Podcasts about reprocessing emdr

Feeling safe in a relationship isn't just about talking things through—it's about what happens deep within our bodies. When emotional wounds strike or betrayals occur, the impact is felt not only in the heart but in the nervous system, shifting how we experience and respond to our partners. Real healing goes beyond surface-level dialogue and requires us to understand how our physiological state shapes our sense of security, trust, and connection. In this episode, listeners are guided to rethink emotional safety as a whole-body experience. By unpacking the link between the nervous system and relationship repair, the discussion provides science-backed insights and actionable strategies to rebuild trust and connection after relational harm. Whether you're seeking healing after a rupture or tools for ongoing growth, this episode offers a fresh, embodied perspective on what it takes to create lasting emotional safety. Dr. Monique Thompson is a trauma-informed therapist, life coach, and best-selling author with over two decades of clinical experience. Her work integrates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Polyvagal-informed care, and principles of epigenetics to help individuals and couples heal trauma, rebuild trust, and create lasting emotional regulation and resilience.   Episode Highlights 03:56 Reflecting on healing through a car wreck metaphor. 09:09 Exploring Jill Bo Taylor's groundbreaking insights. 15:37 Exploring modern infidelity in relationships. 17:57 Exploring complex relationship dynamics and boundaries. 20:25 Addressing hidden relationship issues. 24:38 Exploring the hidden mental health benefits of walking. 28:35 Exploring color connections to mood during walks. 31:51 Reflecting on and expressing gratitude with loved ones. 36:12 Decoding therapy lingo and referral insights. 39:36 Navigating decisions with trauma awareness. 43:34 Navigating healing after childhood trauma. 48:58 Exploring stress and its hidden effects. 50:29 Exploring the concept of emotional hygiene. 53:32 Discovering unexpected insights from partners who cheated. 57:04 Exploring relationship growth resources.   Your Checklist of Actions to Take Pause and Breathe: Take a moment of pause with deep breaths to settle yourself and become present before addressing relationship issues. Self-Inquiry: Regularly check in with your deeper feelings and truths, beyond your immediate surface reactions, to get clarity on your emotional state. Take Ownership: If you've contributed to a rupture, take personal responsibility and reflect on the most obvious way you can begin repair, such as ending harmful behaviors. Prioritize Emotional Check-ins: After a rupture or betrayal, consistently check in emotionally with both yourself and your partner to stay aware of what you both need. Spend Time in Nature: Set aside at least 11 minutes outside, either walking or sitting, to help lower stress levels and support nervous system regulation. Engage in Movement: Use mindful walks of 30-45 minutes to process emotions and shift your physiological state toward calm and self-connection. Invite Supportive Companions: Bring to mind or reach out to someone who has supported you in the past, letting their positive influence help regulate your emotions. Seek Professional Guidance: If trauma or recurring ruptures persist, consult a trauma-informed therapist or coach, asking for specific referrals rather than relying on generic online searches.   Mentioned Infidelity Recovery Workbook for Couples (*Amazon Affiliate link) (book) My stroke of insight (TED) (video) Helen Fisher (website) Polyvagal Theory (website) Gottman Institute (website) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression 12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love (free guide)   Connect with Dr. Monique Thompson Website: doctormoniquethompson.com Facebook: facebook.com/MoniqueThompsonLPC YouTube: youtube.com/@mthompsonlpc Instagram: instagram.com/drmoniquethompson LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-monique-thompson-dha-lpc-lpc-s-a3066041  

