excited aboutnot knowing everything. I actually took up sewing and took on the endeavor ofsewing one of the Schuyler sisters' dresses from 'Hamilton' for my daughter. Intellectual self-care can include anything from reading a book, listening to apodcast, watching a documentary, or learning more about Hamilton. Beingintentional about giving your brain new things to do can help you feelaccomplished and keep your brain sharp. 5ProfessionalEver had a problem saying no to your boss? If you didn't have work-life balancebefore the pandemic. During the pandemic, it may feel like work and life arebleeding into each other. Professional self-care is also part of making your day-to-day as efficient aspossible by keeping structured calendars or to-do lists with clear separationsbetween work stuff and life stuff. Identify things you absolutely need to do at work,and set the boundaries you need at home to do whatever's left tomorrow. Saying nowill probably be a big part of this process, but that's all part of setting priorities. Let's face it. Now more than ever is the best time to really start taking care ofyourself. But with everything going on, who has the time? Routines have beencompletely thrown off track with homeschooling, mask-wearing, and a little bit ofisolation. But with the new year upon us, let's all try to make an effort to whole fullyput ourselves first by including every aspect of self-care in your regular routine.by Lorilee BinstockFinancialFinancial insecurity can cause stress, anxiety, and depression. When weexperience financial difficulties, we tend to let the negative narrative consumeour thought, possibly manifesting into negative behaviors.Although there's no amount of positive thinking that will change yourcircumstances whether you are in financial debt, unemployed and/or havingtrouble paying bills. However, there are different ways to approach it. Trackingyour personal finances through finance apps or cutting back on unnecessaryspending. SocialNow more than ever finding a safe way to exercise social self-care can feellike more work than it's worth. Social interaction can help you feel fulfilledand validated, but sometimes, saying no to an outdoor outing when you arefeeling cozy at home in front of the TV is okay too.Creating boundaries can be difficult but it's essential to your overall mentalhealth. Saying no to an outdoor gathering in the cold, when you know youjust need time to decompress but also reaching out when you need help orcompany is just as important. Know what you want and learn to feelcomfortable in communicating it.Environmental Environmental self-care is taking care of your space. A cluttered workspacecan create a cluttered mind. Words my neat and tidy husband would say to meand he is right. Without even realizing it, I would become more anxioussurrounded by several cups and scattered paper.Keeping your workspace to a minimum with photos of family, maybe a cozyblanket always ready to be snuggled with on the couch, and a bedroom withoutall your laundry on the floor can help you feel like you can breathe a bit easier.6788 Types of Self-CareS E L F - C A R E3 4www.atstpodcast.com

Page 36

MY FAVORITEMENTALHEALTH APPSD A I L Y Y O G AThe Daily Yoga App has more than 100 yoga and meditationclasses for all levels. The app keeps records of all yourpractices to see your progress. I loved tracking my progresson this app and the instructors brought a nice calm to eachsession.C A L MThe Calm App touts more sleep, less stress and better livingthrough guided meditation, relaxing music and sounds forsleep, videos on mindful movement and stretching,mindfulness. They also have meditation for children thatboth my kids love.H E A D S P A C EMeditation is recommended by many therapist for stressrelief and headspace allows you to do it with lightheartedanimated characters to lead the practice. Meditation tookme a while to get the hang of. This app makes it a little moreinterestingM Y F I T N E S S P A LS A N V E L L OSanvello offers clinical validated techniques and support tohelp relieve stress, anxiety and depression symptoms.These are a few of my favorite apps I checkedout to improve my mind, body & soul.by Lorilee BinstockM I N D S H I F TThe Mindshift App is specifically designed for teens andyoung adults who have anxiety. The app helps you faceintense emotions and learn how to rethink living withanxiety.T A L K S P A C ETalkspace virtually matches you with licensedtherapists who you can text anytime you need. The apphas traditional therapy for teens and couples.H A P P I F YA wonderful coping skill is distraction and the Happify App isa game-based app to relieve stress. According to Happify, thegames are science-backed to reduce stress and help you livea happier life.MyFitnessPal tracks diet and exercise. The app usesgamification elements to motivate users. To tracknutrients, users can either scan the barcodes of variousfood items or manually find them in the app's large pre-existing database. I mostly used this app to track mynutrients. water intake and exercise and found it helpful.www.atstpodcast.comW E L L N E S S A P P S35

