Mental Health Glossary: Clear Terms, Real Support

A state of persistent worry or fear that impacts your thoughts, body, and behaviors. Often rooted in past experiences or anticipatory stress. 

A framework for understanding how early relational patterns shape adult relationships and emotional regulation. 

Emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress especially in caregiving, work, or identity-based roles. 

An approach that helps reframe negative thinking patterns and behaviors to improve emotional wellbeing. 

A form of emotional depletion from supporting others in distress often affecting caregivers, parents, and helping professionals. 

 A vital sense of being emotionally seen, valued, and safe with others or with oneself 

Healthy strategies used to manage stress, emotions, and overwhelming situations. These can be learned and strengthened over time. 

More than sadness depression can include low energy, numbness, hopelessness, and disconnection from joy or purpose. 

Sudden, intense emotional responses rooted in past trauma often without a clear current trigger. 

The ability to understand, manage, and express emotions in a safe and healthy way. 

Reclaiming control, voice, and personal power in areas where trauma or systems have taken it away. 

The emotional process of loss whether from death, separation, identity shifts, or unmet expectations. 

Mind-body techniques that help bring you back to the present moment, especially during dissociation or overwhelm. 

The inner conflict that arises when your actions or experiences violate your deeply held beliefs often seen in veterans or those in ethical dilemmas. 

A loop of excessive mental analysis that often feeds anxiety, shame, or avoidance. 

The journey of self-awareness, healing, and alignment with your values through life transitions, therapy, or reflection. 

A trauma-related disorder involving flashbacks, avoidance, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing after life-threatening or distressing experiences. 

 Not just “bouncing back” resilience is the capacity to adapt, recover, and evolve after adversity. 

Embracing all parts of yourself, even those shaped by pain, fear, or perceived imperfection. 

The process of releasing shame and finding compassion for the parts of you that were coping, surviving, or misaligned. 

A painful emotion rooted in the belief that one is fundamentally flawed or unworthy of love and connection. 

Intentional habits that soothe your nervous system and reduce overwhelm from breathwork to boundary-setting. 

The trust-based relationship between therapist and client that creates safety and collaboration in the healing process. 

A therapy approach that centers safety, consent, and empowerment for survivors, recognizing that trauma affects how people experience the world.