The lessons that shape us often come from the places we never planned to go and the challenges we never expected to face. In this conversation, I speak with Eric Fisher about the experiences that shaped his approach to mental wellness, resilience, grief, and personal growth. Eric shares how martial arts taught him balance, self-control, and perseverance, and how those lessons now help him guide people through addiction recovery, relationship challenges, and life's hardest moments. We explore the realities of grief, the power of trust, the difference between inpatient and outpatient counseling, and why healing often begins with self-acceptance. Eric also discusses his books, including The Martial Art of Recovery and Buried Alive, revealing how personal experiences and family stories continue to shape his work. If you've ever faced loss, adversity, addiction, or the challenge of rebuilding after setbacks, I believe you will find both practical insights and encouragement in Eric's story. Highlights: 08:10 - Eric shares lessons learned from his FBI internship experience. 18:43 - A friend's crisis leads Eric and his wife to move to New Zealand. 23:38 - Martial arts becomes a foundation for recovery and mental wellness. 37:05 - Eric reflects on grief, loss, and the importance of support. 43:12 - Self-acceptance plays a critical role in addiction recovery. 50:26 - Couples learn to face problems together instead of against each other. About the Guest: Eric Fisher, a Canadian transplant, is a counselling therapist who resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Originally from Tennessee, he has over 15 years of experience working outpatient and inpatient treatment settings in the US and Canada. He has two books published at this time: The Martial Art of Recovery: Self-Mastery Practices to Subdue Addiction and Achieve Mental Wellness, and Buried Alive: Four Ways to Free Yourself from the Dirt. Eric is a master practitioner of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and is also trained in EyeMovement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), both of which are evidence-based treatments for trauma. Eric's private practice, Recovery Arts Counselling, serves individuals, couples, and families both locally and remotely. In the past, Eric has supervised masters-level graduate students and counsellors early in their careers. He has won multiple awards for his screenwriting: The Departure - official finalist in biographical/historical genre - 2014 Beverly Hills Screenplay Contest. Only 16 Miles - Finalist - 2014 Horror Screenplay Contest. Universal Escapade (Finalist - Top 25) - WeScreenplay International Screenplay Competition. Hipster Z (co-written) - best feature screenplay - 2017 Action On Film International Film Festival. Hipster Z - Best horror/comedy Screenplay - 2017 International Horror Hotel Film Fest. Additionally, Eric has a black belt in two martial arts styles: American Kenpo and Wadō-ryū. One interesting thing about Eric is that he had the opportunity to be an intern with the FBI -- twice. Eric enjoys hiking and riding his bike outdoors, music concerts, tasting new food dishes to keep his taste buds guessing, travelling near and far, and meeting people. . Ways to connect with Eric: Website: https://www.recoveryartscounselling.com Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/ericfisherauthor  Instagram - @recoveryartscounselling - https://www.instagram.com/recoveryartscounselling/ @ericfisherwriter - https://www.instagram.com/ericfisherwriter Linkedin - Eric Fisher - www.linkedin.com/in/eric-m-fisher-5b83724a Facebook - Recovery Arts Counselling - https://www.facebook.com/RecoveryArtsCounselling About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson  00:03 One of the biggest things holding you back isn't what's in front of you, but rather what you believe. Welcome to Unstoppable Mindset, where inclusion, diversity, and the unexpected meet. I'm your host, Michael Hingson, speaker, author, and advocate for inclusion and possibilities. This podcast explores how the beliefs we carry shape the way we live, lead, and connect with others. Each week, I talk with people who challenge assumptions, face adversity head on, and show what's possible when we choose curiosity over fear. Together we focus on mindset, resilience, and the small shifts that lead to meaningful change. Let's get started. Well, hello there, everyone. I am your host Michael Hinkson, and you have found the Unstoppable Mindset Podcast. Today, we get to chat with Eric Fisher, who is a rather interesting person. I believe he's a counseling therapist, he's a transplant, he now lives in Calgary, but he used to live in Tennessee, very similar. I'm sure we'll have to find out more about that, but I'm really glad that that you're here with us. Eric, welcome to Unstoppable Mindset. Eric Fisher  01:29 Yes, thank you for having me on, Michael. I appreciate it. Glad to be here. Michael Hingson  01:32 Well, I'm going to have to ask, how did you get from Tennessee to Calgary, besides by Claire? But you know, but Speaker 1  01:41 it's a bit to make a long story short. The wife, you know, yeah, she's from Calgary originally, so I surrendered up here. Michael Hingson  01:52 Yeah, well, is there a backstory that you want to tell? Speaker 1  01:57 You know, the quick version would be from Mississippi to New Zealand to Calgary, and that was over a span of, you know, two and a half years, and then finally to Calgary. After those other two places, was she Michael Hingson  02:10 with you during all of those? Mississippi, New Zealand, and then Calgary. Speaker 1  02:14 She was for the long haul. Yeah, yeah, she's experienced humidity and the dryness, all the extremes. Michael Hingson  02:24 When we moved to New Jersey in 1996 my wife didn't really want to go. She was a California native, but it was where the job had to take me, and it was either that or go find a new job, and I really didn't want to undertake a job search, because that's pretty traumatic. So, especially if you happen to be blind, because people think blind people really can't do stuff, and that's why the unemployment rate among employable blind people is in the 70% range. So the bottom line is that we moved to New Jersey, we were there for six years, and then of course the World Trade Center happened, which is kind of a dramatic way to allow us to get back to California, but it worked, so here we are. Speaker 1  03:05 Yeah, that is a lot of different places, and it's unfortunate with that percentage, right? Michael Hingson  03:10 Yeah, well, and she passed. She was in a wheelchair her whole life, and she passed in November of 2022 We were married 40 years, and I'm sure she's monitoring me from somewhere, so I work on continuing to be a good kid, because if I'm not, I'm going to hear about it somehow, Speaker 1  03:27 one way or another. There's, there's still some surveillance happening. There Michael Hingson  03:31 is, I am absolutely sure of it. Well, tell us kind of about the early era growing up, and all that. Speaker 1  03:37 Grew up in Arkansas, yeah, Newport, Arkansas, you know, grew up behind a Walmart in a small subdivision, and moved to Tennessee at an early age. I was around five years old, going over, going on six at the time, I believe, and so I understand what it means to kind of get uprooted from somewhere and place somewhere else, and my dad was in the medical profession, so that's the reason that we moved, and so that's a little bit about that. My mom's family is from Kansas City, so I really did enjoy going up to the city there and being with my mom's family during holiday seasons. That was really my only exposure to, like, a city, like an urban population, more than what I experienced anywhere else. So, and yeah, got one brother, played with him a lot, and a lot of it was being creative outside, getting outside and doing stuff, and having fun outside, you know, little bit different from a lot of kids today, perhaps. Michael Hingson  04:44 Yeah, well, it's also a lot scarier, I think, today, even though there's a lot of value in being outside. There are just so many crazy things going on. It's got to be scarier for kids, and certainly even more scary for parents, and they tend. To want to really monitor their, their children a lot more, and that's got us pluses, minuses, but it still has got to be really scary to let them just go outside. Speaker 1  05:09 Yeah, just, you know, looking at what's on the news and the possibilities of what could happen. Michael Hingson  05:16 Yeah, so where did you, or did you go to college? I assume you went to college. Speaker 1  05:22 I did. Yeah, I went to a small private Christian university in Tennessee called Freed Hardiman, and you know it was interesting because there's this whole thing about townies versus us being called freedies because of Freed Hardman. The course, the joke is, you know, free hardly because of the expense of going to the institution. Yeah. Michael Hingson  05:48 Well, with your experience and your observation in life, what do you think about going to a small college as opposed to a larger college? Speaker 1  05:55 I really enjoyed it, being from a rural area. I mean, it was a good transition for me, and just getting to know people I feel like might have been easier in a more rural setting, as opposed to urban. Michael Hingson  06:10 I went to University of California, Irvine, way back, starting in 1968 and when we started at UCI, there were like 25 2600 students, and I think when I graduated with my bachelor's, it was like a little over 3000 students, but I loved the fact that it was a smaller college. I think it was for me a lot better, and I, I really like the smaller college environment, and I understand why colleges have advantages when they're bigger, but by the same token, for students, if you want to really stand out, it's kind of harder to do with a big college. Well, and now University of California, Irvine, where I went to school, has 32,000 undergrads in it, Speaker 1  06:52 32,000 as opposed to the around, that's a huge jump from like 25 2600 yeah, Michael Hingson  07:00 yeah, and so it's, it's a huge place. I was there last a year and a half ago. I was invited to join. I couldn't do it as an as a student because the chapter was formed just as I was leaving, but Phi Beta Kappa, and they heard about me along the way, and I was invited to join as an alumni member back in 2024 So that's the last time I've been to UC Irvine. What a huge place! Speaker 1  07:29 Wow, yeah. Of course, UC Michael Hingson  07:30 Irvine, UCI really stands for Under Construction Indefinitely, so you know Speaker 1  07:38 they make that, they made that kind of humorous remark up here, with like winter and construction, that's the two seasons of Calgary. Yes, I totally get that. Michael Hingson  07:47 My brother-in-law lives in Sun Valley, Idaho, in Ketchum, and has been a skier for most of his life, and in the summer he's a master cabinet maker. Now he's a general contractor, but he's thinking about retiring, but in the winter everything goes by the wayside for skiing, Speaker 1  08:10 everyone's out on the slopes, you know. Well, and what he did Michael Hingson  08:12 to even make it more fun is he got his professional ski guide status in Europe and became a professional ski guide, taking people to do off-piece skiing in the French Alps, which is, Speaker 1  08:25 that's really nice, awesome. Michael Hingson  08:28 I love to, I love to say that I'm not gonna go skiing, because I know those trees are out to try to get me. Speaker 1  08:35 They start to grow their branches, you know? They just spring Michael Hingson  08:38 out at you when you're not looking. Speaker 1  08:40 Yes, I just.. Michael Hingson  08:42 I've never skied. I don't have anything against it. It's just not one of those things that I've done, but he enjoys it, and I'm sure it's a lot of fun to do. Speaker 1  08:51 Yeah, I can appreciate people that do. Michael Hingson  08:53 Yeah. Well, what did you do after college? Well, you got your undergrad, then you went on. Speaker 1  08:58 Yeah, so after my undergrad, I stayed at the university, and you know, I had a bachelor's in psych, and I was like, well, what do I do with this degree? And so I decided to move forward, since I didn't see too much availability, and did a master's in clinical mental health counseling, and during that time of my master's, I was able to intern with the FBI, which was a great opportunity. Michael Hingson  09:25 What caused you to do that? Speaker 1  09:28 I found, I mean, part of it was just a lot of curiosity, and of course, watching a lot of media and the work that they do. Yet I also found the possibility of implementing the psychology from a law enforcement angle on a federal level with this, so I did interning in my bachelor's FBI, that was really nice at a local office, and then later on in my master's at the FBI headquarters in DC, and just really interested in just the field and this the different. Psychological opportunities, Michael Hingson  10:02 you didn't stick with it, though. Or Speaker 1  10:05 I did the internships, I did the agent exam, and failed. Oh boy, just kind of had my time with it, and then moved on. It was a great experience. Michael Hingson  10:16 What you learned from it, the Speaker 1  10:19 importance of teamwork, the importance of community, the importance of intention to detail, and I can't say how I came to those, because then I have to bring up certain things that I can't talk about, but yeah, just the importance of being able to work with other people from other walks of life, and just seeing everyone's different perspectives is something that I learned, coming from, you know, small town, quite homogeneous, small university, and then being able to meet people from different parts of the country, even different territories, like Wall, it was, it was amazing to branch out and just have that life experience, Michael Hingson  11:06 get a lot of different experiences, and you saw how people in other parts of the world live, which obviously has to be an interesting perspective. Speaker 1  11:18 Yes, yes, it was really interesting, and just seeing how they think and their outlook on the world, and I had to take a polygraph examination for both internships, so the importance of honesty, and not that I didn't think honesty was important before, but definitely when you're under the microscope of being asked yes or no questions, it's an interesting experience. Michael Hingson  11:40 Yeah, well, I guess you must have passed the lie detector test. They didn't throw you away or put you in jail. Speaker 1  11:48 That's right. Neither of those happened. I did have one question asked of me that was a little bit ambiguous. It was coming up that I deceived. It's something that happened earlier in the day, and then they asked me about it, and then I said something that was not the truth, and then I explained the reasoning as to why. And then the agent was like, okay, thanks for letting me know, it's all good. It's like, okay, that's good. Michael Hingson  12:21 Yeah, they have to be pretty skilled interrogators to really be able to do that, and, and ask questions, and I, and I know no matter what's going on with the lie detector technology, they're observing you as well, so they're looking for things, and I suppose it's possible to fool the lie detector technology, but I know that it continues to get better too. Speaker 1  12:45 Yeah, and wondering if that's because, like, people are sociopaths, or they don't have any - they actually believe what they're saying. Yeah, yeah, Michael Hingson  12:54 I've never taken lie detector tests, but I know that for me, I'm not a good fibber, so I've got to tell the truth, and like I said, my wife's watching anyway, so I gotta always be a good kid. Speaker 1  13:06 If you were taking a lie detector test knuckle and you said something, you might get an invisible slap, like, oh, Michael Hingson  13:12 exactly, Speaker 2  13:13 okay, I get it, or Michael Hingson  13:16 a poke or something. Yeah, yeah, no. So, better, better to just be honest about it, but yeah, I understand what you're saying, but it is, it is fascinating. I'd love to experience taking a test sometime, but because I only understand all about it intellectually, having never seen it on television or anything like that, but by the same token, I'm glad that the technology exists, and I'm glad that the people do what they do, and I, I too very much believe in law enforcement. I believe in the value of the FBI and police, and so on. I took a couple of police-oriented courses when I was at UC Irvine. We had an engineering professor who was a reserve deputy sheriff, so we, we got to do ride-alongs, and even went down and visited the Orange County Jail once, and you know, because he, he said it all, so it's kind of fun to be able to do it, and I learned a lot and value that. Speaker 1  14:19 That's awesome. I'm glad you had that experience. Michael Hingson  14:21 Yeah, I think it's kind of cool to be able to have had that. So, you got a master's degree? Did you get a PhD? Speaker 1  14:29 No, you know, I was encouraged to do so, to pilot higher and deeper, as the PhD acronym goes. Yeah, and I just, I decided to not go that route. Michael Hingson  14:40 So, what did you do after you got your master's? Speaker 1  14:43 After the master's, I started to do well. I was doing my practicum during the master's, yet after the master's, I started to work primarily where I did my practicum in Mississippi and started actually doing counseling work. So I was doing what's called a mobile therapist. For this organization, where I would go to people's houses and speak with people, do counseling work, which was pretty cool. I got to be out in the community, meet a lot of folks, made confidentiality sometimes a little bit of a challenge, small town. And then two days a week I was in the office, doing whoever came in through the clinic, so I was in the, I was in the work, I was in the grind, just doing what I had been trained to do. Definitely learning on the job, though, for sure. Michael Hingson  15:27 Where in Mississippi, Speaker 1  15:29 Corinth, Mississippi, which is like right at the state line. Yeah, they actually have a road called State Line Road, where houses on one side, North or Tennessee houses on the other side have Mississippi license plates. Michael Hingson  15:45 That's pretty funny. In New Jersey, when we lived there, there were a number of streets in towns that had a very interesting environment, and that is that every town had its own tax base. There wasn't a statewide thing for property taxes and everything else, or for a lot of taxes, so every town had its own, and you could be on a street where someone may pay 1213, $14,000 a year in taxes, and if you lived on the other side of the street, you were in a different town, and your taxes were like 4800 $5,000 Speaker 1  16:24 Whoa, no, Michael Hingson  16:26 it's crazy. Speaker 1  16:27 That is a sheer difference. Michael Hingson  16:30 It is a huge difference, and the other thing that that we experienced is that a lot of the the work is done by lawyers when you're closing a house, for example. Back there, they didn't really have escrow, was all done through attorneys, and so on. And some of those people were involved in the tax stuff as well. It's kind of a very fascinating and interesting place to be, certainly different than what we experienced in California. Speaker 1  16:57 Yes, that sounds like a very, very different type of experience, for sure. Wow, wow. Okay, Michael Hingson  17:04 but you know things happen. Well, so you, you started doing counseling and therapy, and as you said, and I can appreciate how it must have been difficult sometimes from a confidentiality standpoint, because it is a small town and people overhear or talk about, and that's not always a good thing. Speaker 1  17:24 Yeah, you know, things like that come up. You know, you hear the whispers, and one time I was actually trying to find a place in a lower-income part of town, and I was doing circles in the neighborhood, and a police cruiser started to follow me, and so I stopped my car, got out with my credentials, towed the towed the police officer who I worked for, and then he was just kind of like, oh, okay, carry on. So, did Michael Hingson  17:46 you ask him for directions? Speaker 1  17:49 You know what, I did not know, like that would have made sense. I'm trying to look at find this house, never. Oh, over there, sir? Okay, but no, I did not. Michael Hingson  18:05 So, how long were you in Mississippi? Then Speaker 1  18:09 I was in Mississippi from around 2009 to 2013 I want to say, we left. We left for New Zealand for the whole year 2013 so no, 2012 sorry, the end of 2012 so about three and a half, three or so years. Okay, yeah. How did you Michael Hingson  18:33 meet your wife in all this Speaker 1  18:34 online? Yeah, back when it was clandestine, like you met somebody online, are they an ax murderer? Can you trust them? Do you need to get references, which she did. Yeah, yeah. And we checked you out, huh? She checked me out for sure. She even called people that I gave references for. And then we courted for two and a half years. And then after that, tied the knot in Tennessee, moved to Mississippi. Well, she moved to Mississippi, where I was already living, and yeah, we were there until we went to New Zealand about 10 months later. Michael Hingson  19:06 So she was living in Tennessee at the time, Speaker 1  19:09 she was up here in Calgary, or she was in Calgary. Michael Hingson  19:12 Okay, Speaker 1  19:12 we, we got married in Tennessee, Michael Hingson  19:14 okay. Well, that's that's cool though. What, what prompted the trip and moving to New Zealand for a year, I've been there, and I actually spent three weeks there, and very much enjoy it. Speaker 1  19:28 Whereabouts? Well, I wanted to ask, all over New Michael Hingson  19:30 Zealand, I mean, I was there with the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind. They asked me to come and speak in 2003 talk about September 11, and so on, and they were trying to raise funds, so we helped them raise something like over $375,000 in a three week period, and literally I had 21 speaking events in 13 days all over both islands. Speaker 1  19:55 Wow, that's that's a, that's a lot of speaking events, and a certain amount of days. Days you've been, you probably been close more than I've been, more places than I've been. So, what, what prompted the move was a friend of mine I had made previously being there. He reached out to me through just electronic media. He was having a spiritual emergency, and he asked me, he asked me to come to come help him, and so I just said, "Sure, let's do it. My wife and I left the rental unit, the rental house where we were staying, and left furniture behind, two cars behind, appliances, and we just, just left him, or there for 13 months, didn't look, didn't look back. Michael Hingson  20:45 Did you spend any time in Dunedin while you were there? Speaker 1  20:49 We didn't spend any time in Dunedin. We weren't only there for like a week when we did some vacation time. Michael Hingson  20:57 Yeah, I, they gave me literally a half, three quarters of a day off from speaking. In fact, they said you can play in Dunedin, and so we were there, and it was one, I guess, was a one full day. They had some unique toys to play with in New Zealand. They had a thing called a bungee rocket. Have you ever heard of that? Speaker 1  21:22 A bungee rocket. No. So, Michael Hingson  21:24 you know what bungee cords are, and you stretch them out and all that. Well, the bungee rocket, you attach bungee cords to this platform, this cage, but the bungee cords are attached to a device way up high, and then they're also attached to this plat, this cage, then they pull the cage down, and they fasten it, so the bungee cords are very stretched, and then people get in, and they sit down, and they fasten seat belts, and then when everybody's all secure, they loose the platform, and the bungee cords pull this thing up like a rocket. Speaker 1  22:01 Whoa, yeah. I wasn't about to do that. I was with someone who Michael Hingson  22:05 did, and he came off apparently as white as a sheet. He said, "I'm never gonna do that. Speaker 1  22:10 It was a one and done experience for him. It was Michael Hingson  22:16 for me. It was, "I'm not gonna do that, brother. And I had my guide dog, and somebody would have held the dog, but I wouldn't do that. I have other memories, which are more fun, I think, and probably for me more pleasurable. Speaker 1  22:31 Yeah, one of the things we did down on the South Island was some knife making, and it was really.. it was something I surprised my family with. They didn't know we were doing that day, and this guy was hilarious. I mean, something straight out of a documentary about New Zealand, as far as, like, locals, you would see he had a witty sense of humor, and he would, he would like, finish off the knives for us after we did the preliminary steps, just to make them look nice. Yeah, that was one of my favorite memories down there. Michael Hingson  23:00 Wow, yeah, I've, I've got a lot of memories, even though it was back in 2003 so 22 years, 22 and a half years, but I love the memories, and love being down there was a wonderful place, Speaker 1  23:13 awesome, so that was pretty cool. Well, so you, you came back, and, and you eventually ended up in, in Calgary, which is, which is great. So, what do you do now? Got a few hands in a few honey jars. I have a private practice for the counseling. I work for a retreat center company out of a place called Brad Creek, called Vita Wellness. I work for a nonprofit up in a place called Erdrie as a consultant. I work for a clinic remotely that's in the city as an associate. Am I forgetting anything? I think that's the main ones right now. Also, work doing like couples therapy for a relationship-based app. Yeah, so that's a lot of people that are in the States, there. So, it's yeah, few things to keep me busy. Speaker 3  24:13 If you enjoy Unstoppable Mindset and would like to help us continue bringing these conversations to you each week, we've created a way for you to support the show. Your contribution helps us cover production costs and continue sharing stories, insights, and ideas that inspire people to live with purpose and possibility. If supporting the podcast feels right for you, you'll find the link in the show notes. Thank you for being part of the unstoppable mindset community, Michael Hingson  24:47 they do well. You also write Speaker 1  24:50 that as well. Yeah, Michael Hingson  24:52 you've written a couple of books, and I guess you've also done some screenwriting and all that, and love to hear more about all that. Tell. You bought your books. Speaker 1  25:01 Yeah, the first book that I published, self-published, and that was two years ago now. That was called, that is called The Martial Art of Recovery: Self Mastery Practices to Subdue Addiction and Achieve Mental Wellness. Say three times real fast. So, yeah, that book is all about the intersection of martial arts concepts with addiction and mental health treatment, so that has personal experiences, and my times in the martial arts, and also I just bring in like holistic health techniques, and also I get some interviews, some of them are a little bit shorter than others, but at least some some chunks from people that I know in different disciplines, different fields, like an old martial arts teacher, a medicine family medicine doctor here in the Calgary area, people like that. So that was that was about a 14 month writing experience before it was published. Michael Hingson  25:57 When was it published? Speaker 1  26:00 Back in March of 2023 Michael Hingson  26:05 Okay, not your first book. Speaker 1  26:07 Not that's my first book. Yes, Michael Hingson  26:09 yeah, Speaker 2  26:10 yeah. Michael Hingson  26:12 What do you, what do you think of being an author and the whole experience of writing? Speaker 1  26:19 There was not. there was a lack of faith, for sure. I had a really difficult time, even acknowledging, "Hey, this is something I could do. Had a lot of self-doubt, and so even the process I found pretty daunting, pretty, like pretty challenging, for sure. And I do enjoy the process. It's like a double helix, though. I, I enjoy it, yet it kind of puts the screws to me, as far as enjoyment, but also challenge, yet I do enjoy the experience and being able to get my voice out there, yet I listen to someone else talk about publishing, and the person said, you know what, when you publish it, now it's that person's turn to take it on and they can make it their own, Michael Hingson  27:04 yeah. Speaker 1  27:04 So I found that to be a really cool way to look at it. So yeah, and I enjoy it. It's been, it's been good, it's been fun. Michael Hingson  27:13 And then you wrote a second book, Speaker 1  27:15 I did. Yeah, that one's called Buried Alive: Four Ways to Free Yourself from the Dirt. It's a lot more personal, I think, because it is about a true story that happened to my dad, and something that was quite harrowing for him, which, yes, as the book title suggests, is what happened, and part of the book is about the interviews I did with the three men involved with this very scary incident back in February of 2000 so 25 years now, and talks about their different perspectives on what happened that day when they were digging for Native American artifacts, arrowheads, and I bring in some self-help concepts that apply to what happened that day, and also just for anyone that's looking to bring those into their own lives, Michael Hingson  28:03 what happened? Speaker 1  28:05 Yeah, so they were digging at what's called an overhang, which is like a cliff face that shuts out small little, I don't know if you would even call it a cave, but there was a place underneath the overhang that kind of came in anyway, when Native Americans would come to an area, they wouldn't ever bring dirt out, they would always bring dirt in, and so there was so much dirt that was piled up over the years that my dad and the people that were digging with him, I was there six months to the day before this incident happened, we would, we would have to dig, they would dig to get to their arrowheads that were quite far down underneath the dirt, Michael Hingson  28:46 yeah, Speaker 1  28:47 yeah, yeah, and so this unfortunate day, my dad was in a hole, probably I don't know, eight or nine feet, and a little dirt fell on him, and you know, he kind of joked with his friend Jason, who was further up this hall, and a few seconds later all that dirt just came in, just, just quickly, automatically. He was vanished without a trace, and then a big rock came down on that dirt. If it wasn't for