Psychological words or disorders have become popular vernacular among self-talk and that friends alike. “I feel so depressed,” “I think she’s bi-polar,” or “I think he’s psychotic!” No matter what the diagnosis that we’re throwing around these days, it’s important to know the meaning and stigma associated with these diagnoses. I would like to highlight one particular diagnosis and what the current research says behind it.

PTSD, which stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, brings up images of military war zones. However, trauma is not limited to the experiences of service men or women, it also includes death and loss of relationships; physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; and medical illnesses and emergencies. Essentially, PTSD is the result of any life event that is particularly stressful or life-threatening. PTSD can be a single or recurrent event(s).

According to Psychology Today, 7.7 million Americans are living with PTSD. Trauma may look like a number of symptoms and diagnoses, including anxiety, depression, problems in relationships, low self-esteem, addiction, eating disorders, flashbacks and other high risk behaviors. Flashbacks are a common symptom of PTSD, these traumatic memories trigger a neurobiological traumatic response in the brain, often known as our fight, flight, or freeze responses to danger. The major difference for survivors of trauma is that these memories lead the person to believe they are in imminent danger, even if they are not in any physical harm, which will lead their mind and body to respond accordingly.

Now that you’ve taken some time to lean about PTSD, my hope is that you’ll move throughout your day with more mindfulness of mental health and people who have PTSD. Below are some articles on PTSD with more specific research and findings.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201009/traumatic-memories

https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200201/getting-past-the-trauma

Introduction to Meditation

by Todd E. Swagler, M.Ed, MHC-LP, NCC

This first blog post is an opportunity for me to introduce myself, as well as, the work that I do
with my clients. My name is Todd Swagler and I am, currently, an associate intern therapist at the offices of Anthony Gaudioso, Ph.D, LMHC, PC. I moved to NYC about two years ago from Pennsylvania where I was surrounded by nature, space, and opportunities for self-reflection. While NYC continues to be my place of residence and a personal passion, there is something to be said about these opportunities for stillness that are less present within a metropolitan area. One skill that several of my clients have found grounding and peaceful while living in the city has been the use of meditations.


The practice of meditations is something that I do daily and encourage my clients to subscribe to as well. The concept of meditations can be overwhelming and many people have strong opinions on the subject, i.e. it is too “hippie-ish,” new age, and strange. Meditation, put simply, is a practice that focuses your attention on your mind and body, in the hopes to find balance, peace, and rejuvenation. Instead of your head in a million places, meditation helps us to bring our awareness to ourselves, our breath, and our own physical body to gain new awareness on everyday stressors and issues.

Below is a helpful and simple article on using the Subway as a space and time to practice meditations called ‘Subway Meditation: No Cushion Required’ by Jonathan S. Kaplan, Ph.D. I encourage you to practice this ritual the next time you are on the subway and notice what and how you feel afterward. If you are interested in further practices in meditation, please feel to contact me to begin therapy.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/urban-mindfulness/200902/subway-meditation-no-cushion-required