Podcasts about complex ptsd

Why do so many boarding school survivors struggle with boundaries?In this episode, Piers Cross explores how boarding school conditioning can shape people pleasing, emotional suppression and difficulty saying no later in life.Drawing on trauma theory, attachment work and years of coaching leaders and ex-boarders, Piers explores why boundaries can feel dangerous for many trauma survivors — and why nervous system regulation is essential when learning to hold healthy boundaries.Topics include: Boarding school and the “complier” survival strategy  Fight, flight, freeze and appease  Why boundaries feel unsafe  Shame, fear and conflict avoidance  Avoidant attachment and trauma  Boundary repair practices  EFT tapping and Havening  Leadership and emotional intelligence  Nervous system regulation and safety Piers also shares practical boundary exercises inspired by Diane Poole Heller's work on attachment and trauma healing.---Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems. He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man. He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1 For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community Many blessings, Piers Cross http://piers-cross.com/ 

Expectations can quietly destroy us. They can ruin relationships, fuel resentment, trigger childhood wounds, and keep us trapped in cycles of abandonment, trauma, and emotional pain.  In this episode, I want to talk about expectations, especially for those of us who grew up with childhood neglect, abuse, abandonment, emotional trauma, or complex PTSD. Many of us learned very early that our needs wouldn't be met. Some of those wounds began before we could even speak. When a baby cries, they expect comfort. They expect safety. But for many of us, those expectations were broken long before we understood why we felt unsafe in the world. For years, I expected people to heal me. I expected doctors to fix me. Back in 2008, after being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, I was heavily medicated with medications that nearly destroyed my life. Years later, a psychiatrist finally told me the truth: “You don't have bipolar disorder. You have Complex PTSD.” That moment changed everything. Suddenly I understood that so much of my suffering came not from who I was — but from what had happened to me. And expectations were at the center of all of it. I realized I spent most of my life expecting love from people who were incapable of giving it. Expecting validation from people who never saw me clearly. Expecting family members to become emotionally healthy when they had no desire to heal themselves. That realization hurt. But it also freed me. This year, during my birthday trip, I started seeing expectations differently. I went away alone like I usually do — something I began years ago because birthdays carried too much pain and disappointment at home. I expected to spend my time taking photographs, staying isolated, controlling my environment so I wouldn't get hurt. But life interrupted my plans in unexpected ways. I ended up at a poetry reading in Palm Springs that completely shattered my assumptions. I walked in expecting pretentious performances and emotional distance. Instead, I heard raw humanity. One man told a story about his grandmother dying while insisting someone leave the television on so she could make sure the Yankees lost. It was funny, heartbreaking, deeply human — and completely unexpected. That night forced me to realize something important: Every artist had their own voice, their own rhythm, their own imperfections. And I realized how much of my own life I had spent comparing myself to others — photographers, artists, friends, even strangers online. Trauma teaches us to shrink ourselves. To believe we're only valuable if we become what someone else wants us to be. But healing begins when we stop trying to imitate other people and start allowing ourselves to exist authentically. I also realized how expectations had shaped my relationships. Growing up with an alcoholic father and a mother who emotionally neglected me left wounds I carried into adulthood. When you grow up feeling unwanted, you unconsciously recreate those dynamics later in life. You chase people who withhold love because some part of you still hopes you can finally earn it.  We create silent contracts in our minds that nobody else agreed to. We expect people to love us the way we love them. We expect loyalty, honesty, effort, emotional maturity — even from people who have never demonstrated they're capable of those things. One of the most healing moments of my life happened recently through something I never expected. My youngest son reached out to me after years of distance. At first I was guarded. Trauma teaches you to brace for betrayal. But he kept showing up. He told me he finally understood what I had been carrying while raising multiple children, navigating mental illness in the family, chaos, hospitals, conflict, and survival. He told me he saw now what I had gone through. I cannot explain how healing that was. Not because it erased the pain — but because it reminded me that life still has room for unexpected grace. Healing isn't about becoming fearless. It's about loosening your grip on expectations. It's about learning that your self-worth cannot depend on whether other people finally choose to see your value. The truth is, many of us were taught to live inside emotional boxes built by other people's cruelty, neglect, criticism, or abuse. But we don't have to stay there. You are not broken because someone failed to love you correctly. You are not unworthy because someone projected their poison onto you. And you do not need to keep shrinking yourself trying to earn love from emotionally unavailable people. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is release the expectation… and finally choose ourselves. Healing is possible. You are valuable. Life is not over because someone failed to see your worth.   FB https://www.facebook.com/DiggingThroughDominoes/ IG https://www.instagram.com/diggingthroughdominoes/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@falcongirl.gsd #podcast  #expectations #trauma     #healing

There is a difference between feeling ashamed and living inside shame. One is a passing signal. The other is the background atmosphere of an entire nervous system. In this episode, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof go deep on toxic shame as the next distinguishing characteristic of complex trauma in their CPT series. This is one of the most personal episodes they have recorded. Both hosts share what shame actually sounded like at its loudest in their lives, the specific words, the body states, the loops that ran for years before they had any way to interrupt them. And they are honest about where they still meet it today. Toxic shame in complex trauma is not just a feeling that shows up after a mistake. It is an identity state. It shifts from "I did something wrong" to "I am wrong." It shapes posture, vocal tone, breath, gaze, and the way the body interprets every social interaction as potential exposure or rejection. And because it developed in relationship, specifically in environments where expressing needs or emotions led to punishment, abandonment, or humiliation, it becomes deeply tied to every relational experience that follows. Elisabeth and Jennifer trace the full arc of how shame develops, from the child who cannot afford to see their caregiver as unsafe and so turns the blame inward, to the adult who moves through professional and personal relationships with a chronic bracing for exposure. They cover the neurobiology in depth: what the insula, default mode network, and vagus nerve have to do with chronic shame states, why shame can both amplify and numb internal sensation at the same time, and how shame formation, the physiological pairing of emotional shame states with immune and inflammatory responses, helps explain the health outcomes seen in adverse childhood experience research. The conversation also covers the double bind of shame in complex trauma, the trap of needing connection while also bracing for what connection has always brought. How shame drives substance use and disordered eating as regulation strategies. How systemic and cultural forces layer onto developmental shame in ways that make the pattern larger than any individual. And what post-traumatic growth actually looks like here: not confidence, not the absence of shame, but a little more space between the wave and the response, a little longer staying present in the body before the collapse happens, and gradually, relationships where being imperfect does not mean being abandoned. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Why toxic shame in complex trauma shifts from an emotion into an identity state How shame develops as a survival strategy when caregivers are unsafe and self-blame becomes the only available adaptation Why shame is not just cognitive but embodied, showing up in posture, vocal tone, breath, gaze, and gesture What shame formation is and how chronic shame states are linked to inflammation, immune dysregulation, and the health outcomes in ACE research How the insula, default mode network, and vagus nerve are involved in chronic shame patterning Why shame can simultaneously amplify and numb internal sensation and what that means for healing The double bind of shame: needing connection while bracing against it How systemic and cultural shaming layers onto developmental shame and why the nervous system cannot fully distinguish between them How shame drives substance use and disordered eating as regulation strategies and why the shame-use cycle is so hard to interrupt What post-traumatic growth looks like in relation to shame: not the absence of it, but increased range, flexibility, and capacity to stay present with it How accountability, relational repair, and allowing others to have their own experience gradually shifts the shame pattern   Chapters 0:00 - The Difference Between Feeling Ashamed and Living Inside Shame  0:33 - Welcome: Toxic Shame Through the Lens of Complex PTSD  1:54 - What Shame Actually Is: A Whole Body Physiological Response  2:14 - When Shame Becomes an Identity State  3:01 - Shame in the Body: Posture, Voice, Breath, and Withdrawal  3:34 - Systemic and Cultural Shame: When the Group Itself Is Dysregulated  5:55 - Shame as the Emotion That Represses All Other Emotions  7:15 - How Shame Develops in Complex Trauma: The Child Who Cannot Blame the Caregiver  8:48 - Everything Is My Fault as a State of Being  9:43 - Jennifer and Elisabeth Share What Shame Sounded Like at Its Loudest  11:28 - How Shame Physically Inhibits Expression  12:09 - The Double Bind: Needing Connection While Bracing Against It  14:00 - The Neurobiology: Insula, Freeze, Dissociation, and No Safe Discharge  17:31 - Large Scale Neural Patterning: DMN Loops, Reward Signaling, and Oxytocin  18:36 - What Shame Looks Like Now for Jennifer and Elisabeth  23:51 - Shame Formation: Inflammation, the Vagus Nerve, and ACE Research  26:43 - The Shame and Substance Use Cycle  30:28 - How Both Hosts Used Substances to Regulate Shame  34:15 - Systemic Shame and the Brain's Drive for Belonging  36:10 - What Post-Traumatic Growth Actually Looks Like With Shame  38:51 - Relational Healing: Repair, Accountability, and Letting Someone Love You Imperfectly  41:14 - Allowing Another Person to Have Their Experience Without Collapsing   Resources and Links NSI Foundations Bundle for coaches and practitioners: neurosomaticintelligence.com/foundations Two week Rewire Trial of guided neuro somatic training: rewiretrial.com Learn more about Elisabeth's work at brainbased.com Learn more about Jennifer's work at her YouTube channel: Sacred Synapse https://www.youtube.com/@sacredsynapse-23 Trauma Rewired podcast  is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear.  We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being.  If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  If someone's life is in danger, immediately call 911.  We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available.  We don't warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It's very important to talk to a medical professional about your individual needs, as we aren't responsible for any actions you take based on the information you hear in this podcast. We  invite guests onto the podcast. Please note that we don't verify the accuracy of their statements. Our organization does not endorse third-party content and the views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of our organization. We talk about general neuro-science and nervous system health, but you are unique. These are conversations for a wide audience. They are general recommendations and you are always advised to seek personal care for your unique outputs, trauma and needs.  We are not doctors or licensed medical professionals. We are certified neuro-somatic practitioners and nervous system health/embodiment coaches. We are not your doctor or medical professional and do not know you and your unique nervous system. This podcast is not a replacement for working with a professional. The BrainBased.com site and Rewiretrail.com is a membership site for general nervous system health, somatic processing and stress processing. It is not a substitute for medical care or the appropriate solution for anyone in mental health crisis.  Any examples mentioned in this podcast are for illustration purposes only. If they are based on real events, names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.  We've done our best to ensure our podcast respects the intellectual property rights of others, however if you have an issue with our content, please let us know by emailing us at traumarewired@gmail.com  All rights in our content are reserved  