Page 37

Mental Health & Emotional Support Books(Children)When shopping around for children's books, my husband and I are very cognizant of the books wepurchase. We always ask ourselves, are these stories more than words on the page? We want more depth than just a fun story. We want these books to strengthen our children from theinside out. Yes, they still have the fun books, like the classic ones by Dr. Suess or Margaret Wise Brown.My children's shelves are stacked with them and they are mostly gifts. So when we buy the books, weare very picky. Here are a few of my favorite books to help build empathy and emotional intelligence. Crushing it With Kindness: Achildren's book aboutkindness, packed withlearning opportunities.Created by Jamila MadenSay hello to Wince, one of the biggestworriers you will every meet. From cookiesto homework to the weather, Wince worriesabout everything. And when Wince starts toworry, his WorryBug appears. At first theWorryBug is small and non-threatening, butthe more Wince Worries the more hisWorryBug grows. Don't Feed The WorryBugis great story to start the conversation onworry and anxiety. By Andi GreenEquality starts early, and itbegins at home.As soon asgirls are big enough to flipthrough a board book, theycan understand the conceptthat girls are equal to boys.Created by Julia MerbergEveryone thinks Lulu is a bulldog,but she knows that can't be true,because Lulu is a Rhinoceros-that is what she sees staring backat her when she looks in themirror. But sometimes, beingyourself can be a difficult road towalk. Soon enough, Lulu finds afriend that makes a big differencein her life, gaining the courage tobe herself. Created by Jason Flom & Allison FlomJim the chimpanzee is in a terriblemood for no good reason. His friendscan't understand it. This book bringshilarity and levity to this veryimportant lesson on emotionalliteracy, demonstrating to kids thatthey are allowed to feel their feelings.Created by Susan & Max LangL O R I L E E ' S B O O K C L U B ( C H I L D R E N )www.atstpodcast.com36*I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Page 38

Mental Health & Emotional Support Books(Adult)L O R I L E E ' S B O O K C L U B ( A D U L T )www.atstpodcast.comSway by Matthew John Bocchi . After his father died on 9/11 in the World TradeCenter, nine-year-old Matthew John Bocchi began an obsessive quest to find outexactly how he died. In the first memoir told by a child of 9/11, Matt intimatelydelves into the psychological and emotional torment that ensued after his father’sdeath. With heartbreaking vulnerability, he details how his incessant quest resultedin a devastating act of violence that stripped his innocence as a young man. AsMatt spirals down a bottomless pit of drug abuse, he willfully risks his life in searchof the next high—all in an attempt to forget his past.Change Your Brain, Change Your Life: The Breakthrough Program forConquering Anxiety, Depression, Obsessiveness, Lack of Focus, and MemoryProblems by Dr. Daniel Amen. In this breakthrough bestseller, you'll seescientific evidence that your anxiety, depression, anger, obsessiveness, orimpulsiveness could be related to how specific structures in your brain work.You're not stuck with the brain you're born with. Here are just a few ofneuropsychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen's surprising -and effective - "brainprescriptions" that can help heal your brain and change your lifeA pioneering researcher and one of the world’s foremost experts on traumaticstress offers a bold new paradigm for healing. Trauma is a fact of life. Veteransand their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in fiveAmericans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one inthree couples have engaged in physical violence. Such experiences inevitablyleave traces on minds, emotions, and even on biology. Renowned traumaexpert Bessel van der Kolk transforms our understanding of traumatic stress,revealing how it literally rearranges the brain’s wiring - specifically areasdedicated to pleasure, engagement, control, and trust.37*I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Page 39

Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Dr. Peter A. Levine. Waking the Tiger offersa new and hopeful vision of trauma. It views the human animal as a uniquebeing, endowed with an instinctual capacity. It asks and answers an intriguingquestion: Why are animals in the wild, though threatened routinely, rarelytraumatized? By understanding the dynamics that make wild animals virtuallyimmune to traumatic symptoms, the mystery of human trauma is revealed.A Moment of Insight: Universal Lessons Learned on A Psychiatrist's Couch by Dr.Suvrat Bhargave Dr. Bhargave has treated children and adults who sought psychiatryas a last resort to stop feeling empty, misunderstood, and unworthy. None cameanticipating a spiritual conquest, and each wanted relief in the quickest way possible.While there was no magic pill for a cure, what evolved time and again, throughpatience and vulnerability, was the tale of hope through adversity. The result is AMoment of Insight.The Gifts Of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be AndEmbrace Who You Are by Brene BrownBrené writes, "This book is an invitationto join a wholehearted revolution. A small, quiet, grassroots movement thatstarts with each of us saying, 'My story matters because I matter.' Revolutionmight sound a little dramatic, but in this world, choosing authenticity andworthiness is an absolute act of resistance."Mental Health & Emotional Support Books(Adult) continuedL O R I L E E ' S B O O K C L U B ( A D U L T )www.atstpodcast.com38*I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Page 40

In the month ahead from December 24, 2020 – January 24, 2021,many of you are or will be moving on from relationships thatno longer serve you. These relationships could have been very toxic,unhealthy, but addictive, making it difficult to leave. But it’s time tostand your ground and know your worth. Do not settle for less. It willbe a positive move forward once the change happens. Because oncewe move on, things will get better. Fear of this uncertainty of changemay have held you back, but this is what is best for you. It’s the newyear and a perfect moment for change to be a better person. Some are leaving a marriage or relationship because of a third-partysituation. This may have hurt a lot, but you are learning fromthis experience. Others may want to reconcile a marriage orrelationship. Many will be traveling during the holidays to visit family or just gettingaway for their own enjoyment. After enduring heartbreakand betrayal, you will be able to move on with grace. You are going tobe rewarded by the universe because of this. This situation was ablessing in disguise. You will be going down a new path, or whomeveryou're dealing with will want to move on with you. They will choose you.Regarding your love life, I feel like many of you need to stay positiveand optimistic about the future. Many will need to forgive and learnfrom a situation. Someone you were dealing with could have been verydeceptive, and/or something will be revealed to you. Others could havebeen deliberately turning a blind eye in a relationship, but you nolonger feel the need to. It’s time, to be honest with yourself and others.Whomever you are dealing with could feel hostile towards you becauseyou choose to go down a different path. This person was abusive,controlling, and manipulative. If that is the case, you are making theright decision by letting this go. However, this person won't let go soeasily.If you are single, you could be meeting someone new. That relationshipmay demand a higher level of commitment, but you need to take yourtime and get to know them. You will get the happy, loving relationshipthat you deserve. Don’t rush it. Go with the flow.Others need to learn how to love themselves. Understand you don’talways need someone in your life to make you feel complete. Learnmore about you, your likes/dislikes, what makes you happy, etc.Practice self-care, compassion, and forgiveness. You will feel more atpeace and happier.Advice for the collective is to step out of your comfort zone. Believe inyourself. I see a personal issue you may have been experiencing willcome to a resolution for you and others involved. Your dreams need apractical plan. Be sure to write down your new year's resolutions/goalsyou hope to achieve. Your dreams are possible. Everything happensfor a reason, and every hardship you experience is a learningexperience.Monthly Collective Readings for All Signswith Joy Larkin (December 24, 2020 - January 24, 2021)About JoyJoy is a Narcissistic Abuse Survivor whohas made it her life's work to help othersthrough life coaching. She is also ahealer, earth angel and psychic medium.If you would like coaching services fromJoy and/or get your own personalreading, please scan the barcode below with you smartphone camera.Personal ReadingsCoaching Info

Authentic Insider January 2021 Issue

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5