that third person that decided to come that very morning, they did not come before. His name's Jerry. Then I'm sure that my dad would have died, Michael Hingson  29:25 because Speaker 1  29:25 there was no way that Jason, who also was stuck up to like his knee in dirt, could have got out in time to get the rock and then to unearth my dad. So, Michael Hingson  29:39 yeah, a fascinating book. Now, you, you self-published that one as well. Speaker 1  29:43 I did, didn't wait around, just went ahead, and yeah. Michael Hingson  29:49 Do you have other books in you? Speaker 1  29:51 I have one done. I needed to get it edited, and editorial reviews, and get my book cover designer over in Italy to do her magic. She did on the last two books, so yeah, I do have one in the, in the oven. Michael Hingson  30:05 Can you tell us a little about what it will be about, or what it's called, or anything? Speaker 1  30:08 Sure, the book right now is called I'm Listening, and it's all about my experiences, my pitfalls, my learnings as a therapist, and so it's a bit of a memoir of my professional work in the field, and some, some personal experiences. Michael Hingson  30:25 I think one of the most powerful things about books, especially when you're, when you're dealing with more nonfiction, because fiction books usually have stories with them, but a lot of nonfiction books don't really provide enough, I think, of a personal inroad to the individual who wrote the book. One of my big beliefs, one of my pet peeves, is I think textbooks are so boring, like physics. My master's degree is in physics, and I maintain that the big problem is that none of the physics professors who are writing all these books ever put anything in about their own personal experiences to really get people excited because of of their their stories and what they can teach through their stories. It's just all math and equations and and words, just about the physics, but never the other part. I think that textbooks would be better if they put some stories in them, Speaker 1  31:22 I think. So, too, I think people's eyes wouldn't come out of their sockets, and they wouldn't, you know, be comatose. You know, they can actually keep up, and they can be engaged and involved with the material. Yeah, Michael Hingson  31:35 I had a colleague when we were at UC Irvine. We were in the same physics class together, and he had this one book, and he noticed that there didn't seem to really be any typos or whatever in it, and he meticulously, through the whole quarter, went through that whole book, and I think he finally found one misspelled word, and he was so proud of both that there were there were no others other than the one, but that he found one misspelled word we do with our lives. Speaker 1  32:07 What people do sometimes for kicks. Well, I'm glad. I wonder where that word was. Like, did he go through the whole book, and it's like on the last page, or you know, where is that at? It was Michael Hingson  32:22 near the end, but it wasn't on the last page, but it was.. it was.. it took him a long time to find it. Speaker 1  32:29 I wanted to do that with my first book. I could have easily done a book about the intersection of martial arts themes with, you know, mental wellness, but I mean, why not? I mean, I had that experience for over four years in the martial arts. Why not do that? Michael Hingson  32:48 So, tell me about that. You've mentioned martial arts several times, so obviously you've had some involvement with martial arts. Speaker 1  32:54 I have. Yeah, so when I was a preteen, I got a black belt in what's called a Water Rule Karate, so it's like W A D O R Y U, and when I was a teenager, like 16 to 18, I was doing what's called American Campo, and that did have a little bit of Jiu Jitsu thrown into the mix, Michael Hingson  33:16 so what prompted the interest in doing that Speaker 1  33:20 first was my dad, you know, part of my family was interested, so the guy, why not? And I don't know at that time whether I was experiencing bullying. Unfortunately, I experienced bullying like going to church before church started, which was unfortunate, say. So I mean, I think it was just a really good experience for me, looking back for balance and discipline in that way, and getting to meet people in the community. I can't, I can't initially remember what prompted that. My dad was interested, my brother was too, so was I. And then when I was 16, I was like, let's pick it up, let's do something different, let's try something new, and so we were able to go to this really small outfit, which was called the Snake Pit at the time, very different from the more like larger dojo in the community from my early years. Michael Hingson  34:14 What has being involved with the martial arts done to help you or to you or for you in dealing with mental wellness and the whole issue of what you do today. How is martial arts affecting all of that? Speaker 1  34:35 Yeah, it's a really good question. Martial arts showed me the importance of balance when we're doing sparring, when we're doing more, so when we're doing training on techniques, I can't be too far away when I'm sparring someone, because then it's not natural, it's not organic, nor, but I can be so close that I might hit them, so there needs to be some type of balance and self control, and that's. Something else, as well as being out of some self control. Yeah, Michael Hingson  35:05 well, martial arts is, I understand, it seems to me, as much about your mental being as learning physical techniques, because there is a whole lot that really comes down to how you approach it mentally. Am I correct? Speaker 1  35:24 Yeah, there's a big piece when it comes to stamina. When I was doing sparring, I actually had to find a place between being so passive, but also not being super aggressive. Like, how do I get that mental, emotional stamina to do this powering, you know, in a way that was quite balanced. Yes, but there is a lot when it comes to being in touch with my body, being in touch with where my mind is, with focus, with being not beating myself up, not really being perfect, or trying to achieve perfection. Yet, there's a certain vulnerability that comes with that in the mind, and also when it comes to the body, Michael Hingson  36:06 how so Speaker 1  36:10 well, there's vulnerability just simply with doing different techniques, because if you don't, if you don't like being touched, then it's going to be really difficult, because there's often a lot of touch happening, and and when it comes to the mind, it's there's vulnerability with putting myself out there and being seen by others, because we're often watching one another with training, and so there is this piece around vulnerability around, hey, you know what, whatever they think, okay, they can think I'm still working on this technique, Michael Hingson  36:40 mm and it, and it does, as you grow mentally with, with martial arts, I'm sure that it also helps in terms of your resilience. Speaker 1  36:55 Resilience plays a key factor, indeed, because you know, when it comes to even with sparring, you know, getting hit, I can't just kind of, oh, I got hit and I want to go back and I want to go in the corner. Well, no, I've got to keep going. Yeah, gotta keep moving, gotta keep walking and deflecting, and you know, going with the punches. And I, there was one experience with a young man, at least two years younger than me, he was a silver glove boxer, like a champion silver glove, and there had to be some resilience for me there, because I was getting clobbered, I was getting, I was getting hit over and over, because he was using a boxing type of, you know, boxing moves I wasn't used to defending against, and he was quick, and there comes a certain level of humility when it comes to being in the martial arts as well, because there's going to be experiences like that. Michael Hingson  37:49 Well, did you eventually get to the point where you could defend yourself against him? Speaker 1  37:55 He wasn't there for too long. Yeah, the more yet, the more that I was able to work with him, the more I was able to, you know, understand a little bit more where he was coming from with the moves, Michael Hingson  38:05 right. Well, in your life and all the things that you've done, have you experienced grief in any way? And kind of, what was that? Speaker 1  38:14 Yeah, there was a moment, there wasn't an issue when it came to a disenfranchised loss. My wife had a silent miscarriage, and so that was pretty brutal. How that turned out for her, and vicariously for me, and seeing her go through that really difficult, emotionally painful situation was hard. And so I mean, I've sure I've lost all but one grandparent at this point, and I did lose some child, like one childhood friend, when I was 16 to a car accident that was pretty brutal. Yet this loss was, yeah, was really difficult, because it's something that a lot of people don't understand, they don't want to talk about, they don't know what to say, or it's really difficult just to listen, and that was hard. Michael Hingson  39:09 Yeah, but at the same time, as you well know, from all that you've experienced, God doesn't give us things that we can't handle, and we have to learn to move forward Speaker 1  39:22 with resilience, with God's help. Michael Hingson  39:24 Yeah, Speaker 1  39:24 yeah, with prayer, perseverance. Yeah, Michael Hingson  39:27 I lost my father, actually, on November 1 of 1984 and my mother in May of 1987 and then my brother actually developed breast cancer in 2011 and they, they dealt with it, and he went into remission, but it came back, and he didn't take care of himself very well, as I understand it, because he lived in Florida, and we were in California, but anyway, it came back, and it metastasized, and so we lost him in 2015 so at the same time. Yeah, there were relatives on my wife's side that we lost a couple very unexpectedly, and yeah, you do learn to deal with grief, but you learn that you got to go forward, and so when Karen passed in 2022 at least it wasn't totally all of a sudden, so I had some time to prepare, but you know, I still miss her, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Speaker 1  40:23 Yeah, for sure. I, and I mean, losing your parents around two and a half or so years apart, and with your brother, and then with your wife, that's a lot. That's a lot. Yet I hear that even though there was some preparation time for you, it can still be, it can still be difficult, it can still hit the nail, you know. I was doing some grief work, a grief course, and they showed us this poem called Whose Whose Grief Is Worse, basically. And there were these two experiences of someone that lost someone suddenly and someone that knew, and at the end of the poem. Basically, it's both are painful. There is no worse grief. Michael Hingson  41:05 There's no, there's no wrong or right answer to all of that. It's, it's different, but we all can learn to deal with it. I know when the events of September 11 happened, for me, ironically, the greatest blessing I had was that the media got my story and we started getting a lot of requests for interviews and my wife and I decided we would accept them and I got asked so many questions by so many different reporters, some dumb questions were absolutely stupid, idiotic questions, but some that were very insightful, and so I probably was able to move on from that day much more because of all of the questions and getting used to dealing with those questions than anything else that could have come along. It Speaker 1  41:58 was a choice, and you probably appreciated those reporters that took the time to ask those carefully planned questions. Michael Hingson  42:06 I've had some people, no matter how many times the story gets repeated, who still say, "What were you doing in the World Trade Center, anyway? And I'm sitting there going, "Have you read Thunderdog? Have you read any of the stories in the press? What do you mean, what was I doing in the World Trade Center? Speaker 1  42:23 It's not like, you know, it's out there, you know, it's been published, you can read it. Yeah, Michael Hingson  42:30 I wasn't a spy for the terrorists, I can tell you that. Speaker 1  42:36 I wouldn't, I wouldn't have thought that for a second, Michael Hingson  42:41 but but, but you know, things happen, and you never know where you're going to be, you never know what might come up, and it's just one of those things that we, we all really need to deal with in one way or another, and that's just what's so important. Speaker 1  42:56 Absolutely, you know, one of the quotes I heard from my training was, and I take it with me, and I, I definitely relate to it personally. Is joy shared is joy doubled, and grief shared is grief halved, and the stuff we're doing, even today, and even those listening that might have been through grief, is as long as we're able to talk about it, and just talk about something that does not make any sense whatsoever to us, that's part of the healing process. Michael Hingson  43:23 Yeah, it's important to talk about it. It's important to share, and I understand you want to be careful. You don't want to just talk necessarily about it with anyone, but you do need to find people that you can share with and that you can talk to about Speaker 1  43:39 it. Totally, yeah, the grocery store clerk, you know, that I'm getting my bread and butter from, maybe they're not ready for that, that particular topic, Michael Hingson  43:48 yeah, Speaker 1  43:48 yeah, Michael Hingson  43:50 and and the thing that we all need to do is to really, I think, do a lot more to listen to our inner voice, it'll tell us what we need to do if we listen, Speaker 1  43:58 yes, I believe that for sure, I've seen, I've seen that. Yeah, Michael Hingson  44:03 so you've dealt with all the, this, the psychological work that you do. You dealt with addiction, and so on. How does martial arts play into that? What have you learned from martial arts that helps you in dealing with recovery from addiction? Speaker 1  44:16 Oh, well, where to start. I think that one piece to really focus on is this concept of self love, and I don't mean self love like I'm better than other people out there, but just being okay with where I'm at for myself, but still pushing myself to learn new things, so some acceptance about where I'm at when it comes to martial arts, that has to be there. I might not be doing the technique perfectly, and I, there was times where I could really easily beat myself up mentally, like, "Oh, why can't I get this? Yet it's just trying to take a step back and see that I'm worthy enough to make the. Approach to make these changes when it comes to addiction. I'm worthy enough to seek out help. These feelings I have that they're okay to feel, and I don't have to beat myself up for this. Michael Hingson  45:11 Yeah, because addiction is is a disease, and I think anyone who condemns somebody just because, for example, they use drugs, and, well, they shouldn't do that. They're dumb for doing it. They really miss assess what's going on. Speaker 1  45:28 People that have that mindset that it's more of a mere choice, they don't understand that if you put, you know, a shot of alcohol in front of someone and you tell them not to drink it, and you put a gun on them, they're going to be wondering, maybe he'll slip his hand off the trigger, you know, that kind of thinking, that's that's the disease aspect. And I recommend anybody that wants to know more about addiction being a disease, check out Kevin McCauley's documentary, Pleasure Unwoven. It's a really good documentary that shows the different aspects of the disease. Yeah, Michael Hingson  46:08 I have never taken drugs in that way, and don't want to, but again, that's my choice, and I've learned enough from other people that I know that if, if I'm having a problem, taking drugs isn't going to help me solve the problem, and it isn't going to even really help me hide from it, but I guess that's just my makeup that I know that I have to face whatever comes along head on. Speaker 1  46:33 Yes, the resilience piece, Michael Hingson  46:36 the resilience piece, and I've wanted to do that. Speaker 1  46:39 Awesome, I can see with everything you've been through, Michael, you've definitely lent in, you've leaned in, you've pushed forward. Michael Hingson  46:47 Well, I think that part of the issue is as a, as a blind person who's faced a lot of challenges and seen things, what I choose to do whenever anything happens to me is I want to learn from it, so I don't want to ignore it, even if it's something that's totally not related to me in any way. I want to learn from it, if I'm involved, because I think that's the only way I'm going to be able to make sure that I deal with anything like that, any kind of surprise. The next time I talk about a lot when I am talking to people about blindness, about surprises, and I talk about the fact that I could be crossing a street, I could get to the corner and listen to the traffic, and when I hear the traffic going the way I want to go, then I'll cross the street. So I start crossing a street, and all of a sudden I hear a car from behind me, and it's not going the way I want to go, suddenly it's, it's turning, or there's somebody that is is across the street from me, not the way I'm going, and I start to cross the street when it's supposed to be my turn, and they decide they're going to go, and so I am, I've learned to constantly be alert, but at the same time, what I have to do is figure out very quickly, do I want to go forward or do I want to go backwards to have the best chance of getting away from this, Speaker 1  48:11 which way do I move in my direction with my spatial awareness with your spatial awareness, and that, and that brings me to another, I think, actually, another piece with martial arts and how it intersects is treating the addiction like an opponent that may be sauntering around that corner at any moment in time, and being able to see that I need to be on the alert, I need to know more than one direction, as you mentioned a moment ago, more than one direction that I could go, rather than just the free, the ability to have choice. Yeah, Michael Hingson  48:51 can addiction truly be cured? Not the reason I asked the question is I know so often I hear when I hear people talking about alcoholism, you can't really cure alcoholism, and maybe that's true. I don't know, Speaker 1  49:10 you know, it depends on how you ask, from a medical standpoint, from a disease standpoint, since we see it as a chronic progressive primary condition, which means nothing necessarily causes it every time. The answer would be no, because of its progression. However, can it can addiction, whether it's alcoholism, whatever, be stunted as far as its progression? Absolutely. Can be, can people live fulfilling lives? Absolutely. Can there be reversal of certain symptoms and signs. Yes, however, just I think that to say, you know, one day someone's gonna wake up and they no longer have cravings or the warning signs or the the neurobiology. Logical strings, it's tough to say that's a no. Michael Hingson  50:04 Yeah, thanks. That's the makeup of the individual that brings that about. I, I have.. I take an occasional drink. In fact, Karen and I used to have a drink on Friday night, one drink, and I kind of honor her by having a bourbon and seven every Friday night when I make, when I cook dinner, but one, because I've never been a great fan of the taste of alcohol, but I understand there are a lot of people who really like the taste of it, and that has led them into pretty dark places, which is unfortunate. Speaker 1  50:36 Yeah, still Michael Hingson  50:37 happens. Speaker 1  50:38 It does still happen, for sure. And I appreciate you liking bourbon. We make a bourbon walnut ice cream, and I don't ever drink the bourbon by itself. It's been in the cupboard for months now. And anyway, Michael Hingson  50:55 well, my bourbon and seven is a whole lot more seven up than bourbon. Speaker 1  50:59 Totally right, and good for you for having that ritual, you know, for you and for Michael Hingson  51:06 her. That's kind of neat to be able to do that, but I've just never felt that I need to, and I'm, and I'm glad. So it's continuing to share that. Well, you do a lot of couples therapy. How does all that go, and what kind of challenges does that make for you and for them? Speaker 1  51:29 Well, I'll give you this short story. We were eating at Denny's with this man, and just a friend of a friend, and he said to us, he asked me about my work, and I told him, yeah, I'm working with, you know, a lot of addiction, and with couples, he's like, I heard from another counselor, Eric, that if you really want to make it hard on yourself, you work in addiction, and you work with couples that always make it have a challenge, and, like, yeah, true. And so, when it comes to working with couples, it is challenging. There's something about having two people to work with, there's so many dynamics at play, different than perhaps being with just one person, you know, coming from two different histories, biographically different life upbringings, family upbringing, personalities. It can be really challenging. I do appreciate challenge. I've learned so much. I learned from each couple that I work with, and it's a whole different beast. Michael Hingson  52:29 Yeah, and, and it is. I like what you said, though. You learn from it, and that's probably the most important thing that any of us can do with anything in any endeavor that we undertake is that we learn from it. Speaker 1  52:44 If I can't learn from something, what am I, what am I doing there? And if I'm not learning from something, how can that benefit other people that I'm trying to help support? So, yeah, I tried to get the couple to start to be, you know, them versus the concern, rather than you versus me. That's a big goal of couples therapy. Michael Hingson  53:08 That's an interesting way to put it. That makes a lot of sense. I've never thought of it that way, but it's them. It does have to be them, but them versus the concern. That, that's interesting. Speaker 1  53:18 Yeah, yeah. Then they start, they start looking at how can we collaborate rather than trying to annihilate each other. Michael Hingson  53:26 Yeah, Speaker 1  53:27 metaphorically speaking, Michael Hingson  53:31 so you've talked about the work that you did when you were in Mississippi, when you worked in small towns, and so on, and you worked in probably some fairly substantive places as well. What do you find that's different about outpatient versus inpatient work, and in terms of what you do and how you approach it? Speaker 1  53:52 Well, I'll just say that doing inpatient work is kind of like raising kids, so not.. I mean, I don't have any experience, because I don't, I don't have kids, I got nieces and nephews yet. I know that feeling well. Yeah, there's just something about being around someone more than just like that hour, hour and a half, seeing them like eight or nine hours a day, you get to know them pretty well, as opposed to, you know, once an hour every one or two, three weeks, that in that comes some benefits with the inpatient work. Yet also it can be really difficult when it comes to boundaries. They feel like you can do things that maybe you're not able to do professionally with them, maybe like as far as like self-disclosure wise or things like that, and there's just there's just a thing around boundaries, and even with the inpatient work, you know, I'll have one client come and say, 'Hey, this other counselor said I could do this, and I would be like, 'Okay, and then I found out later the counselor didn't say that at all, so there's that type. The drama got to deal with, with it, with the inpatient work, Michael Hingson  55:04 but you don't find that as much without patient, because you tend to be able to get closer to the individual, and that probably also develops a higher trust level. Speaker 1  55:14 There is a higher trust level if you mean, like, doing outpatient work, or outpatient, but we have the outpatient, for sure, because I am solely with them, and they know that time is of the essence, whether it's weekly or bi-weekly, whatever, and I'm being able to focus on them, for sure, yeah, Michael Hingson  55:35 and it's a lot harder to do that when it's an impatient kind of situation Speaker 1  55:40 in my two experiences, both up in Calgary and also Mississippi, with inpatient, there's so many other things in the inner workings of doing inpatient going on that sure I can still add that time with somebody, yet I'm also thinking about, you know, the next class and next group offering other logistical duties, it's a little bit easier to do that one on one. Yeah, indeed, indeed. Michael Hingson  56:10 Do you think that you can develop? I assume the answer is yes, but I'll ask, do you think that it's possible to develop the same level of trust in doing inpatient work, or it may be harder, but can you do it? Speaker 1  56:28 That can happen on a case by case basis, depending on my relationship with someone. Yes, I can get there, and you know, just.. and sometimes, paradoxically, it can happen even quicker than outpatient, depending on the situation, because I am with them. There is a positive with that. Yes, Michael Hingson  56:48 it's.. it's a matter of working to build it, you know. And, unfortunately, human beings, especially nowadays, are so mistrustful of so many things, we've learned not to trust, and so in my latest book, Live Like a Guide Dog, I talk about that a lot, because while I think dogs love unconditionally, they don't trust unconditionally, but they're open to trust, they want to develop trusting relationships, and we just assume everyone has their own hidden agendas, and it's so hard to develop trusting relationships, Speaker 1  57:24 very hard, very difficult. It takes time and effort and patience, tolerance for myself, the other person, and that makes sense with dogs, because I mean, enough's, you know, when a dog's been abused, they don't want to trust right away, no, for sure. Michael Hingson  57:38 Well, but even even dogs that aren't abused, like I believe it takes for me, and I think if you really analyze it, for most people with a guide dog, I think it takes a good year to develop such a working relationship that you develop such a trust that essentially you each know what the other is thinking and you really know how to work it. It's not that they're not mistrustful, but they're open. They're open to trust, but you've got to, you've got to gain their trust, and that's my job as the team leader. And I'm supposed to be the team leader, but it also means that I have to agree, well, earn or gain their trust. The neat thing, and what makes it possible to do that, assuming that you approach it the right way and don't assume a dog is just a dumb animal, which they're not, is that in fact working with a dog, you know that they're more likely to be open to trust, and that makes it a little bit easier than our prejudice that says everybody's got a hidden agenda that we got to focus on, Speaker 1  58:47 yeah. And appreciate you sharing that, and it shows just the amount of work that comes into play with trust. Michael Hingson  58:54 Yeah, it's it's a challenge, but it is doable. Well, so what's next for you? Speaker 1  59:01 Yeah, just doing some work after this with the work that I do, and yeah, it's starting to get that book into the place of having editorial reviews and starting to get that edited professionally. Michael Hingson  59:14 Have either of your books been converted to audio? Speaker 1  59:17 The second one has. Yes. Michael Hingson  59:22 Is it? Where is it available? Audible, or how is it available? Speaker 1  59:25 It's my own special design. It's actually got a, it's got a Texan man, a doing it. He's got a nice voice, pretty soothing. Yet it's through what's called the Hero app, H I R O. And I can send you the link if you're interested. For that, Michael Hingson  59:40 love to, yeah, Speaker 1  59:42 yeah. Michael Hingson  59:44 Well, this has been enjoyable, certainly by any standard. If people want to reach out to you, maybe use your services or talk with you. How do they do that? Speaker 1  59:53 They can find me, Michael, through Recovery Arts counseling.com and that's Counseling with 2l's since I'm up here in Canada. You can find me through Instagram at Eric Fisher Writer or Recovery Arts Counseling. You can find me Facebook the same way on LinkedIn, just type in my name. You can look for, like, Calgary, like counselor recovery counseling. What do else? That's right, everybody learned something new today, if they did not, if they didn't already. So, those are a few Michael Hingson  1:00:25 ways. Well, that's great. Well, I really appreciate you taking the time to be here, and I value greatly your insights. I've learned things, and I always enjoy doing that. And I hope all of you out there listening have as well. Love to get your thoughts, so I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to email me at Michael M I C H A E L H I at Accessi B A C C E S S I B e.com Wherever you're listening or watching, or both, this podcast, please give us a five star review. But even more important than a review, a rating, five star rating, give us a review. We really value reviews and people who might be interested in listening to our podcasts, are going to read those reviews. I can tell you for sure that people love to know what others think. So, we value your reviews a great deal. And if any of you, including you, Eric, know of anyone else who ought to be a guest on Unstoppable Mindset, we'd love an introduction, because we're always looking for people who want to come on and tell their stories, so I hope that that we'll find ways to do that, and definitely value you being here, Eric, and doing all this, and I want to thank you again for being here. This has been a lot of fun. Speaker 1  1:01:37 Thank you, Michael. Happy to be on you. thank Michael Hingson  1:01:43 you for being here with me on Unstoppable Mindset. I hope today's conversation left you with a fresh perspective, a new insight, or at least something worth thinking about. If you're ready to go deeper into the ideas that shape how we see ourselves and others. I have a free gift for you. Head over to Michael hingson.com and download my free ebook, Blinded by Fear. It explores the invisible beliefs that hold us back and shows you how to reframe them, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast, leave a review, and share this show with someone who can use a reminder that growth starts with mindset. When people think differently, we all move forward together. Thanks again for listening. Keep learning, keep questioning, and keep choosing to live with an unstoppable min

Dr. Roger Solomon provides a comprehensive introduction to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), explaining the adaptive information processing model that underlies the treatment, walking through all eight phases of the protocol, and discussing how EMDR can be applied across a wide range of presentations—from single-incident trauma to complex trauma with dissociation. Dr. Solomon also addresses how clinicians can determine client readiness, navigate repressed memories, and leverage the generalization effect when working with patients who have extensive trauma histories.

In the sixth episode of season 5, of Disruptors at Work: An Integrated Care Podcast, special host Dr. Cara English, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Academic Officer (CAO) of Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI), sits down with CGI Doctor of Behavioral Health alum Dr. Jackson Williams to discuss The Call, a new documentary exploring the realities of trauma, resilience, and mental health among first responders. Drawing on his experience as a firefighter, Air Force special agent, and behavioral health clinician, Dr. Williams shares insights into the unique challenges first responders face and why creating a culture of mental health support is essential for those who dedicate their lives to helping others.About the Podcast Guests:Dr. Cara English, DBH is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Academic Officer of Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI) and Founder of Terra's Tribe, a maternal mental health advocacy organization in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. English spearheaded a perinatal behavioral health integration project at Willow Birth Center from 2016 to 2020 that received international acclaim through the publication of outcomes in the International Journal of Integrated Care. Dr. English served as Vice-President of the Postpartum Support International – Arizona Chapter Founding Board of Directors and co-chaired the Education and Legislative Advocacy Committees. She currently serves on the Maternal Mortality Review Program and the Maternal Health Taskforce for the State of Arizona. She served as one of three Arizonan 2020 Mom Nonprofit Policy Fellows in 2021. For her work to establish Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies, Cara was awarded the Psyche Award from the Nicholas & Dorothy Cummings Foundation in 2018 and is more recently the recipient of the 2022 Sierra Tucson Compassion Recognition for her work to improve perinatal mental health integration in Arizona.Dr. Jackson Williams, DBH, LPCC is an independently licensed mental health clinician (LPCC) in the state of New Mexico and holds a Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) degree from the Cummings Graduate Institute of Behavioral Health Studies. Dr. Williams served in the United States Air Force as a Firefighter/EMT and as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. He began his counseling career in private practice in an Albuquerque inner-city community clinic, then for several years was a Behavioral Health Therapist with the NM Children Youth and Families Department in the Juvenile Justice Services secure facilities. Dr. Williams spent two years as an Opioid Syndromic Surveillance Epidemiologist with the NM Department of Health coordinating New Mexico opioid overdose data reporting and analysis with the CDC. He currently co-teaches a Suicide Prevention course for rural New Mexico fire departments as part of grant provided by a major healthcare provider.  He has specialized training in trauma-informed care and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), as well as being a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional.

In this special livestream episode of Empowered Through Compassion, David and Heather are joined by an extraordinary panel of contributors from the book IFS-Informed EMDR: Creative and Collaborative Approaches for an amazing conversation exploring foundational frameworks that shape trauma healing. Together, Bridger Falkenstien, David Archer, Michelli Simpson, Athena Phillips, and Laura Kosak discuss the relational and systemic dimensions of healing, including: intersubjectivity, anti-racist psychotherapy, dissociation and spirituality. We even bring up topics such as predictive processing, structural dissociation, and revolutionary joy! We look at the role that culture and identity plays in therapy. Throughout the conversation, a shared thread emerges: healing does not happen in isolation. Trauma exists within systems, relationships, histories, and bodies. As a result, healing often requires compassionate attunement within a relational space. This discussion explores how therapists can move beyond techniques and toward a deeper understanding of the therapeutic relationship itself as part of the healing process. The panel reflects on the importance of slowing down, listening to protective systems, cultivating consent and of course being mindful of co-regulation. We can honor spirituality by understanding how people make meaning of their surroundings and their inner world. This episode is for therapists, healers, and anyone interested in the evolving intersection of EMDR, IFS, attachment, dissociation, systems thinking, and relational trauma healing.   THEMES DISCUSSED IFS-informed EMDR Dissociation and structural dissociation Predictive processing and memory reconsolidation Intersubjective and relational healing Trauma and systemic oppression Anti-racist psychotherapy Spirituality and meaning-making Co-regulation and consent Therapist parts and relational presence   GUEST HIGHLIGHTS Bridger Falkenstein Bridger discusses Somatic Integration and Processing (SIP), intersubjectivity, and the importance of understanding therapy as a relational field rather than a one-person psychology. He explores the “window and mirror” metaphor and how therapists must remain aware of both the client's experience and their own presence within the room. Website: https://beyondhealingcenter.com David Archer David Archer explores anti-racist psychotherapy, systems awareness, predictive processing, and the relationship between trauma, oppression, dissociation, and culture. He emphasizes the importance of understanding clients within broader systemic and historical contexts. Website: https://archertherapy.com/ Michelle Simpson Michelle highlights the importance of recognizing the systems surrounding both therapist and clients. She speaks about cultural identity, embodied dissociation, and how therapists can become allies to disempowered and subjugated people. Specifically, she shares importance of being a compassionate witnesses and advocating for clients who are threatened by the larger culture. Website: https://www.spirosperopllc.com/ Athena Phillips Athena shares powerful insights on structural dissociation, fragmentation, consent, pacing, and co-regulation. She explores how dissociation can be understood as an adaptive survival strategy and emphasizes the importance of slowing down and gaining permission within trauma work. Website: https://athenaphillips.com/ Laura Kakalec Laura discusses spirituality, meaning-making, transpersonal healing, and the importance of helping clients reconnect with a larger sense of belonging and connection. She also reflects on the emerging relationship between AI, emotional support, and the human longing for connection and meaning. Website: https://laurakosak.com/   ABOUT THE BOOK IFS-Informed EMDR: Creative and Collaborative Approaches explores the evolving integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Featuring a diverse group of contributors, the book highlights relational, creative, somatic, systemic, and spiritually informed approaches to trauma healing. Edited by David Polidi. Published by Routledge.   ABOUT EMPOWERED THROUGH COMPASSION Empowered Through Compassion is a trauma-informed therapy and educational platform co-created by David and Heather Polidi. Through therapy, consultation, podcast conversations, livestreams, and trainings, ETC explores the integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, attachment theory, and relational healing. The Empowered Through Compassion podcast brings together clinicians, authors, researchers, and healers to explore compassionate and integrative approaches to trauma healing and human connection. Learn more at: https://www.empoweredthroughcompassion.com

Welcome to our Spring Re-Release Series!We're turning two this July, and to celebrate we're going back to the beginning. Over the next few months, we're revisiting our first conversations with each Healing Hero through the lens of our Past, Present, and Possible Framework. Think of it as a guided return: releasing what no longer serves you, reconnecting with where you are now, and opening to what's waiting on the other side. And trust us, something big is coming this summer. Grab the Healing Roadmap in the show notes below to follow along.This is the perfect time to go back to basics before everything that's coming. Up first, Hero Jen is walking us through the benefits of EMDR.------Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapeutic approach designed to help process past traumatic events. It involves recalling distressing experiences while simultaneously undergoing bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This dual attention process helps to desensitize and reprocess the traumatic memory, transforming it from a vivid, emotionally charged recollection to a more neutral and manageable story.In this episode, we talk about EMDR and how it can help you process past traumatic events, remove obstacles, and reclaim your healing with Hero Jen Baumgold. Jen is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist who specializes in trauma treatment. She is certified in EMDR and works with clients to help untangle the knots of trauma while finding a path toward healing and resilience. She began her career at the New York Fire Department counseling service unit, where she worked until 2016.What You Will Learn[06:22] What psychotherapy is and the work that Jen does[08:02] EMDR and why people reach out to Jen for this sort of treatment [10:23] How EMDR works in practice[17:01] Indicators of trauma and where EMDR can help [20:12] How EMDR has helped Jen's patients and why it's effective  [22:04] How Jen's work at the New York Fire Department led her to EMDR[30:06] How EMDR helps people reconnect with themselves on a deeper level[35:13] How trauma can be passed from parents to children[37:04] Common Fears about EMDR and Why Give it a Try[42:26] Resources Jen recommends for EMDR Resources MentionedThe Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der KolkLet's Connect!Jennifer BaumgoldWebsite | LinkedIn Chandler StroudWebsite | LinkedIn | InstagramHappiness Academy is now Healing Heroines, a signature space for women who are ready to feel more grounded, more peaceful, and more aligned — inside and out. Download a complimentary Healing Roadmap to discover our Past, Present, and Possible framework.Want personalized guidance for your healing journey? Book a call with Chandler!Mixing and editing provided by Next Day Podcast.Text message us questions, requests, or comments!

Can EMDR Therapy Help You Heal Through Divorce?In this episode of the Amicable Divorce Network Podcast, host Tracy Ann Moore-Grant sits down with licensed clinical social worker and mediator Will Smith of the Atlanta Marriage and Mediation Clinic to explore one of our most-read blog topics ever EMDR therapy and its powerful role in divorce recovery.Will breaks down what Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) actually is, how it works with your nervous system, and why it may be one of the most effective tools available for people stuck in grief, anger, or trauma during or after divorce. He shares a compelling real-life success story and explains the difference between "Big T" and "Little T" trauma and why both matter in the divorce process.In this episode you'll learn:What EMDR is and how the light bar therapy worksWhy divorce can be a form of trauma (even without violence)How EMDR helps "unstick" painful memories so you can think clearly and move forwardHow many sessions to expect and what to look for in a qualified EMDR therapistHow co-mediation and flat-rate divorce packages are changing the game for amicable divorces

Trey Tucker is a licensed mental health therapist with over 10 years of experience helping people achieve fulfillment, joy, and satisfaction in their lives. He has worked with corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, parents, students, and various organizations to maximize their performance and results by improving their mental health. Known for his ability to connect on a deep level with individuals and large groups, Trey also holds specialized training in areas such as anxiety, trauma, relationship communication, sports psychology, identity, and purpose. He is also certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and neurofeedback. Before becoming a therapist, Trey worked in marketing in the corporate world, where he earned his Master of Business Administration, and then transitioned into education. Even before he began his master's degree in psychology, Trey began noticing patterns of what prohibited individuals and organizations from reaching their full potential, and he helped correct limiting and destructive thinking and behavior patterns. That instinct and experience, infused with the clinical psychological training he has received, gives Trey a unique ability to help people get to the root causes and find solutions and breakthroughs quickly.https://toughenoughbook.com/ 

What is EMDR? Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful therapeutic tool designed to help the brain process traumatic memories. Unlike traditional talking therapy, it uses bilateral stimulation (typically this is guided eye movements) to reduce the emotional charge of distressing experiences, allowing the mind to heal.In this episode, we explore what an EMDR session looks like, how quickly you might see results and who could benefit most from this approach.Listen to the special place visualisation here. We currently offer EMDR through our Wellbeing Hub. If you're curious about how EMDR could support you or a family member, our team is here to help.Call us on 0202 7354 4161 or email us wellbeinghub@familyfutures.co.uk www.familyfutures.co.uk/wellbeing-hub

E441 – Inner Voice | A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan & Dr. Mohammad Nami In this powerful neuroscience and mental health discussion, Dr. Mohammad Nami, Associate Professor at Canadian University Dubai and Clinical Neuroscience Director at BrainHub UAE, joins Dr. Foojan for a heartfelt and in-depth conversation about memory formation, trauma healing, PTSD treatment, EMDR therapy, neuromodulation, psychedelics in psychiatry, and dementia prevention.

