Therapy Chat

Our physiology and our mental health are linked. We’ve all heard about the ACE Study, which describes the long term impact of unresolved trauma. But why does unresolved trauma lead to poor physical health over the lifespan? This week’s guest, Naturopathic Doctor Erin Kinney, explains an important piece of the puzzle: Cortisol! Combatting the confusion and misinformation that is out there about Cortisol, Dr. Kinney explains what happens to our bodies when Cortisol is too low or too high; how the nervous system plays a part; and small actions we can take to create an abundant “Cortisol Bank account,” as she calls it. Dr. Kinney shares some of the strategies detailed in her new book, The Cortisol Cure, and how simple changes you make can contribute to abundant health and well-being over your lifetime. About this week’s guest: Dr. Erin Kinney is a naturopathic doctor, mom of five, and stress expert who is passionate about helping people stop running on empty. As the founder of The Kinney Clinic and author of The…

Continuing our exploration of embodiment, healing, spirituality and wisdom, this week I’m joined by Manuela Mischke-Reeds, a somatic psychotherapist who is a senior trainer in the Hakomi Method and co-founder of the Hakomi Institute of California. Manuela has developed her own method as well, called Innate Somatic Trauma Therapy Approach (ISTTA). In this discussion you’ll learn about the Hakomi method and its principles; movement as a healing modality; the importance of embodiment in trauma processing; somatics and psychedelic therapy; deconstructing from our indoctrination in medical models; accessing Flow and tuning into our innate lifeforce while recovering from trauma, and so much more. About this week’s guest: Manuela Mischke-Reeds, MA, MFT, is a somatic trauma psychotherapist, author, international teacher of somatic psychology, and senior Hakomi trainer. She is the founder of Embodywise, an international learning community offering professional training in trauma therapy, somatic psychology, and the…

This week we dive deeper into working with Internal Family System and our family of parts with my incredible guest, Tamala Floyd. We discussed Tamala’s book, Listening When Parts Speak, and how her ancestors participated in the process. Our conversation wound back and forth through time and space. You’ll hear us discuss intergenerational trauma, breaking cycles, how healing ourselves heals our ancestors, both those who came before us and those who follow us, inner child work, and so much more! About this week’s guest: Tamala Floyd, LCSW is a psychotherapist, author, consultant, and retreat facilitator with over 30 years of clinical experience. She received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California and an undergraduate degree in psychology from California State University–Long Beach. She served as a lead trainer at the Internal Family Systems Institute. She has taught at the University of Phoenix and the University of Southern California in human services and social work.…

This week, continuing our discussion of psychedelics and therapy, I’m honored to be joined by three amazing guests who are leaders in the IFS and psychedelics worlds. So HOW does a therapist “do” psychedelic assisted psychotherapy? A number of therapists are already using IFS or IFS informed parts work in their practices. Now, we are fortunate to have a clinical manual co-authored by today’s guests, Sunny Strasburg, LMFT; Martha Sweezy, PhD; and David Lovas, MD, together with the founder of IFS, Dick Schwartz, PhD. In our conversation, you’ll hear our guests share their perspectives on the neuroscience involved; how Protector parts can arise in these experiences; ethics and consent in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy; some descriptions of various psychedelic medicines; and the need for additional research in this field. About this week’s guests: Sunny Strasburg, LMFT, a licensed psychotherapist, educator, speaker, and pioneering author, specializes in training clinicians and designing impactful experiences…

Psychedelics are a hot topic lately. People are seeking healing experiences, with or without the participation of their therapists. Some are finding their journeys to be transformational but struggle to integrate what occurred when they return to their ordinary lives. Others need help integrating traumatic material that arose. Yet many therapists, especially those who are more seasoned in the field, are unaware or suspicious about these medicines. This week’s guest, Erin Atkinson, LCSW-C, is the founder of Prism Wellness, a holistic, somatic, and psychedelic therapy practice with a team of therapists providing this specialized work across multiple states. In addition to her clinical training in this work, Erin weaves somatic trauma therapy with earth-based wisdom and plant medicine traditions. She is an animist minister, rooted in Celtic and European traditions and her own ancestral practice. In our conversation, you’ll hear Erin and I discuss aspects of our own processes of connecting with our European…

Our rapidly changing world is leaving parents needing guidance more than ever. The threats seem to be from everywhere - at school, in the neighborhood, on the internet… How can we help our children become strong and resilient adults who will have the wisdom to lead our world forward? Parents are worried about protecting their daughters from violence and ensuring they grow up feeling confident and empowered. They’re wondering how their sons will be impacted by the loudest voices on the internet teaching them what masculinity should look like through the perspective of “the Manosphere.” And what about porn? I talk to so many parents who are trying to figure out how to keep their kids from being exposed to porn and being utterly confused about what to do next, when they inevitably stumble upon it. In this conversation with parenting expert Dr. Shefali, author of the bestselling book, “The Conscious Parent,” we talk about all of this and much more. Dr. Shefali’s two newest books, Raising Conscious Daughters and…

