Blog - Laura Giles, LCSW

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Laura Giles, LCSW

FAQ: Richmond Area Referrals

Posted on December 18, 2022

in trauma

by Laura

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People often ask me for Richmond area referrals. Here is a list of helping professionals you can try. If someone is not on the list, it doesn't mean that I don't recommend them. It could be that I am unfamiliar with them and their work. Keep in mind that the most important aspect of a counseling relationship is the relationship. Credentials and training are important, but if you don't vibe with the person, it's best to look elsewhere. If you are looking for a specialty that isn't listed, I am unaware of a trusted professional who works in that area. Acupuncturists Tae Pyung Acupuncture (Charlottesville) 434.977.9876 John Kang - specializes in fertility and emotional issues Other Medical Raouf Gharbo, DO, FAAPMR, FAANEM - specializes in trauma Richmond Natural Medicine - naturopaths and breathwork InHealth RVA - functional medicine Dr....

What’s My Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Score?

Posted on December 10, 2022

in coping, emotions, trauma

by Laura

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The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) score is based upon the answers to ten questions focused around childhood experiences. The assessment shows a relationship between traumatic childhood events and physical, social and emotional problems later in adulthood. This includes heart disease, diabetes, lung cancer, many autoimmune conditions, depression, violence, obesity, being a victim of domestic violence, as well as suicide. Additionally there are social risks such as higher rates of addiction, sexually transmitted diseases, multiple sexual partners, lack of health insurance, unemployment, less than a high school diploma, and lower income levels. A score of 4 or higher indicates a serious risk. While you can't change your past, you can take steps now to heal and to prevent another generation from enduring the same type of challenges that you had. Take the ACE Test Answer yes...

How Resilient Are You?

Posted on August 20, 2022

in coping, problem solving

by Laura

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The man asked an Arab sheik what kind of car he drives, and he replied, "A Mercedes." He then asked what kind of car his son drives, he said, "A Land Rover." When he asked what type of car his grandson would drive, he said, "A camel. Soft times create soft people. Hard times create strong people." If you have ever struggled with a cashier who can't make change, a customer service agent who can't answer your question, or a supervisor who can't write with correct grammar and punctuation, you can see the results of soft times and abundance on our society. Maybe you are even one of the people who have become soft as a result of having too much given to you. Maybe you're not very resilient. How does this happen? Well, we...

What To Do When Counseling Doesn’t Help

Posted on March 21, 2023

in trauma

by Laura

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Are you a long time counseling client who hasn't really changed your life a whole lot? Maybe you still go because you don't know what else to do. In this article, I'll review some ideas about what to do when counseling doesn't help. See a Holistic Medical Professional Some physical issues manifest as emotional or behavioral ones. For example, some symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are fatigue, weight gain, depression, menstrual issues, and memory issues. Some symptoms of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) are nausea (particularly in the morning), vomiting, abdominal pain which could be confused with anxiety. Head trauma can look like mental illness. I wouldn't assume that emotional symptoms have emotional causes or that physical symptoms have physical causes. We are holistic beings. What's a "holistic medical professional?" An acupuncturist, functional medicine...

How to Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Posted on December 4, 2022

in relationship

by Laura

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It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Are You Being Targeted for Sex Trafficking?

Posted on October 23, 2022

in problem solving, relationship, trauma

by Laura

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Could you be the target of sex trafficking? Many of us think that sex trafficking only happens to the young, but only 51% of them are children. That's 1.8 million children world wide and 100,000 per year in America. If you think that being male protects you, think again. 8% of detected trafficking victims are men, so while it's a low number, it's not 0. And males make up 35% of the labor trafficking victims. If you think age protects you, think again. While the most desirable age varies by locale, 30 - 38 year old women are the most likely victims worldwide. So sex trafficking is real. It impacts everyone, and no one is safe. To keep yourself safer, let's look at the grooming process so you will know if you...

Is Paranormal PTSD a Real Thing?

Posted on October 23, 2022

in coping, trauma

by Laura

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Could a person get post traumatic stress disorder from a paranormal event? Is paranormal PTSD a real thing? Any event, real or imagined, that results in intrusive memories, nightmares, being easily startled, hypervigilance, avoiding the place where the event happened, feelings of hopelessness, negative thoughts and emotions, numbness, sleep disturbances, dissociation, mood instability, engaging in self-destructive behavior, aggressiveness, and/or overwhelming guilt or shame could cause post traumatic stress disorder. I have worked in a psychiatric facility that did not take this seriously. The lead psychiatrist thought that the client's story was a result of delusions. He would not discharge her until she recanted her story. This is the same type of treatment that child molestation victims and rape victims endure. It can lead to deepening the trauma. This is why people don't talk...

How to Make the Most Out of Therapy

Posted on September 9, 2022

in problem solving

by Laura

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People go to therapy because they have a problem. They are in pain, and want relief fast! Therapy is an investment. It takes time and money, so naturally you want to make the most out of therapy. Here are some tips to help you do just that! Get Clear on Why You're There It's hard to solve your problems if you aren't sure what they are. What's more, if you don't have a well defined goal, it will be very hard to hit it. So come with an overall goal for therapy. This will also help you to know when you're done. Pay Attention In Between Sessions I typically start session with a check in. "How's it going?" and "How are you?" aren't social greetings or niceties. They are check in questions. I want...

How to Be Unmanipulatable

Posted on August 25, 2022

in coping, problem solving, relationship

by Laura

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Okay, first off, let me tell you that there is no way to be 100% unmanipulatable. However, there are ways to reduce your vulnerability, and this article will look at those. Ready? Forget About Stereotypes The first thing you need to do to reduce your vulnerability to manipulation is to forget about stereotypes. Manipulative people don't always look or talk like thugs. They aren't always mean or pushy. The scary thing about monsters is that they look like people. They look like your parents, the guy next door, your teacher, the preacher, and you. If you think you can avoid them by staying away from people who (fill in the blank), you're wrong. They aren't wearing signs that say, "I manipulate people." Grow Yourself People allow themselves to be manipulated. Manipulative people search...

Disillusionment Is the Beginning of Love

Posted on January 1, 2022

in relationship

by Laura

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Aren't fairy tale romances so sweet! Who doesn't want to be love bombed, struck with the certainty that this is "the one" and live happily ever after? Unfortunately, that's not how life works. And when we use that as our template for what a fulfilling relationship looks like, when the disillusionment hits, that's when the relationship tends to end. Don't give up before success happens! Disillusionment is the beginning of love. Say what? Yes. Think about the word. Disillusion means to free from illusion. That space after the honeymoon phase is real life. It's what you really look like when you have bills to pay, obligations to meet, and aren't in Prince Charming mode. Prince Charming is not sustainable and not real. It's easy to love that guy, but what about...