Finding a therapist after experiencing domestic abuse can be daunting, but the right support is crucial for healing. In this guide from DomesticShelters.org, Sybil Cummin, MA, LPC, ACS, offers practical tips to help survivors identify therapists who truly understand the complexities of domestic violence and narcissistic abuse. It covers questions to ask, such as evaluating a therapist’s experience, their therapeutic approaches, and whether they fit your emotional and financial needs. It also highlights resources to locate specialized professionals. With thoughtful advice, this article empowers survivors to take a confident step toward recovery.

Read the full article here or click the button below.

If you can read this article, you are a human possessing a body. Most perceive our bodies as limbs, organs, and a solid physical structure. Our physical health is asserted as being located in our bodies and determines whether we are sick or well or in pain. Additionally, the size and shape of our bodies dictate narratives, arousing labels, judgments, and behaviors.

We often hear of trauma being "stuck in our bodies" and think that there is an extreme, cathartic process that takes place when undergoing body-centered therapy, i.e., Somatic Therapy. You may have heard of Somatic Experiencing and Hakomi, the more mainstream varieties. Many seek out these therapies to "remove or unblock trauma" as if it is an unwanted, vilified parasite, and we are inadequate until we do so. Similarly, we often judge ourselves or can be labeled by others as being stuck, tense, dissociative, or "not in our bodies." Many Somatic and other therapists suggest that the client "must get in their body" to be doing effective therapy. Outside influences often permeate, shrouding these concepts in shame and all-or-nothing dichotomies.

Do you want to feel connected and fulfilled in your relationship? Mastering effective communication is the key to building a successful and enduring partnership. It is not just about what you say but also how you say it. Discover the secret to everlasting love with these six essential strategies.

The Power of Active Listening: One of the most overlooked yet potent tools in communication is active listening. Far beyond simply hearing words, active listening involves fully absorbing what your partner is expressing. Put away distractions, make eye contact, and show genuine interest. Repeat what you've heard to confirm your understanding. This simple yet profound technique lays the foundation for mutual understanding and strengthens the emotional connection between partners.

Amid busy daily routines, it's common for couples to feel a sense of emotional disconnection. Over time, the bond that initially brought two individuals together may dissolve, causing them to feel detached and distant. If you're experiencing this, you must know you're not alone! Healing emotional fissures and reinvigorating the spark of your love is entirely possible! This article presents a five-step formula to help you achieve this and rediscover the intimacy that initially brought you together.

90 degree days are here! Time to go swimming and camping. Time to stay up late and time to sleep the day away.
 
These are some of the things that my boys are loving about summer. 
 
And even though it is still July, I am already dreading the transition to going back to school.
 
While the transition from the carefree days of summer break can be challenging for most children, it can be particularly tough for those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). So, why is this shift from summer vacation back to the routine of school days difficult for children with ADHD?

The end of the school year is upon us!  As we start our summers during the age of COVID-19, we will continue to have to be flexible and manage our expectations.  Trips have been canceled.  Summer camps will look different; if they happen at all.  And the worry of what school will look like in the fall looms large for many.  Radical acceptance is a difficult concept for many adults to adhere to, so what about our kids?
 
In my lifetime, there has not been a global situation that has affected our children as much as this pandemic is, and the effects will be ongoing, long after there is a vaccine and our worlds look closer to how they were in 2019.  These times can be confusing, frustrating, and scary for many.  Our children’s mental health will be affected if it hasn’t been already, and while mental health professionals are equipped to deal with these experiences that our children are living through, parents are on the front lines.  Parents are the first line of defense.  This may seem really scary as a parent (I have the privilege of being a parent to two wonderful boys and feel unsure all the time).
 
How can we as parents help our children weather this storm?

By Sybil Cummin, MA, LPC
​Private Practice Consultation
Private Practice Workshops & Seminars

It can be scary starting out on your own.  Will I be able to fill my schedule?  Will I be able to pay my bills?  How will potential clients find me?

When you are trying to start a private practice, there are several ways to increase your visibility and referral sources in your area.  You can join different groups on social media outlets, post ads through Facebook or LinkedIn, or use tools like Google Ad Words.  You can make sure that your website has strong SEO (search engine optimization).  The most important method for me is meeting other therapists face-to-face and building those relationships. 

What people often do not share is how you can turn people off when trying to increase your visibility to increase your caseload. 

Here are the top 5 reasons why I may not send clients your way.

By Sybil Cummin, MA, LPC
​Private Practice Consultation
Private Practice Workshops & Seminars

Does the term “networking event” cause an immediate anxiety reaction for you?  Does the thought of talking about yourself to different people you don’t know cause panic?  Do you feel like your business could grow significantly if you just could get over your discomfort of networking?  If you answered yes to these questions I’m guessing you would label yourself an introvert.  I am here to offer hope.  Introverts can network just as effectively as extroverts.  It may look different, but will still be successful.

Building a strong referral network is a great way to build and maintain a successful private practice.  Our field is relational and so direct networking or meeting other professionals will produce results far sooner than online marketing can.  If other professionals (therapists, acupuncturists, doctors, etc.) have met you face to face and can see your passion for working with a specific population, as well as your personality, they can provide referrals that will most likely be a good fit for you and for the client.  It also helps build your referral list for when your caseload is full or if you are not a good fit for a prospective client.  

​If you understand the importance of personal and direct networking but are still scared out of your mind to get out there and do it, read the tips below to calm yourself down and increase your confidence.  You too can network like a pro.

By Sybil Cummin, MA, LPC
​Private Practice Consultation
Private Practice Workshops & Seminars

If you have had an agency job, you rarely get to pick the clients you see and there is typically a huge range of presenting problems and clients that you work with.  This is great training and allows you to work with a huge range of clients, building your skills and confidence.  It seems like having this diversity of skills and experience will be a significant advantage when starting a private practice -- you could see almost anybody.  Do you really need to have a niche?  Isn’t it an advantage to be able to take on anyone in your practice? While it is helpful to have confidence in what you do and your abilities to work with a diverse population, there are some disadvantages to opening a practice that sees everybody.