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Therapy & Mental Health Glossary

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | L | M | N | P | R | S | T | W

A

  • Anxiety – Excessive worry, fear, or nervousness that interferes with daily life.

  • Attachment – Emotional bond formed in early relationships influences adult connections.

  • Acute Stress Response – Immediate fight, flight, or freeze reaction to a traumatic event.

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B

  • Bilateral Stimulation – Alternating sensory input (eye movements, tapping) used in EMDR.

  • Body-Based Therapy – Therapies focusing on physical sensations to process trauma.

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C

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Therapy targeting thought patterns and behaviors to improve emotional health.

  • Coping Skills – Strategies for managing stress, emotions, and challenges.

  • Cognitive Distortions – Inaccurate thinking patterns that increase anxiety or depression.

  • Complex Trauma – Repeated or long-term trauma, often occurring in childhood or relationships.

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D

  • Depression – Persistent sadness, low energy, loss of interest, and hopelessness.

  • Dissociation – Feeling disconnected from thoughts, emotions, body sensations, or surroundings.

  • Dual Awareness – Ability to stay present while safely recalling past experiences.

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E

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) – Trauma therapy that reprocesses distressing memories.

  • Evidence-Based Therapy – Treatments scientifically proven effective for specific mental health conditions.

  • Emotional Flashbacks – Sudden emotional reactions linked to past trauma without clear images.

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F

  • Flashbacks – Intrusive memories make past trauma feel present.

  • Fight, Flight, Freeze – Automatic survival responses to perceived threats.

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G

  • Grounding Techniques – Skills that help return attention to the present moment.

  • Grief – Emotional response to loss, including sadness, anger, or numbness.

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H

  • Healing – Ongoing process of recovery and resilience.

  • Hypervigilance – Heightened alertness where the body remains on guard.

  • Window of Tolerance – Emotional zone where a person can function without being overwhelmed.

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I

  • Integration – Process of making sense of traumatic memories so they no longer control emotions.

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L

  • Limiting Beliefs – Thoughts that prevent personal growth or recovery.

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M

  • Mindfulness – Present-moment awareness practiced with curiosity and non-judgment.

  • Memory Reconsolidation – Updating traumatic memories to reduce emotional distress.

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N

  • Negative Core Beliefs – Deeply held harmful beliefs formed after trauma.

  • Nervous System Regulation – Helping the body move out of survival mode into balance.

  • Numbing – Reduced emotional responsiveness as a coping mechanism.

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P

  • Panic Attacks – Sudden, intense fear with physical symptoms.

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Trauma-related condition with flashbacks, avoidance, and hyperarousal.

  • Present-Moment Awareness – Focusing on now to reduce distress.

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R

  • Reprocessing – EMDR method of storing memories in a less distressing way.

  • Resilience – Ability to recover and grow stronger after adversity.

  • Relational Trauma – Trauma occurring within close relationships affecting trust and attachment.

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S

  • Self-Compassion – Treating oneself with kindness during struggles.

  • Safety Planning – Strategies for managing unsafe or overwhelming moments.

  • Somatic Awareness – Noticing bodily sensations as part of emotional healing.

  • Talk Therapy – Therapy through conversation with a professional.

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T

  • Trauma – Emotional response to distressing or life-threatening events.

  • Trauma-Informed Care – Approach prioritizing safety, empowerment, and understanding trauma’s impact.

  • Triggers – Cues that activate trauma-related emotional or physical responses.

  • Trauma Memory – Memories stored with strong sensory/emotional components.

  • Trauma Processing – Therapeutic work of integrating traumatic experiences.

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W

  • Window of Regulation – Balanced nervous system state where emotions feel manageable.

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Address:  5300 Town and Country Blvd, Ste 240, Frisco, TX 75034

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​Phone: (972) 200-9087

 

Email: cara@caramcleodtherapy.com

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this website, including text, graphics, images, and other material, is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, licensed therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or psychological condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you are experiencing a mental health or medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

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