Shigeko Ito is an author, educator, and mental health advocate with a PhD in Education from Stanford University. Drawing on her cross-cultural experience and academic insight, she writes about intergenerational trauma, the lasting effects of childhood emotional neglect, and the healing process. Her memoir, The Pond Beyond the Forest: Reflections on Childhood Trauma and Motherhood, tells the story of a middle-aged Japanese immigrant mother struggling to raise her teenage son and save her marriage while confronting memories of her own childhood trauma as her son enters adolescence. Throughout the journey, Shigeko remains committed to healing herself and improving her relationships with her husband and son.       Her story resonates with many readers, especially those who feel burdened by unresolved trauma. In her interview, Shigeko spoke about the challenges of parenting as a survivor of childhood trauma, healing from complex PTSD, and how writing her memoir deepened her self-understanding, self-compassion, and acceptance. She is passionate about raising awareness of complex PTSD, a still-emerging diagnosis that many people overlook because of its subtle and elusive nature. INTERVIEW READ HER MEMOIR HERE     For fans of Stephanie Foo's What My Bones Know, a memoir of a middle-aged Japanese immigrant mother's struggle to raise her teenage son and save her marriage when she finds herself triggered by memories of her own childhood trauma as he enters adolescence. At age twenty-two, Shigeko Ito immigrated to America to escape Japan's rigid society and a neglectful childhood home that landed her in a mental hospital at seventeen. She thrived in her new, healthier environment and thought her traumatic past was all behind her. Until it wasn't. Motherhood, she realized, was far more challenging than she could have ever imagined. But it was her son's high school years that proved to be particularly daunting, and that was when her past reemerged—in the form of intense flashbacks to her childhood trauma and tumultuous teenage years. With the stream of daily stresses compounded by menopausal irritability, Shigeko often found herself regressing into a bunker-like mentality with childish coping mechanisms, a pattern that threatened to undo her most prized achievement: her happy family. In The Pond Beyond the Forest, Shigeko faces her past head-on, taking the reader along on her quest to uncover the root causes of her lifelong struggles—a journey that leads to deeper self-awareness, understanding, and acceptance, and ultimately saves her family and marriage.

Former Bachelor contestant Frankie Taylor Paul now claims she's been diagnosed with Complex PTSD...The Cascio family comes after the Michael Jackson estate for more money...The end of Netflix' Kevin Hart roast fell flat and offensive...Understanding Ernest Hemingway's brutal suicide attempts...How a chance meeting in a ladie's room changed Donna Summer's life.https://mydeals.page/q7j8

Summary Dr. Scheeringa critically examines popular trauma narratives, exploring the scientific validity of concepts like ACEs, complex PTSD, and the impact of trauma on the brain. He discusses the influence of ideology, the complexity of genetics, and the importance of personal agency in understanding trauma and mental health. Guest Links Michael Scheering's Website Youtube X Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Dr. Scheeringa's research focus 02:34 The origins of trauma research and misconceptions 04:01 What does 'brain damage' from trauma really mean? 07:20 The influence of ideology and funding in trauma science 09:38 Symptoms versus human development: what trauma does and doesn't do 12:10 Genetics vs. environment in mental health 15:17 The complexity of genetic research in PTSD and depression 19:35 Concept creep and the broadening of trauma definitions 21:43 The importance of prospective studies in trauma research 24:13 Why some people develop PTSD and others don't 26:29 Current state of genetic research in trauma resilience 29:46 Inflammation, metabolism, and trauma: emerging hypotheses 33:19 The epistemology of trauma science and the role of worldview 36:44 Recalibration and growth after trauma 38:29 The cultural and political influence on trauma narratives 42:05 The importance of personal agency and choice 44:10 The political landscape of trauma policy 47:05 Harm caused by trauma policies and narratives 50:16 The role of genetics in individual differences in trauma response 52:54 The paradox of certainty and human resilience 53:59 Closing remarks and resources     To contribute to the the Post-Traumatic Growth of Veterans click here. To learn more about Mission 22's impact and programs, visit www.mission22.org or find us on social media. IG: @mission_22. Tiktok: @_mission22

In this episode, Tia Levings returns to talk about her new book I Belong to Me - a guide to healing and recovery after high-control religion and other controlling environments. Tia walks through what she calls the steps before the steps: the audacity, the centrality, the willingness to want something different before you're even ready to name what happened to you. We talk about why language can free you and trap you at the same time, how cult-hopping happens and why, what developmental stages get stolen in high-control systems, and how somatic and body-based modalities opened up healing that talk therapy alone couldn't reach. This is a grounded, honest conversation about what it looks like to start to become the protagonist of your own story.Tia Levings is the New York Times Bestselling author of A Well-Trained Wife, her memoir of escape from Christian Patriarchy and I Belong to Me: A Survivor's Guide to Recovery and Hope after Religious Trauma. She writes about the realities of religious trauma, evangelical patriarchy, and the Trad wife life, decoding the fundamentalist influences in our news and culture. Her work and quotes have appeared in Teen Vogue, Salon, Newsweek, and the HuffingtonPost. She is an experienced interviewee, speaker, and podcast guest, and has appeared in the hit Amazon docu-series, Shiny Happy People. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, she is mom to four incredible adults and likes to travel, hike, paint, and daydream. Find her on social media @TiaLevingsWriter.Tia's Book:I Belong to MeTia's Recommendation:Heart the LoverEverything in ColorConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeSupport the podcast and the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below NEW PODCAST: American Evangelicals - A History PodcastA thoughtful, deep dive into one of the most talked-about movements in American history.Support the show

If you've been diagnosed with more than one thing, and it feels like every provider is treating each piece in isolation, this episode is for you.Complex PTSD doesn't just show up as one condition. For many people, CPTSD symptoms include a stack of co-occurring diagnoses that are deeply connected at the nervous system level but rarely treated that way. In this episode, I break down exactly what might be happening underneath seven of the most common conditions that show up alongside complex trauma, and why understanding the connection changes everything about how healing can work.In this episode you'll learn:What the window of tolerance is and how complex PTSD shrinks or collapses itThe faux window of tolerance: the nervous system concept that explains why behaviors like restriction, compulsions, and substance use are so hard to give upA quick nervous system primer covering sympathetic activation, dorsal vagal shutdown, and the vagus nerveHow CPTSD and eating disorders are connected at the nervous system level, including restriction, bingeing, and purgingThe research-backed link between complex trauma and OCD, including a documented posttraumatic subtypeWhy substance use, workaholism, chronic pain, dissociation, and emotional dysregulation are all nervous system adaptations in people with complex PTSDWhy treating these complex PTSD symptoms in isolation so often stalls, and what integrated trauma-informed treatment actually looks and feels likeThe three phases of healing: stabilization, the thaw, and integrationWhether you're early in understanding your CPTSD symptoms or years into treatment and still feeling like something is missing, this episode offers a framework that finally puts all the pieces in the same room.Free Resource: Dysregulation Toolkit for CPTSDThanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcswLearn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim TherapyThis podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

Amidst a long catalog of previous BFTA stories featuring complex or developmental PTSD, today's story is one of classic DSM-style PTSD, it's a story of both medical and parenting trauma, of facing the fear of annihilation and death. In this three part story,  first we hear Tracy tell of the increasingly severe medical challenges of her children, then Tracy flashes back to describe her own terrifying emergency hospitalization as a 5 year old, then finally we trace Tracy's treatment journey through traditional psychotherapy and eventual MDMA-assisted therapy as she tries to find a way to calm her nervous system and find peace.Support the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/396871/supportBringing Therapy into Med Management-- An intensive workshop for psych NPs and PAs, June 3-6 2026 in Ft Collinshttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/bringing-therapy-into-med-management/"I Love You, I Hate You, Are You My Mom?"  An intensive experiential workshop exploring transference and countertransference with Dr. H and Dr. Hillary McBride, June 18-20 2026 in Vancouver/Chilliwack BChttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/i-love-you-i-hate-you-are-you-my-mom/Explore every episode through themes, domains, formats, and speakers. The BFTA CODEX is a listener-built and curated field guide to the podcast. https://bfta-codex.orgBFTA episode recommendations/Podcast pagehttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/BFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/Support the show

