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January is Human trafficking Awareness Month. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States (Department of Homeland Security, 2022). There are many preconceived notions about what human trafficking is, who it affects and why it happens. This blog will highlight facts and fiction surrounding human trafficking, how you can identify it, as well as how to help support survivors.

Our culture focuses a great deal of advertising dollars on encouraging us to celebrate our joys, comfort our sorrows and soothe our stressors with the perfect food items. While indulging in our favorite treat or comfort food can bring temporary comfort and relief from uncomfortable emotions, using food as our only method of self-soothing can leave us feeling guilty and depressed. In addition, the accompanying weight gain that sometimes can follow a “food binge” can bring on self-loathing and self-recrimination.

Gottlieb explores her personal journey in psychotherapy as she cleverly weaves together several clinical case studies of clients she is treating. These clinical case studies include a seemingly egocentric television producer, an elderly woman facing depression and shame, a newlywed suddenly diagnosed with cancer, and a young woman navigating love and alcohol use.