If you’re someone who has struggled with self abandonment, you may wonder why you find yourself beating yourself up or feeling like an imposter in your life at times. I often say, “imposter syndrome” is a cute description for a deeply painful feeling. This week’s guest, Alexandra Stevens, explores how our own experiences, and those of our ancestors, factor into our shame today. She shares how we can rebuild trust - beginning with trusting ourselves - and stop abandoning ourselves after trauma. Alexandra Stevens is a UKCP-accredited Gestalt psychotherapist, EMDR therapist, writer, and podcast host based in Lisbon, Portugal. She specialises in attachment trauma, CPTSD, anxiety, self-worth, and the ways early relational experiences continue to shape our adult lives. Alexandra integrates EMDR, Gestalt Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic approaches to help clients move beyond insight into lasting transformation. Alexandra is currently writing a book, You Don't Have To Abandon Yourself To Belong,…

Continuing with our series on the power of Brainspotting, this week's episode features two more fabulous Brainspotting leaders, Kristy Sneddon, LCSW and Colleen Klym, LMFT, MT-BC. It's hard to explain the alchemy of this episode, but something creative was birthed. In fact, I found myself spontaneously writing Haikus after our conversation, and I do not consider myself a poet at all. Poems continued pouring forth over the weeks after our interview and still are. Interestingly, Kristy describes a similar experience in her own creative awakening in this interview. This conversation winds through the power of Brainspotting to expand creative expression; the benefits of creativity for our wellbeing as humans; how therapists can use Brainspotting (and creativity) to clear limbic countertransference; and so much more. Colleen sings a ditty she wrote, and Kristy shares a poem of her own. May you find creative inspiration through listening to our conversation about creativity - not only at an intellectual level, but…

"Trauma therapy shouldn't be traumatizing." This week's guest Vanessa Bear, MSc,'s quote sounds like it may apply to the importance of trauma-sensitive work for those who are seeking healing. Yet - it shouldn't be traumatizing for the helper, either. I have said over the years that exposure to traumatic material is an occupational hazard for those of us in the helping professions of every stripe. But it doesn't have to traumatize us and there are specific actions we can, and must, take to protect our own wellbeing. This conversation is about self care, yes, but it is also about care for the mind, body, spirit and soul of ourselves and our living world, which are inextricably interconnected - whether we realize it or not. Listen in for a deep, mindful conversation weaving together love, soul, nature and care for self while caring for others, creating a web of interbeing for the collective and each of us as individuals. About this week's guest: Vanessa Bear is a UKCP registered Integrative Psychotherapist who…

Dissociative Identity Disorder is one of the more controversial diagnoses in the mental health world. Many therapists and psychiatrists were taught that it doesn't exist, or is so uncommon that we will never see a client with this "disorder" in our careers. However, those of us who specialize in trauma are aware of just how common dissociation is, and clients with dissociative disorders walk through our doors more often than we may expect. So we need to talk about it! This topic is one that we've discussed previously on Therapy Chat, and the perspective shared by this week's guest may be surprising for some to hear. Sally Maslansky, LMFT, is a therapist who was diagnosed with "Multiple Personality Disorder," (now known as DID), by her therapist, Dr. Dan Siegel, decades ago. Sally now no longer meets criteria for DID, and she describes herself as healed, or recovered. Sally Maslansky authored the book, A Brilliant Adaptation: How Dissociative Identity & the Power of the Therapeutic Bond Saved Me about her…

What does healing the legacies of harm passed from one generation to the next look like? That is the topic of this week's episode with my guest, and one of my teachers, Dr. Ame Cutler. Ame is a transdisciplinary trauma theorist, regenerative strategist, and spiritual practitioner who refuses to separate healing from history—or transformation from accountability. Ame created the Regeneration Process and she's the founder of the Transgenerational Regeneration Institute, a community-based platform for dismantling inherited systems of harm and restoring Ancestral, ecological, and relational integrity. With a PhD in Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology, Dr. Cutler’s academic and practical work interrogates the cultural and psychological impacts of colonization, white supremacy, transgenerational trauma, and systemic oppression. Her scholarship is not theoretical—it’s embodied. Born into a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant lineage shaped by overwork, erasure, and inherited privilege, she has spent her life…

We continue our conversations about Brainspotting in this week's episode with my guest, Dr. Cherie Lindberg. Cherie is the author of Sacred Healing, a former psychotherapist of 25 years, a speaker, a Brainspotting consultant and trainer, and a coach working with high performing individuals and the practitioners who serve them. In our conversation, Cherie shares that despite being abused as a child, she didn't recognize until she was in graduate school that she was experiencing Complex PTSD. Initially finding little help from talk therapies, Cherie notes that many of the attachment wounds affecting her were from early years and stored non-verbally. She explains that she experienced her first shifts through EMDR therapy, which reduced some of the symptoms, but she was still living her life in a way that felt inauthentic, still operating from that wounded place. We talked about the "fawn" response to threat which shows up in performative behaviors like people-pleasing and accommodating others while suppressing…

