As an incurable optimist, I daily recognize the many things in our world that cause us to smile and celebrate.
As a mental health professional, I daily recognize the many things in our world that cause people pain and peril.
Many of the troubles plaguing our society subject people to traumatic experiences, usually at no fault of their own. In fact, nearly everyone will encounter traumatic events at some time, in some form.
Trauma sometimes happens in the most deplorable ways we can imagine, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, combat, or public shootings. Other forms are more common but no less devastating: the loss of a loved one, a bitter divorce, or being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease….