<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Sherry Slejska. MSW, RSW]]></title><description><![CDATA[I offer compassionate psychotherapy services focused on supporting adults impacted by trauma, anxiety, stress & emotional dysregulation,]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:37:43 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.sherryslejska.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Supporting Young Adults and Families Living With Bipolar Disorder]]></title><description><![CDATA[hen a young adult lives with bipolar disorder, the experience affects the whole family. Mood shifts, changes in energy, and sudden shifts between clarity and confusion can create stress for everyone. ]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/supporting-young-adults-and-families-living-with-bipolar-disorder</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6915e58a45e793b73e3fb3ca</guid><pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:18:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d21e4a63fa284b29a295f668843f0f2b.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When the Mind Can’t Rest: How Trauma, Anxiety, and Emotional Strain Disrupt Sleep, and What You Can Do]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sleep should be a place of refuge, a time when the body restores and the mind quietly integrates the day. But for many people living with trauma, anxiety, depression, or emotional challenges, night can feel like anything but restful. It can bring racing thoughts, tension, nightmares, or an uneasy sense that the mind won’t switch off. Whether the struggle is rooted in trauma, emotional or relational problems, or chronic anxiety, the pattern is similar: the emotional brain remains on guard long...]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/when-the-mind-can-t-rest-how-trauma-anxiety-and-emotional-strain-disrupt-sleep-and-what-you-can</link><guid isPermaLink="false">690f7a82b36e4578ddcd4f7b</guid><pubDate>Sat, 08 Nov 2025 17:29:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549d43_0dc6e51aea2f4754b00c1e835ff4e7d8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Complex Trauma: The Journey from Survival to Healing]]></title><description><![CDATA[Many people spend their lives surviving; showing up, working hard, caring deeply, and pushing through even when exhausted. From the outside, it looks like strength. Inside, it can feel like loneliness or quiet despair, a sense that peace never quite lasts. If this sounds familiar, what you’re living with may not be a lack of resilience. It may be the long echo of complex trauma,  the invisible injuries that form when safety, care, or belonging are repeatedly disrupted over time. Understanding...]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/healing-after-a-lifetime-of-survival-what-recovery-from-complex-trauma-can-really-look-like</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68f57765a6f2484f3c9a1545</guid><pubDate>Sun, 19 Oct 2025 23:48:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4e60081d3002452cbbcacc98d063167e.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Your Teen Is Not Their Diagnosis: Understanding and Supporting Borderline Personality Disorder]]></title><description><![CDATA[When a young person receives a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), it can feel heavy for everyone involved. Teens may feel labelled or misunderstood; parents may feel heartbroken or blamed. But this diagnosis doesn’t define a person or a family; it simply describes a pattern of emotional suffering that can change.]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/your-teen-is-not-their-diagnosis-understanding-and-supporting-borderline-personality-disorder</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ed93f13c20e096ccd1bcbf</guid><category><![CDATA[Parenting, Complex Trauma]]></category><category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category><category><![CDATA[Self harm, suicide, self harm]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:36:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549d43_56e8452c80234d95a38d3294b44cd8fe~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_570,h_321,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Evolution of Resilience: A New Story for Survivors of Childhood Abuse]]></title><description><![CDATA[For many people who grew up with abuse, neglect, or emotional abandonment, resilience wasn’t a choice. It was a necessity. A default setting. A quiet strength that helped them get through. ]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/the-evolution-of-resilience-a-new-story-for-survivors-of-childhood-abuse</link><guid isPermaLink="false">686efc9a8a09d444319661ab</guid><pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2025 23:37:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549d43_541652305d54452b9057d067aa8fe12c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_800,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why AI Should Never Replace the Human Connection in Psychotherapy]]></title><description><![CDATA[No matter how advanced AI becomes, it cannot offer what we most deeply need: to be met by another person with care, curiosity, and compassion.]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/why-ai-should-never-replace-the-human-connection-in-psychotherapy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">680bbba502e22389d1092e6c</guid><pubDate>Fri, 25 Apr 2025 17:00:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_0117fccf0b784ce9adc0cbdd32c6aaa7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Incest, CSA, and the Influence of Celebrity Disclosures: Why Clarity Matters]]></title><description><![CDATA[Public disclosures by celebrities, such as Ye (formerly Kanye West), about incest and childhood sexual experiences have sparked complex conversations around childhood sexual abuse (CSA), child-on-child sexual harm, and early exposure to sexual content. This blog explores the difference between childhood curiosity and abuse, the long-term impacts of early sexualization, and the importance of trauma-informed language when discussing CSA in the public sphere. ]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/incest-csa-and-celebrity-disclosures-what-we-need-to-understand-and-why-it-matters</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68092e02371bb8b054de65c1</guid><pubDate>Wed, 23 Apr 2025 18:50:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549d43_dadd45ca467d4cb4afb62991d1e79e28~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Breaking the Silence: When Adults Speak Out About Childhood Sexual Abuse]]></title><description><![CDATA[There comes a time, sometimes decades after the fact, when an adult survivor of child sexual abuse finds the strength to speak out. ]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/breaking-the-silence-when-adults-speak-out-about-childhood-sexual-abuse</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67efc41eb62b988f5591df28</guid><category><![CDATA[Parenting, Complex Trauma]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2025 12:12:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549d43_a3dc473dbecd4dedbbd95b61a6ce260a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When Career Performance Is Affected by Mental Health: A Struggle Many Professionals Face]]></title><description><![CDATA[As high-achieving professionals, we are accustomed to thriving in demanding careers. Whether you’re a teacher, lawyer, tech professional,...]