by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Feb 10, 2025 | Psychology Topics
Unlocking the Power of Unconscious Processing and Pattern Recognition in the Context of Trauma What does the Subcorticle Brain Have to do with Intuition? The brainstem, often overshadowed by the more prominent prefrontal cortex, plays a crucial role in rapid,...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Feb 6, 2025 | Therapy Resources for Alabama
Can you use Lifespan Integration on Teens or Kids? The teenage years are a time of intense growth, change, and self-discovery. While this developmental period can be exciting and expansive, it can also surface unresolved traumas, attachment wounds, and painful...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Jan 19, 2025 | Alternative Medicine and Holistic Health, Mental Health Resources in Alabama
What is the Window of Tolerance in Psychology? In the realm of psychology and personal growth, the concept of the “window of tolerance” has emerged as a powerful framework for understanding the dynamics of stress, emotional regulation, and resilience....
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Jan 19, 2025 | Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness
Can Therapy Treat Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)? Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) are two complex, often co-occurring conditions that present significant challenges for both patients and...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Oct 5, 2024 | Anthropology and Evo Psych, History of Psychotherapy, Jungian Concepts, Ketamine for Trauma and PTSD, Psychology
Resolving the Conflict Between Lizard and Mammal Brains The human brain is an astonishingly complex and metabolically expensive organ. Weighing in at just three pounds, it consumes a whopping 20% of the body’s total energy budget [1]. This high cost is a...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Aug 13, 2024 | Resources and Recommendations, Trauma Treatment in Alabama, Trauma, Depth Psychology, and Social Work
Taproot: Birmingham’s Brainspotting Pioneers Are you struggling with complex PTSD, dissociative disorders, or treatment-resistant trauma? Brainspotting therapy at Taproot in Vestavia Hills, Alabama offers a powerful, brain-based path to healing. Our therapists...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Aug 7, 2024 | Trauma Treatment in Alabama
Somatic Experiencing and Lifespan Integration Myth: Somatic Experiencing is Just Another Relaxation Technique One common misconception about Somatic Experiencing is that it is simply a relaxation technique, akin to practices like progressive muscle relaxation or...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Aug 7, 2024 | Trauma Treatment in Alabama, Trauma, Depth Psychology, and Social Work
The Impact of Trauma on the Brain and Body Trauma can have a profound impact on both the brain and the body. When an individual experiences a traumatic event, the body’s natural stress response is activated, releasing a flood of stress hormones such as cortisol...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Aug 7, 2024 | Trauma Treatment in Alabama, Trauma, Depth Psychology, and Social Work
What is Somatic Experiencing? Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-oriented therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine to address the effects of trauma. It is based on the understanding that trauma is not just a psychological phenomenon but also has a...
by Joel Blackstock LICSW-S MSW PIP | Jul 21, 2024 | Mystics, Gurus, and Spiritual Philosophers, Phenomenology and Existential Psychology, Psychology of Design and Architecture, Trauma Treatment in Alabama, Trauma, Depth Psychology, and Social Work
Who was Maurice Merleau-Ponty? Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908-1961) was a French philosopher and phenomenologist who made significant contributions to the fields of phenomenology, existentialism, and the philosophy of perception. His work bridged the gap between...
