By Maria Diaz, LMHC-D, LPC, EMDR Certified Therap ist Learning to Live without Dependency When people think about addiction, they often focus on the substances or behaviors themselves—alcohol, drugs, gambling, or even compulsive spending. But when you look closely at the stories beneath addictive patterns, a deeper theme often emerges: unresolved trauma. Understanding this connection is not only important for healing but also deeply empowering. It helps us shift the narrative

By Maria Diaz, LMHC-D, LPC, EMDR Certified Therapist From survival to thriving—in life and at work. Understanding the Hidden Link Between Trauma and Work When we think about career success, we usually focus on education, skills, or ambition. But one powerful—often invisible—factor that shapes how we show up professionally is our early life experiences, especially childhood trauma. While trauma is commonly associated with major crises or abuse, it can also arise from emotional