Sleep doesn't break because you forgot how to close your eyes. It breaks when anxiety trains your brain to stay on guard, and when quick fixes like alcohol, cannabis, or OTC sleep aids sedate you without restoring you. We team up with Australian psychologist and author Helen Dugdale to unpack how insomnia forms, why 3 a.m. wakeups become a habit loop, and the practical, evidence‑based steps that rebuild real rest—especially for people in recovery.Helen shares how anxiety sits at the core of most sleep problems and why the brain's plasticity is our greatest ally. We dig into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT‑I) basics—aligning with circadian rhythm, setting simple pre‑bed routines, and replacing catastrophic thoughts with repeatable behaviors—and explore how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) calms trauma so sleep skills can finally land. Expect concrete tactics: caffeine cutoffs tied to bedtime, screen boundaries that don't feel punitive, mantras that redirect attention, breathing and counting that occupy mental space, and progressive muscle relaxation you can run anywhere, even in a noisy room with the lights on.We also address the realities people with addiction face: unstable housing, tight budgets, caregiving, and long days that drain executive function. You'll hear how to build micro‑habits that fit into crowded lives—thirty seconds while the kettle boils, one minute before starting the car, seven minutes as “0.5% of your day.” We talk timelines for progress, what to do on rough days when HALT hits, and how to bounce back from relapse without shame. The throughline is hope: you are worth the effort, and repetition rewires nights. If you're ready to trade quick fixes for deep, durable rest, this conversation gives you a blueprint you can start tonight.Subscribe, share with a friend who needs better sleep, and leave a review with the one habit you'll try first. Your feedback helps others find the show.To learn more about Helen's work: https://australianbraincoaching.com.auTo contact Dr. Grover: ammadeeasy@fastmail.com

Have you ever felt like you've talked about your anxiety until you're blue in the face, yet the panic still feels "stuck" in your body?In this episode, I'm joined by Lilly Risch, an expert EMDR therapist and consultant. We're moving beyond traditional talk therapy to explore Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)—a body-based modality specifically designed to target the root of panic and anxiety disorders."EMDR is a really powerful way to look at symptoms and help people make progress a lot quicker than traditional talk therapy... because our brains and our nervous systems are complex." — Lilly RischJOIN PANIC TO PEACE HERE: https://www.ahealthypush.com/live-panic-to-peaceTAKE MY FREE QUIZ AND FIND OUT WHAT'S CAUSING YOU TO STAY STUCK: https://www.ahealthypush.com/blocking-quizA HEALTHY PUSH INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ahealthypush/GET THIS EPISODE'S SHOW NOTES: https://www.ahealthypush.com/post/emdr-therapy

Two early birds set up and execute a podcast in under eight hours! A record scheduling feat. Patient, soft spoken and flexible, Illinois muralist and window painter, Leslie, brought so much to the podcast table. Listen as this Peru, Indiana transplant talks about her strict religious upbringing, getting married young, having children young, planting a church, breaking away from her religious roots, teaching music, divorce, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), using art for therapy and beginning life again as a muralist and window painter. She is as vibrant and playful as her creations and a pleasure to interview. Emily Harrington, here! Mom, wife, retired communications liaison and host of the HyperLocal(s) Podcast. Each week I bring you a pod where townies and transplants share their tales of tears and triumphs, losses and wins. In an effort to provide a way for those that don't want a public podcast, but still have a story to tell friends and family, I've created, In Retrospect: A HyperLocal(s) Project, a private podcast. Visit hyperlocalscu.com/in-retrospectThank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don't forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops! Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

In this episode we sit down with Dr. Kendhal Hart, clinician, educator, author and trauma expert who has spent years refining how Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be brought together in a structured, relational, and highly usable way. Dr. Hart's work helps therapists move beyond seeing these models as separate tools and toward an integration that honors both clinical structure and the lived experience of clients. A central theme of our conversation is how couples therapy can be relational, safety-focused, and bring in elements of trauma and parts. We also reflect on making therapy more accessible for people with diverse nervous systems and learning styles — specifically how clinicians can be taught more specific about strategies in IFS to help them understand concepts of direct access and Self. Dr. Hart is the author of Treating Trauma with EMDR and IFS: A Clinician's Guide to Integrating Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy with Internal Family Systems, the first full-length book dedicated to this integration. This guide offers clear, practical steps for integrating IFS across all eight phases of EMDR, and it has become one of our favorite resources, together with my book, for clinicians seeking depth, coherence, and compassion in trauma work. If you are a clinician interested in thoughtful, grounded, and relational trauma therapy, this conversation is for you! Check out Dr. Hart's website here: kendhalhart.com Check out her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Treating-Trauma-EMDR-IFS-Desensitization/dp/1648487076/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19GPVFUYOZ2X2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dJHFPN7PsVEdJS-txTB1OIkvKCpE3Iuhazeep5zeOOU.w0xvDgDGUIJTPgbsiBETYStLgdw2mwHSESa00afmi8o&dib_tag=se&keywords=kendall+hart&qid=1768189580&sprefix=kendhal+hart%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-1

Unlocking Relationship Success: Insights from Therapist Kayla Crane Southdenvertherapy.com About the Guest(s): Kayla Crane is a seasoned licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in relationships, mental health, and trauma. With a focus on relational trauma work, including infidelity, Kayla provides transformative strategies and therapeutic techniques to help individuals and couples achieve emotional well-being. Her practice includes talk therapy, couples therapy, relationship coaching, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Based in Denver, Kayla offers her services through South Denver Therapy and extends her expertise globally through relationship coaching for clients located outside Colorado. Episode Summary: In this captivating episode of The Chris Vos Show, host Chris Vos dives into the complex world of relationships and emotional well-being with licensed therapist Kayla Crane. With a career dedicated to marriage and family therapy, Kayla unpacks the intricacies of relational trauma, the psychological impact of infidelity, and the crucial role of communication in sustaining healthy relationships. The discussion highlights the importance of addressing unresolved childhood trauma and generational issues that often resurface in adult relationships. Kayla outlines practical therapeutic interventions for relational trauma, such as systematic affair recovery therapy and relational life therapy, which focus on direct, practical approaches rather than conventional methods. Key topics include recognizing when it’s time for therapy, how to deal with unresolved childhood traumas, and the essential nature of empathy and open communication in mending and strengthening relationships. Key Takeaways: Childhood Trauma’s Impact: Unresolved childhood trauma plays a significant role in adult relationships and can manifest as disproportionate reactions during conflicts. Communication is Key: Open and direct communication, even about uncomfortable topics, is essential for relationship health. Importance of Therapy: Couples are encouraged to seek therapy not only to solve existing problems but also as a preemptive measure to strengthen their bond. Generational Trauma: Understanding and addressing generational trauma are vital for breaking unhealthy relationship patterns. Constructive Conflict Resolution: Establishing conflict resolution agreements and taking timeouts can lead to healthier argument dynamics. Notable Quotes: “You can take accountability for contributing to your partner’s pain whether you agree or not. If they’re hurting, they’re hurting.” “A lot of people think when they're going to therapy, the relationship is probably over, but sometimes the issues are fixable.” “If you're having maybe a disproportionate response, that's a sign you're responding to something from your past.” “Relationships can improve significantly with just a few tools and open communication.” “Generational trauma shows up all the time, especially where trauma wasn't worked on as commonly as it is today.”

Patrick lives in a tiny house in Philadelphia with his wife, toddler, and elderly beagle mix. Patrick is a seasoned psychotherapist who specializes in helping his clients heal from PTSD and Complex trauma. As a trauma survivor himself, this is Patrick's life's work. As the founder of Philadelphia EMDR, Patrick provides trauma-informed care and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for clients across the country through secure virtual sessions. His work blends deep clinical expertise with a grounded, relational presence—and a belief that healing is both courageous and profoundly human. You can find him on Facebook at Philadelphia EMDR, on instagram @FeelingsDaddy and on the web at PhiladelphiaEMDR.com

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 this episode of Empowered Through Compassion, I sit down with clinician-trainer Michelle Richardson, who is the co-founder of the Syzygy Institute. Michelle is a leading voice in integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. We explore how these two powerful models can be woven together to create deeper healing. Michelle shares how she has found how creating space and building meaningful relationships with protector parts can in itself be extremely healing. Whether you're an EMDR therapist looking for parts-work fluency, or an IFS practitioner exploring reprocessing protocols, this episode offers actionable insights, clinical humility & relational depth. Tune in to find out how you can deepen your clinical toolkit, and expand your confidence in parts-informed trauma work.   Syzygy: https://www.syzygyinstitute.com/   Michelle's Practice: https://mindfulsoulwellbeing.com/   #EmpoweredThroughCompassion #ETCmodel #IFS #EMDR #IFSInformedEMDR #SyzygyInstitute #TraumaTherapy #TherapyTraining #PartsWork #TraumaInformed

In Episode 219 of the Transition Drill Podcast, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Brett Ryan has spent nearly two decades helping first responders and military veterans confront trauma, rebuild relationships, and reclaim their lives. Brett shares how he founded Brett Ryan Counseling and built a private practice trusted by police officers, firefighters, and military service members.Brett explains how trauma affects those who serve on the front lines and why many still struggle to seek help. He reveals how methods like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) are transforming the way first responders and veterans process stress, recover from post-traumatic experiences, and reconnect with family.From his early years in ministry to his advanced clinical training, Brett's story is one of purpose and compassion. He discusses the stigma surrounding therapy, how confidentiality and trust are crucial for those in uniform, and the growing shift among younger first responders who now see therapy as mental maintenance rather than a last resort.This episode goes beyond the surface to explore what real healing looks like for those who protect others daily. It's a powerful conversation about resilience, emotional health, and the courage it takes to heal from the inside out.The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life.Follow the show and share it with another veteran or first responder who would enjoy this.CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#aboutQUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:paul@transitiondrillpodcast.comSPONSORS:GRND CollectiveGet 15% off your purchaseLink: https://thegrndcollective.com/Promo Code: TRANSITION15Total Force Plus ConferenceLink: https://totalforceplus.org

Mandy Morris is known for helping leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals break the hidden emotional patterns that sabotage their success , quickly and effectively. She's an Executive Psychology Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified EMDR Clinician, and Co-Founder of soFree. How does unresolved trauma show up in leadership, even when someone appears high-functioning? What role does the nervous system play in how we make decisions, regulate emotions, and respond to stress? Why do high performers repeat patterns of self-sabotage, and how can neuroscience help break those cycles? What inspired you to create soFree, and how does it help users regulate stress in under two minutes? Mandy Morris Mandy Morris is known for helping leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals break the hidden emotional patterns that sabotage their success , quickly and effectively. She's an Executive Psychology Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified EMDR Clinician, and Co-Founder of soFree, a breakthrough stress-relief app that helps users reset their nervous system in under two minutes. With over a decade of experience, Mandy's mission is to free people from the grip of unresolved wounds and disrupt the cycles of self-sabotage that quietly shape their behavior, relationships, and performance. Specializing in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), she helps clients rewire their minds and heal at the source, empowering them to lead, live, and connect with greater clarity and resilience. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching, which helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching, a company that specializes in leadership development.

Today's topic is maternal near-miss. If that term is unfamiliar, please join us to learn more about this perinatal scenario that profoundly impacts many birthing people, their partners, and the future of their mental health, marriages, and families. Our guest shares her professional expertise and her personal experience with navigating pregnancy loss, postpartum hemorrhage, and postpartum anxiety. Since this is an intense topic, please judge for yourself whether you are ready to listen.  Tiffany Lowther is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. She owns Lowther Counseling Services and is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Perinatal Mental Health. She specializes in supporting adults through pregnancy and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, along with trauma and PTSD related to pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum.  Show Highlights: Tiffany's journey leading to her specialization in perinatal mental health Explaining maternal near-miss: a life-threatening complication during pregnancy, childbirth, or up to 42 days postpartum, where a birthing person almost dies, but survives Don't dismiss or ignore feelings that something is “off.” Racial disparity and medical bias need to be changed. Emotional impacts of maternal near-miss (on the birthing person AND the family) The range of complicated feelings with maternal near-miss Conflicting emotions when the partner has to take over for the mother The importance of men taking care of their own mental health, even though they may find it uncomfortable Avoidance, dismissal, and a hesitation to have more children after a maternal near-miss Turning toward each other with honesty and love–how it helps the relationship. Steps to healing after maternal near-miss: Reach out to your support system and the appropriate mental health professionals. Talk to others in support groups to find empowerment. Tell your story! It helps the healing process. Recall the beautiful parts of your story. Tiffany's perspective: What mothers say about their healing, reconciliation, recovery, and relief after doing the hard work Tiffany's advice for those who have been through a maternal near-miss and might want to have another child Resources: Connect with Tiffany Lowther: Website and Facebook Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit cdph.ca.gov Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, email me about openings for private pay clients! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How we care for ourselves is inextricably connected to how we lead.In a culture where we moralize health and sell wellness as a symbol of worth, where we're obsessed with productivity and optimization, our relationships with food and our bodies go beyond personal struggles.They shape how we lead, how we show up for others, and how we define success. When leaders model extreme routines, restrictive regimens, or performance-based wellness, they may unintentionally perpetuate shame and comparison–even if they intend to inspire or be helpful.This isn't a dismissal of health. Caring for our bodies, feeding ourselves well, and seeking movement that feels good and helps our bodies be strong are powerful acts of self-respect. But when an obsession with performance and purity–whether through hustle culture or “clean” living–erodes our self-trust and amplifies our inner critics, it becomes a leadership issue.Today's guest is an eating disorder specialist who understands how shame, perfectionism, and chronic striving get tangled up in how we feed and care for ourselves, and how we show up in the world. Unburdening our relationship with food and body isn't just about health; it's a powerful leadership move.As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Jeanne Catanzaro has specialized in treating eating issues and trauma for close to 30 years. She trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) before discovering the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. Dr. Catanzaro served as the director of a day treatment program for eating disorders for two years and is currently the Vice President of the Internal Family Systems Institute. She is the author of the book, Unburdened Eating: Healing Your Relationships with Food and Your Body Using an Internal Family Systems Approach.Listen to the full episode to hear:Why unburdening our relationship with food and body is a continual process, not a three-step planHow to approach your motivations for how you eat and exercise with curiosity and compassionHow diet culture isn't just about weight, but reflects wider cultural and systemic beliefs about bodies, health, beauty, and worthHow value judgments about how we and others eat protect us from vulnerability and reinforce hierarchiesWhy it's impossible to fixate on your own body without your self-judgment rubbing off onto othersCommon wellness traps that can feed our inner managers and protectors at the expense of our core self-knowledgeLearn more about Dr. Jeanne Catanzaro:WebsiteUnburdened Eating: Healing Your Relationships with Food and Your Body Using an Internal Family Systems ApproachLearn more about Rebecca:rebeccaching.comWork With RebeccaThe Unburdened Leader on SubstackSign up for the weekly Unburdened Leader EmailResources:Health Food Junkies Orthorexia Nervosa: Overcoming the Obsession with Healthful Eating, Steven Bratman, David KnightHealth At Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight, Lindo BaconHealth at Every Size® (HAES®) Principles – ASDAHSelf-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, Dr. Kristin NeffJessica WilsonSonya Renee TaylorSabrina StringsDa'Shaun HarrisonJessica KnurickEvelyn TriboleWhy Can't Americans Sleep? - Jennifer Senior, The AtlanticOriginal Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, Jake Tapper, Alex ThompsonCeleste, Pete KuzmaLincoln's DilemmaThe Great British Baking ShowThe Breakfast ClubThe Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star

Hey team! My guest this week is Dr. Ute Liersch, a Chartered Counselling and Coaching Psychologist with over a decade of clinical experience and author of A Minimalist's Guide to Becoming Resilient. Dr. Ute specializes in helping adults navigate anxiety, ADHD, and burnout. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness-based therapies. Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Ute is an associate lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London, and holds a Fellowship in Higher Education. In our conversation, we explore the nervous system beyond the textbook fight-flight-freeze model, including how our nervous system shapes our mood, motivation, and even the way we see the world. Dr. Ute explains why so many of us with ADHD find that our sympathetic nervous system is permanently on edge and how we can work on rewiring that response. We also talk about perfectionism, attention types, and what resilience looks like in real life, breaking it down into actionable steps that fit into our schedules and ADHD brains. If you'd life to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at http://hackingyouradhd.com/240 YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/y835cnrk Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HackingYourADHD This Episode's Top Tips 1. Our parasympathetic nervous system can get stuck in a permanent state of “go time.” To help move our PNS back to a relaxed state, Dr. Ute suggests progressive muscle relaxation, where you are tensing and then releasing muscle groups one at a time so you can physically feel the shift from tension to ease. 2. Many of us have internalized the idea that there's something fundamentally wrong with the way we work, think, or exist. Dr. Ute suggests replacing this assumption of personal defect with curiosity: “If I weren't wrong, what would I need to feel safe?” This slight shift can open up room to problem-solve and tailor strategies to your actual needs. 3. We often talk about resilience like it's a fixed trait—you either “have it” or you don't. But Dr. Ute points out that resilience is about what you do, not what you are. It's built in small, repeatable actions that teach your nervous system and your mind how to recover from stressors. Resilience isn't about holding it together forever; it's about giving yourself enough space and recovery so you can keep going when you need it the most.

Survivor's guilt is a complex and often distressing emotional and psychological response that occurs when an individual feels guilty for surviving a traumatic event or situation when others did not. It is most commonly associated with situations like:Natural Disasters: When people survive earthquakes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters while others perish.Accidents: Surviving a car crash, plane crash, or other accidents where others involved did not survive.Combat: Soldiers who return from war zones where their comrades were killed in action.Illness: Surviving a serious illness or medical condition when others with similar conditions did not make it.Mass Shootings or Acts of Violence: Survivors of mass shootings or violent incidents may experience survivor's guilt if they escaped while others were injured or killed.Survivor's guilt can manifest in various ways, including:Feelings of Guilt: Survivors may question why they lived while others died, leading to feelings of guilt and self-blame.Flashbacks and Intrusive Thoughts: Recurrent, distressing memories of the traumatic event may plague survivors.Depression and Anxiety: Survivors may experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Social Withdrawal: They may isolate themselves from friends and family, believing they don't deserve happiness or connection.Physical Symptoms: Survivor's guilt can manifest physically, with symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue.Self-Destructive Behavior: In extreme cases, survivors may engage in self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse or reckless actions.Understanding survivor's guilt is important because it can have a profound impact on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. It can also affect their relationships and overall quality of life. Treatment typically involves therapy, particularly trauma-focused therapies like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Support from friends, family, and support groups can also be beneficial in helping survivors cope with these challenging feelings.In this episode, we hear from a source that both surviving roommates are suffering from survivors guilt and that both have had a very difficult time in the wake of the murders.(commercial at 8:54)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Survivor's Guilt: Definition, Symptoms, Traits, Causes, Treatment (verywellmind.com)source:Roommates of Idaho Students 'Feel Survivor's Guilt' About Murders (people.com)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

In this episode, I speak with Karen Sprinkel Ancelet about her path to integrating trauma-informed, psychedelic-assisted therapy into her clinical practice. Karen shares how, early in her career, she worked with families whose loved ones had been murdered by a serial killer. She found that the models she had been trained in were not enough to address the profound spiritual trauma her clients experienced as they struggled to make sense of such horrific loss. This realization led Karen to begin practicing Buddhism and eventually to live in Asia, where she deepened her understanding of human suffering. While working with people from Thailand and Tibet who had endured trauma, she witnessed how cultural perspectives shape the ways we make meaning out of tragedy and resilience. She also facilitated group therapy for child sexual abuse survivors, where she discovered that while some approaches were effective for certain individuals, they were not universally helpful. From these experiences, Karen came to conceptualize trauma as impacting the mind, body, and spirit, all of which must be addressed in healing. She describes her initial skepticism toward psychedelic therapies, coming from a place of purism, but shares how her perspective shifted as she learned more about their effectiveness. Immersing herself in advanced training and certification, Karen began working with clients using psychedelics in therapeutic contexts. Karen also discusses the breadth of her training across multiple trauma-healing approaches. She highlights Somatic modalities such as Somatic Experiencing, Hakomi, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy; Desensitization-based methods like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting; and Parts models including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Voice Dialogue, and Ego State Therapy. She explains how client factors often determine which approach is the best fit for a given individual. Throughout our conversation, Karen emphasizes her commitment to helping clients heal from PTSD as efficiently as possible. This integrative vision inspired her book, The Thriving Self: A New Paradigm for Healing the Mind, Body and Spirit and Moving Beyond It, which offers clients a framework to move toward healing without spending years in therapy. Karen Sprinkel Ancelet, LMFT is a licensed psychotherapist with more than 30 years of clinical experience, practicing in California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Michigan. She specializes in trauma-informed care and integrates a broad range of evidence-based modalities, including EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems (Level 3), and HeartMath. Karen is also a Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) provider with advanced psychedelic training through MAPS, Fluence, and Three Cups. She graduated with a Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research from CIIS. In addition to her clinical practice, she serves as a consultant, educator, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Continuing Education provider. A pivotal chapter in Karen's life was her time living in Asia, where she conducted her master's research on trauma healing following violent crimes in Tibet, Southeast Asia, and the United States. Deeply impacted by these findings, she returned to Asia for several years to further her exploration. Today, Karen weaves together the ancient wisdom of meditation and mindfulness with contemporary approaches such as EMDR, Brainspotting, Flash, EFT, IFS, and Somatic Experiencing to guide and support her clients in their healing journey.

Long Beach resident Amie Lowery-Luties is a licensed therapist determined to make therapy affordable for everyone. Her mission has led her to not only recommend a highly effective alternative to traditional methods but also ensure that it's accessible to as many people as possible.A growing body of research suggests a new therapeutic approach called the Flash Technique (FT) could revolutionize how clinicians treat traumatic memories. Developed within the preparation phase of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, FT allows individuals to reduce the emotional intensity of disturbing memories—often in just minutes—without having to fully relive them.Instead of focusing directly on the trauma, clients concentrate on a positive, engaging activity while intermittently “flashing” their eyes as prompted by a therapist. This process appears to grant the brain brief, calm access to the memory, enabling it to be reconsolidated with less emotional charge.Luties says her passion for the work comes from a desire to make therapy more accessible. “That's where my passion always came from," she explained. “Trying to make affordable options and doing pro-bono work. And volunteer work.” She believes therapy is essential, and affordability is just as important. “There are people who are not lazy, who are really hard workers who just weren't given the same opportunity for whatever reason,” she said.Luties uses a variation called Four Blink Flash Therapy, which works similarly to EMDR but with some differences. “You watch a YouTube video,” she said. “The only rule is that it can't have to do with what you're working on.” For example, if someone is trying to heal from a divorce and was married on the beach, they should avoid videos that include the ocean or sand.For Luties, the results with Four Blink Therapy have been striking. “It's put me out of business with a lot of clients,” she joked, noting that the method often allows her patients to laugh instead of cry their PTSD away. “That is the most freeing and cool feeling that I've ever experienced in my 30 years of being a therapist.”Researchers have adapted the method for group settings, children, highly dissociative clients, and even without the blinking or bilateral stimulation used initially. The approach has been effective in easing symptoms such as anxiety, avoidance, and intrusive thoughts, and in improving psychological quality of life.While scientists are still exploring the exact neurological mechanisms, early models suggest FT taps into brain systems that allow trauma processing without triggering an overwhelming fear response.Experts caution that more controlled trials are needed, but the results so far point to FT—and variations like Four Blink Flash Therapy—as promising, low-intensity alternatives for those struggling with traumatic memories.Luties believes the world would be a better place if everyone had access to mental health care. In that spirit, she and Therapy Shortcut—the site that offers Four Blink Flash Therapy—are offering a special promotion to JackieRaeTV.com readers.Therapy Shortcut typically offers Four Blink Flash Therapy for $20 per month with a seven-day free trial. However, by using the following link, readers can receive a 30-day free trial and a discounted membership rate of just $15 per month. (https://www.therapyshortcut.com/30-5/?utm_source=148)In the end, Luties has one goal: to help as many people as possible. “I believe a majority of our issues could probably be solved if people had easy access to mental health,” she said.

Meet Jenn Robb—author, coach, wife, and fiercely devoted mom. With over 20 years in acute care medicine and certifications in functional and integrative approaches, Jenn brings both clinical expertise and lived compassion to her work.She's the author of Warrior Mom Rising, a raw and powerful account of her journey through her teen daughter's severe anxiety, depression, and trauma. Through that fire, Jenn discovered that true healing often doesn't come from a prescription—it comes from purpose, from community, and from knowing you're not alone. She wears many hats, but at the center of it all is one driving force: helping women—especially mothers—find strength, hope, and purpose in their hardest seasons. Even though she directs her message to Mothers, this episode talks about different procedures and steps that can be taken by fathers, spouses or any loved one or even just the individual themselves to fight Anxiety and depression, especially PTSD after a traumatic episode. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the techniques discussed in this episode. We also talk about a service dog that can calm and center a person with anxiety and depression.There were times Jenn felt like she was drowning—unsure of how to help her, daughter, what to do next, or even how to take care of herself. She knows the ache of watching her child suffer and feeling completely helpless. and knows the guilt, the self-doubt, and the deep longing for breakthrough.Warrior Mom Rising is a lifeline for moms carrying the invisible weight of their child's mental health struggles. Through fierce advocacy, faith-filled wisdom, and raw honesty, this guide empowers moms to rise from exhaustion and guilt into strength, purpose, and hope. Whether you're navigating schools, doctor visits, or late-night worry spirals, Jenn Robb offers the tools, encouragement, and battle-tested strategies you need to advocate fiercely, overcome burnout, and rediscover your own strength.Jenn Robb's sitesBook: A Mom's Battle Plan To Advocate, Overcome, & Thrive Official Website: Jenn Robb's WebsiteFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenn.robb.2025/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warriormom_jennrobb/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Warriormom_jennrobb/Threads : https://www.threads.com/@warriormom_jennrobbOTR sites:Podcast Website: https://bobadleman.wixsite.com/otrmentalhealthMail: OvertheRainbowbob@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/otrachievingmentalhealhfrInstagram:

Life with A Thousand Paper Cuts – What PTSD Feels Like with Cole GraceJune was Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) awareness month. And yes, even though it is now July, I am airing this interview with Cole Grace, who shares his story about what it feels like to have PTSD, and to recover and experience calm despite having a life going through chaos. Bio:Cole Grace had a difficult early childhood. His parents divorced when he was four years old. And although he was never physically or sexually abused, and never lost anyone tragically, he didn't think he had childhood trauma. Cole joined the Army National Guard and went to Iraq as a combat engineer responsible for IED route clearance and convoy security in 2005. He was attached to multiple units and low ranking because he got in trouble for smoking weed. So he got the worst of the worst jobs. Through this, Cole repressed his emotions in the moment, but later realized he had trauma from his childhood and his combat experience. Cole went back to school and ended up getting a high paying job for the government in 2012. He thought that meant that he was healed from the stomach episodes he suffered from while in Iraq, some of which led him to go to the emergency room after returning to the United States in 2006. When he worked for the government in 2012, it was in the midst of the opioid crisis. So that meant when he went to the hospital, many times they wouldn't give him pain medicine anymore. So he self medicated and eventually became addicted to opiates in 2015. Cole went to rehab in 2017 and learned about childhood trauma, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and started reading self-help books and books about trauma. He started trying different healing modalities and eventually putting together the outline for the book Internal to External - Calming the Chaos Within. “Your external world can change in an instant, but you can't take away the internal things.”Timestamps 7:30 Cole tells his story10:00 The Army / Combat Experience14:00 Radiation Exposure in Iraq16:20 “I just checked off this whole checklist and I still don't feel good.”19:10 “Unlearn your Pain and Depression” book by Howard Schubiner at https://unlearnyourpain.com/unlearn-your-pain-book/21:47 “The Body Keeps the Score” and “7 Habits for Highly Successful People” and other self-help books helped him connect to the subconscious 23:30 What Cole does to monitor his subconscious mind1. Awareness and Acceptance of Unhelpful Beliefs2. Reframing these beliefs into truthful / helpful ones3. Embracing more positivity4. Breathwork, affirmations and gratitude practices, personal mission statement27:00 Tracy says to focus on what's both truthful and helpful when reframing beliefs and doing affirmationsCole agrees…and adds, “What you say has to have the possibility of being truthful”28:33 Tracy's way of approaching Trauma with clients, and the benefits of addressing trauma that can benefit you in the long run29:36 Why should we even address trauma, anyway?31:32: “Between the stimulus and the response is a choice”Cole tells how he's done the work, and yet still has some challenges, he deals with them“Heal Your Body” book by Louise Hay https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Your-Body-Louise-Hay/dp/9394613846In his life, Cole had to push through a lot of fear, justifications, and excuses to publish this book. But he did it. He believes that the book is inspiring and that it gives practical ways and “tactics” to improve your quality of life without the expectation of perfection.“I do not have it all figured out, and I don't pretend to. So I believe that makes me more relatable than some other people that write on the subject of mental health and PTSD.” 39:40 Cole's Book...

Send us a textWhat happens when you combine military experience, personal recovery, cutting-edge trauma therapies, and the healing power of nature? Beau Laviolette's remarkable journey answers this question through a story of transformation and purpose.From the sugar cane fields of Louisiana to the Marine Corps and back again, Beau's path wasn't straightforward. After military service ended unexpectedly due to seizures, he faced addiction struggles that eventually led him to recovery and a calling to help others. This deeply personal experience became the foundation for his approach to trauma healing, combining Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy using the Syzyge method.Beau takes us through his discovery of these powerful modalities and how they complement each other, particularly when working with complex trauma. While EMDR helps process traumatic memories, IFS provides the framework to understand the protective parts of ourselves that develop in response to trauma. This combination creates a comprehensive approach that addresses both neurobiological and psychological aspects of trauma recovery.The conversation ventures into fascinating territory as Beau describes his veteran-focused nature retreats. These immersive experiences take healing beyond the constraints of office therapy, allowing veterans to "unplug, connect, and let go" in natural settings. He explains how nature inherently contains qualities that facilitate access to what IFS calls "self-energy" – our core self characterized by compassion, curiosity, and calm.Developing Meaning is NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY INSTITUTIONS and is NOT INTENDED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.Theme Music by The Thrashing Skumz.Produced by Dirk Winter MD PhD and brought to you by Consilient Mind LLC.

