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Empowering Adolescents and Teens to Move from Struggling to Strength- Karin Schober, LPC-S

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Searching for the Rare

What is a Trauma Responsive Facility?

Trauma seems to be a word that has latched on in recent years, used by young and old alike. Contrary to popular usage, a traumatic thing is more than a strong negative emotion or experience. The event stretches an individual beyond their ability to cope. It can shatter a person's sense of safety or control. It can be a one time event, such as a car crash, or chronic, such as the repeated exposure to domestic violence. Trauma can result from varied, multiple events, called complex trauma. If the distinctions feel confusing or unclear, you are not alone.

How can you expect to see trauma responsiveness at The Hope Place?

The Physical Space. When one first steps into the waiting room of the lobby of The Hope Place, they will notice soft lighting and a more “homey” feel. This is intentional! Sensory overwhelm is a real struggle, and the ability to reduce these components are a welcomed change for many whose nervous system struggles to stay regulated. Additionally, all offices at The Hope Place allow for clients to sit with their backs NOT facing the door. For many individuals that have been impacted by trauma, a clear line to the escape path is crucial in helping establish feelings of safety and empowerment.

Clear Boundaries and Consistency. This is so meaningful! In a world that has often felt chaotic and unpredictable, clear boundaries and consistent behavior help develop trust. It helps individuals know what to expect and fosters a sense of safety.

The Power of Choice. At The Hope Place, we strongly value the concept of partnership with clients! While we are professionally trained, we are not the professionals in the client’s life. You are! Decisions are made with the client, not for the client.

Trauma Informed Interventions Accelerated Resolution Therapy ( ART) is not the only trauma informed intervention, but is one that we love and embrace at The Hope Place. One of the most detrimental concepts in trauma recovery is the requirement that clients must talk about the trauma in order to be healed. We disagree. In fact, we believe that forced communication regarding the event(s) can be harmful and retraumatize. By using ART, there is not the forced verbalization, which feels more respectful to both clients and therapists alike.

Flexible Approaches. While boundaries absolutely need to remain clear and consistent, if there is room for flexibility in approaches, then that is the route we will take. The flexibility asks two questions: Will this flexibility harm or benefit this client, and/or will it be detrimental to other clients present? If flexibility can ensure all clients have their needs met, we will lean towards flexibility so that we meet the client where they are.

Are we going to get it right every time? No. Individual experiences are unique, and we might miss something. However, you can trust that if we don't get it right, we have the humility to learn and do better next time. That is trauma responsiveness.

The Consultation Crew

Share your counseling challenges & dilemmas with other professionals. You can expect an anonymous platform for sharing, receiving feedback & offering support. Door prizes, complimentary refreshments & support provided by fellow licensed clinicians from Santé Center for Healing & The Hope Place. RSVP: Amy Boelkens, LCSW 817-223-2185 SPACES ARE LIMITED, SECURE YOUR SPOT SOON.

Please RSVP with Amy Boelkens, LCSW!

If You're Not a Professional, Don't Dig Through the Epstein Files

At The Hope Place in Mansfield, we understand that while the pursuit of justice and transparency is vital, the sheer weight and amount of information in the Epstein Files could take a significant toll on our collective mental health. It’s not just the direct survivors who are affected; the general public can also experience profound distress if they are not trained professionals. And honestly, trained professionals can only handle so much before they burn out.

This phenonomon is called vicarious trauma, and it’s important to understand what it is, why it happens, and how you can protect yourself.

What is Vicarious Trauma?

Vicarious trauma is traditionally understood as an occupational hazard for professionals like therapists, first responders, 911 operators, or social workers who are routinely exposed to other people's trauma. It is the emotional residue of hearing detailed accounts of pain, terror, and suffering and picturing those moments in our brains.

However, in the age of social media and 24-hour news, this exposure is no longer limited to professionals. When we consume graphic details, view disturbing images, or watch heart-wrenching testimonies, we can experience symptoms that mirror those of direct trauma survivors. Things like:

Persistent feelings of sadness, anger, or anxiety.

Intrusive thoughts or images related to the news.

A sense of hopelessness about the world.

Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.

Feeling emotionally numb or withdrawn.

Nightmares about events or themes portrayed in the news.

Social withdrawal and distrust of others; especially related to parenting.

The release of documents like the Epstein files, which contain descriptions and depictions of horrific abuse, can be a massive trigger for this kind of secondary traumatic stress on a societal level.

Your Brain Mirrors Abuse

Why do we feel the pain of others so deeply, even when they are strangers on a screen?

We were created with a fascinating part of our brain called the mirror neuron network.