Send us Fan MailWriting a memoir is never an easy feat—especially when the story being told explores the deeply personal terrain of trauma, healing, and the reclamation of one's agency. In this episode of the "Authors Who Lead" podcast, I sit down with Chelsey Valeri—licensed clinical social worker, trauma therapist, and debut memoirist—as she offers an honest glimpse into how she crafted her book, Healed Enough. Through our conversation, you'll get a multidimensional understanding of complex trauma—from both clinical and lived perspectives—and what it takes to turn such experiences into a story that resonates.Timestamp:00:00 Deciding to write a memoir05:12 Complex PTSD not in DSM07:08 Understanding trauma's impact on mental health10:29 Discussing personal healing journey14:45 Feeling vulnerable but understood19:34 Writing during health challenges21:29 Navigating a patriarchal society26:06 Healing Foundation and trauma care29:12 Editing process for publishing33:12 Discussing book feedback and approach37:18 Writing a clinician's hand guide39:40 Challenges in trauma therapy training43:36 Discussing a valuable trauma bookFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Ein kurzer Hinweis vorab: Wenn du dich heute instabil fühlst, sorge bitte gut für dich.Systemkritik an der deutschen Trauma-Begleitung: Die Folge demaskiert, warum lösungsorientierte Ansätze oft als „Verrat“ am Schmerz gelten und wie der „therapeutische Narzissmus“ Klienten durch reine Validierung unbewusst in der Rolle des „ewig Verletzten“ hält. Es geht um das Tabu der Lösungsorientierung und die Notwendigkeit von radikaler Eigenverantwortung für echte Heilung. ---Studien:⁠Dialectical-behavior therapy for complex PTSD⁠⁠M Bohus⁠ - Trauma sequelae, 2022 - Springer⁠A research programme to evaluate DBT-PTSD, a modular treatment approach for Complex PTSD after childhood abuse⁠⁠M Bohus⁠, C Schmahl, ⁠T Fydrich⁠, ⁠R Steil⁠… - … personality disorder and …, 2019 - Springer⁠Treating adults with complex trauma: An evidence‐based case study⁠DM Lawson - Journal of Counseling & Development, 2017 - Wiley Online Library---Kostenlose Ressourcen und Impulse für dich:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I almost didn't share this one.I've been sitting on this episode for a while now, telling myself it wasn't the right time. Trigger: I talk about ADHD, Complex PTSD and Trauma. That it was too raw. That we were heading into launch season and this wasn't the kind of content you share when you're trying to grow a business.And then I realised that thinking was exactly the problem I talk about in this episode.So here it is.Over the last six to eight months I have been through the most confronting, transformative, and ultimately liberating period of my life. And what I found underneath all of it changed everything.In this episode I'm talking about:What it felt like the first day I took Vyvanse and experienced silence in my mind for the first time at 33 years old — and why I criedWhy I almost left my relationship of 12 years — and what I found when I stayedWhat EMDR therapy actually is, how it works, and why I think every nurse who has worked in the healthcare system needs to understand itThe connection between adverse childhood experiences, nursing culture, nervous system dysregulation, and why your business hasn't grown the way you wanted it toWhy I believe no one can build a sustainable, profitable business from a nervous system that has never been taught it's safe to stopWhat has genuinely shifted for me — in my body, my relationships, my capacity, and how I move through the world — and what it means for how I now show up inside NPAThe thing I kept coming back to throughout this entire process is that so many of us nurses came to healthcare because we were already carrying something. And the system didn't heal that. It layered on top of it. And then we try to build businesses — to create freedom and income and impact — while all of that is still running silently in the background, shaping every decision, every price we set, every time we stop ourselves at the edge of the thing we most want.You cannot strategy your way out of a nervous system problem.This is the most honest episode I've ever recorded.I hope it lands for whoever needs it.Resources mentioned:Mel Robbins Podcast — ADHD and Trauma episodeEMDR Therapy — Eye Movement Desensitization and ReprocessingYoga Nidra — body-based nervous system regulation practiceVyvanse — neurostimulant medication for ADHDIf this episode brought something up for you and you're not okay, please reach out to a mental health professional or contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

[CONTENT WARNING]: Rape, sexual assault, and suicidal ideationToday, Jan is joined by Rachel Hunter, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist whose passion is working with survivors of trauma and Complex PTSD. Rachel began working in the mental health field in 2016 while pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She went on to earn her Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University. Rachel's passion for working with trauma and C-PTSD comes from her own lived experiences as a survivor of rape, sexual exploitation, and sexual assault. She feels an important part of her own healing has come from learning about trauma, connecting with other survivors, and consistently investing in therapy. Rachel strives to use her expertise and personal experience to help others heal from trauma and thrive as survivors.Rachel is here to talk about her journey to becoming a therapist and her personal experiences with complex PTSD. Jan and Rachel discuss the impact of childhood experiences on relationships, the importance of self-worth and self-respect, and some steps to take in the direction of healing. Rachel shares her insights on building healthy coping mechanisms, practicing self-care, and mitigating suicidal ideation. She also introduces the SEEDS technique, which stands for sleep, eating, exercise, doctor's orders, and something for you to use as a tool for self-improvement and well-being; such as self-care, socializing, or sobriety. In this conversation, Jan and Rachel discuss various aspects of mental health, particularly focusing on living with clinical depression and seeking happiness and joy. They explore the concept of learned helplessness and the importance of taking control of one's life. They also discuss the power of making different choices and recognizing one's worthiness. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-care, self-love, and finding hope and empowerment. Ultimately, they highlight the lifelong relationship with oneself and the potential for healing and empowering others.If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal ideation, please access the resources below:National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988National Sexual Assault Hotline  (RAINN) : 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)National Alliance for Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264Subscribe / Support / Contact:

It's episode 230 and time for us to talk about media we've been enjoying! We discuss music, video essays, movies, comics, books, crafts, and more! You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast delivery system. In this episode Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray

In Episode 158 of An Evolving Man Podcast, I'm joined by Peter Sykes — humanitarian, strategist, writer and author of Somewhere Never Home.Peter has led major humanitarian responses across the world, but in this conversation we explore the deeply personal side of his story.We talk about growing up as a third culture kid, being sent to boarding school at age 10, identity loss, addiction, achievement, emotional suppression, and the long path of healing.This is an honest, moving and hopeful conversation for anyone interested in childhood trauma, boarding school syndrome, recovery, leadership and emotional wellbeing.We Explore: Boarding school and abandonment  Addiction as a response to pain  Achievement and perfectionism  Emotional suppression and intimacy  Third culture kids and belonging  Recovery, therapy and mindfulness  Why it's never too late to heal A powerful episode with depth, wisdom and humanity.---Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems. He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man. He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1 For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community Many blessings, Piers Cross http://piers-cross.com/ 

► Free Relationship Masterclass: ⁠⁠https://understandable.net/masterclass⁠⁠ (Ad)► Access My Premium Course: ⁠⁠https://understandable.net/course/⁠ ⁠(Ad)Links & Resources: 10 Signs of Complex PTSD: https://youtu.be/rc4NqZQV5hA?si=wSuXmBqKgsOCukBi Reddit Stonewalling: https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/comments/1hw6a4a/a_cool_guide_on_stonewalling_and_how_to_deal_with/Dissociation: https://growththruchange.com/blog/why-dissociation-happens-and-steps-toward-healing/ ► Subscribe On Your Favorite Platform! YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGiJdF0yeTyRJanW_uSICDw?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠ ⁠Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2gaheQLxBwByM9txVzlpI6⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/understandable/id1399616905⁠⁠ Amazon Music: ⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/ee3580cb-61c5-4aa1-9ad4-1204014078e7/understandable⁠⁠ ⁠► Episode Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:05 Weakness Zoom (Deactivating Strategies)06:18 Isolation/Avoidance11:22 People Pleasing15:40 Anger/Rage19:08 Stonewalling22:26 Emotional Numbing27:28 Withholding Affirmations29:30 Romanticizing The Past31:54 Hyper-Independence34:40 Privacy As A Shield► Reach Out To Me :)E-Mail: info@understandable.net► Hi, my name is Robert! I create videos about childhood trauma & attachment theory. My content aims to help you transform trauma-driven reactions that block you, so you can embrace a life full of happiness, safe & loving relationships, and self-confidence. :) ► Disclaimer: None of the contents are therapeutic or medical recommendations. The contents are not to be understood as therapeutic-medical instructions and are neither intended as professional health advice nor as education.I am not a health professional myself. My content is based on research and my personal experiences working with various therapists as a client for three years.

