Therapy Chat

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. Resources for this episode:Purchase Trauma Informed Bodywork hereVisit the Trauma Informed Bodywork website hereLaura Khoudari InterviewResources for Therapists and Helping Professionals:Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! Therapists - need some time in nature to restore your spirit? Join me for an intimate in-person retreat in Tulum, Mexico! Get all details here! Sign up for my email list to stay up to date on this year's Tulum retreat and future retreats in the US and in beautiful international locations.Also, new members are being accepted in the Trauma Therapist Network membership community now. I facilitate 4 live calls per month. We have a new membership tier - check out everything included in TTN membership and choose the tier that fits your needs! You can upgrade or downgrade your membership at any time. Learn more and apply here. Watch Therapy Chat episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastFind a trauma therapist near you via <a h

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 is the founder of The Healing State Community, an online platform offering resources, courses, and core pathways to support healing pathways for people with Invisible Illness.Learn more about Christa and her work via her website: https://www.hinescounseling.com/healingstate-free-guide Christa is presenting at the upcoming Flash Conference June 6, 2026! Learn more here!Resources for Therapists and Helping Professionals:Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! 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. November/December dates are on the website now! Sign up for my email list to stay up to date on this year's Tulum retreat and future retreats in the US and in beautiful international locations.Also, new members are being accepted in the Trauma Therapist Network membership community now. I facilitate 4 live calls per month. We have a new membership tier - check out everything included in TTN membership and choose the tier fits your needs! You can upgrade or downgrade your membership at any time. Learn more and apply here. An

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 trauma expert who understands the wounds of war, refugitude, and migration, and the lingering imprints of authoritarianism, military occupation, and colonialism echoed through generations. Trained across multiple modalities for the healing of complex developmental trauma, her teaching is infused with empathy, storytelling, humor, research, practical tools, applied knowledge, and experiential wisdom.Learn more about Linda and her work via her website: linda-thai.comLinda's Decolonized Attachment CourseDr. Resma Menakem's Work on Racialized TraumaVanessa Andriotti's Book Hospicing ModernityResources for Therapists and Helping Professionals:Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, save $1000 on Synthesis Institute's May 2026 Psychedelic Facilitation training, other recommended resources and more. Registration for the May training closes on May 11th so hurry and register to take advantage of this amazing offer!Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! Therapists - if you're ready to allow yourself to be held in nature with a community of like-minded therapists, my <a href="http

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 talked about the importance of women's and other marginalized people's voices being heard in the context of sharing our wisdom about healing, and what she's seen over her career which began in the 1980"s. Tune in to learn from this leader in the field of trauma and dissociation! .Keep up with Susan's work, get in touch with her for coaching, training and consultation, and purchase her books via her website, found at: https://suepeasebanitt.comResources for Therapists and Helping Professionals:Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! 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. November/December dates are on the website now! Sign up for my email list to stay up to date on this year's Tulum retreat and future retreats in the US and in beautiful international locations.Also, new members are being accepted in the Trauma Therapist Network membership community now. I facilitate 4 live calls per month. We have a new membership tier - check out everything included in TTN membership and choose the tier fits your needs! You can upgrade or downgrade your membership at any time. Learn more and apply here. And Sue is going to be a special guest on our Learning Calls in May, June and July! Learn from her for free and gain so much more as a TTN membe

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 that you don't have capacity for at this time, especially if you are on your own journey related to pregnancy and parenthood. The topics covered in this conversation are important for all therapists to learn about since they affect so many of our clients, even if they are not the presenting issue bringing them to therapy. Be sure to watch the video version of this episode to see the painting Vin references on the cover of the book!Find "Babymaking" on Dr. Vincentia Schroeter's website here.Find Leslie Ann Costello's book Vin mentioned, Helping Mothers, Helping Babies hereResources for Therapists and Helping Professionals:Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! 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. November/December dates are on the website now! Also, new members are being accepted in the Trauma Therapist Network membership community now. I facilitate 4 live calls per month. We have a new membership tier - check out everything included in TTN membership and choose the tier fits your needs! You can upgrade or downgrade your membership at any time. Learn more and apply here.<