Think of mirror neurons as your brain’s built-in simulator. These neurons fire not only when you perform an action or feel an emotion, but also when you observe someone else doing or feeling the same thing. It’s why you might wince when you see someone stub their toe, or accidently get hit with a baseball. It’s also one reason why we enjoy watching other people's reaction videos. This neural mirroring is the biological foundation of our ability to connect with and understand one another.

However, this same system can become overwhelmed by constant exposure to graphic content. When you read detailed accounts or see images related to the abuse detailed in the Epstein files, your mirror neurons can activate neural pathways similar to those that would fire if you were experiencing distress yourself.

Your brain, in its attempt to empathize, can leave you shouldering a heavy emotional burden that isn't yours to carry. Graphic pictures and videos are particularly potent triggers, as they bypass our cognitive filters and deliver a more direct, visceral emotional impact.

How to Protect Yourself

Feeling overwhelmed by the details related to evil events is a normal human response. It is not a sign of weakness. But evil wears you down if you're not taking steps to protect yourself.

Do not dig through the Epstein Files: there are professionals digging who are trained to compartmentalize the information and synthesize it for the purpose of seeking justice and transparency.

Set Firm Boundaries: You do not need to know every detail to be an informed and caring citizen. Limit your consumption of news to specific times of the day, and avoid "doomscrolling" before bed.

Curate Your Consumption: Be mindful of what you click on. Read headlines from reputable sources to stay informed, but give yourself permission to skip articles with graphic descriptions or disturbing images. Mute keywords and unfollow accounts that consistently trigger you.

Practice Grounding Techniques: When you feel yourself getting pulled into a spiral of anxiety, bring yourself back to the present moment. Try the "5-4-3-2-1" technique: Identify 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.

Prioritize Self-Care: Ensure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and moving your body. Engage in activities that bring you joy and help you decompress, whether it's reading a book, spending time in nature, or connecting with loved ones.

Connect with Others: Talk about your feelings with trusted friends or family members. Acknowledging your feelings and frustrations with supportive people can help you normalize how you're feeling, but it can also normalize how they're feeling as well! Remember the mirror neuron network? It can help you heal too.

It's important to remember that while our brains are wired to feel the pain of others, they are also capable of immense resilience and healing.

If you find that the amount of horror is becoming too heavy to carry on your own, please know that help is available. We are trauma therapists that can help your brain file away the images that are keeping you up at night and that sick feeling in your stomach when someone reminds you of them.

Take care of yourself, and remember that prioritizing your peace is a necessary act of rebellion.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy and Post Traumatic Growth

Post Traumatic Growth is a concept that has been more at the forefront of my mind lately. Perhaps it is because I am privileged to watch growth occur before me through my clients, and I'm amazed at the strength, courage, and humility to strive towards healing. Perhaps I'm aware of my own areas of growth beyond life’s challenges. Or, maybe, it's my solution focused approach that will continue asking questions that allow me to see beyond what first comes to mind and I am aware of changes evolving. No matter the reason, it is a cool phenomenon that helps give meaning to the challenges and encourages one to journey on.

As a general rule, in order for new growth to happen, something else has to die first. This is a truth in biological systems, where the death of an organism provides new life for something else. Or, consider a seed, which must rupture its outer shell before it can grow into a plant. There are more examples to be had, but the general notion of growth post death remains. The celebration of the “new life” is the post traumatic growth.

There are many different ways that post traumatic growth can be achieved, many of which do not involve a counseling session. Wrestling over spiritual matters with a friend or mentor, in the context of a relationship, can be invaluable. Joining with a friend during a season of hardship can challenge your beliefs about life.

Perhaps one of the most efficient ways I have seen post traumatic growth emerge is through the use of Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART. True to its name, ART can often help bring resolution and change quicker than traditional talk therapy as it focuses not on the why of the trauma, but on the “what” that is stored in the brain. This process often leaves people feeling different about the trauma than when they started. As the emotional and physical sensations are decreased, space appears for new thoughts and perceptions. These new thoughts and perceptions that are formed are the “new life” of post traumatic growth. The old thought patterns have died, and something new and stronger than before emerges. I have been honored to sit with clients, tears streaming down their faces born of gratitude, as they experience a mindshift change they never thought possible after the trauma that affected their lives. Perhaps I am most humbled when I see spiritual shifts and I am acutely aware of the sacred space I find myself in.

Becoming a source of wisdom in your own life story is no small feat. It takes courage and strength, but man! The results are amazing. I would invite you to be open to the process of change and appreciate not just surviving the trauma, but the catalyst it served to bring about a strength and wisdom you did not know you possessed. You have earned it.