[Rerun] Dr. Kirk and Bob discuss the differences between borderline, complex PTSD, and PTSD. (Intro) July 19, 2017This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/KIRK to get 10% off your first month.Support us by... Become a member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOUZWV1DRtHtpP2H48S7iiw/joinBecome a patron: https://www.patreon.com/PsychologyInSeattleContact us/more info... Email: https://www.psychologyinseattle.com/contactAbout Dr. Kirk: https://www.psychologyinseattle.com/about-dr-kirk-hondaWebsite: https://www.psychologyinseattle.comGet stuff... Merch: https://psychologyinseattle-shop.fourthwall.com/KIRKgram (like Cameo): https://www.psychologyinseattle.com/kirkgramThe Psychology In Seattle Podcast ®Trigger Warning: This episode may include topics such as assault, trauma, and discrimination. If necessary, listeners are encouraged to refrain from listening and care for their safety and well-being. Disclaimer: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here constitutes personal or professional consultation, therapy, diagnosis, or creates a counselor-client relationship. Topics discussed may generate differing points of view. If you participate (by being a guest, submitting a question, or commenting) you must do so with the knowledge that we cannot control reactions or responses from others, which may not agree with you or feel unfair. Your participation on this site is at your own risk, accepting full responsibility for any liability or harm that may result. Anything you write here may be used for discussion or endorsement of the podcast. Opinions and views expressed by the host and guest hosts are personal views. Although we take precautions and fact check, they should not be considered facts and the opinions may change. Opinions posted by participants (such as comments) are not those of the hosts. Readers should not rely on any information found here and should perform due diligence before taking any action. For a more extensive description of factors for you to consider, please see www.psychologyinseattle.com

In this episode of An Evolving Man, I explore the concept of the outer critic — a key pattern in trauma, CPTSD, and boarding school syndrome.Drawing on the work of Pete Walker, we look at how unresolved emotional pain can turn outward, shaping how we judge, mistrust, and distance ourselves from others.While the inner critic attacks the self, the outer critic targets others — often silently and unconsciously.This episode explores how this pattern develops, how it shows up in relationships and everyday life, and most importantly, how we begin to work with it.We also explore practical tools including mindfulness, somatic awareness, grieving, and vision-based practices to help regulate the nervous system and reduce the intensity of these patterns.A grounded and honest reflection for anyone navigating trauma, leadership, or emotional healing.---Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems. He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man. He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1 For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community Many blessings, Piers Cross http://piers-cross.com/ 

In this episode Manpreet shares her personal story for rewiring her nervous system which was creating in a complex ptsd environment with relational trauma for love, money, expansion and success    Complex PTSD and Relational trauma survivors have more protective mechanisms in their nervous system. So when you are actively working on evolving past your childhood to attract healthy love and relationships e.g. money , health. You have to rewire your nervous system for EASY LOVE which will feel dangerous for a system wired for conditional love and self sacrifice for belonging. In this video I break down how I did this for love and then for my business with money and clients. This video is LIFE CHANGING wisdom    00:00 relational patterns  01:40 current relational set point 05:07 stage 1: intention activation  06:27 stage 2 : mirror  08:57 stage 3: awareness  09:32 stage 4: review mirror again  13:57 stage 5: Embodying the love  14:25 stage 6: Relational reality shift and review   Join community ITS WITH ME here FREE Healthy love tracker here Join Mastermind for lightworkers , entreprenenurs calling in money and abundance in your careers and life in Overflow here Follow me on socials: Instagram: Tik tok: You tube:Substack: Details on how to work with me here

When his partner Karen died by suicide in 2000, Queensland police officer Todd Maguire's world caved in. Grief hollowed him out. When he was given the chance to step into the undercover world, he didn't hesitate. He was not chasing glory but trying to outrun the trauma and grief inside his own head. Thus begins an incredible story, out of which has come a man with the courage to tell his story of living with and rebuilding his life through Complex PTSD. His story will shock and horrify you in places but ultimately you will see that there is life after mental illness.Buy the book and/or connect with Todd at - ⁠Donny - A raw Australian memoir by Todd Maguire⁠▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS…✅ Marines Don't Surrender a Conversation With Keith Cole | Mark MI Words

When his partner Karen died by suicide in 2000, Queensland police officer Todd Maguire's world caved in. Grief hollowed him out. When he was given the chance to step into the undercover world, he didn't hesitate. He was not chasing glory but trying to outrun the trauma and grief inside his own head. Thus begins an incredible story, out of which has come a man with the courage to tell his story of living with and rebuilding his life through Complex PTSD. His story will shock and horrify you in places but ultimately you will see that there is life after mental illness.Buy the book and/or connect with Todd at - Donny - A raw Australian memoir by Todd Maguire▶ WATCH MORE VIDEOS… ✅ Marines Don't Surrender a Conversation With Keith Cole | Mark MI Words

I'm super excited for this special episode brought to you in participation with Podcasthon. This is the worlds' largest podcast charity initiative, bringing together podcasters globally to raise awareness for important causes!And today, I have the great pleasure of introducing you to Matt Pappas and Athena Peterson of CPTSD Foundation.CPTSD Foundation is all about bridging the healing gap in treatment and service options in order to end the cycle of complex relational trauma by providing the safety, life skills, relational education, and reparative experiences a survivor needs so they can create new habits and experience optimum health in every area of life.Learn more at https://cptsdfoundation.org/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/beyond-surviving. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode describes what complex Post Traumatic Stress disorder (cPTSD) is, how it's diagnosed, and how it's different to similar disorders like PTSD and borderline personality disorder. This episode was inspired by the angry comments on Dr. Kibby's latest reel on spotting emotion dysregulation in borderline personality disorder. When someone has a history of childhood trauma and they struggle with intense emotions, self-esteem issues, and relationship problems- what disorder do they have? In this episode, Dr. Kibby delves into the criteria for complex PTSD, which is still not an official disorder in the DSM-V. Yet, so many people struggle with symptoms from long, painful histories of trauma that has shaped their entire lives and personalities.Dr. Kibby also discusses the nuanced differences between Complex PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder, revealing how trauma shapes self-esteem, relationships, and emotional regulation in surprising ways. If you've ever wondered why these disorders often overlap—and how understanding their distinctions can transform healing—you'll want to hear this.Dr. Kibby shares her own experiences with online criticism around trauma representation, sparking a deeper conversation about stigma and bias in mental health. She dives into the hidden intricacies of CPTSD, explaining why it's often overlooked in the DSM-5 but recognized worldwide, and how prolonged trauma affects the brain's ability to process memories, dissociate, and regulate emotions.She also talks about how how trauma, whether overt or subtle, can lead to complex self-protection mechanisms that impact every aspect of life. Then she finishes with listing the best evidence-based treatments, from prolonged exposure to cognitive processing therapy and DBT, tailored for each disorder's unique challenges. She emphasizes the power of compassion and personalized treatment over stigma, advocating for a mental health field that treats all disorders with empathy and respect. Why diagnosis isn't about labels- it's a pathway to personalized healing and recovery.Resources:Sarr, R., Quinton, A., Spain, D., & Rumball, F. (2024). A Systematic Review of the Assessment of ICD‐11 Complex Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) in Young People and Adults. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, 31(3), e3012.Simon, J. J., Spiegler, K., Coulibaly, K., Stopyra, M. A., Friederich, H. C., Gruber, O., & Nikendei, C. (2025). Beyond diagnosis: symptom patterns across complex PTSD and borderline personality disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, 1668821.

⚠️Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of violence, self-harm, suicide, and religious trauma.In this deeply vulnerable and wide-ranging conversation, Kyson Dana shares his story of growing up Mormon, serving a mission in Russia, and the lifelong psychological, spiritual, and physical consequences that followed. What was supposed to be the “best two years” of his life became the most traumatic –shaping his identity, mental health, and eventual departure from the Church. Kyson opens up about generational trauma, internalized shame, self-policing, and suicidal ideation in his youth. He walks us through the intense pressure to be perfect, the weaponization of guilt and obedience, and how Mormonism taught him to disconnect from himself in order to survive. We dive deeply into the realities of missionary life in Russia: shrinking missions, violence, threats, abductions, murders, leadership silence, and explicit instructions NOT to tell families what was happening. Kyson recounts being told not to come home unless it was “in a coffin,” enduring extreme fasting, psychological abuse, and witnessing acts of violence that were never processed or acknowledged.Beyond the mission, Kyson shares how this trauma followed him into adulthood –fueling panic disorder, Complex PTSD, and a prolonged faith crisis. He discusses therapy, EMDR, creative work, and the careful, supported use of psychedelics as part of healing. We also explore his work helping teens navigate shame-based purity culture, pornography narratives (“Fight the new drug!”), and the dangerous conflation of morality with normal human behavior. This episode is about far more than Mormonism –it's about identity, belonging, survival, and what it takes to come back to yourself after an institution teaches you to turn yourself off. If you've ever felt broken by a system that promised salvation, you're not alone.___________________YouTubeAt Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.  Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions

Jenny C. Cohen is an Embodiment and Visibility Master Coach who helps high-achieving 40+ entrepreneurs lead with bold, soul-led presence. She is the creator of the Spotlight Confidence Formula, former award-winning dancer, Neuro-Somatic Practitioner, multi-time #1 international best-selling award-winning author and host of the Dance to Heal Podcast. Jenny is also a breast cancer and Complex PTSD survivor who presents a multidisciplinary approach to heal so that her clients can not only heal but thrive in life. She shares her remarkable story of healing, courage, and inner strength and wisdom as she learned how to listen to the messages her body was sending her, used her innate understanding of how dance is a powerful tool for healing. She also provides valuable tips and information on how we can all embark on our healing journey through dance and giving ourselves permission to play. Such a powerful message!     Connect with Jenny: https://danceandheal.com/ https://jennyccohen.com/home https://www.facebook.com/jenny.dance18 https://www.youtube.com/@dancetohealpodcast https://www.instagram.com/jennyccohen/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyccohen/ Want to be a guest on TheFemiNinjaProject? Send Cheryl Ilov a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1620842117560x116520069523704300

