Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

April 1st, 2021

PESACH: AN INTIMATE CONNECTION
A Lesson On Intimacy and Relationships וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע אֱלֹקים אֶת־נַאֲקָתָ֑ם וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹקים֙ אֶת־בְּרִית֔וֹ אֶת־אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶת־יִצְחָ֥ק וְאֶֽת־יַעֲקֹֽב ׃וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹקים אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיֵּ֖דַע אֱלֹקים׃ Hashem heard their cries, and H …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

September 9th, 2019

Relationships are what make the world go round. Our closest relationships are those that remind us of who we are, what we’re capable of and are there to show up through the ups and downs of it all. However, when you have anxiety, it can come in the way of you fully showing up and enjoying the positive attributes of the relationships in your life. Anxiety can hold you back from deepening relationships or even from branching out and making ne …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

September 1st, 2019

“I gotta tell you, every one of my relationships feels like I’m in a relationship with someone from my family-of-origin. It’s literally like I walk blindly into all the messed-up-ness of my family that I’ve wanted to let go of, forever.” “My husband is as moody as my mom was , my best friend has no emotional space for me- all she does is vent, and in my workplace I feel invisible. My colleagues’ input …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

July 11th, 2019

“I’m exhausted. I may just not be cut out for this parenting thing. And I’m angry because I wanted to give my own family more than I ever got as a child, but I’m failing grandly”. Rebecca sobs as she shares her woes. Parenting has been a journey that has been burdened with shame, anxiety, insecurity and doubt from the get-go. “I’ve shared my struggle with many of my friends but they usually commisera …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

May 28th, 2019

"I've put my best foot forward in my life; in relationships, my career goals, in parenting and even in spiritual pursuits but I'm hitting a wall. Yes, I'm progressing externally, but if I'm honest, something on the inside ain't budging." John is a brutally honest fella who has been wanting to deepen his experience in life, love and work since his dad died but today, he's speaking openly about his struggle, and asking for help. As we worked toge …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

May 8th, 2019

“Something is wrong with me, and I think I’m going crazy. I know my life wasn’t perfect, but suddenly I’m flooded with images I never knew existed and I can barely function. What’s wrong with me?” “I know I had trauma and/or anxiety, and I did some good talk therapy years ago, but suddenly it’s coming back with a whole new force, how do you explain this? And will it ever get better?”   …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

November 27th, 2018

Are you passing your anxiety on to your kids? We all want to pass the “good genes” on to our kids; patience, brains, wit, intelligence, social skills and passion for life. What if you struggle with anxiety and don’t want to pass it on?   You can reduce your child's susceptibility to anxiety! By you working on your anxiety + practicing skills, you’ll reduce your family’s susceptibility to anxiety. Want to mak …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW, Trauma Specialist

September 17th, 2018

“Don’t you think we all have trauma?” A sweet young woman inquired after we both shared about our professions as we waited on line. I answer , “Yes, most of us have gone through some sort of trauma, however, this does not mean that everyone needs therapy.” She seemed perplexed. A therapist who doesn’t push therapy? To help clarify I explained: “Well, the only reason you need treatment is if your mind an …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

May 1st, 2018

Characters in this article are fictional, created for the purpose of portraying therapeutic process. "I don't have any specific trauma. I've never been in a car accident and I wasn't bullied when I was little. So then why am I suffering so much on the inside? Why do I feel like the light on the inside is dim? Why do I have a hard time trusting myself and letting others come close?" This confusion exists in many clients who reach out and are brav …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

February 13th, 2018

The line is thin. The line of appreciating your parents for who they are and who they were as they raised you, while birthing your own inner voice of the kind of parent you want to be for your children.  The reason the line is thin is because, I humbly believe that there is a balance that we need to be cognizant of. Our parents have their stories and so do their parents. We have our hopes, dreams and aspirations as did they. I have neve …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

February 5th, 2018

In the past blog I discussed the concept  of emotional hunger.  If you’re in relationships that feel disconnected or where you're left thirsty for real, steady connections, read on.  What are emotional needs? And what does it meant to feel emotionally satiated? Emotional hunger is similar, yet different to physical hunger. Try to remember the last time that you were incredibly hungry. Your tummy grumbled and your digestive tr …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

January 30th, 2018

What is this thing we call hunger?  Hunger represents the physiological need to eat food. Feeling satiated is the absence of hunger. Appetite is the desire to eat food. When your belly is empty, the hormone called ghrelin is produced by the stomach triggering a hunger message. Satiety is the feeling of fullness that tells you to stop eating.   Now let's look at emotional  hunger, its sensations and how …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

January 3rd, 2018

I've been approached by gentle, caring parents, family members and siblings of someone who has been through a trauma. They've been asking how to care for their loved one who has been through A big trauma or a small trauma. Here's the thing about trauma; even when it's over, it never really goes away. Yet the need for connection, the ability to love, and the innate desire to be embraced by others and life is always aflame.  Yes, goo …
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Author: Esther Goldstein LCSW Trauma Specialist

December 25th, 2017

Just this past week Time magazine published its cover page titled "Person of the Year 2017: The Silence Breakers". In there, Tarana Burke, creator of #metoo speaks about #metoo not just being a moment, rather it's a movement. A time to make a change. Burke speaks of the importance of setting actionable steps in keeping the momentum, to create a rippled effect that will have lasting change on society.

As a trauma therapist I am gratefu …
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