Content note: This post discusses sexual assault in the workplace and its mental health impact. Sexual assault in the workplace is often misunderstood as rare, overt, or immediately identifiable. In reality, many experiences occur within complex power dynamics, unfold over time, and leave individuals struggling to name what happened—let alone respond to it. For many […]
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When Grief Includes Anger, Hurt, and Complex Emotions
Grief is often described as sadness, but in practice it commonly includes other powerful emotions such as anger, hurt, shock, and a sense of betrayal, particularly when loss occurs alongside unexpected or complicated circumstances. Many people are surprised by the intensity or mixture of emotions they experience after a loss and may struggle to understand […]
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After Reporting Sexual Assault | One Survivor’s Experience
Content note: This article contains a detailed account of sexual assault and the criminal justice process. This article describes one woman’s experience of being sexually assaulted by someone she knew and her decision to pursue justice through the criminal legal system. The article follows the long and often difficult process of reporting the assault, working […]
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What to Do If You’re Being Sexually Harassed at Work
Last updated: December 1, 2025 This article shares a real-world account of one woman’s experience with prolonged workplace sexual harassment and the steps she took to stop it and protect herself and others. Through the story of “Gail,” the article illustrates how sustained harassment by a supervisor can persist despite formal policies, the emotional and […]
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The Incidence of Rape On University Campuses
Dr. Jennifer Freyd, a Clinical Psychologist at the University of Oregon, spoke about the incidence of rape on university campuses at a trauma conference. She stated that approximately 20% of female university students will be vaginally raped on an American campus while completing a four-year degree. This number is supported by a press release that […]
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What to Tell Children When Bad Things Happen
I remember reading an excellent story about how parents can talk to their children when something bad happens. I want to re-tell that original story because it is powerful. I have told re-told it several times as a psychologist in my private practice.
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It’s painful when a pet dies
The experience of having a pet die can be difficult. When the death is anticipated, it is typically accompanied by grief during the lead up to the death. When the death it is sudden, the shock can feel overwhelming. Both anticipated and sudden deaths involve grief, which is most intense initially, and can last for several weeks […]
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