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 facilitator known for her no-nonsense yet compassionate approach to personal growth and healing. She is the coauthor of the bestselling relationship book "It’s Not Me, It’s You," with her partner John Kim and co-hosts the Cheaper Than Therapy podcast. A former New Yorker now based in Los Angeles, Vanessa leads transformational retreats and workshops grounded in Jungian and depth-oriented psychology. Through her writing, teaching, and digital content, she helps others break generational patterns and reconnect with their truest selves. Find everything Vanessa Bennett offers on her website here.Resources for Therapists and Helping Professionals:Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! 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. November/December dates are on the website now! Also, new members are being accepted in the Trauma Therapist Network membership community now. I facilitate 4 live calls per month. We have a new membership tier - check out everything included in TTN membership and choose the tier fits your needs! You can upgrade or downgrade your membership at any time. Learn more and apply here.Watch Therapy Chat episodes on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcas

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: Trauma-Informed Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault, was published by W. W. Norton & Company in 2022.  Resources Find Zabie's book, Trauma Sensitive Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault, Practices for Healing & Teaching with Compassion on Amazon here. For more information on what Zabie offers, including her trauma-informed yoga courses, and speaking offerings, visit her website: http://www.zabieyamasaki.com/Follow Zabie on Instagram here.  Go here to find the episodes of Therapy Chat with Nityda Gessel, RYT, LCSW, that were mentioned today. Bringing Yoga Therapy Into A Talk Therapy Practice and Trauma-Informed Practice and Scope.More Resources:Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! 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. November/December dates are on the website now! Also, new members are being accepted in the Trauma Therapist Netw

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 energetic, yogic and psychotherapeutic methods as well as developing her own variety based on her experience and keen perception of the human energetic structure.Zulma is an intense and vital speaker who has delved deeply into sources of wisdom to reveal the very essence of the human being and the nexus that embraces extremes, considered by her to form part of a unique and indivisible reality. Creator of various methods of meditation and human development that integrate Western and Eastern paradigms, she is also the founder of the Zulma Reyo School of Consciousness.ResourcesZulma's website:  www.zulmareyoschoolofconsciousness.comMore 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. November/December dates are on the website now! Also, new members are being accepted in the Trauma Therapist Network membership community. Learn more here.Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! Watch Therapy Chat episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network

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/ Find Akilah's book, "Marginalized Couples in Therapy: Interventions for Healing from Systemic Trauma" here and save 20% using coupon code: REAGAN20 More 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. November/December dates are on the website now! Also, new members are being accepted in the Trauma Therapist Network membership community. Learn more here.Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! Watch Therapy Chat episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-r

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 and supervisor in both Theraplay and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and specializes in helping families heal from trauma and attachment disruptions.Resources Mentioned:Dafna’s Website: www.dafnalender.comFind Dafna's book, "Integrative Attachment Family Therapy: A Clinical Guide to Heal and Strengthen the Parent-Child Relationship through Play, Co-regulation, and Meaning-Making" here.More 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. November/December dates are on the website now! Also, new members are being accepted in the Trauma Therapist Network membership community. Learn more here.Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! Watch Therapy Chat episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE tr

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, and communities. Cathy is the author of numerous publications including several bestselling books that have become standards in the fields of expressive arts therapy, art therapy, trauma recovery, and creative approaches to clinical practice. She is the founder and executive director of the Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, a source of education and professional development for over 30,000 psychotherapists, counselors, creative arts therapists, somatic educators, and coaches. Cathy has held seven academic appointments and is the recipient of many awards including Kennedy Center Honors, research grants, and several university fellowships. Dr. Malchiodi promotes a capacity-focused, neurodiversity-affirming approach to traumatic stress grounded in evidence-informed expressive arts therapy and sensory integration. Drawing on principles of EMDR, somatic therapy, arts therapies, and sensory processing, she developed Bilateral Movement Desensitization and Resensitization, an innovative model to facilitate trauma recovery and restore health and well-being.Resources from this episode:Learn about Trauma-informed Expressive Arts Therapy hereDr. Cathy Malchiodi writes on Substack - read it hereDr. Cathy Malchiodi's website is found hereFind Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy: Brain, Body and Imagination in the Healing Process on the publisher's website here.More Resources:Therapists - if you're ready to allow yourself to be held in nature with a

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 and move toward a more grounded, connected life. Cynthia leads Brainspotting trainings for clinicians (with CE credits) and offers programs for both professionals and personal growth seekers through Cynthasis.Find Cynthia's Curious Voyage class here.Learn about everything Cynthia offers at her website here.More 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. November/December dates are now on the website! 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 about the Safe + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! Watch Therapy Chat episodes on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Ther

