Hi! I’m Adrian,
and I’m on a mission to make Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) more accessible.
But I can’t do it alone.
To make the kind of impact that’s necessary to breed positive change within the American (and Western) mental health landscape, it’s gonna take a lot more than me. It’s gonna take me and you.
But first…
About I'm Not Triggered
In the space between chaos and clarity, I've found my voice.
I shouldn't even be alive — that's not hyperbole or dramatic flair. It's the raw truth of someone who has survived her own mind's darkest corners. Through self-destruction, shame, and the relentless grip of trauma, somehow I've made it to here.
My aim for this newsletter has evolved as I have — from exploring the impact and depths of PTSD to finding the pathways toward emotional regulation, more effective communication, and a real sense of self; All of which I have found through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
What You'll Find Here
Stories of transformation woven through personal narrative. The messy, beautiful work of naming our emotions without being consumed by them. A space where vulnerability isn't weakness but our greatest strength.
Each issue will explore DBT skills through my lived experiences and those I have witnessed. In so doing, I will be offering practical tools wrapped in honest reflection. We'll walk together through mindfulness practices, distress tolerance techniques, emotional regulation strategies, and the art of building effective relationships (and ending destructive ones).
Here, we will learn to create distance between our emotion and our response. We will learn to observe our thoughts without becoming entangled with them. We will practice sitting with very deep discomfort without reaching for the familiar comforts that have sabotaged and harmed us.
Why I Write
Because I believed I was too broken to be fixed. Because I've learned that healing isn't about fixing brokenness but about acceptance and integration. Because in sharing my journey, perhaps I can illuminate parts of yours. But…
The path isn't linear. Progress isn't permanent. Healing from childhood abuse, neglect, bullying, abusive and toxic relationships won’t happen quickly. But in this community we're building, there is hope. There is breath. There is life beyond mere survival and white-knuckling it.
Important Disclaimer
I am not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or mental health practitioner. The experiences, reflections, and skills shared in this newsletter stem from my personal journey and should never replace professional guidance. What works for me may not work for you. These words are offered as companionship, not prescription.
If you're struggling, please reach out to qualified mental health professionals. Your story deserves expert care.
Here’s a brief list of some of the topics I’ve already covered:
the history of mental health, hypervigilance, triggers, emotion regulation, PTSD and identity, habits and behavior change, sleep, and intimacy
So, are you in?
There are two subscription options:
Free - All archived posts and content, weekly post, weekly video podcast, access to community engagement, email me directly with questions, and some access to series posts.
Paying Subscriber - Access to all posts and podcasts (both audio and text-based), all video pods, all audio-only episodes, all sections of the newsletter, community engagement and discussion opportunities, email me directly, sneak peaks at my combat memoir-in-progress, and the warm fuzzy feeling knowing you’ve fed two growing boys, 4 fur babies, and my amazing wife.
So, are you in?
The most benevolent thing you can do is share I’m Not Triggered with anyone you’d think would benefit from mental health education, validation, and practical steps to live a more peaceful, happier life.
"This life is mine alone. So I have stopped asking people for directions to places they've never been." - Glennon Doyle
Disclaimer: I, Adrian (Brandi) Purchas, do not dispense (and am not professionally qualified nor licensed to dispense) medical, psychiatric, or psychological advice, nor do I prescribe the use of any technique mentioned herein this newsletter (and any other I’m Not Triggered content) as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a qualified physician or professional, either directly or indirectly. The intent of this newsletter (and of this author) is to offer information of a general nature to help you along your journey to finding your own physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being and serenity. In the event you decide to use any information, technique, suggestion, or other method found herein as a means to expand or enhance your life, you do so at your own risk. This author and I’m Not Triggered hold no responsibility for you or your actions.
