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The Silent Damage: How Narcissistic Personality Disorder Impacts Children—and the Path to Healing.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is often discussed in terms of how it affects romantic relationships or workplaces, but one of its most profound and lasting impacts is on children. When a parent or primary caregiver has narcissistic traits or a diagnosable narcissistic personality disorder, the family system frequently revolves around control, image, and emotional imbalance.…
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Living in a Cancel Culture — When Families Are Divided by Politics, Media, and Miscommunication
A Therapist’s Perspective on Healing Hurt, Sadness, and Disconnection The New Divide As a therapist, I often sit with clients who come into session carrying a deep ache — not from strangers online, but from people they love.Family gatherings that once felt safe and predictable now feel like emotional minefields. Clients describe walking into holidays…
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When Love Divides
Navigating Blended Family Conflict and Narcissistic Biological Parents Blended families are built on love, second chances, and resilience—but they can also expose deep fractures when one parent’s narcissistic traits create division and pain. Whether you’re a stepparent, adult child, or co-parent trying to maintain peace, the emotional toll of dealing with a narcissistic biological parent…
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Broken Bonds, Redeemed Hearts
A Biblical and Neuroscientific Look at Trust After Trauma Human beings are inherently relational. From the beginning, we were designed for connection. In Genesis 1:26, God declares, “Let us make mankind in our image,” revealing a divine truth — we are made in the image of a triune God who exists in perfect relationship with Himself. Trust and…
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How Children Think: Dual-Process Models and Social Development
Growing Into Thoughtful Thinkers Have you ever wondered why children sometimes act on impulse in social situations, yet at other times surprise us with thoughtful reasoning? Psychology offers an answer through dual-process models of thinking. These models suggest that our brains rely on two systems: one that is fast, automatic, and emotional, and another that is…
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Parenting, Child Development, and Technology:
What Research Reveals About Screen Time in Kids In today’s world, parenting and technology are inseparable. Screens are part of everyday life, but growing research shows that screen time in kids has both benefits and risks. The challenge for parents is not simply limiting technology but understanding how it interacts with children’s emotional regulation, developmental needs, and family…
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Understanding Youth Suicide: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Talking about suicide is never easy but understanding it is crucial if we want to keep our children safe. As parents and caregivers, it’s natural to feel worried, overwhelmed, or unsure about how to help when a child is struggling. The good news is that with awareness, compassion, and the right support, we can make…
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The Psychological Impacts of Family Disconnection and Lack of Support.
Family plays a critical role in shaping our emotional, cognitive, and social development. When family connections are disrupted—or when individuals lack emotional support from their family of origin—the effects can ripple across nearly every aspect of mental health and well-being. From feelings of isolation to long-term struggles with self-esteem, the absence of family support can…
Winora's Hope Counseling: Gurnee Mental Health Service
Where Healing and Hope Meet
Winora's Hope Counseling: Gurnee Mental Health Service 