Forrest and somatic therapist Elizabeth Ferreira explore a common source of relationship conflict: the mismatch between “fixing” (moving quickly into problem-solving) and “feeling” (wanting attunement and empathy before solutions). They talk about where these patterns come from, how each functions as a psychological defense, and the role of gender socialization, identity, and adaptation. The conversation also touches on trauma, nervous-system activation, and why building safety usually comes before real change. Key Topics: 0:00: Intro 3:40: “Fixing” vs. “feeling,” and why both can be protective strategies. 6:03: Socialization and learned coping styles. 9:12: Why conflict happens 14:28: Attunement, then problem-solving. 18:35: How discomfort with emotion shapes communication 30:48: What change looks like in practice. 33:49: Trauma and nervous-system activation 42:32: Helping logical-first people open up emotionally. 46:49: “Do you want empathy or solutions?” 49:03: Teaser about Complex PTSD in relationships. 52:30: Recap Support the Podcast: We're on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Sponsors Grab Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with my code BEINGWELL at huel.com/beingwell. New customers only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show! Over 100,000 people have given their Caraway Kitchen products a 5 star rating, and Caraway's cookware set is a favorite for a reason. Visit Carawayhome.com/BEINGWELL or use code BEINGWELL at checkout. Go to Zocdoc.com/BEING to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I welcome David Politi, Bruce Hersey, and Joanne Twombly on the podcast to talk about their new book, IFS-Informed EMDR: Creative and Collaborative Appraoches. We talk about why this book is needed, what it took to bring together more than 20 contributors, and why integrating these models can create more options, more flexibility, and more hope for clients.  We talk about: Bringing together 21 contributors and creating a true community project Why integration can help when clients get stuck in one modality The idea that there is a natural, underlying healing process beyond any single model  Coping skills, resourcing, and the diverging views on when and how to use them  Joanne's "fire drill" and using IFS to work with therapist countertransference  Why strong foundational training in both IFS and EMDR matters before integrating them  The belief that there is no "perfect model," and that relationship and Self Energy matter most  There's a lot of heart here, a lot of theory, and a lot of love for clients, the field, and each other. I'm excited for you to listen, and be sure to catch my extended interview with them over on Substack. About the Guests Bruce Hersey, LCSW is widely recognized for his work integrating EMDR and IFS. Together with Michelle Richardson, he created the Syzygy Institute, which offers training and certification in IIE. Bruce is an Approved Consultant in EMDR and an IFS Approved Clinical Consultant, providing individual and group IFS and IIE consultation. He has led numerous IFS workshops and presented at the IFS International Conference, as well as EMDRIA and international EMDR conferences.  www.syzygyinstitute.com, www.brucehersey.com, and www.emdrifs.com. David Polidi, LICSW, M.Ed. is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and a Certified EMDR Consultant in Training, and has also been trained in IFS. He has worked with children and families since 2000 and has been in private practice for the past five years. David developed and facilitates the online couples workshop Deepen the Conversation, and hosts the podcast Empowered Through Compassion, where he speaks with innovators in psychology about integrating EMDR, IFS, and other trauma-healing approaches. www.empoweredthroughcompassion.com. Joanne H. Twombly, LICSW is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over thirty years of experience working with Complex PTSD and Dissociative Disorders. She is a Certified EMDR Consultant and an IFS Certified Therapist. Joanne is a Trauma and Recovery Humanitarian Assistance Program Facilitator and a Clinical Hypnosis Consultant. She is the past president of the New England Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation and has received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, where she is also an ISSTD Fellow. Joanne recently published Trauma and Dissociation Informed Internal Family Systems: How to Successfully Treat Complex PTSD and Dissociative Disorders. www.joannetwombly.net. About The One Inside I started this podcast to help spread IFS out into the world and make the model more accessible to everyone. Seven years later, that's still at the heart of all we do.  Join The One Inside Substack community for bonus conversations, extended interviews, meditations, and more. Find Self-Led merch at The One Inside store. Listen to episodes and watch clips on YouTube. Follow me on Instagram @ifstammy or on Facebook at The One Inside with Tammy Sollenberger. I co-create The One Inside with Jeff Schrum, a Level 2 IFS practitioner and coach. Resources New to IFS? My book, The One Inside: Thirty Days to Your Authentic Self, is a great place to start. Want a free meditation? Sign up for my email list and get "Get to Know a Should Part" right away. Sponsorship Want to sponsor an episode of The One Inside? Email Tammy. 

Seren is an asexual, single adopter.  She has Complex PTSD due to her abusive childhood.  After years of mental health problems, she reached the end of her NHS therapy and tried to take her own life.  She was able to access more therapy which is how she realised what happiness could feel like and how she knew she wanted to adopt.  Initially, her agency didn't think she was ready but she wasn't deterred and eventually began the journey which led her to adopter a brother and sister.  She talks about how parenting her children has made her "the happiest and most fulfilled I've ever been" and how she manages triggers and challenges. If you need someone to talk to, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their webpage Samaritans

It was several years into her talk therapy sessions that Stephanie Foo was offered a diagnosis: complex post-traumatic stress disorder, or C-PTSD. Regular PTSD stems from a single traumatic event like a car crash or a mugging. C-PTSD comes from a long series of traumas from which there seems like no escape. Like child abuse. The problems Stephanie was having with her relationships and rage and all sorts of other issues stemmed, said the therapist, from the severe abuse she encountered during her childhood in San Jose. Stephanie tells us about the beatings, the neglect, and the threats she encountered, mostly at the hands of her mother and some from her dad. She also shares the long journey to understand that abuse and to recovery. It's not something you get over, mind you. As Stephanie Foo says, your childhood is with you forever, but she's found a better place and a better future.Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun.Check out our I'm Glad You're Here and Depresh Mode merchandise at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com!Hey, remember, you're part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at depreshmode@maximumfun.org.Depresh Mode is on BlueSky, Instagram, Substack, and you can join our Preshies Facebook group. Help is available right away.The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALKCrisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines

In this mind-bending episode, author and lifelong experiencer Michael Kameron takes us deep into the shadowy realms of the unexplained, sharing raw and firsthand accounts of a lifetime marked by profound high strangeness.Growing up in 1970s East End London amid a strict Roman Catholic community, Michael recounts terrifying alien abductions beginning in early childhood, involving greys and tall whites, alongside encounters with interdimensional, mystical, and paranormal beings that challenge any simple extraterrestrial explanation. In his courageous book, HIGH STRANGENESS: A Lifetime of Alien & Paranormal Encounters, he details not only classic visitations but also chilling instances of military exploitation and possible government-involved abductions (MILABs), Men in Black intimidation, missing time, hooded figures, out-of-body experiences, and interactions with entities that feel profoundly spiritual or otherworldly.This unflinching conversation explores the blurred lines between alien and human military involvement, the profound emotional and psychological toll—including Complex PTSD—and what these multifaceted experiences reveal about the nature of reality, consciousness, and hidden forces operating beyond our understanding.Whether you're a believer, skeptic, or simply drawn to the fringes of human experience, Michael's story will challenge your assumptions about abductions, UFOs, and the true origins of the "other." If you've ever wondered whether some abductions involve more than alien hands, this episode will both haunt and illuminate.Tune in now... and start questioning who's really watching from the shadows.We are thrilled to announce the official launch of Let's Get Freaky merchandise! Our collection includes hoodies, t-shirts, mugs, stickers, and more. Explore the full range at http://tee.pub/lic/aQprv54kktw.Do you have a paranormal or extraordinary experience to share? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us to be a guest on the Let's Get Freaky podcast. Email us at letsgetfreakypodcast@mail.com or reach out via social media on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, or YouTube at @tcletsgetfreakypodcast. Connect with us at https://linktr.ee/letsgetfreaky.

If my videos have helped, my new book, The Light Between the Leaves, goes even deeperhttps://bit.ly/DrScottLightBetweentheLeavesYTPTSD is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions on earth. In this episode, I explain what PTSD really is, how it differs from Complex PTSD, what happens in your brain and body during trauma, and why some people develop it while others don't. You'll learn the four symptom categories, the overlap with other diagnoses (like anxiety, depression, and BPD), and the treatments that actually work—including exposure therapy, EMDR, and TF-CBT—plus practical self-regulation tools you can start using today.Whether you've been through trauma yourself or are trying to understand someone who has, this is your crash course in what PTSD really means—and why recovery is possible.Next Steps:

If you've been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, or bipolar - but nothing quite fits - you might actually be dealing with Complex PTSD. In this episode, I break down the crucial differences between PTSD and CPTSD, why so many trauma survivors get misdiagnosed, and why traditional therapy approaches often miss the mark for complex trauma. Be sure to listen to my interview with Dr. Judith Herman next!Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Judith Herman, author of the groundbreaking book Trauma and Recovery, to talk about complex PTSD, trauma recovery, and what justice actually means to survivors.Dr. Herman explains why complex trauma is still overlooked in mental health training, what the three stages of trauma recovery really look like in practice, and why isolation is one of the biggest predictors of poor outcomes. We also dig into her latest book, Truth and Repair, where she interviewed 30 survivors about what they actually want when it comes to accountability and healing.This conversation challenges everything you think you know about justice, punishment, and what it takes to move forward after trauma. If you've ever felt invisible, unheard, or like the system wasn't built for you, this episode will validate every single thing you've been feeling.Topics covered:The three stages of trauma recovery: safety, remembrance and mourning, and reconnectionWhy complex PTSD still isn't recognized in the DSMWhat survivors want more than anything (acknowledgment and vindication)Why most survivors don't want punishment or even apology from their abusersThe role of bystanders in healing and harmHow isolation impacts recovery and why finding your people mattersDr. Herman's one message to trauma survivorsIf this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it.Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

Episode 59 - Jess Harris shares (Pt 1) her remarkable journey, covering Hirschsprung's, Diversion Colitis, Vertigo, Complex PTSD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder and Tourette's - a powerful story of resilience continuing in part two. Disclaimer: Please note that all information and content on the UK Health Radio Network, all its radio broadcasts and podcasts are provided by the authors, producers, presenters and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge. As a service to our listeners/readers our programs/content are for general information and entertainment only.  The UK Health Radio Network does not recommend, endorse, or object to the views, products or topics expressed or discussed by show hosts or their guests, authors and interviewees.  We suggest you always consult with your own professional – personal, medical, financial or legal advisor. So please do not delay or disregard any professional – personal, medical, financial or legal advice received due to something you have heard or read on the UK Health Radio Network.