This week I am happy to share my interview with one of the pioneers of Brainspotting, Dr. Pie Frey. Together with Brainspotting consultant and Rocky Mountain Brainspotting Institute (RMBI) board member Thad Frey, we discussed how Pie got started in Brainspotting and how she's been part of bringing it to where it is now; an overview of the benefits of this method; what RMBI offers; and we got into how Brainspotting can be useful with OCD. Pie generously shared her OCD setup and talked about how it helps the neural wiring become "unstuck," potentially relieving OCD symptoms, trauma and so many other mental health challenges. Join us for a fascinating discussion about all things Brainspotting and learn how it can help with OCD symptoms! Pie Frey, PsyD, was in the vanguard of therapists to adopt Brainspotting and is the Senior US and Canadian Trainer. She has assisted Dr. David Grand, the developer of Brainspotting, in many training workshops and Intensive Trainings. Dr. Frey is a psychotherapist in private…

Welcome back! This week, we continue the series on combining delivery of multiple models and interventions to benefit the healing process. My guests today are Marcella Cox and Leah Dawang. Marcella is a therapist, author and presenter who has devoted her career to embodiment, trauma healing and eating disorder recovery. Leah is a Leah Dawang, SEP is a Relationship Restoration Guide, offering a consilient approach to clearing the way for Love to couples and individuals so that they may connect with themselves, others, Nature and Spirit. Our discussion explores how clinicians can combine somatics, sound healing and IFS help clients deepen access to healing pathways. Marcella Cox, LMFT is a Level 3 Certified IFS Therapist, an Approved IFS Clinical Consultant, and is a Somatic IFS Assistant Trainer for Susan McConnell, developer of Somatic IFS. She leads Somatic IFS and IFS for disordered eating workshops, trainings, retreats, and groups for professionals. She is committed to creating an inclusive, and…

Trauma resolution and nervous system regulation are hot topics, but there is another piece that is often left out of the discussion. This week's Therapy Chat guest, Tracy Jarvis, is a psychotherapist with a background in neuroscience who is the co-founder and one of the core faculty of Interoception International, a training institute integrating interoception research with the clinical application of psychotherapy. In our conversation, Tracy explores the complex world of interoception, its role in trauma recovery, and its implications for clinicians. Tracy explains interoception is and how it is distinct from somatics, and how clinicians can use nuanced approaches to help clients understand and work with internal sensations. Discover how understanding internal sensing can transform therapeutic approaches and improve emotional regulation. Tracy Jarvis, MSc, is a licensed psychotherapist, international trainer, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in psychology and mental health. Specializing in…

Feeling frazzled with the stress of modern day life? This episode is for you. My guest is Zabie Yamasak, author of several books including her newest one, "Protect Your Energy: A gentle guide to nurture your nervous system, cultivate rest, and honor your needs." Just the title makes my body take a deep breath. Join us for a tender and joyful conversation that might inspire you to surround yourself with kindness. Zabie Yamasaki, M.Ed., RYT is the Founder of Transcending Sexual Trauma through Yoga. Zabie has trained thousands of yoga instructors and mental health professionals and her trauma-informed yoga program and curriculum for survivors is now being implemented at over 25 colleges campuses and agencies including the University of California (UC) system, Stanford, USC, University of Notre Dame, and Johns Hopkins University. Zabie received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Behavior and Education at the UC Irvine and completed her graduate degree in Higher Education Administration and Student…

Have you ever wondered how childhood trauma and health are related? What's the connection between food, sleep, vitamins and minerals and our immune system, pain response, emotional and physical wellbeing and other aspects of mind, body and spirit? Dive into this conversation with me and my guest, trusted colleague and friend Dr. Leslie Korn. If there is one person I know who understands and can explain the connection between trauma, movement, nutrition and health, it's Harvard-trained psychotherapist, teacher and integrative nutrition specialist Leslie Korn, PhD, MPH., who is the author of Rhythms of Recovery and Integrative Nutrition for Mental Health, among many other books. I asked Leslie every question I could think of about Fibromyalgia, and she had an answer for everything I wanted to know. This episode is a rich resource whether you're living with a chronic illness/autoimmune/pain disorder, or you're a clinician who is interested in the intersection of health and chronic illness with trauma and mental…

Therapists are creations so many interesting combinations of modalities to deepen the healing process. This week's guests are two therapists based in Annapolis, Maryland who found a need and created a solution! Meet Chelsea Haverly, LCSW-C and Emily Young, LCSW-C, co-authors of the new book, "Trauma Informed Bodywork". As soon as I heard about their book, I wanted to learn more about what they're doing! Join us for a fascinating conversation about how they combine bodywork, for example Cranio-Sacral Therapy and Trauma-Informed Personal Training, with trauma therapy - in the same sessions! - in their practices. I hope this conversation will inspire creativity for you like it did for me! Chelsea Haverly, LCSW-C is a somatic therapist and intuitive bodyworker who is the co-creator of the Trauma-Informed Personal Training Certification and the Embodied Parts Integration Framework. Emily Young, LCSW-C is a Trauma-Informed Personal Trainer, Somatic Grief and Trauma Therapist, and the owner of The Embodied Trainer.…