If ART is something that resonates with you, there are therapists that are happy to help. More information can be found at https://www.hopeplacetx.com/art.

Post Traumatic Growth during Winter Storms

As a mental health facility that strives to be trauma responsive, there is a constant awareness of the impact of trauma. We strive to interact differently than other facilities, because we understand, and respect, the way trauma can be lived out. Equally important to trauma responsiveness is a concept I don't hear about as much across the mental health profession: Post Traumatic Growth.

Post Traumatic Growth involves growing past the place someone was in when a trauma unfolded. It values the significant emotional and cognitive gains one has had in life that exceeds how life was viewed prior to the trauma. When a person’s view of the world is drastically changed through trauma, the healing and restructuring process can lead to a view that allows for more gray space in life, and one that can appreciate different perspectives. Strengths can emerge that one was unaware of. Post Traumatic Growth is the ability to change.

I was reminded of this concept over recent snow days in the DFW area, where the impact of the ice was seen and felt as I walked to the office from my car, and yet the beauty concurrently amazed me. The sun peeking through the clouds brought me to a place of gratitude for the simplicity I saw. The effects of the ice were still visible, and had the power to significantly injure me, yet my perception and view were different from the previous weekend. While I clearly remembered how I felt with the sleet and rain and temperatures in the single digits, I could acknowledge that the storm brought more than that. The same storm that stole power and heat from many locals yielded a serene beauty, one that I could appreciate after the fact.

Post Traumatic Growth principles would suggest that though I still respected the intensity of the storm, and still felt its impact through four days of office closure, I did not put this storm in a box of only hardship. My perspective could respect, and even appreciate, that the beauty before me would not have come without the ugliness of the storm.

Suppose the narrative of your journey included deep work to gain a perspective more nuanced than before. Suppose the story included a depth of insight not previously held. What difference would that make? You would have experienced Post Traumatic Growth. My best hopes for you include that you will find the strength and depth within yourself through Post Traumatic Growth.

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ART BASIC Training by RCRR

During the three-day Basic ART training, participants will learn about the power of eye movements in facilitating relaxation and processing trauma; the Basic Protocol for processing past events that cause the client distress; the Typical Day protocol for ongoing issues; and how to determine which clients are appropriate for Accelerated Resolution Therapy. Videos will be shown that demonstrate how using ART with clients can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and guilt related to past events in their lives. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an eye movement therapy. We do not use tapping or other forms of bilateral stimulation during the training. If you have eye issues, you may take the training but not participate in the practicum portion as we do not want you to experience distress or cause you harm. You can do what is necessary in your private practice if the client cannot do eye movements. ART training includes a 3:1 ratio for our practicum, an ART therapist for every three trainees which enables you to use ART immediately after your training.

ART BASIC Training by RCRR

During the three-day Basic ART training, participants will learn about the power of eye movements in facilitating relaxation and processing trauma; the Basic Protocol for processing past events that cause the client distress; the Typical Day protocol for ongoing issues; and how to determine which clients are appropriate for Accelerated Resolution Therapy. Videos will be shown that demonstrate how using ART with clients can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and guilt related to past events in their lives. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an eye movement therapy. We do not use tapping or other forms of bilateral stimulation during the training. If you have eye issues, you may take the training but not participate in the practicum portion as we do not want you to experience distress or cause you harm. You can do what is necessary in your private practice if the client cannot do eye movements. ART training includes a 3:1 ratio for our practicum, an ART therapist for every three trainees which enables you to use ART immediately after your training.

ART BASIC Training by RCRR

During the three-day Basic ART training, participants will learn about the power of eye movements in facilitating relaxation and processing trauma; the Basic Protocol for processing past events that cause the client distress; the Typical Day protocol for ongoing issues; and how to determine which clients are appropriate for Accelerated Resolution Therapy. Videos will be shown that demonstrate how using ART with clients can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and guilt related to past events in their lives. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an eye movement therapy. We do not use tapping or other forms of bilateral stimulation during the training. If you have eye issues, you may take the training but not participate in the practicum portion as we do not want you to experience distress or cause you harm. You can do what is necessary in your private practice if the client cannot do eye movements. ART training includes a 3:1 ratio for our practicum, an ART therapist for every three trainees which enables you to use ART immediately after your training.