Send me a DM here (it doesn't let me respond), OR email me: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.comToday I'm honored to have back on the show for another amazing show: survivor and child abuse advocate, podcaster, woman of God, independent researcher, investigative journalist and educator, and one of my dear friends: Jaymee Jay!Jaymee's journey, forged in the fires of a challenging upbringing of traditional family dysfunction, has uniquely shaped her into a beacon of brilliance and compassion, lighting up and inspiring the paths of countless lives with her remarkable achievements. With a world of possibilities at her fingertips, she could have chosen any pursuit to invest her boundless energy, intellect, and voice. Yet, in an act of unparalleled selflessness, Jaymee has devoted herself to unraveling the complexities of SRA, mind control, and organized abuse, serving as a tireless advocate for survivors and whistleblowers of these heinous crimes against humanity. I stand in absolute awe of her unwavering resolve to step onto this war - a battle she could have easily observed from a safe distance, never uttering a word. To me, Jaymee is nothing short of a hero, fearlessly raising her voice as an ally, fully aware of the risks, the targets it paints on her back, and the absence of any material reward. In today's podcast episode, Jaymee turns her compassionate gaze to one of the most insidious threads woven into every abuse survivor's journey: the suffocating weight of shame and the weaponization of shame. This silent saboteur shadows journeys from the first whisper of violation to the fragile steps toward freedom, binding survivors in chains of self-doubt and isolation. During the abuse itself, perpetrators wield shame as their cruelest weapon, gaslighting victims into believing they invited the harm or somehow deserved it - instilling a toxic narrative that the survivor's very essence is flawed and unworthy. It lingers like a venomous fog, compelling many to bury their truths deep within, where silence becomes both prison and protector. Studies show that over 75% of female sexual abuse survivors grapple with this trauma-related shame, often delaying disclosure for years or even decades. And when survivors finally summon the insurmountable courage to speak out - as they must, to reclaim their lives and to be set free - the world too often recoils with its own arsenal of shame, demanding irrefutable "proof," branding them as fabricators, or layering on victim-blaming that twists the knife deeper, fostering feelings of worthlessness, self-blame, and a haunting fear of judgment. Without intervention, shame spirals into isolation, depression, self-harm, and even barriers to essential healthcare, as the dread of exposure keeps survivors hidden from the very support that could set them free.BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS ON SHAME FROM JAYMEE: 1. "Sanctification in Reverse" - https://a.co/d/f9kwdde2. "Secret Survivors" - https://www.amazon.ca/Secret-Survivors-Sue-Blume/dp/03453697933. "The Shame that Binds You" - https://www.amazon.ca/Healing-Shame-that-Binds-You/dp/07573032344. "Complex PTSD (emotional flashbacks) - https://www.amazon.ca/Complex-PTSD-Surviving-RECOVERING-CHILDHOOD/dp/14928718425 "Emotional Frequency Scale" - https://neurolaunch.com/hawkins-emotional-scale/6. Brene Brown shame research - Support the show

Emma Webb, author of Historic, exposes the untold history of Olga Gymnastics club and the Phelps family legacy. We break down the abuse scandal, the Whyte Review, Gymnasts for Change, and how survivors pushed British Gymnastics to finally reform. INTERVIEW We talk with Emma Webb (pseudonym), author of the new book Historic: The True Legacy of Childhood Sport - The Book Every Parent Needs to Read, a memoir detailing the trauma and abuse she endured under convicted child sex offender Brian Phelps, plus the aftermath of how the British legal system chose to protect abusers over children CHAPTERS (pre-auto inserted ads) 00:00 – Trigger Warning SA 01:03 – Brian Phelps' criminal charges and conviction   01:39 – The broader British gymnastics abuse reckoning   02:01 – Gymnasts for Change and the Whyte Review   02:36 – Restorative Program & the £15,000 split survivor offer   03:28 – How Emma first contacted GymCastic   03:44 – The long-term psychological and medical impact   04:10 – Doctors discovering internal injuries from childhood abuse   06:10 – Phelps' police interviews and his admissions   07:26 – Why survivors didn't pursue further prosecution   08:05 – Brian and Monica's life in France & public exposure   10:19 – Mapping all Olga locations & survivor triggers   11:05 – The pandemic pause and worsening mental health   11:33 – Discovery of the Phelps Legacy Club in 2022   12:10 – Multiple Phelps family members and their roles   12:22 – The "new" Renascence club operating despite convictions   12:28 – Timeline of Phelps fleeing & survivor disclosures   13:01 – A disturbing encounter: the club near Emma's son's bus stop   14:20 – Emma's decision: "Enough." Why she wrote Historic   15:06 – Reporting to the Whyte Review & British Athletes Commission   16:30 – Why reporting in the UK is a bureaucratic nightmare   17:36 – How reporting was mishandled & why systems fail   18:22 – How British Gymnastics and the council were complicit in Brian Phelps crimes 19:24 – Employment history: Phelps employed by the government & BBC   21:00 – Coaches and community "knew something was wrong"   21:14 – Other roles Monica and Brian held despite accusations   21:23 – The name "Renaissance" and why it matters   22:03 – How the club reopened after his release   22:45 – A fully avoidable tragedy: Phelps' first arrest in 1966   23:31 – Commonwealth Games cover-up to protect his career   24:34 – Royal audiences for Phelps & protected reputations   25:05 – The 10-year gap between his arrest and Emma meeting him   26:09 – How court attitudes toward sexual abuse haven't changed   27:03 – The Nik Stuart Foundation honoring Monica Phelps   28:13 – British Gymnastics leadership celebrating the Phelps family   29:29 – Video clip from the ceremony: denial of the Whyte Review   30:23 – Widespread knowledge in diving and gymnastics   32:03 – Comparing the Whyte Review to US investigations   33:25 – How the Whyte Review minimized sexual abuse   34:00 – Abuse in British Gymnastics: a larger pattern   35:55 – Non-sexual forms of abuse and lifelong harm   36:20 – Warning signs parents should not ignore   37:04 – Why the culture enables predators   38:17 – Parents' responsibility & due diligence   39:26 – Closed-door clubs & lingering dangers   40:39 – Male survivors vs. female survivors: unequal response   41:13 – How BG acted quickly for boys, not for girls   42:06 – Phelps' public statement denying Emma's reporting   43:29 – No mandatory reporting for the public in the UK   44:33 – Comparison to mandatory reporting vs good samaritan laws 45:05 – The UK protects money better than children   45:46 – How political leadership minimizes child abuse   46:12 – British boarding school culture & abuse   47:10 – What reforms are needed: national banned list & ombudsman   48:05 – Name changes allow offenders to disappear   48:14 – Hundreds of convicted offenders now untraceable   48:18 – How many survivors have come forward   49:01 – How many survivors known before the book   49:27 – Realizing past abuse only after adulthood   50:07 – Childhood context and normalization of abuse   51:01 – "Trust and Obey" culture at Olga and British school  52:53 – The moment Emma became a survivor, not a victim   53:30 – Returning to Olga decades later   54:01 – Parental responses and guilt   55:05 – What acknowledging PTSD unlocked   56:02 – How the trauma resurfaced during the pandemic   57:23 – Complex PTSD and real recovery work   58:07 – Finding effective PTSD support    TOPICS Read Whyte Review Investigation, a full independent review into the allegations of abuse in British Gymnastics How we got in contact with Webb after our Commentator Hall of Shame episode What moved Webb to write this book? How many times had Brian Phelps been investigated and was still allowed to coach? That time Monica Phelps (neé Rutherford) was still recognized at an award banquet and thanked her "partner" How can we convince parents to act quickly and take their children out of dangerous situations? Difference between how British Gymnastics treated male victims vs female victims? Should countries pass  mandatory abuse reporting laws similar to good samaritan laws? How she finally got help and finding a great therapist. Silver linings in her journey. What does justice look like for Emma. RELATED: GymCastic's Safeguarding checklist - questions everyone should ask a gym before signing up or working at a gymnastics club Historic book website  Brian Phelps diving when he should have been in jail BBC Gymnastics historical sex abuse case: Survivor claims 'catastrophic failures' Monica Phelps awarded at 2003 Nik Stuart Foundation Mike Swallow speaks against Whyte Review at Nik Stuart Foundation awards Olga Gymnastics / Renascence Club corporate documents British Gymnastics hired private investigator to track down survivors of judge British Gymnastics banned list  Report - Childhood trauma increases risk of MS SafeSport Training British Gymnastics Safeguarding  The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles Aly Raisman book GymCastic Episodes Gymnastics Commentary Hall of Shame Aly Raisman Interview  British Ute Amelie Morgan Lady Lisa Mason Beth Tweddle Interview SUPPORT THE SHOW: Join Club Gym Nerd: https://gymcastic.com/club/ Headstand Game: https://gymcastic.com/headstand-plugin/ Forum: https://gymcastic.com/community/ Merch: https://gymcastic.com/shop/ NEWSLETTERS Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters  RESOURCES Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation  GIFs of the Week and Meet schedule with links. Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim Behind the Scenes - all episodes  