How do you heal from invisible illness when you are flat on your back and can't walk? With the next session in the series on trauma/mental health and illness, I'm introducing you to my Camino friend and colleague Christa Hines, LCSW Christa, an IFS, EMDR, and PAP therapist, has an inspiring story of thriving with invisible illness which many of us can relate to. After developing a serious illness in 2020, Christa's life changed completely, and in our conversation today, she talks about how she found her way back to being able to walk the Camino last year despite her illnesses. Christa Hines is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice with over 35 years of experience, holding licensure in both Oregon and Washington state and certification as an addiction specialist. She is fully certified in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR, and brings a rich somatic lens to her work through Applied Polyvagal Theory, utilizing the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE).She…

What if our understanding of human connection is missing the very ground beneath our feet? This week I welcomed back my friend and colleague Linda Thai as she challenges Western psychology and offers a decolonized lens on attachment theory, moving beyond individual dynamics to explore how intergenerational trauma is inextricably linked to our displacement from land and culture. Linda is a former child refugee from Vietnam who, with her family, took refuge in Australia during the Vietnam War and is now based in Alaska. From the indigenous wisdom of Alaska to the historical echoes of the Great Irish Migration, Linda illustrates how "grief is the great metabolizer" and why true secure attachment requires reclaiming the ancestral rituals and land-based practices that modernity has stripped away. Join us for an essential conversation on rediscovering our place within the larger metabolistic web of life to foster collective healing and authentic cultural reclamation. Linda Thai, LMSW is an internationally-regarded…

This week, we are talking about a topic which is coming up a lot lately as people are considering the pervasiveness of sexual violence in patriarchal cultures. My guest, highly respected colleague and friend Susan Pease Banitt, author of several books including "The Trauma Toolkit," and "Wisdom, Attachment + Love in Trauma Therapy: Beyond evidence based practice." Recently Susan contributed an essay to, and edited the new book, "Women Therapists on Healing: 11 personal essays about overcoming trauma." This book covers many topics related to healing from trauma and this week we're focusing on Susan's contribution, entitled "Did That Really Happen to Me?" In our conversation we'll talk about trauma, memory and how dissociation both protects us during traumatic experiences while also confusing ourselves and those we disclose our traumatic experiences to later. Susan shares how this book can be used to help trauma survivors understand what the healing process can look like and feel like after trauma. We also…

This week on Therapy Chat, we have a returning guest, Dr. Vincentia Schroeter. Vin, a Bioenergetic psychotherapist, and trainer, author of four books, and a painter, has recently published a memoir entitled "Babymaking", telling the story of her quest to have a baby. The book follows her journey through infertility, loss, and adoption.In our conversation, we discussed themes around the traumatic and spiritual wounding which show up in the process of navigating infertility and baby loss. So much of the identity of being a woman is connected to motherhood, and much of our culture is focused upon women's bodies, reproductive choices, and sexuality. Vin shares her experience of miscarrying during a therapy session and finding a path to motherhood that fit her life. There is so much in this episode that people don't often talk about, but women carry in their hearts. Please be gentle with yourself and pause to tend to whatever comes up during the emotionally intense portions of this episode, or skip over any parts…