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 minorities are seen, supported, and healed in clinical spaces. Her book, The Essential Guide for Counseling Black Women (WW Norton the need for healthcare (especially within mental health) that affirms and reflects the real lived experiences of Black women. A wife, mother of two adult children, U.S. Military Veteran, proud Howard University graduate, and lifelong member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc., Dr. Plummer brings two decades of clinical expertise and lived experience to inform her work. Resources from this Episode:Save 20% on The Essential Guide for Counseling Black Women at the WW.Norton website using code REAGAN20Find Dr. LaNail R. Plummer's website here. Find Dr. Plummer on social media: Instagram: https://instagram.com/@mahoganysunshine https://instagram.com/@onyxtherapygroup  LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/@dr-lanail-r-plummer https://linkedin.com/@onyxtherapygroup More 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 i

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 integration of mental health, compassion, and social justice throughout her work. Over the past 20 years, she has taught Multicultural Counseling graduate courses, developed and delivered support services for refugees, and facilitated numerous cultural trainings and consultations while feeling deeply honored by the trust of amazing and diverse clients. ResourcesVisit Dr. Rebecca Eldredge's website here: https://rebeccaephd.com   Contact Dr. Rebecca Eldredge via LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-a-eldredge-phd/ More 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. November/December 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 about the Safe + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in su

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 be held in nature with a community of like-minded therapists, my Mind, Body + Soul Healing Retreat for Therapists in Tulum, Mexico is here. November/December 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 about the Safe + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! Watch Therapy Chat episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find

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 resources from this episode below. Resources for this episode: Trauma Stewardship: An everyday guide to caring for self while caring for othersThe Age of Overwhelm: Strategies for the long haulTED Talk: Beyond the CliffTrauma Stewardship InstituteCheck out Laura van Dernoot Lipsky's new podcast, Future Tripping!More 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. November/December 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 about the Safe + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE vide

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. ResourcesFrancis Weller’s newest book, In the Absence of the Ordinary: Soul Work for Uncertain TimesDr. Sabrina N’Diaye’s podcast, Soul Speak: Conversations for Your Healing JourneyLearn about the Mind, Body + Soul Healing Retreat for Therapists in Tulum, Mexico here.Additional ResourcesTherapists - 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 about the Safe + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via fi

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 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 about the Safe + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts o

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 improve communication and family dynamics with their adult children. Our conversation emphasizes the need for self-care and the potential for healing and freedom that can come from prioritizing one's own well-being.Resources from this episode:Dr. Sharon Martin's website has a wealth of resources focused on family relationships.Purchase Sharon Martin's newest book, Cutting Ties With Your Parents, here.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! 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 share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here!Watch this episode on YouTube: <a h

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 create possibilities and develop a sense of inner peace.Resources for this Episode:Listen to Kristen's podcast, Close the Chapter, here and find out about everything she is doing! Kristen''s counseling group, Pathways to HealingAdditional ResourcesIf you're a therapist ready to take a break from holding space for your clients, family and friends so you can experience deep rest and restoration and heal in community, go here to learn about my upcoming retreat in Tulum, Mexico! Trauma therapists - Trauma Therapist Network is now accepting new members! Save 30% on your first month of membership using code TTNSAVE30 before January 1, 2026! Go here for all the details on our new membership structure and apply now!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 share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it

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 ResourcesIf you're a therapist ready to take a break from holding space for your clients, family and friends so you can experience deep rest and restoration and heal in community, go here to learn about my upcoming retreat in Tulum, Mexico! Trauma therapists - Trauma Therapist Network is now accepting new members! Save 30% on your first month of membership using code TTNSAVE30 before January 1, 2026! Go here for all the details on our new membership structure and apply now!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 share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! My course is now available, and can be accessed from this link.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page

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 hold ourselves accountable for the harm we cause.Healing requires acknowledging the complexity of human nature.Collective healing can lead to societal transformation.About this week's guests:Thomas Hübl, PhD, is a renowned teacher, author, and international facilitator who works within the complexity of systems and cultural change, integrating modern science with the insights of humanity’s wisdom traditions. Since the early 2000s, he has led large-scale events and courses on collective trauma. He is the author of Healing Collective Trauma and Attuned, a coach for executives and leaders, and a visiting scholar at the Wyss Institute at Harvard. He is the co-founder of the NGOs the Pocket Project and Global Restoration Institute, which facilitate dialogue around collective trauma, conflict resolution, and collective healing for organizations and governments worldwide.Richard C. Schwartz, PhD, is the creator of Internal Family Systems, a highly effective, evidence-based therapeutic model that de-pathologizes the multi-part personality. His IFS Institute offers training for professionals and the general public. He is currently on the faculty ofHarvard Medical School, and has published five books, including No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model. Dick lives with his wife Jeanne near Chicago, close to his three daughters and his growing number of grandchildren.Resources from this episode:Find Thomas and Dick's new book, Releasing Our Burdens here.Thomas Hubl's website is found here.Dick Schwartz's website is found here.<