Do what you love, and you won't work a day in your life? Close, but not quite! Niching down and working within your passion and ideal client group will still take effort and work, but it can be easier than staying a generalist, especially if you are dreaming about working more intentionally with the groups of people you care the most about helping.  In today's episode, I speak with Liv (they/them) about niching down, starting a private practice, and running workshops, all of which they started in an effort to reshape their life around their needs, dreams, and desires.  So, it's maybe not about not working at all, but about doing the work that feels right for you!  MEET LIV Liv (they/them) is a registered social worker who works primarily with queer, neurodivergent and disabled folks who have experienced trauma. They are guided by anti-oppressive, strength-based, trauma-informed care and use methods such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to get to the root of what you are struggling with. They offer services to individuals and partners, youths and adults, virtually across Ontario and in-person in Cornwall. Learn more about Liv on their Psychology Today profile and bookings page.  In this episode:  Why Liv became a social worker Starting a private practice  Partnering with aligned organizations  Niching down to boost success  Advice for listeners  Why Liv became a social worker From Liv's personal experience, as well as seeing people struggle with mental health, they felt drawn to becoming a Registered Social Worker to help people go through life a little more easily.  Additionally, Liv works primarily with queer, neurodivergent, and disabled folks because they have these life experiences too.  Starting a private practice  After Liv's extensive experience working in the public sector, they started to consider opening up a Canadian private practice. This was partially due to burnout, a need to structure work around their health more, and simply a desire for something new in their career.  Starting a private practice allowed Liv to create the life that they wanted to live. One that was professionally structured around their personal needs, and that supported a happier, healthier, freer lifestyle with less stress and more flexibility.  After working in the public sector, Liv worked in another group practice, but after a few months, they started their own private practice, which is what Liv is doing now.  Partnering with aligned organizations Liv's private practice is going well! Now that they're able to work more freely, Liv can build the practice from the ground up in close alignment with their values.  Also, Liv has started to partner with organizations where they see drop-in clients. Liv explains that they know things take time, so they are making professional moves to increase clients, market the practice, and collaborate with like-minded organizations while slowly growing the solo practice each month.  Niching down to boost success To stand out and connect with their ideal clients, Liv has made a big effort to niche down.  Niching down in private practice is not only a great business strategy for success, but also a method for you to really integrate your work with your passion.  Liv has also begun participating in workshops to expand their client base and strengthen their professional network.  Advice for listeners  Things take time! Be patient, especially in the first few months of private practice. Don't let impostor syndrome get you down, since sometimes you will need to put in lots of effort before you see a return on it. So, be patient, keep going, and work with your passion!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Catharine Martin: Inside Jane App's AI Scribe | EP 170 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Get some help and freebies on your website with WordPress!  Learn more about Liv on their Psychology Today profile and bookings page  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Survivor's guilt is a complex and often distressing emotional and psychological response that occurs when an individual feels guilty for surviving a traumatic event or situation when others did not. It is most commonly associated with situations like:Natural Disasters: When people survive earthquakes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters while others perish.Accidents: Surviving a car crash, plane crash, or other accidents where others involved did not survive.Combat: Soldiers who return from war zones where their comrades were killed in action.Illness: Surviving a serious illness or medical condition when others with similar conditions did not make it.Mass Shootings or Acts of Violence: Survivors of mass shootings or violent incidents may experience survivor's guilt if they escaped while others were injured or killed.Survivor's guilt can manifest in various ways, including:Feelings of Guilt: Survivors may question why they lived while others died, leading to feelings of guilt and self-blame.Flashbacks and Intrusive Thoughts: Recurrent, distressing memories of the traumatic event may plague survivors.Depression and Anxiety: Survivors may experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Social Withdrawal: They may isolate themselves from friends and family, believing they don't deserve happiness or connection.Physical Symptoms: Survivor's guilt can manifest physically, with symptoms like headaches, nausea, and fatigue.Self-Destructive Behavior: In extreme cases, survivors may engage in self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse or reckless actions.Understanding survivor's guilt is important because it can have a profound impact on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. It can also affect their relationships and overall quality of life. Treatment typically involves therapy, particularly trauma-focused therapies like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Support from friends, family, and support groups can also be beneficial in helping survivors cope with these challenging feelings.In this episode, we hear from a source that both surviving roommates are suffering from survivors guilt and that both have had a very difficult time in the wake of the murders.(commercial at 8:54)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Survivor's Guilt: Definition, Symptoms, Traits, Causes, Treatment (verywellmind.com)source:Roommates of Idaho Students 'Feel Survivor's Guilt' About Murders (people.com)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

My guest today is Karla Elizondo. Karla Elizondo is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Mindset Coach with over 20 years of personal and spiritual development expertise. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), is a practitioner of Internal Family Systems (IFS), and incorporates the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) into her coaching practice. She is also the Chief Media Officer for The Napoleon Hill Institute as well as a certified coach facilitating their life-changing programs. With over 4,000 hours of clinical experience, Karla has helped thousands uncover the root issues holding them back from living their highest potential using a holistic approach. She has helped many navigate issues, including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, self-image, creative blocks, and addictive behavior. With a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor's Degree in Film & TV Production, Karla strives to create conscious content that teaches and uplifts others. She believes that the medium of film and television is the most powerful way to tell inspiring and educational stories that help raise the collective consciousness. As an award-winning Toastmasters International Speaker, content producer, and sought-after coach, Karla uses her deep knowledge of the human condition, to create more empathetic connections and empower people around the world. In this episode we discuss Napoleon Hill, mindset mastery, radical responsibility, relationships, therapy, legacy leadership and personal development.Website - https://www.karlaelizondo.com/IG - https://www.instagram.com/karla_elizondo_/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Y2P5qkPPQ-cBFlO3PmXsgLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karla-elizondo-lmft-886b461ab/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@karlaelizondo_In this episode you will learn:1. The common pitfalls in relationships and how to bridge the gap when partners are on different paths.2. How taking full responsibility for our thoughts and actions can lead to creating the life that we desire.3. What some of the most empowering principles from Napoleon Hill are and how you can apply them to your own life to create lasting success. “The biggest pain, Brad, is when you betray yourself. That is the most painful thing.” - 00:04:31“We self-sabotage unconsciously. Nobody does it like we do know when we have we just we love the bad boy we just sabotage we like have we're addicted to the drama but it's more unconscious with every thought." 00:27:53“To empower someone is to put in or to put on power to that person. To empower myself is to put in, think empowering thoughts, to put in and to put on power. ” 00:52:32

Featuring Adam Blevins, M.A., CCISM – Author of Welcome to the S.H.I.F.T. Show: How to Love Yourself in a World That Won't What does it take to find self-worth in a world that doesn't want you to? This week, we're talking trauma, mental health, and the power of real transformation with former state trooper turned counselor Adam Blevins. His raw, five-step S.H.I.F.T. framework will challenge you to stop surviving and start thriving—no fluff, no BS. ✅ Learn how to: Break toxic patterns Build mental toughness Reclaim your story Adam Blevins, M.A., CCISM, is a former Virginia State Trooper who now serves as the Operations Director for the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP). In this role, he leads statewide initiatives focused on peer support, trauma intervention, and promoting wellness among first responders. Adam continues to serve his community as an auxiliary police officer with the Saltville Police Department, and as a licensed resident counselor at Rivers of Hope Counseling, LLC, where he specializes in therapy for trauma, grief, and emotional resilience. With advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and professional credentials in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), Adam brings both expertise and compassion to his work. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Liberty University, where he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Trauma-Informed Care. Combining his experience in law enforcement with his dedication to mental health, Adam offers a unique, practical perspective on suffering, identity, and healing. He is also the author of Welcome to the S.H.I.F.T. Show™: How to Love Yourself in a World That Won't, an unflinchingly honest and profoundly human guide for anyone ready to stop surviving and start truly living. The book releases May 13, 2025. https://a.co/d/gttBlVR

In this episode of The Art of Growth, Joel Hubbard and Jim Zartman sit down once again with therapist Michelle Pruett to explore “faux wisdom” in the therapy world—those phrases, concepts, and quick fixes that sound good but miss the heart of true healing. Together, they unpack how readiness, resistance, and relational depth play vital roles in transformation. They also revisit the importance of calibrated support and challenge, the misuse of trauma language, and how timing matters more than advice.

Send us a textAdam Blevins is a former Virginia State Trooper and currently serves as the Operations Director for the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP), where he leads statewide efforts in peer support, trauma response, and first responder wellness. He is also an auxiliary police officer with the Saltville Police Department and a licensed resident in counseling at Rivers of Hope Counseling, LLC, where he provides therapy with a focus on trauma, grief, and emotional resilience. Adam is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and holds professional credentials in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). He earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Liberty University, where he is also currently pursuing his PhD in Trauma-Informed Care. As both a public safety professional and a mental health provider, Adam brings a unique “boots on the ground” perspective to conversations around suffering, identity, and healing. He is also the author of Welcome to the S.H.I.F.T. Show™: How to Love Yourself in a World That Won't, a brutally honest, deeply human book designed for anyone who's tired of barely hanging on and ready to start showing up for themselves. The book will be available on May 13 th , 2025.Find Adam BlevinsInstagramFacebookFind The Suffering PodcastThe Suffering Podcast InstagramKevin Donaldson InstagramTom Flynn InstagramApple PodcastSpotifyYouTubeThe Suffering Podcast FamilySherri AllsupKetaReviveSupport the showThe Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube

Overview:In this episode of The Anxiety Society Podcast, host Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale dives deep into the complex relationship between trauma, anxiety, and PTSD. Joined by expert clinician Emily Weems, the discussion touches on effective treatment modalities, common misconceptions, and the powerful journey towards healing. Listeners can expect a candid conversation filled with personal anecdotes, clinical insights, and a hopeful message for those struggling with trauma-related disorders.Main Topics Discussed:The definition and nuances of trauma and PTSD.The comorbidity of PTSD with other disorders like OCD.Personal anecdotes illustrating the hosts' journey with anxiety and parenting challenges.The importance of evidence-based treatment and the effectiveness of different therapeutic modalities.The significance of understanding the distinctions between trauma responses and PTSD.Misuse of the term "PTSD" in everyday language and its implications for treatment.The hope and recovery available through proper trauma-focused therapy.Key Insights:PTSD is characterized by specific symptom clusters, including re-experiencing, avoidance, and emotional arousal, which can manifest differently in each individual.Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, highlighting the significance of resilience and recovery.Effective PTSD treatment modalities include Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Written Exposure Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).Significant personal growth and healing can result from trauma work, allowing individuals to redefine their narratives beyond their traumatic experiences.Notable Quotes:"Everyone deserves to heal, and it's important that we extend compassion to ourselves." – Emily Weems"What is more difficult is living with untreated PTSD." – Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale"Without our struggle, we wouldn't know our strength." – Dr. Elizabeth McIngvaleTimestamps:[00:00:01] Introduction and welcome back from maternity leave[00:01:30] Discussing the intersection of trauma and anxiety[00:12:00] Defining trauma and PTSD[00:30:00] Misuse of the term "PTSD"[00:45:00] Effective treatment options for PTSD[00:54:00] Personal growth through trauma recoveryRelevant Resources:OCD Texas: WebsiteAnxiety Society Podcast: anxietysocietypodcast.comCall to Action:If you found value in today's episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform, share your thoughts in a review, and connect with us on social media at @theanxietysocietypod. Your feedback helps us reach others who might benefit from our conversations about anxiety and trauma. Together, we can contribute to a more compassionate understanding of these mental health challenges.

"I'm sorry" might be the hardest two words to say to your teen. But what if apologizing is actually the key to rebuilding trust and connection?In today's episode, I sit down with therapist Dana VanRenterghem to unpack the real challenge of taking accountability with our teens and young adults. We dive into those messy moments when emotions run high, technology fails, and communication breaks down, and explore how a genuine apology can transform your relationship with your struggling teen or young adult.We'll explore why parents struggle to apologize to their kids and how our own emotional baggage gets in the way of meaningful repair. Dana also shares practical strategies for connecting with your teen, even when it feels impossible.Whether you're navigating a tough conversation or feeling stuck in a cycle of misunderstandings, this episode offers hope and real-world tools for parents who want to show up authentically for their kids.In this episode on how to apologize to your teen or young adult kid, we discuss: Why apologizing to your teen or young adult feels so difficult;The three-step process of genuine repair;How to take accountability without shame;Maintaining your role as a caregiver;Modeling emotional intelligence for your teens;And more!Looking for support?

As part of our Summer of Encores—revisiting standout episodes while host Shawna Rodrigues focuses on her breast cancer journey—we're bringing back this powerful and fan-favorite conversation from January 2023.In this re-release episode of The Grit Show, psychotherapist Will Halpin joins Shawna to unpack the transformative approach of Internal Family Systems (IFS). What if your mind isn't a battlefield, but an orchestra—filled with anxious flutes, perfectionist violins, and maybe even a snarky drummer or two?Together, they explore how understanding your “internal parts” can lead to greater self-awareness, emotional healing, and real change. Curious about concepts like protectors, exiles, or the 8 C's of healing? You'll hear relatable metaphors, real-life insights into anxiety and people-pleasing, and accessible mental health strategies you can start using right away.Whether this is your first listen or a meaningful return visit, this encore episode is packed with practical wisdom and fresh perspective on how to bring more compassion and clarity into your inner world.Will Halpin is a psychotherapist and public health social worker with over 22 years of experience working in community health center settings and in private practice in Boston, Massachusetts. Earlier in his career, he developed programs and a comprehensive curriculum with the Boston Public Health Commission to train providers on best practices in working with people struggling with crystal meth abuse and dependence. Most of his clinical experience has been working within the LGBTQAI+ population, and specifically complex/developmental trauma and substance abuse. He has trained in a variety of treatment modalities to offer a variety of options when working with survivors of trauma, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). He also enjoys training new practitioners who are learning IFS as an assistant course instructor for over three years, working with providers from India, Canada and all over the US. When he is not at work, you can find him in the mountains, in a lake, or in the woods enjoying whatever outdoor recreation is available in that particular season.Connect with Will - WillHalpin.comLearn more about IFS - IFS-Institute.comBooks:Self Therapy by Jay EarleyYou Are the One You've Been Waiting For - Dr. Richard SchwartzShawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 and after launching The Grit Show, soon learned the abysmal fact that women hosted only 27% of podcasts. This led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Podcast Network intent on raising that number by 10% in five years- 37 by 27. Because really, shouldn't it be closer to 50%? She now focuses on helping purpose driven solopreneurs find their ideal clients through podcasting. She believes that the first step is guesting on podcasts - check out her tip sheet and once you've built your business and are ready for the full-service support for podcasting production and mentoring, she'll help you launch the podcast you were meant for. Diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2025, much of this year will be prioritizing her fight, victory, and healing. If you would like to follow that journey and be one of her warriors you can learn more via

What Happens When the Work Finds You? Steve Bisson didn't plan to become a go-to therapist for first responders—but sometimes, purpose arrives without a roadmap. In this episode, Steve shares how a chance encounter on a crisis team back in 1999 set off a chain of events that led to a passionate, purpose-filled career. From riding along in police cruisers to launching a podcast that speaks directly to the hearts of firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement officers, Steve's story is a powerful reminder that when you say yes to the work that moves you, incredible things happen. Whether you're in private practice, thinking about your niche, or simply curious about the mental health needs of first responders, this episode offers insight, heart, and a deep respect for those who serve on the front lines. Tune in to hear how podcasting, trust, and showing up—again and again—can transform a practice, a community, and a life. Resources Mentioned In This Episode  Read the show notes here Watch on YouTube  Use the promo code “GORDON” to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free Google Ads for Therapists Consulting with Gordon Mental Health Wear TN Meet Steve Bisson Steve Bisson has helped a myriad of individuals navigate the complex terrain of mental health. With certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) since 2015, he has developed an expertise in addressing trauma and offering effective talk therapy. Given Steve's extensive background working in high-pressure environments—jails, houses of corrections, parole, and probation departments, courts, and alongside first responders—he has built an affinity for helping those who work within these challenging fields. Steve stands firmly behind his guiding motto: "Honest, Real, Change." This extends to every aspect of his practice, be it counseling, coaching, his enlightening books or thought-provoking podcast episodes that he began in 2021. His therapeutic approach prioritizes recognizing and addressing immediate issues while unpacking the histories that shape such behaviors. Resilience Development in Action Website YouTube Instagram

Did you know that dissociative disorders are almost as common as mood disorders? Drew & Garden System chat with Dorinna Ruh, LCSW and cover valuable information about prevalence rates, how to recognize dissociation in yourself or in your client, ways to assess for a dissociative disorder, and a few EMDR tips as well! If you're working with complex trauma, then you're working with dissociation. You won't want to miss this episode!About Dorinna Ruh, LCSW:Dorinna's career has spanned 34 years, as she became a counselor in 1989, working in the substance abuse field. She obtained her Master's Degree in Social Work from the State University of New York in 1995.After moving to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1999, she started a private practice. She was trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in 2001 and found that this therapy was so powerful and such a good fit for her that it has been her primary lens since then.  By 2010 she was both certified in and an approved consultant in EMDR therapy. For the past 9 years she has facilitated EMDR trainings for HAP/Trauma recovery and is currently a trainer candidate.She specializes in working with complex trauma and dissociative disorders and in addition to her therapy practice, she offers consultation and training for other therapists through her consultation business Advanced EMDR Education. Group consultation for EMDR certification and for advanced practitioners geared toward treating complex trauma. Individual consultation. Consultation link is https://advanced-emdr-education.com/consultation-groupsTrainings on Demand: Link is https://trainings.advanced-emdr-education.com/collectionsTherapy Snapshots — one-hour low-cost training on topics that have been super important to me:  EMDR Treatment Planning and Target Sequencing; Karpman's Drama Triangle as a Lens for Countertransference; Internal Healing Dialogue; Creative Resourcing; Building Internal Scaffolding with Ideal ParentWeaving in Cognitive Interweaves - a three-hour EMDRIA-approved classEMDR and Dissocation from the Beginning - a 12-hour EMDRIA-approved class that focuses on phases 1 and 2 of EMDR therapy.Thank you to our Sponsors for this Episode:https://www.instituteforcreativemindfulness.com/https://www.dylancrumpler.com/watch-petals-of-a-roseSend us a textFollow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, @note_to_selves Follow us on Facebook: A Couple of Multiples - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556823127239 Visit our website: acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list, join our private, on-line community Hearts Multiplied, register for peer coaching, consultations, and workshops!