Today on Typical Skeptic Podcast, I'm honored to welcome Eve Lorgen – counselor, hypnotherapist, anomalous trauma researcher and author of The Love Bite: Alien Interference in Human Love Relationships and The Dark Side of Cupid.Eve has been on the front lines of this work since the early 1990s, counseling alien abductees, MILABs, mind control survivors, DID/RA survivors, and targets of spiritual warfare and demonic/psychic attacks. She coined the term “alien love bite” to describe orchestrated love relationships engineered by non-human intelligences and has helped countless experiencers recognize and heal from these patterns and from Complex Trauma/CPTSD that often begins in childhood.Today we're going to get into what anomalous trauma really is, how alien and paranormal forces can manipulate love and bonding, how this overlaps with cult and narcissistic abuse, and most importantly, what real recovery and spiritual sovereignty look like.3. Bio (for description / pin comment)About Eve LorgenEve Lorgen is a dedicated counseling and hypnotherapy professional, author, and anomalous trauma researcher. She began her pioneering work with alien abductees, MILABs and mind control victims while earning her Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology in 1992. She also holds a BS in Biochemistry and worked in the biotechnology industry for 7 years.In 1994, Eve started one of the early support groups for experiencers of anomalous trauma in San Diego County, CA, and she continues to consult with clients worldwide from her home in Western North Carolina. She was a close associate of Barbara Bartholic and is committed to continuing and expanding the work of Dr. Karla Turner.Eve LorgenEve is the author of:The Love Bite: Alien Interference in Human Love RelationshipsThe Dark Side of Cupid (Keyhole Publishing, 2012; updated 2nd edition now available)Her research focuses on “anomalous trauma” – events outside the normal range of human experience – including alien abductions, near-death experiences, shamanic initiations, MILABs, mind control, DID/RA, spiritual warfare, demonic and psychic attacks, cult involvement, and narcissistic abuse. A major theme of her work is the “alien love bite” and paranormal orchestration of love relationships, where non-human intelligences manipulate bonding, sexuality, and life paths for their own purposes.Eve LorgenEve has written extensively for magazines and journals such as Nexus, MUFON Journal, X-Times, JAR, and many independent zines and websites. Her work has been translated into Spanish, Italian, French, and Croatian, and she's a frequent guest on talk radio, podcasts, and documentaries. She previously hosted NSPN Night Search Paranormal Radio out of Memphis, TN, and has lectured at MUFON groups, UFO/paranormal conferences, and Brian Hall's Conspiracy Conference.Eve LorgenEve offers telephone/online consulting and counseling for anomalous trauma and Complex PTSD.Website: EveLorgen.comEve LorgenEmail (sessions/contact): elorgen@gmail.comTypical Skeptic Podcast Links and Affiliates:Support the Mission:

When Your Body Says “Enough”: Addiction, Sovereignty & Healing (Ep. 125)In this powerful episode, Vanessa Soul and holistic somatic coach Elizabeth “Beth” Parasmo explore the deeper roots of addiction, burnout, trauma, spiritual resistance, and what it truly means when your body begins signaling that something must change.Beth shares her lived experience moving through narcissistic abuse, Complex PTSD, addiction recovery, and corporate burnout—into a life of sovereignty, spiritual alignment, and trauma-informed service.This conversation goes beyond mindset and reveals how the body, nervous system, and emotional history shape our patterns, our pain, and ultimately… our awakening.If you've ever felt stuck in cycles your mind can't outthink, or if your body has been speaking loudly lately, this episode will bring clarity, compassion, and direction.0:00 Episode Preview0:36 Meet Beth1:12 Identity Poem7:59 Corporate Burnout15:16 Addiction & Breakdown18:32 12-Step Resistance27:28 Root Causes of Dis-Ease46:22 Daily RitualsCONNECT WITH BETH: Website: https://breathewithbeth.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/holisticintuitioncoachYouTube: https://youtube.com/@breathewithbethyogameditation?si=4-MrSb5bkdMCNt1XFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16mXJyhQ6i/?mibextid=wwXIfrIF YOU LOVED THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL ALSO LIKE: Ep. 120 – Psychedelics, Addiction & IFS with Clayton Ickeshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/120-psychedelics-addiction-and-ifs-healing-the-parts/id1713095352?i=1000733108476Ep. 55 – Meeting Yourself with Compassion with Francesca Raffahttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/55-meeting-yourself-with-compassion-with-francesca-raffa/id1713095352?i=1000658593850Ep. 51 – Nervous System Capacity & Addictions with Serna Amorosohttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/51-nervous-system-capacity-how-addictions-are-a/id1713095352?i=1000657065234

Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Childhood trauma doesn't just live in your memories—it rewires how you show up in relationships. If you've ever panicked when someone leaves your text on read, overshared on a first date, or pulled away when closeness feels scary, you're not alone. These patterns are often rooted in attachment wounds from early experiences of neglect, control, or fear. In this video, we explore how Complex PTSD (CPTSD) and attachment injuries from childhood trauma disrupt the ability to form safe, secure relationships as an adult. You'll learn the 7 most common ways CPTSD shows up in love and friendship—like fear of abandonment, people-pleasing, emotional dysregulation, or repeating toxic patterns. We'll also dive into attachment styles—anxious, avoidant, disorganized—and how they develop from early relational wounds. Most importantly, you'll discover 5 stages of healing that can help you rebuild secure attachment. From slowing down in new relationships, to reparenting yourself with compassion, to creating earned secure attachments, there are clear steps you can take to change the way you connect. Healing from Complex PTSD takes time, but healthy, lasting relationships are possible. You can rewire your nervous system, learn to trust, and finally feel safe being loved. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.therapyinanutshell.com Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books  Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction. And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

Leilani and Kimberlyn discuss both the science and their personal experiences of perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.  Join them for the ride!Their check-ins:  Kimberlyn reacts to reading Stephanie Foo's book, What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma;  Leilani loves giving gifts to her future self!Mentioned in the episode: Zoe Branch's poem,  “The Next Big Thing “http://www.patreon.com/WitchyWit Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/WitchyWitPodcast Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/Witchy_Wit  Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3azUkFVlECTlTZQVX5jl1X?si=8WufnXueQrugGDIYWbgc3A  Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/witchy-wit/id1533482466 Pandora:https://pandora.app.link/nNsuNrSKneb  Google Podcast:Witchy Wit (google.com)

Today we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes to explore one of the most salient topics in psychology today: trauma. We begin by tracing its developmental roots with Dr. Lindsay Gibson and Dr. Bessel van Der Kolk, before looking at how it can be passed down through family systems with Dr. Mariel Buqué, associate somatic therapist Elizabeth Ferreira, and author Stephanie Foo. Dr. Jacob Ham and Dr. Peter Levine then share new perspectives on healing, emphasizing the importance of getting out of the head and into the body. Finally, Dr. Gabor Maté discusses the cultural context of trauma, arguing that it's a symptom of a toxic culture. Key Topics:  02:15: Dr. Lindsay Gibson on The Last Impact of Inconsistent Parenting and Lack of Attunement 23:16: Dr. Bessel van Der Kolk on Internalizing Abuse 39:34: Dr. Mariel Buqué on Intergenerational Trauma 58:54: Elizabeth Ferreira on Intergenerational Trauma, Complex PTSD, and Somatic Techniques 1:23:23: Stephanie Foo on Healing from Complex PTSD through Relationships 1:47:15: Dr. Jacob Ham on the Limits of Conceptualizing when treating Complex Trauma 2:06:52: Dr. Peter Levine on Somatic Experiencing and Moving Trauma Through Your Body 2:20:55: Dr. Gabor Maté and our Toxic Culture 2:43:55: Recap Support the Podcast: We're on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Sponsors If you have ADHD, or you love someone who does, I'd recommend checking out the podcast ADHD aha! Level up your bedding with Quince. Go to Quince.com/BEINGWELL for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. Feel good...and mean it when you say it! Get Headspace FREE for 60 days. Go to Headspace.com/BEINGWELL60 Listen now to the Life Kit podcast from NPR. Go to Zocdoc.com/BEING to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beingwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Rachel Zelkowitz defines trauma and its prevalence among individuals who self-injure, delineates posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from complex PTSD (C-PTSD), and discusses common treatments for addressing trauma, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Prolonged Exposure (PE). With interest in treating military veterans and active duty service members, Dr. Zelkowitz provides insights into nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), self-harm, and trauma among military members.Learn more about Dr. Zelkowitz and her work here, and learn more about common treatments for trauma at the National Center for PTSD at www.ptsd.va.gov. Below are links to some of the research referenced in today's episode:Gromatsky, M., Halverson, T. F., Dillon, K. H., Wilson, L. C., LoSavio, S. T., Walsh, S., Mellows, C., Mann, A. J., Goodman, M., & Kimbrel, N. A. (2023). The prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury in military personnel: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Trauma Violence Abuse, 24(5), 2936-2952.Liu, R. T., Scopelliti, K. M., Pittman, S. K., & Zamora, A. S. (2018). Childhood maltreatment and non-suicidal self- injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry, 5(1), 51–64.Harned, M. S., Korslund, K. E., Foa, E. B., & Linehan, M. M. (2012). Treating PTSD in suicidal and self-injuring women with borderline personality disorder: Development and preliminary evaluation of a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Prolonged Exposure Protocol. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50(6), 381-6.Harned, M. S., Schmidt, S. C., Korslund, K. E., & Gallop, R. J.(2021). Does adding the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE) protocol for PTSD to DBT improve outcomes in public mental health settings? A pilot nonrandomized effectiveness trial with benchmarking. Behavior Therapy, 52(3), 639-655.Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram and Twitter/X (@DocWesters). To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter/X (@ITripleS).The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast has been rated as one of the "10 Best Self Harm Podcasts" and "20 Best Clinical Psychology Podcasts" by Feedspot  and one of the Top 100 Psychology Podcasts by Goodpods. It has also been featured in Audible's "Best Mental Health Podcasts to Defy Stigma and Begin to Heal."