With Mother's Day approaching, this week we are revisiting one of my favorite conversations of 2025. My guest is Vanessa Bennett, LMFT, author of "The Motherhood Myth: A Depth Therapist's Guide to Redefine Parenting, Reimagine Intimacy, and Reclaim the Self." So many of us who were socialized as women are considering what it means to exist in a female body, and expectations around womanhood and mothering in a colonized culture - Vanessa and I discuss the shadow and light aspects of this identity, and our experiences, in this soulful conversation. Through the lens of depth psychology, Vanessa Bennett explores themes of motherhood, including the archetypal wounds that women carry. You may be familiar with the mother wound, and we also talk about how we carry sister wounds, witch wounds, father wounds and more. We discuss societal myths surrounding motherhood and the importance of reclaiming one's self and intuition after becoming a parent. Vanessa Bennett, LMFT, is a licensed depth psychotherapist, author, and…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's episode, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C revisits her interview from 2022 with Zahabiya "Zabie" Yamasaki, who is a survivor, an advocate and a teacher who is deeply passionate about helping survivors find healing after experiencing sexual violence. Zabie Yamasaki, M.Ed., RYT is the Founder of Transcending Sexual Trauma through Yoga. Zabie has trained thousands of yoga instructors and mental health professionals and her trauma-informed yoga program and curriculum for survivors is now being implemented at over 25 colleges campuses and agencies including the University of California (UC) system, Stanford, USC, University of Notre Dame, and Johns Hopkins University. Zabie received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Social Behavior and Education at the UC Irvine and completed her graduate degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs at The George Washington University. Her work has been highlighted on CNN, NBC, KTLA 5, and The Huffington Post. Her book:…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week I'm replaying my interview from 2021 with teacher and author Zulma Reyo, creator of the Zulma Reyo School of Consciousness. Zulma wrote the book "Inner Alchemy," which is now available for FREE in e-book format via her website. Zulma teaches us about consciousness and inner alchemy, and connecting with the "still, small voice" within. When we first met I really didn't know what a "Consciousness School" was, and now, five years later, many of us are awakening what is beyond ordinary states of consciousness. If you need to find your way back to connection with your inner knowing, settle in with a cup of tea and listen to my conversation with Zulma Reyo. Wherever you are along that path, you are likely to find something in this conversation that will get you thinking! Zulma Reyo is a native of Puerto Rico educated in the U.S.A. She holds an M.A. in Education from New York University. She has lived in the U.K. and spent a decade of research in India incorporating…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week I'm welcoming back a guest who was first on Therapy Chat a few years ago - Akilah Riley Richardson, MSW, CCTP. Akilah is a therapist specializing in relationships who is the author of the new book, "Marginalized Couples in Therapy: Interventions for Healing From Systemic Trauma" with WW Norton Mental Health publishing. Akilah shares that those who carry marginalized identities often face systemic trauma from various societal structures, including education, judicial, and religious systems. She emphasizes the need for therapists to understand the complexities of identity and systemic oppression in order to better support their clients. She offers resources to support therapists in this important work. If you're a therapist, even if you work with individuals, responsiveness to the experiences of those who are marginalized by the dominant culture is imperative to ethical practice. Resources Mentioned: Akilah Riley Richardson's Website: https://akilahrileyrichardson.com/…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week I’m sharing my conversation with attachment expert and author Dafna Lender about how she works with parents to help their children. As a family therapist, Dafna explains she spends at least 50% of the work with the parents, learning about what they experience physiologically and emotionally during stressful interactions with their kids. She talks about how some of the perfectionistic modern ideas about parenting make things more difficult for families, and how she uses EMDR and Somatic Experiencing in her work with parents. Dafna, the author of “Integrative Attachment Family Therapy: A Clinical Guide to Heal and Strengthen the Parent-Child Relationship through Play, Co-regulation, and Meaning-Making” shares about her Integrative Attachment Family Therapy (IAFT) model and her “Anti-Perfect Parent” program. Dafna Lender, LCSW, is an international speaker, trainer, and author with over 30 years of experience working with children and families. She is a certified trainer…

This week I'm sharing my recent interview with Dr. Cathy Malchiodi, a leader in the trauma, expressive arts and art therapy fields. In our conversation Cathy explores the transformative power of expressive arts therapy in healing from traumatic experiences.She discusses the evolution of arts-based approaches, the importance of movement and sensory processing, and the distinctions between art therapy and expressive arts therapy. Cathy Malchiodi emphasizes the need for therapists to create safe environments and engage in expressive practices themselves. She discusses the Circle of Capacity, a concept she created in response to the Window of Tolerance concept from Dr. Daniel Siegel's work. The discussion also touches on the role of mindfulness and the significance of small moments of safety in therapeutic settings. An internationally known psychotherapist and expressive arts therapist, Dr. Cathy Malchiodi has helped shape the field of traumatic stress through her decades of work with children, adults, families,…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week I interviewed Cynthia Schwartzberg about her innovative approach to therapy known as Harmonic Brain Healing™. Cynthia, the author of The Curious Voyage to Authenticity: A Rule-Breaking Guide for Personal Growth," is a Brainspotting trainer with whom I took my Phase 2 training. We talked about the impact of trauma on memory and the importance of rhythm in healing. Cynthia discusses how Harmonic Brain Healingcan help clients who feel stuck in their trauma and emphasizes the role of imagination in creating new possibilities for healing. She shared insights on memory reconsolidation and practical applications for therapists in this fascinating conversation. Cynthia Schwartzberg, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, trainer, and speaker with a passion for making deep healing practical, experiential, and human. She is the creator of Harmonic Brain Healing™—an integrative approach that blends focused attention, imagery, and nervous-system support to help people shift stuck patterns…

As Black History month ends and Women's History month begins, this week's episode is a conversation with Dr. LaNail R. Plummer, author of The Essential Guide for Counseling Black Women. Dr. Plummer, the Counseling Department Chair at Trinity University, explains that while many Black women seek therapists who look like them, with only 4% of the mental health workforce made up of Black women, there was a need for a book for white clinicians and others who are not Black to learn how best to serve this group. As Dr. Plummer points out, Black women are not a monolithic group, and rather than the burden being on them to educate their therapists about culturally competent therapy, clinicians can pick up this book and learn for themselves the best ways to support Black women. Dr. Plummer adds that she hopes Black women will also find her book to be a valuable resource in their healing journeys. Dr. LaNail R. Plummer is a visionary mental health expert, educator, speaker, and author dedicated to redefining how…

Therapists and other helping professionals are being stretched to our limits during these stressful times, and this episode is intended to support us, so we can maintain our capacity to support our clients. This week I'm replaying my previous conversation with Dr. Rebecca Eldredge about why rather than being self-indulgent, self care is an ethical imperative for all of us in the helping professions. My guest, Dr. Rebecca Eldredge is a licensed psychologist who guides fellow therapists, healthcare professionals, and socially conscious leaders on how to support social justice, navigate courageous conversations, and expand emotional well-being to create compassionate, just spaces for themselves, their teams, and the clients they support. She and I spoke about the importance of standing up for one's values, and the imperative for social justice advocates to focus on self-care in order to sustain their capacity to continue in the work. In addition to offering culturally sensitive therapy, Rebecca emphasizes the…

