(314) 582-6120|cristina@emdrtherapyheals.com

About Cristina Smugala

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So far Cristina Smugala has created 58 blog entries.

Self-Abandonment: What It Is, What It Looks Like, and How to Begin Healing

Self-Abandonment: What It Is, What It Looks Like, and How to Begin Healing Most people can name the moment someone else let them down. Far fewer notice how often they abandoned themselves and their needs quietly bi-passing and overriding daily, without ever calling it self-abandonment. The concept of self-abandonment is often overlooked, even though it plays a major role in our well-being. Self-abandonment is one of the most common patterns I see in the therapy room [...]

By |2026-08-27T01:08:57+00:00August 12th, 2026|CPTSD, somatic trauma therapy|0 Comments
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Self-Criticism: A Response to Unmet Attachment Needs

Self-Criticism: A Response to Unmet Attachment Needs Self-criticism is a common and often debilitating response rooted in early trauma during early developmental stages, particularly those involving unmet attachment needs. Attachment theory,  emphasizes the importance of secure attachment between a child and their primary caregiver for healthy emotional and psychological development. When these attachment needs are not adequately met, it can lead to a host of difficulties, including a pervasive pattern of self-criticism. We will explore [...]

By |2024-06-26T23:13:26+00:00June 26th, 2024|CPTSD|Comments Off on Self-Criticism: A Response to Unmet Attachment Needs
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Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy In St. Louis

Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy  Is Ketamine A Psychedelic? The classification of ketamine as a psychedelic has sparked debate among scientists and medical professionals. Ketamine in certain doses can causes altered states of consciousness, but it operates differently from traditional psychedelics in terms of how it affects the brain and the nature of its effects. Traditional psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and DMT primarily influence serotonin receptors to create their distinctive effects. In contrast, ketamine impacts the brain's [...]

By |2024-06-21T21:36:52+00:00June 21st, 2024|Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy|Comments Off on Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy In St. Louis
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Understanding Functional Freeze in Trauma

Understanding Functional Freeze Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a condition that arises from prolonged exposure to traumatic events, often of a repetitive and interpersonal nature . One of the core responses to such trauma is the state of functional freeze. What is Functional Freeze? Functional freeze is a survival response where an individual appears outwardly functional but is internally stuck, numb, and unable to engage fully with their emotions or life. This response is part [...]

By |2024-07-17T21:53:19+00:00June 20th, 2024|CPTSD|Comments Off on Understanding Functional Freeze in Trauma
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EMDR Consultations In St. Louis

EMDR Consultations In St. Louis EMDRIA APPROVED EMDR CONSULTATION My Approach to EMDR Consultation: If you are searching for EMDR Consultations In St. Louis, you are in the right place. If you are searching for EMDR Consultations, I offer EMDR certification consultations to individuals who work with complex trauma and need a comprehensive and integrative approach. You are an amazing trauma therapist, and you learned EMDR to increase the quality of services you could provide. [...]

By |2026-06-18T19:01:24+00:00June 12th, 2024|Uncategorized|Comments Off on EMDR Consultations In St. Louis
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Internal Family Systems Therapy

An In-Depth Look at Internal Family Systems Therapy Internal Family Systems Therapy Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy is a transformative, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s. It posits that the mind is made up of multiple sub-personalities or "parts," each with its own distinct roles and characteristics. Explore the fundamental principles, therapeutic process, applications, and benefits of IFS Therapy, to shed light on how this innovative model helps individuals [...]

By |2024-06-11T20:00:05+00:00June 11th, 2024|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Internal Family Systems Therapy
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Somatic Experiencing Therapy

Understanding Somatic Experiencing Therapy Somatic Experiencing Therapy Somatic Experiencing Therapy (SET) is a form of therapy aimed at treating trauma and stress-related disorders through body-centered techniques. Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SET focuses on the body’s natural ability to heal itself from traumatic experiences. Explore the principles, applications, and benefits of Somatic Experiencing Therapy, its effectiveness, and how it differs from traditional psychotherapy. The Foundation of Somatic Experiencing Therapy Origins and Development Somatic Experiencing Therapy [...]

By |2024-06-15T01:59:21+00:00June 11th, 2024|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Somatic Experiencing Therapy
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Trauma Therapy

Trauma TherapyWhat is Trauma Therapy?Trauma therapy is a specialized form of therapy designed to help individuals recover from the emotional and psychological effects of trauma. This can include events such as childhood abuse and neglect, discrimination, relational and emotional abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or other significant life stressors. Trauma therapists are trained to use specific techniques and approaches to help clients process and integrate their traumatic experiences.The Importance of Finding the Right Trauma TherapistFinding a skilled [...]

By |2024-06-11T01:15:25+00:00June 11th, 2024|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Trauma Therapy
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Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is an emerging therapeutic approach that harnesses the dissociative properties of ketamine to facilitate psychological healing and growth. Initially developed as an anesthetic, ketamine has found a new purpose in mental health treatment, offering hope for those who struggle with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy? Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) integrates the pharmacological effects of ketamine with traditional psychotherapy techniques. During a KAP session, [...]

By |2024-08-14T23:07:36+00:00June 11th, 2024|Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy|Comments Off on Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
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