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PTSD doesn’t just live in the mind—it shows up in the body, emotions, and behavior in ways that can be confusing or misunderstood. Many trauma survivors are told they’re “overreacting,” “too sensitive,” or “unmotivated.” In truth, their nervous systems are doing everything possible to stay safe. Understanding these behavioral impacts helps us replace judgment with […]

You’re Not Broken—You’re Wired for Survival If you’ve lived through trauma, you’ve probably found yourself wondering, “Why do I always think the worst?”, “Why can’t I believe good things about myself?”, or “Why do I blame myself for everything?” The answer often lies in something called cognitive distortions—automatic, distorted ways of thinking that helped you […]

By Joy Plote, LPC, CI/CT Imagine being handed a contract in your second language, one that you were never given full access to as a child. Imagine being expected to read it, understand it, and sign it—without ever being offered the chance to have it explained in your native language. For many Deaf individuals who […]

In life, we all face adversity in one form or another—whether it’s a personal loss, a career setback, or a challenging relationship. During tough times, it’s easy to become fixated on what we’ve lost: a job, a loved one, a dream, or even our sense of self. But what if we chose to focus on […]

By Joy Plote, Coda Counselor | The Space Between Most people think abuse looks like yelling, hitting, or cruel words. But what happens when someone stays quiet for years… until one day, they finally explode? In the Deaf community, that explosion is often misunderstood. What if the person being labeled as “abusive” is actually reacting […]

What do you believe drives the course of your life? Is it your effort and decisions — or is it luck, fate, or what others do to you? This belief is called locus of control, and it has a powerful impact on how we heal, grow, and show up in the world. So, what is […]

Intergenerational trauma does not exist in isolation—it is deeply rooted in the choices, struggles, and dynamics passed down through families. For Codas (Children of Deaf Adults), the legacy of educational and linguistic decisions made by our hearing grandparents has profoundly shaped our lives. Yet, our experiences are often dismissed or undervalued in conversations about Deaf […]

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help individuals process and heal from trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and distressing life experiences. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR helps people reprocess painful memories so they no longer cause intense emotional distress. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses on […]

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based approach designed to help individuals regulate emotions, improve relationships, develop distress tolerance, and practice mindfulness. Originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), DBT has since been widely used for trauma survivors, individuals with emotional dysregulation, and people struggling with impulsivity, self-harm, […]

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes at the same time. This internal conflict creates mental discomfort, which can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, or unease. To reduce this discomfort, people often attempt to justify, rationalize, or change their beliefs or […]

Cognitive distortions are biased or irrational thought patterns that negatively influence how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world. They are often automatic and can reinforce negative emotions, anxiety, depression, and unhelpful behaviors. These distortions act as mental filters that twist reality, making situations seem worse than they are. Recognizing and challenging them is key […]

In any relationship—whether with a partner, child, friend, or colleague—one of the most powerful ways to foster trust and connection is through validation. Validation means recognizing and affirming another person’s emotional experience, helping them feel seen, heard, and understood. Unfortunately, many people were not taught how to validate emotions. Instead, the instinct is to fix, […]

Brainspotting, a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. David Grand, is revolutionizing the way trauma, emotional pain, and psychological issues are processed. Rooted in neuroscience, Brainspotting focuses on identifying and working with “brainspots,” specific eye positions that correlate with unresolved trauma or emotional experiences. By targeting these brainspots, this therapy allows individuals to process and release […]

Persistent Demand for Autonomy: The Other Side of Demand Avoidance When discussing Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) or general demand avoidance, the focus is often on resistance to demands. However, the other side of this equation—the persistent demand for autonomy—is just as important to understand. For individuals with PDA, autonomy isn’t just preferred—it is essential for […]

Language is at the heart of identity, connection, and culture. For many in the Deaf community and Codas (Children of Deaf Adults), bilingualism is a natural part of life, often encompassing a signed language like American Sign Language (ASL) and a spoken or written language such as English. However, not all individuals who grow up […]

In the ideal family dynamic, parents nurture and children thrive. However, for many Children of Deaf Adults (Codas), the family structure takes on a different shape. Codas often find themselves navigating adult responsibilities at an early age, a phenomenon known as parentification. While some may adapt to these roles temporarily, others face long-term emotional and […]

Australia’s Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of People with Disability sheds light on a deeply troubling reality: Deaf individuals face disproportionately high rates of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This March 2021 report, prepared by the Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health, offers a sobering insight into the challenges Deaf individuals […]

The Coda identity is a complex and unique experience rooted in the intersection of Deaf and hearing worlds. Codas (Children of Deaf Adults) grow up navigating two distinct cultural and linguistic environments, often becoming language brokers/interpreters, cultural mediators, and advocates at an early age. This unique role shapes their sense of self, worldview, and interpersonal […]

Brainspotting, a powerful trauma therapy, has proven especially effective for Deaf individuals, offering a unique, visual, and sensory-based approach to healing. Unlike many talk therapies, Brainspotting doesn’t rely heavily on verbal processing, making it an accessible and empowering option for Deaf clients. Here’s why Brainspotting works so well for Deaf individuals and how it aligns […]

Hello and welcome to the Space Between! I’m excited to introduce myself and share a little about who I am, the work I do, and my mission to create meaningful change for Deaf individuals, Codas, and the broader community. My name is Joy Plote, and I’m a licensed counselor and a proud Coda (Child of […]