In Part Two with Dr Alison Lennox, we dive deep into the world of misdiagnosis in autism. Alison unpacks why conditions like Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Complex PTSD are often diagnosed instead of autism, the dangers of getting it wrong, and the real-life consequences for neurodivergent adults.Drawing on her own lived experience as a late-diagnosed autistic psychiatrist, she explains where autism overlaps - and doesn't - with BPD, CPTSD and other mental health conditions. Alison shares why systemic change in mental health services is urgently needed. If you've ever felt mislabelled, misunderstood, or struggled to get the right support, this episode is essential listening.Join us at hidden20.org/donate._________Host: Ben BransonProduction Manager: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergHead of Marketing: Kristen FullerThe Hidden 20% is a charity founded by ADHD & autistic entrepreneur Ben Branson.Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That's 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can't be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.Become a monthly donor.Be part of our community where great minds think differently.Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348______________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charityBen Branson @seedlip_benDr Alison Lennox https://www.dralisonlennox.com/If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Childhood trauma can turn into CPTSD which has pervasive symptoms throughout your life, but you can learn to heal from childhood trauma. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Emotional Flashbacks video: https://youtu.be/oVLHysMGi8o?si=oJZy76o957LNranw Relationships after Childhood Trauma: Coming soon Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker is a compassionate, practical guide for understanding and healing childhood trauma, CPTSD, and complex trauma. Walker explains how chronic abuse or neglect in childhood wires the nervous system for danger, leading to symptoms like emotional flashbacks, toxic shame, harsh inner critic attacks, and difficulty with boundaries. He introduces the 4F survival responses—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—showing how they develop as protective adaptations to childhood trauma but can block healthy adult relationships. Healing, he says, begins with recognizing emotional flashbacks, shrinking the inner critic, and practicing self-compassion through “reparenting” the inner child. Walker emphasizes building healthy boundaries, grieving childhood losses, and replacing self-abandonment with self-protection. His approach blends psychoeducation, practical tools, and validation, empowering survivors to reclaim self-worth, safety, and connection. Ultimately, the book offers a hopeful roadmap for healing complex trauma—moving from a life shaped by survival to one grounded in presence, love, and resilience. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.therapyinanutshell.com Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books  Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction. And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

Complex PTSD doesn't show up like a broken arm - nobody opens doors for you when your nervous system is on fire. Meghan Judge shares how losing her sister at age two, then her father at twelve, then her best friend in her twenties created a lifetime of hypervigilance that looked like "something wrong with her" instead of what it actually was: a body that learned too early that people disappear without warning. The conversation gets raw about female friendships turning vicious (women can smile while destroying you), parenting teenagers when your trauma tells you everyone you love will die, and why meditation advice feels like trying to light a wet match when your brain writes disaster scripts at 2 AM. There's real talk about the years of misdiagnosis - depression, ADHD, bipolar - before finally understanding this is your nervous system and brain trying to protect you. The relief of finding the right therapist after years of bad fits, permission to need continuous support instead of white-knuckling independence, and why you can't unlearn trauma but you can retrain your system to feel safe again. Find Meghan's Podcast , Judging Meghan, wherever you listen to shows. Find her on Social Media @judgingmeghan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's dive into how to feel safe again after Childhood Trauma, aka CPTSD, Complex PTSD, using a somatic and polyvagal lens. Learn the skills to Regulate your Emotions, join the membership: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com/membership Check out Dr. Schwartz' online course here- Strengthen Vagal Tone & Transform Trauma Through Somatic Practices & Spiritual Integration | Upcoming 6 month Immersion Course | Begins 11/11/25 : https://shiftnetwork.isrefer.com/go/rnshrEM/a27571/ Building Nervous system resilience- Free webinar: https://shiftnetwork.isrefer.com/go/nshrEM/a27571/ In this conversation, I talk with Dr. Arielle Schwartz about polyvagal theory and how it helps us understand trauma and rebuild a sense of safety. We dive into how the vagus nerve shapes our responses to safety and threat, and how complex PTSD from early developmental trauma impacts the nervous system. We also explore why social connection is a biological necessity and how co-regulation helps us heal. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.therapyinanutshell.com Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books  Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction. And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

I am thrilled to connect with Anna Runkle today. Anna is known to more than a million subscribers across many platforms as the Crappy Childhood Fairy. For the last 30 years, she has shown people how to heal the symptoms of childhood trauma to live happier, freer, and more fulfilling lives.  In her work, Anna almost always noticed a haunting sense of disconnection from others as an adult symptom of childhood trauma. Today, she shares her story, and we dive into complex PTSD and shame, exploring the adverse childhood event study, dysregulation, and how neglect affects the brain and impacts emotional regulation, memory, and learning. We discuss disconnection as a trauma response, obstacles to isolation, and finding your voice in complex PTSD and menopause. Anna also shares her daily practice and explains how writing helps to regulate the nervous system.  You will love this invaluable conversation with Anna, also known as The Crappy Childhood Fairy, who is a fantastic resource for thousands, if not millions. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How Crappy Childhood Fairy originated The differences between Complex PTSD and PTSD What does dysregulation look like? Unseen aspects of emotional dysregulation affect daily life Ways that childhood traumas can impact the brain How early trauma often leads to a chronic sense of disconnection Ways those with CPTSD can learn to cope with the stress of dealing with others and start connecting Anna shares her daily practice technique for emotional regulation Why the transition to menopause can be particularly hard for trauma survivors The importance of addressing trauma in healthcare and the need for better education and support for trauma survivors Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Connect with Anna Runkle On YouTube Anna's book, Re-Regulated, is available on most online bookstores  Pre-order Anna's new book, Connectability, and insert your receipt number to gain access to exclusive free bonuses.

Chances are, you may be familiar with Dr. Judith Lewis Herman, the legendary psychiatrist, researcher, teacher, and author. Five decades into her esteemed career, Dr. Herman continues to produce innovative work in sexual trauma and Complex PTSD. But you might not know Judith Herman, the daughter, mother, grandmother, and activist. On this episode of Transforming Trauma, Emily Ruth is honored to welcome back Dr. Judith Lewis Herman for an illuminating conversation on the life experiences and enduring connections that have shaped her public and private life. The pair also explores the positive impact that activism and affiliation with others can have on those who've experienced trauma, and why adopting an active coping strategy is one of the best predictors of recovery.  About Judith Lewis Herman, M.D.: Judith Lewis Herman, M.D., is Professor of Psychiatry (part time) at Harvard Medical School. For thirty years, until she retired, she was Director of Training at the Victims of Violence Program at The Cambridge Hospital, Cambridge, MA. Dr. Herman is the author of the award-winning books: Father-Daughter Incest (Harvard University Press, 1981) and Trauma and Recovery (Basic Books, 1992). To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma SPACE: SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join. *** The Complex Trauma Training Center: https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com View upcoming trainings: https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/ *** The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care. We want to connect with you! Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter Instagram @cttc_training LinkedIn YouTube

Sonya Brewer is a trauma specialist and relationship expert who specializes in creative life and relationship design for overachieving trauma survivors and their partners. She helps trauma survivors feel more alive, connected and authentic so they can create the lives and relationships they truly want. In this conversation Sonya shares vulnerably about doing her own deep work, including the processes she went through to heal her childhood emotional neglect and other traumas. She also talks about how her own healing has changed her work as a therapist and healer. Here's some of what we talked about: Discovering Breath Work and somatics Finding the right therapist and sticking with her for decades! Becoming a healer and leaving corporate behind Healing and retrieving young parts of herself Understanding and healing from emotional neglect Feeling the help, love and healing of her ancestors The limits of talk therapy in accessing some of our deepest healing Insights on Couples and Complex PTSD (and an upcoming book!) Show notes at https://rebeltherapist.me/podcast/250