How the Chicago Bears are Winning the War on History using Modern Psychology

I'm a Cowboys fan. I was raised watching the cowboys win during the 90's and have fond memories of sitting with my father as he taught me about the game. I'm also a licensed mental health professional with more than a decade of experience who has trained all over the world, and I'm telling you... Ben Johnson, the Chicago Bears Head Coach, is changing the game. Good, Better, Best is quickly becoming the chant of a team that knows where they're headed and I'm here for it. On Saturday, December 20ᵗʰ, 2025 my husband and I sat in a bar called, The Wing'd Nutt in Richardson, Texas. We drove an hour to get to this place because it was the only Chicago Bears bar we could find. Before we left the house, my husband said to me, "wear this," and tossed me his Payton jersey. So we sat together in our Bears jerseys having arrived early enough to procure a table next to one of the TVs. We sat with our cold fries and warm beers staring at the screen. This place was packed. We were shoulder to shoulder in a sea of blue and orange. My husband was born and raised in Chicago. He has fond memories with childhood friends and family about sports games and sports teams. He’s told me about legends in their own rights, teaching his generation lessons that only titans could pass down as their legacy.

This was the second time in 2025 that Chicago would play the Green Bay Packers. Their rivalry was unknown to me until earlier in the year when I attended the Cowboys vs Bears game at Soldier Field in Chicago. As my husband and I walked under the bridge a chant began to break out among us and it was loud. They yelled, "Green Bay sucks! Green Bay Sucks!" and it was a call unlike anything I'd experienced thus far. I turned to my husband and precisely pointed out that the Bears weren't even playing Green Bay and yet they were chanting, “Green Bay sucks.” My husband smiled and said, "It doesn't matter who we play, Green Bay sucks." The Bears went on to defeat the Cowboys that game.

I started to pay close attention to Ben Johnson and some of the techniques he was using that were recognizable to me in my own clinical practice. I started to hear sports casters say things like, "Hope is a dangerous thing,” and they’re right. Charles Snider published a theory in 2002 that he aptly referred to as Hope Theory. This idea was that with the inclusion of agency, being confidence in one's own ability, and the inclusion of pathways like someone's plan can achieve a desired outcome. Hope is simply the motivational state by which we learn to believe. If you believe good or bad, it started with the experience of hope.

Ben Johnson's philosophy is hinging primarily on hope theory. There's a strategy to building the team’s confidence based on their individual strengths. "Good, Better, Best! Never let it rest, until your good gets better and your better gets best!" This hype chant is said in the locker room after the Bears play. I love it. As a solution focused brief therapist I ask during my intakes, "What are your best hopes from coming to see me?" Then, I work with my clients based on their current strengths and resources to help them go from good to better to their best. Therapists like me use the ideas of neuroplasticity and muscle memory to refine and then practice our thinking. Goals always move forward.

I sat next to my husband in a crowded bar an hour away from my home in the 4th quarter of a game the Bears were losing. The disappointment was so thick in that bar. Fans had all but lost hope in their team, and then something of beauty began to unfold. I watched the quarter back, Caleb Williams, begin to throw himself through lines picking up yards and inspiring his team mates. His team mates rallied to him continued peak performance as the Packers made mistakes they could not recover and eventually in overtime the Bears beat their rival and the fans went wild in that bar. My husband practically lost his voice and we had so much fun. It was a night I’ll never forget.

I am unclear how the NFL uses psychology research if at all, but I can say, Ben Johnson is doing it right. He's giving that team agency and a pathway to a stated, measurable goal that builds from each win. He's allowed these players to lean into their God given strengths with uncanny results. He gave fans a renewed sense of hope and life.

And this trauma therapist from Dallas, Texas is here for it.

I genuinely believe our country needs men who will start good, and do better until it is their best. We need men who are able to accept failure with dignity, but know they can be better. We need men to accept a win with humility giving credit where credit is due and then remembering they can be even better.

I can't wait to see how this season ends, and I hope Jerry Jones is taking notes...

ART BASIC Training by RCRR (Copy)

During the three-day Basic ART training, participants will learn about the power of eye movements in facilitating relaxation and processing trauma; the Basic Protocol for processing past events that cause the client distress; the Typical Day protocol for ongoing issues; and how to determine which clients are appropriate for Accelerated Resolution Therapy. Videos will be shown that demonstrate how using ART with clients can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and guilt related to past events in their lives. Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an eye movement therapy. We do not use tapping or other forms of bilateral stimulation during the training. If you have eye issues, you may take the training but not participate in the practicum portion as we do not want you to experience distress or cause you harm. You can do what is necessary in your private practice if the client cannot do eye movements. ART training includes a 3:1 ratio for our practicum, an ART therapist for every three trainees which enables you to use ART immediately after your training.

ART Networking Event (FREE)

This is a casual meet and greet/networking event for therapists who use ART or are interested in Accelerated Resolution Therapy. THP also hosts trainings and would love to answer your questions about it.

Providers Only Networking Event

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