In Part 10 of The Journey Beyond Death — and Part 2 of our "After-Death Communication" series — we explore groundbreaking methods for connecting with loved ones beyond the veil. Dr. Allan Botkin, renowned psychologist and creator of Induced After-Death Communication (IADC), shares how EMDR-based techniques can lift the crushing sadness of grief and create ideal conditions for spontaneous spiritual contact. His clinical work with PTSD veterans reveals that reaching a peaceful emotional state — not a hypnotic trance — opens the door to profound afterlife experiences. We also reconnect with acclaimed author Philip Smith, who describes his ongoing relationship with his late father through automatic writing and subtle energetic cues. Smith's vivid stories illustrate how spirit communication can be a natural extension of love and trust, not a mysterious or distant concept. His experiences challenge the skepticism of modern society and offer powerful testimony that emotional bonds persist beyond physical death. Adding another dimension, Patricia Mischell — psychic medium and near-death experiencer — explains how meditation, intention, and spiritual discipline create pathways for genuine after-death communications. She stresses the importance of discernment, emotional openness, and daily practice in cultivating these extraordinary connections. This powerful episode weaves together clinical research, personal testimony, and spiritual insight to illuminate one of the deepest questions of the human experience: Does death end the relationship, or simply change its form? Prepare to question everything you thought you knew ------------------------------ Featuring in order of appearance 02:200 - Dr. Allan Botkin 25:01 – Philip Smith 56:36 – Psychic Medium Patricia Mischell -------------------------------- Dr. Allan Botkin Dr. Allan L. Botkin, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist renowned for developing Induced After-Death Communication (IADC) therapy in 1995 while working at the Chicago Veterans Administration Hospital. This groundbreaking technique, an application of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), facilitates healing by enabling individuals to experience perceived contact with deceased loved ones. Dr. Botkin's book, Induced After Death Communication: A Miraculous Therapy for Grief and Loss, offers an in-depth account of IADC's discovery and development .​ Book: -------------------------------- Philip Smith Philip Smith is the author of Walking Through Walls, a memoir detailing his experiences growing up in 1960s Miami with his father, Lew Smith, an interior decorator who discovered he had the power to talk to the dead and heal the sick. The book provides a humorous and profound look into their unconventional family life .​ Website: -------------------------------- Patricia Mischell Patricia Mischell is a renowned psychic medium who, at the age of eleven, had a near-death experience during surgery, where she was clinically dead for seven minutes. During this time, she reported visiting "God's world" with her angel, an experience that granted her the ability to communicate with the deceased through mental telepathy . She is also the author of Beyond Positive Thinking: Mind Power Techniques for Discovering How Extraordinary You Really Are, which has sold over 100,000 copies.​ Website: --------------------------------

Send us a textSherrie is BackSherrie Allsup is an international speaker, educator, and subject matter expert with lived experience. She speaks on topics such as sexual assault, sexual abuse, trauma, and suicide. Sherrie is a survivor of long-term sexual abuse, trauma, and suicide attempts. After much hard work and healing she became the founder and CEO of Courage Starts With You. For victims, Courage means telling someone and reaching out for help. For law enforcement, Courage means looking beyond the traditional victim interview technique to recognize how and why victims of assault may act differently than victims of crimes.   She purchased a cemetery plot, purchased the outfit she wanted to be buried in, and made the decision that morning was going to be the day Sherrie Allsup no longer lived to endure the pain she lived daily throughout her life. Yet, those were not the cards that she was dealt. That was the moment that she began to take her power back. Sherrie Allsup's journey took a profound turn when faced with the contemplation of ending her life, she instead chose to reclaim her power. She now travels and shares her story to shine a light on the lifelong challenges that sexual abuse and trauma leave behind. Her pieces of training are centered around shining a light on the dark epidemic of sexual abuse and assault. She is also a member of RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest, and Neglect Network). She says, “Trauma victims almost live plan to plan or we wouldn't survive.” Embracing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapy, Sherrie embarked on a new chapter. In her own words, “This sentiment encapsulates her life, where she navigated each moment with a flickering flashlight, battling the pain that haunted her daily. Determined to break free from the past, she decided that the grip of her father's years of abuse is not going to define her”. Find Sherrie AllsupWebsiteFacebookLinkedinFind The Suffering PodcastThe Suffering Podcast InstagramKevin Donaldson InstagramTom Flynn InstagramApple PodcastSpotifyYouTubeThe Suffering Podcast FamilySherri AllsupKetaReviveToyota of HackensackSupport the showThe Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube

Sustainable success is achieving long-term, positive results that can be maintained over time, focusing on balance, resilience, and adaptability, and often encompassing environmental, social, and economic aspects. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou Marisol Solarte-Erlacher, M.A., LPC is an award-winning trauma expert, keynote speaker and corporate consultant. She is also the creator and host of the podcast Resilience and Resistance. Marisol started her work as a psychotherapist providing bilingual and culturally resonant services. She has spearheaded research on ethnic and ego identity among.  A leader in her field, Marisol was a clinical supervisor for Masters of Counseling students at the University of Colorado at Denver, and continues to coach therapists whose work focuses on trauma and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapies.   Favorite snack is oysters   Marisol Erlacher   Resilience and Resistance Podcast   LinkedIn   Instagram   Instagram   Music-"Homesick" Copyright 2018. Written by Shireen Amini. Produced by Shireen Amini and Mike Davidson of Plaid Dog Recording (Boston, MA).

Dr. Kelli Palfy began her professional career working in adult and youth corrections. Here she noticed a disproportionate number of males in the system. In 1996, she became an RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) officer. She took an interest in investigating sex crimes and went on to specialize in sex crimes committed against children internationally. Here, as she combed through video evidence, she witnessed first-hand the grooming tactics commonly used by sophisticated pedophiles.After retiring from the RCMP, Dr. Palfy obtained her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Alberta. She conducted her doctoral research on the reasons why males don't commonly disclose sexual abuse. She is now a trained trauma therapist and public speaker on the topic of male sexual abuse. Dr. Palfy currently runs a small private practice where she works with male survivors of abuse, first responders, and couples using Emotion-Focused and Cognitive Behavioral Approach, plus Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Outside of her professional life, she enjoys hiking, cycling, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and hanging out with friends and her pets.In This EpisodeKelli's website---If you'd like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.

Is your workplace more manipulative than supportive? Dr. William Diehl exposes corporate narcissism, from love bombing in interviews to toxic leadership. Learn to set boundaries and reclaim workplace balance.In this episode:Spot the Red Flags: Recognize manipulative behaviors like love bombing and boundary violations.Lead with Clarity: How leaders can manage toxic employees while fostering a healthy culture.Protect Your Energy: Strategies for setting boundaries and detaching from toxic work dynamics.Show Guest: Dr. William Deihl, known as Doc Hypnosis, is Arizona's top-rated hypnotherapist and wellness expert with over 20 years of experience. Specializing in clinical hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), he helps clients overcome challenges, build resilience, and achieve lasting balance. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Deihl has delivered over 180 worldwide presentations on corporate burnout recovery, time management, and goal-setting. As a media contributor, he's been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and WGN, offering transformative insights on mental health and personal growth that resonate with diverse audiences.Support the showJill Griffin, host of The Career Refresh, delivers expert guidance on workplace challenges and career transitions. Jill leverages her experience working for the world's top brands like Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Hilton Hotels, and Martha Stewart to address leadership, burnout, team dynamics, and the 4Ps (perfectionism, people-pleasing, procrastination, and personalities). Visit JillGriffinCoaching.com for more details on: Book a 1:1 Career Strategy and Executive Coaching HERE Gallup CliftonStrengths Corporate Workshops to build a strengths-based culture Team Dynamics training to increase retention, communication, goal setting, and effective decision-making Keynote Speaking Grab a personal Resume Refresh with Jill Griffin HERE Follow @JillGriffinOffical on Instagram for daily inspiration Connect with and follow Jill on LinkedIn

The Impact of Toxic Messaging and Pop Culture on Modern Relationships   The episode features guest Anna Sherman discussing the widespread issue of toxic messaging in pop culture, spurred by reactions to events like the Grammys and behaviors of public figures such as Kanye West and Bianca. Anna and the host critique the 'naked trend' and its implications for women's portrayal in media, contrasting it with men's treatment. They delve into how these messages influence societal norms, especially affecting dating culture and perceptions among both men and women. Additionally, the conversation touches on the challenges faced by Jewish singles and the broader implications of these societal issues within the Orthodox community.     00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:32 Disturbing Grammy Moments 01:05 Toxic Messaging in Media 03:16 The Naked Trend Debate 04:16 Impact on Therapy and Society 06:01 Gender Double Standards 12:57 Dating Apps and Modern Relationships 18:01 Orthodox Community Perspectives 21:01 Concluding Thoughts and Anecdotes   About Our Guest: I'm Anna Sherman – Registered Psychotherapist, Maternal Mental Health Practitioner, and Clinical Supervisor. I work with individuals, couples, and families, as well as supervise qualifying therapists in their training. I help you heal and overcome trauma, fears, and emotional blocks in your life and relationships by building skills and tools to help you help yourselves! I hold a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and I am specially trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), The Gottman Method, Maternal Mental Health, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Meditation, and Psychodynamic Therapy. By utilizing multiple therapeutic modalities, I am able to help you overcome any obstacles during our time together. I believe in the mind-body connection and I am passionate about self-help and wellness, taking a holistic approach with my clients to help heal all areas of their lives. https://www.annashermanrp.com/   www.JewishCoffeeHouse.com

Hey Team! In this episode, I'm thrilled to welcome Natalia Aíza (I Ez Ah), a multilingual counselor and OCD specialist.  Natalia is the founder and executive director of Kairos Wellness Collective, a therapy center that focuses on holistic care for clients experiencing OCD and Anxiety - located in Boulder, Colorado. They offer therapies including Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Neurofeedback. Obviously, we won't get into all of that in our conversation today, but we do hit on a few of those. Also, separately, I wanted to mention that Kairos is the Greek word meaning “the perfect, delicate, crucial moment; the fleeting rightness of time and place that creates the opportune atmosphere for action, words or movement; also weather.” And really, I just wanted to share that because I love words like that - I just find them neat. Anyway, in our conversation today, we dive into the overlap of ADHD and OCD - how they are similar and how they differ, and also the unique challenges each presents, especially when they are co-occurring. Natalia shares her personal and professional insights on distinguishing between ADHD distractions and OCD compulsions and how to approach treatment for each. If you'd life to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at HackingYourADHD.com/209 Also before we get started, I wanted to let you know about my AMA on YouTube Live, happening the week this is released on January 31st at 10 AM Pacific - if you're interested you can find that on the Hacking Your ADHD YouTube page, youtube.com/@hackingyouradhd and subscribe to the channel - or if you want to submit a question ahead of time you can do so at hackingyouradhd.com/ama This Episode's Top Tips It's important to remember that you need to approach OCD and ADHD treatments differently; techniques beneficial for one may exacerbate the other. Try to distinguish between compulsions and simple fidgets or stims—while symptoms can be similar, it's essential to understand the root causes that characterize compulsions. Be proactive in seeking diagnosis and treatment if OCD symptoms appear; early intervention can prevent the condition from worsening.  

We want to work with YOU! 15 Minute Free Consultation  Start healing now! Set up a Coaching Session Welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Therapy, where licensed marriage and family therapists Tim and Ruth Olson guide you through life's emotional challenges. In this episode, explore ways to heal from past trauma using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as you reflect on the previous year and set intentions for the new one. Understand how unprocessed hurts and emotional triggers can block your progress and learn practical steps to harness the power of EMDR. Discover how this therapeutic technique can transform past threats into resolved memories, enabling you to experience holidays and familial interactions without being weighed down by previous traumas. Join us in a conversation that highlights the importance of acknowledging both big and small traumas, creating an emotional roadmap for healing, and using EMDR to foster resilience for a more fulfilling and peaceful year ahead. [Remember, our podcast is here to spark conversations and offer insights. Join our community on our Mr. and Mrs. Therapy Podcast Group, share your experiences at podcast@mrandmrstherapy.com, and if you're seeking more personalized advice, consider booking your free coaching consultation. Please note, this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide diagnosis or treatment.] {Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide diagnosis or treatment. For personalized support, please seek professional help or call the National Suicide Hotline at 988 if you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or needs emotional support.}

Send us a textAna Pais is a dedicated and compassionate mental health professional who specializes in supporting first responders and their families. She earned her Master's in Forensic Psychology in 2010 and went on to obtain a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2014. As a Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified First Responder Counselor, she is deeply committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals in high-stress occupations.Certified in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Ana employs a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Somatic Experiencing. Her practice focuses on reducing symptoms of occupational stress injuries and PTSD, teaching coping skills, and fostering resilience. Each therapeutic approach is tailored through a collaborative, strengths-based methodology to meet the specific needs and goals of her clients.As a first responder wife, Ana brings a unique perspective to her work, which enhances her commitment to supporting those who serve in demanding roles. Her personal experience enriches her understanding and empathy, allowing her to connect meaningfully with her clients and their families.Find Ana PaisWebsiteFind The Suffering PodcastThe Suffering Podcast InstagramKevin Donaldson InstagramMike Failace InstagramApple PodcastSpotifyYouTubeThe Suffering Podcast FamilySherri AllsupKetaReviveToyota of HackensackPoPl Discount code TSP20Support the showThe Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy with Laurel Roberts-Meese, a seasoned therapist and founder of the Laurel Therapy Collective. Laurel specializes in helping high-achievers, including executives, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs, navigate trauma, anxiety, and burnout. She shares the science behind EMDR, how it works to neutralize traumatic memories, and addresses common misconceptions. Whether you're new to EMDR or seeking to understand if it might be right for you, this episode is packed with insights, hope, and myth-busting.   About the Guest: Laurel Roberts-Meese is a licensed therapist with over a decade of experience working with individuals facing emotional challenges. As the founder of the Laurel Therapy Collective, Laurel focuses on trauma recovery, anxiety management, and burnout prevention for high-achievers. Trained in EMDR therapy for over six years, Laurel blends expertise with compassion to guide clients through transformative healing journeys. Her mission is to provide tailored therapeutic approaches that foster resilience and emotional well-being. Reach: https://www.laureltherapy.net/    Key Takeaways: What is EMDR? EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) uses bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sounds, to help the brain process stuck trauma memories and recategorize them into neutral experiences. It doesn't erase traumatic memories but helps reduce their emotional charge. How EMDR Works: Developed by Francine Shapiro, EMDR helps the brain create new neural pathways, allowing individuals to think about past traumas without triggering intense physical or emotional reactions. The therapy integrates guided recollections of trauma with bilateral stimulation to aid memory processing. Who Can Benefit from EMDR: Most people can benefit, but readiness is crucial. Individuals need foundational coping skills before beginning. EMDR may be less effective for those heavily reliant on substances, with specific medication interactions, or with highly literal thinking patterns, though outcomes can vary. Common Misconceptions: EMDR may sound "magical" or implausible, but it is a well-researched and evidence-backed therapy. It is not a quick fix; successful outcomes require proper preparation and readiness. Important Considerations: Proper resourcing, such as developing coping mechanisms, is essential before diving into the reprocessing phase. EMDR may not suit everyone at every life stage, particularly those with high-risk pregnancies or certain neurodivergent conditions. This episode offers a compassionate and enlightening guide to a therapy that is changing lives, making it an essential listen for anyone curious about innovative approaches to trauma recovery.   Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch, DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik  Subscribe To Newsletter: https://healthymindbyavik.substack.com/ Join Community: https://nas.io/healthymind Stay Tuned And Follow Us! YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@healthymind-healthylife Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/podhealth.club/  Threads - https://www.threads.net/@podhealth.club Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/podcast.healthymind LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/newandnew/ #podmatch #healthymind #healthymindbyavik #wellness