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/when-career-performance-is-affected-by-mental-health-a-struggle-many-professionals-face</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67e843faf96b48cc2d1ca944</guid><pubDate>Sat, 29 Mar 2025 19:12:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549d43_ea93a563aa1d418ea37ddfac748ff1ca~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Understanding Mental Health: It’s Not About Who You Are, But What Happened to You]]></title><description><![CDATA[Mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and trauma are often misunderstood. The prevailing belief in society is...]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/understanding-mental-health-it-s-not-about-who-you-are-but-what-happened-to-you</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67e30b50ab7115eeb11470a1</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:25:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_ebf791758f174574942ccbfbd5fe9f99~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Developmental Trauma Can Shape Our Sense of Self]]></title><description><![CDATA[Unlike single-event trauma, developmental trauma is ongoing and relational; it happens within the caregiving environment and impacts a child]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/how-developmental-trauma-shapes-our-sense-of-self</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67d1a39d0fae0b55abfad713</guid><pubDate>Wed, 12 Mar 2025 15:24:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/78dbb21c63f34c71b925ad742ccf7d53.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mental Health Problems Are Not About Moral Failures: Understanding the Impact of Family, Tradition, Religion, and Culture]]></title><description><![CDATA[Mental health struggles are often misunderstood, with many believing they are tied to personal failings or moral shortcomings. This...]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/mental-health-problems-are-not-about-moral-failures-understanding-the-impact-of-family-tradition</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67bb8b5fefd67e3d7e37bfd3</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Feb 2025 21:15:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cc806a59c20f4790aa2ade3d0daa5671.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finding Your Voice: Learning to Be Assertive As a Survivors of Developmental Trauma]]></title><description><![CDATA[Speaking up for ourselves, setting boundaries, and expressing our needs can feel uncomfortable or even dangerous. ]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/finding-your-voice-learning-to-be-assertive-as-a-survivors-of-developmental-trauma</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67e358f1ab7115eeb1155263</guid><category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 08 Feb 2025 02:44:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_d5a18b6623754b07951ad0ebb6996ea3~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Navigating Fear of Abandonment, Attachment Trauma]]></title><description><![CDATA[The fear of abandonment is a powerful and common experience for those with complex trauma. Rooted in early experiences]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/fear-of-abandonment</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6778af4a4631621cd80c0dc6</guid><category><![CDATA[Attachment, Abandonment]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 08 Jan 2025 03:52:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549d43_05d33a3d99964c46970b7d44eb1ab6d5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Understanding Emotional Triggers: A Guide for Parents with Complex Trauma Histories]]></title><description><![CDATA[Parenting is a deeply personal and emotional experience.]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/understanding-emotional-triggers-a-guide-for-parents-with-complex-trauma-histories</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6779ef874631621cd80f7907</guid><category><![CDATA[Parenting, Complex Trauma]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 08 Jan 2025 02:38:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549d43_d23c4a925ea9445bab8357e842777c6a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Breaking the Silence: Why We Must Be Honest About Self-Injury and Suicidality in Complex Trauma]]></title><description><![CDATA[Among the most stigmatized and misunderstood responses to complex trauma are self-injury and suicidality. ]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/breaking-the-silence-why-we-must-be-honest-about-self-injury-and-suicidality-in-complex-trauma</link><guid isPermaLink="false">677d9abfed55a999b23decc8</guid><category><![CDATA[Self harm, suicide, self harm]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 07 Jan 2025 21:28:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549d43_112fd945994c498abeaad8bdccd3ab28~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Balancing Work and Trauma Recovery: Pros and Cons of Staying Active in the Workplace]]></title><description><![CDATA[Trauma recovery is a deeply personal journey that requires emotional, mental, and sometimes physical energy. ]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/balancing-work-and-trauma-recovery-pros-and-cons-of-staying-active-in-the-workplace</link><guid isPermaLink="false">677b28db02be392c9264282c</guid><pubDate>Mon, 06 Jan 2025 00:53:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_56191c4e5edf4159ae0b8921f8bea710~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Exploring How Your Childhood Trauma May Affect Your Own Children]]></title><description><![CDATA[Childhood trauma leaves a profound imprint on the way we experience the world and form relationships. ]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/exploring-how-childhood-trauma-affects-your-children</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6779ec9459e238031907223e</guid><pubDate>Sun, 05 Jan 2025 02:29:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549d43_45d2e55b368741fc95828912775eb7db~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Impact of Trauma on the Nervous System]]></title><description><![CDATA[Trauma doesn't just affect the mind; it has a profound impact on the nervous system as well. ]]></description><link>https://www.sherryslejska.com/post/the-impact-of-trauma-on-the-nervous-system</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6778adaa03fc3a08a962fd66</guid><pubDate>Sat, 04 Jan 2025 03:40:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549d43_21f695c26df04a9f8aef27a28c582b2a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sherry Slejska</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>