In times of crisis, violence, or collective distress, many people find themselves psychologically affected even when they were not directly harmed. Two important concepts that help us understand this experience are secondary trauma and vicarious trauma. Although often used interchangeably, they describe related but distinct psychological processes. What is Secondary Trauma? Secondary trauma (sometimes called […]

Many people who feel deeply affected by global conflicts worry that something is wrong with them. They may wonder why others seem able to watch the news and move on, whilst they find themselves feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally shaken. In reality, this sensitivity often reflects something profoundly human: a nervous system that is highly […]

We live in a time where global conflict, political polarisation, and public hostility toward ethnic, religious, and cultural groups are constantly visible. News cycles show wars, protests, demonstrations, and sometimes hateful rhetoric directed at entire communities. Social media amplifies these events, bringing them into our homes and onto our phones many times a day. For […]

Work can be a source of meaning, identity, and connection. It can also be a source of chronic stress. Many people accept work stress as “just part of life,” pushing through exhaustion, irritability, or dread because they feel they must. But when work stress becomes ongoing, it can quietly erode mental health, relationships, and even […]

The Wholeness of a Broken Heart: A Hasidic Lens on Trauma and Healing  To Esther  “There is nothing more whole than a broken heart.” (Menachem Mendel Kotzk) This paradox, drawn from Hasidic wisdom, carries a quiet psychological truth: the heart that has been broken open may hold more life than the one that has never been touched by […]

Why Sleep Matters (and Why Trying Too Hard Can Make It Worse) Sleep is a problem that gets worst by trying hard to resolve. The more you think about it, the worse it can get. So often, the people who want good sleep the most are the ones who struggle with it the hardest. They’re […]

Many people affected by trauma or moral injury don’t struggle to fall asleep, they struggle to stay asleep.They fall asleep exhausted, only to wake in the early hours of the morning:2am, 3am, 4am. The body feels heavy, but the nervous system is alert. Thoughts start moving. Images surface. Sleep feels close, but unreachable. This pattern […]

Reflections following the Bondi Beach terror attack Trauma is often understood as fear-based: the shock, panic, and helplessness that overwhelm the nervous system in the face of danger. But some traumatic events leave a different and deeper wound, one that is not only about fear, but about values, conscience, and meaning. This wound is known […]

Depression can make even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. Some days it’s hard to get out of bed, let alone think about self-care. If you’re living with depression, please know this: you are not alone, and there are small, gentle steps you can take to support yourself alongside professional help. These tips for living with […]

Anxiety as a messenger Anxiety can feel like an enemy living inside us, racing thoughts, tightness in the chest, and a constant sense of worry or danger. Many people see it as a random or faulty reaction that needs to be suppressed. But in coherence therapy, pioneered by Bruce Ecker and colleagues, anxiety is viewed […]