This week's episode is a replay of a previous conversation with Dr. Gail Gazelle, a former hospice physician, part-time Harvard Medical School Assistant Professor, and a Master Certified Coach for physicians. Gail discusses her own experiences with burnout and how all exhausted and burned out physicians, healthcare professionals and other leaders can cultivate resilience for long, fulfilling careers. After working in the field of end-of-life care for most of her professional career, Dr. Gazelle shifted her focus to another vulnerable population: physicians in the modern American healthcare system. \Whether you are there, or wanting to prevent getting to that point, you will find hope and resources for healing in this episode. And if you are a therapist seeking support, learn about Trauma Therapist Network and find all the resources from this episode below. Resources for this episode: Visit Dr. Gail Gazelle's website: https://gailgazelle.com/ More Resources: Therapists - if you're ready to allow yourself to…

This week's episode is a replay of my previous conversation with Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, author of Trauma Stewardship and founder of the Trauma Stewardship Institute. We discussed the problem of burnout among helping professionals, and how it is possible to recover. Laura is a funny and wise guest, and if you're feeling overwhelmed, you may appreciate this episode. We discussed trauma exposure, an occupational hazard for those in the helping professions, and something that has affected many of us who are caregivers, whether or not that's what we do for work. You'll hear about how to come back from secondary traumatic stress, vicarious trauma and burnout. Laura van Dernoot Lipsky shares what helped her when she reached the point of knowing she needed a break from trauma work. Whether you are there, or wanting to prevent getting to that point, you will find hope and resources for healing in this episode. And if you are a therapist seeking support, learn about Trauma Therapist Network and find all the…

Happy New Year! This week, I'm reflecting on 2025 and looking ahead to 2026, with some inspiration from some of 2025's wonderful podcast guests. It was a year! I hope you will find some ideas about how you can go forward with hope in 2026 through the wisdom shared by these guests. Resources Francis Weller’s newest book, In the Absence of the Ordinary: Soul Work for Uncertain Times Dr. Sabrina N’Diaye’s podcast, Soul Speak: Conversations for Your Healing Journey Learn about the Mind, Body + Soul Healing Retreat for Therapists in Tulum, Mexico here. Additional Resources Therapists - if you're ready to allow yourself to be held in nature with a community of like-minded therapists, my Mind, Body + Soul Healing Retreat for Therapists in Tulum, Mexico is here. Space is still available for our April retreat and our November dates will be announced soon! Also, new members are being accepted in the Trauma Therapist Network membership community. Learn more here. Are you a helping professional who wants to learn more…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, as a follow-up to last week's episode on Family Estrangement, I'm speaking with Marriage and Family Therapist Dr. Tracy Dalgleish about the complexity of in-law and extended family relationships. We discussed how "good girl" conditioning and other cultural expectations contribute to tension when families join together through marriage. I talked about my experiences as a young wife integrating into a new family dynamic and what I wish I had known back then. Dr. Dalgleish describes some of the factors that contribute to healthy relationships and her VAULT Method that she developed to help couples and families navigate these challenges. If you found last week's episode to be interesting, this will provide more food for thought! Resources from this episode: Find Dr. Tracy Dalgleish's newest book, You, Your Husband and His Mother here. Dr. Tracy's podcast, membership and much more can be found here. Therapists - if you're ready to allow yourself to be held in nature with a…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat + Happy New Year! This week's guest is Dr. Sharon Martin, LCSW, who specializes in family estrangement in her practice in San Jose, California. Sharon, a TTN member, is the author of the Better Boundaries Workbook as well as her newest book, Cutting Ties WIth Your Parents. Sharon and I got together on Instagram Live to share our thoughts on family estrangement after Oprah posted a podcast episode about this "new trend." In our conversation you'll hear me share about my own experiences of family estrangement as an adult child, and as a parent of adult children. We delve into the complexities of family estrangement, exploring the emotional and psychological impacts of cutting ties with family members. We discussed the commonality of family ruptures, the role of childhood experiences in shaping adult relationships, and the guilt that often accompanies estrangement. We talked about the fears parents have about letting go of their adult children, and simple changes parents can make to…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's episode, I'm bringing you a replay of my conversation with with Kristen D. Boice, LMFT, an EMDR and Brainspotting therapist who is the owner of a trauma-focused group practice called Pathways to Healing in Noblesville, Indiana. Kristen D. Boice is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years experience and owner of a group private counseling practice, Pathways to Healing Counseling. She’s also the host of the Close the Chapter Podcast and a sought-after international speaker. Kristen is an EMDR-trained psychotherapist, which, as she mentions in the interview, is one of the most effective, researched-based trauma treatment modalities along with Brainspotting. She specializes in improving self-worth, helping couples and families resolve conflicts and develop powerful communication skills, effective parenting strategies, making life transitions, grief and loss, reducing anxiety and working through trauma. Most importantly, she instils hope, helps people…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's episode, I'm bringing you a replay of two of my conversations with Rotem Brayer, talking all about EMDR and Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy. If you're an EMDR therapist or a therapist who is interested in learning about psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, this episode is for you! And if you're someone who is interested in learning about how EMDR and psychedelic-assisted therapy can be combined, you're in the right place! Rotem Brayer, M.Ed., LPC, is a certified EMDR therapist, EMDR consultant, and advanced EMDR trainer. He's the founder of the EMDR Learning Community, a community that brings EMDR therapists together and provides education on EMDR therapy and the integration of this modality with other treatment approaches. Find Rotem's book, The Art & Science of EMDR, on Amazon here. Join Rotem's free learning community for EMDR therapists here: EMDR Learning Community. Rotem's website is here: https://emdartnscience.com/ Additional Resources If you're a therapist…

This week's Therapy Chat features two leaders in our field, Thomas Hubl, PhD and Dick Schwartz, PhD speaking about the importance of including a collective lens in trauma work. In this conversation, we explored the interdependence of individual and collective healing, the distinction between spirituality and religion, and the importance of addressing legacy burdens and cultural trauma. We talk about the popular culture's view of healing and how our culture promotes spiritual bypass through "quick fix" approaches to wellness. Listen in to this inspiring conversation with these two leaders. Key Takeaways from this Episode: Individual and collective healing are interdependent. Spirituality is distinct from religion and can be healing. Healing can occur more rapidly in group settings. Legacy burdens from ancestors can impact current generations. Cultural trauma needs to be addressed for healing to occur. Time alone does not heal wounds; action is required. We must both confront experiences of victimization and…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week's episode is a replay where I speak to Libby Murdoch, LPC, CCTP about her Resilience-Focused EMDR therapy training! The concept of building resilience is gaining traction in our field, and it makes sense! Listen in to our conversation as Libby and I discuss her EMDR Basic Training offerings and what's different about her Resilience-Focused approach. I met Libby last year in London at a conference where she was a speaker and I loved her enthusiasm for the work and her way of clearly explaining the neuroscience, making it accessible for more people to understand. Libby Murdoch is a licensed professional counselor and certified clinical trauma professional who is an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Trainer. She facilitates Basic EMDR Training for clinicians on a monthly basis. She has a private practice located in Cincinnati, OH where she offers EMDR intensives. She is the developer of Resilience-Focused EMDR and Psychological CPR. Libby has presented at various conferences across…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this week's replay episode, we're looking at the many ways to use EMDR. I'm revisiting my conversation with Rebecca Kase, a licensed clinical social worker and yoga instructor, living in Gig Harbor, WA. She is an EMDR Consultant & Basic Trainer, and owner of Kase & CO, an EMDR Training and Consulting company. She is the author of Polyvagal informed EMDR: A Neuro-informed Approach to Healing. In our conversation, you'll hear why a Polyvagal perspective is important when learning EMDR, and how she incorporates this into her EMDR sessions, as well as learning about EMDR training with Rebecca. Learn more about Rebecca's work via her website: https://kaseandco.com/ Find Rebecca's book here: Polyvagal informed EMDR: A Neuro-informed Approach to Healing We are accepting new clients in my therapy practice (for those located in Maryland). Learn more via our website: https://bahealing.com Additional Resources: Are you a helping professional who wants to learn more about the Safe +…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week's episode is a replay where I interviewed author, EMDR-Certified therapist and Consultant In Training Marcken Volmy, LMHC, about how EMDR can help with betrayal trauma and the impact of broken trust. We explored how betrayal by trusted figures and institutions can shatter one's sense of safety and trust in the world. We also discussed recent examples of betrayal within the mental health field, for example, the FTC settlement with BetterHelp, and other situations in our field which have affected both of us. We talked about the impact these experiences can have on therapists' and clients' trust in the systems and processes of our profession. Marcken explains how EMDR can help change implicit beliefs about self and the world, leading to healing and a felt sense of safety. We also touch on the current political climate and its effect on trust and safety. Marcken's book, Trauma Stories, is available now! Listen in to this hopeful conversation. It's never too late to heal.…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week's episode is a replay from 2021 with Curt Widhalm, LMFT. Curt is a group practice owner, podcaster and EMDR Consultant In Training based in Los Angeles, CA, In this replay episode, Curt explains more about EMDR and how he uses it with adolescents. He explains how he got into using EMDR after experiencing it himself following an accident, and some of the ins and outs of working with teens using this method. Curt Widhalm is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA. He is certified in EMDR and a consultant-in-training. His group practice specialises in working with teens and their families, especially those undergoing trauma or self-harm. Curt is the co-founder of the Therapy Reimagined Conference and co-host with Katie Vernoy of "The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide" podcast. He teaches in the MFT programs at California State University-Northridge and Pepperdine University and is a member of the CAMFT Ethics Committee. Curt Widhalm Online…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week is a replay episode with Ann Beckley Forest and Annie Monaco, two EMDR therapists who together make up Playful EMDR. Ann and Annie talk about how they use EMDR in combination with play therapy with children who have experienced disrupted attachment relationships and trauma. As always, I had many questions and they answered them all. If you found Robyn Gobbel's episode interesting a couple months ago, here is another take on working with the same population of children in therapy. I hope this will inspire you to think outside the box about working with traumatized children. Resources Find Playful EMDR at: www.playfulemdr.com - their summit is coming up and they have an EMDR training starting in December 2023. Keep up with Annie Monaco via: www.anniemonaco.com, Ann Beckley Forest is found at: www.annbeckleyforest.com Are you a helping professional who wants to learn more about the Safe + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to…

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, I'm joined by Therapist and EMDR Consultant Jocelyn Fitzgerald. We discussed the integration of creativity in trauma therapy, exploring the power of EMDR combined with creative arts, which she has used in working with refugees. She shared about her book, EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies. The conversation also delves into the role of psychedelics in therapy, the neuroscience of creativity, and the essential nature of art in human development. Jocelyn shares practical applications for therapists and emphasizes the importance of humor in healing. Jocelyn Fitzgerald is a board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC), licensed marriage and family therapist, and EMDRIA-approved EMDR Consultant, known for integrating creative arts into trauma therapy. She is the co-author of EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies and Colorful Place: Mindful Story and Art for Kids, and her work has been featured in Psychotherapy Networker. With dual master’s degrees in Art Therapy and Marriage and…

This week, I'm speaking with Debra Wesselmann about attachment injuries in children and families. We discussed the importance of early intervention in attachment wounds, the integration of EMDR therapy, and the development of the Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children. The conversation highlights the complexities of parent-child dynamics in therapy and the profound impact of trauma on children's development. Wesselmann shares insights on how therapists can create a safe and supportive environment for healing, emphasizing the need for collaboration between parents and therapists to foster healthier attachments and emotional regulation in children. Debra Wesselmann, MS, LIMHP has specialized in treating attachment trauma for over 30 years. In 2008, along with several like-minded colleagues, she co-founded The Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska, where she co-developed and researched the integrative family therapy and EMDR therapy model for treating attachment trauma in children. In addition…

This week, in a special 500th episode of Therapy Chat, I shared a behind the scenes look at what happened when I got bad news right before a LIVE, in person interview with Janina Fisher on shame. I talked about the profound challenges of asking for help, especially for those of us who have experienced emotional or physical neglect. In a twist from the usual Therapy Chat episode, I talked about my process, sharing what was happening with my Parts and how I understood what was happening through the lens of trauma and attachment. And I shared the beautiful surprise that happened after I fell apart and how it helped me along my healing journey. I hope this episode will help you along your journey and offer you a compassionate perspective on how early childhood experiences can shape our unconscious beliefs about our safety in the world. Key Takeaways from This Episode: Reflect on your own "blueprint" from early childhood experiences regarding asking for help and trusting others. Recognize shame as a potential…

In this week's episode of Therapy Chat, I interviewed the amazing Kim Barthel about the intricate connections between trauma, the sensory system, and healing. We explored the role of the vestibular system, the Vagus Nerve, and the importance of co-regulation in therapy. Kim shares insights from her extensive experience in Occupational Therapy and discusses the impact of developmental trauma on individuals. The conversation highlights the significance of sound healing and the need for a nuanced, layered and holistic approach to understanding our relationships to Self and others, and the role of the vestibular system in our survival and connection. Kim Barthel is a Canadian occupational therapist, multi-disciplinary speaker, mentor and best-selling author who is active in supporting people in many contexts globally. She is passionate about understanding complex behavior, neurobiology, trauma-sensitive and neurodiverse-affirming practice, sensory processing, attachment, movement and mental health. In 2025 Kim…

This week's episode of Therapy Chat is on a topic which we've covered before - religious trauma. This week's guest, SC Nealy (they/she) discusses the impact of religious trauma and offers additional perspective into the harm it can cause for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Our conversation was fascinating to me, and I hope you'll find many valuable insights through listening to our discussion. With over 15 years in the mental health field, SC Nealy is a queer, gender fluid psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and group practice owner in Arlington, VA. SC operates a team of all gay and trans-identifying therapists with the focus of bringing clinicians with lived experiences to the queer community and their families. They also work locally and nationally to advocate for queer rights, accessible mental health care, and bringing more awareness to the needs of the queer community. Their upcoming book published by Bloomsbury Academics, Healing Sacred Wounds, focuses on giving folx a guide map for processing and…

How can therapists learn to see countertransference as a gift, rather than a problem? This week's guest is Stefanie Klein, LCSW. Stefanie, an SEP and NARM Master Therapist, is the Assistant Training Director for the Complex Trauma Training Center where she is also a consultant and faculty in the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) and the new SPACE program for psychotherapists. Our conversation was about how can feel more effective in their work with clients, while also experiencing more ease and fulfillment in their professional roles through the SPACE program Stefanie co-created with Brad Kammer of NARM (a previous Therapy Chat guest). Stefanie has 30 years of experience practicing psychotherapy with adults in her Los Angeles private practice, where she has specialized in treating trauma and anxiety for the past 20 years. Learn more about the Complex Trauma Training Center and the SPACE Program here. Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in…