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 the US and internationally, specializing in neuroscience topics such as resilience, relationships, self-care, and trauma. She utilizes techniques based on brain science in treatment, including EMDR, and is passionate about making neuroscience accessible to everyone.Learn more about Libby Murdoch's EMDRIA-approved EMDR Trainings at:brainbasedemdr.comAdditional Resources: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 share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Bumble is the dating app built with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships and with the belief that love—in all its forms—is the foundation to a happy, healthy life. Bumble helps you find the real, intentional connections you're looking for. Download the app for free today on the App Store or Google Play and learn more at Bumble.com!Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here!If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this

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 HealingWe 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 + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Bumble is the dating app built with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships and with the belief that love—in all its forms—is the foundation to a happy, healthy life. Bumble helps you find the real, intentional connections you're looking for. Download the app for free today on the App Store or Google Play and learn more at Bumble.com!Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here!If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network

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. Marcken Volmy is a licensed mental health counselor and the owner of Bedrock Counseling, a private practice based in Florida that also offers EMDR consultation for recently trained clinicians. He is an EMDR trained and certified therapist with over a decade’s worth of experience helping people identify their traumas and gaining more awareness in how to process unresolved issues. Marcken is the author of Trauma Stories: Discovering Strength Through Our Vulnerabilities. Marcken has worked with special needs children, overwhelmed adults, community mental health, mobile crisis unit, children in group homes, non-profit mental health, and substance abuse. Marcken is passionate about all things mental health and trauma related and enjoys adding value to people’s lives one story at a time. Marcken lives in Florida with his wife and family.Visit Marcken's practice website here: https://bedrockcounseling.com Follow Marcken on social media here:Facebook: @Bedrockcounseling/ Instagram: @Bedrockcounseling, @Marckenvolmy Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcken-volmy-7b38953b/Additional Resources: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 share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Bumble is the dating app built with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships and with the belief that love—in all its forms—is the foundation to a happy, healthy life.

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 Onlinehttps://therapyreimagined.comAdditional Resources: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 share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Bumble is the dating app built with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships and with the belief that love—in all its forms—is the foundation to a happy, healthy life. Bumble helps you find the real, intentional connections you're looking for. Download the app for free today on the App Store or Google Play and learn more at Bumble.com!Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here!If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trau

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.ResourcesFind 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.comAre 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 share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Bumble is the dating app built with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships and with the belief that love—in all its forms—is the foundation to a happy, healthy life. Bumble helps you find the real, intentional connections you're looking for. Download the app for free today on the App Store or Google Play and learn more at Bumble.com!Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website to learn about my upcoming retreat, put your name on the waitlist for TTN membership, find discounts on CE trainings, purchase my course, schedule a clinical consultation, access recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is rea

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 Family Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University, Jocelyn blends traditional talk therapy with expressive arts to support clients navigating anxiety, depression, and self-harming behaviors. She has worked in diverse clinical settings across the country and served as an adjunct professor at Indiana University and Purdue University. Jocelyn is passionate about helping others live more authentic, connected, and creative lives.Check out Jocelyn Fitzgerald's Etsy shop here Download a FREE resource Jocelyn created here.Buy Jocelyn Fitzgerald's book, EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies, here.Additional Resources: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 share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Bumble is the dating app built with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships and with the belief that love—in all its forms—is the foundation to a happy, healthy life. Bumble helps you find the real, intentional connections you're looking for. Download the app for free today on the App Store or Google Play and learn more at Bumble.com!Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE

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 to her clinical work, she offers trainings and is on faculty with the EMDR Institute. She’s authored and co-authored several articles, chapters, and books related to attachment and trauma, including the updated and expanded “EMDR and Family Therapy: Integrative Treatment for Attachment Trauma in Children, 2nd edition. Learn more about Debra at: https://debrawesselmann.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 share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Bumble is the dating app built with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships and with the belief that love—in all its forms—is the foundation to a happy, healthy life. Bumble helps you find the real, intentional connections you're looking for. Download the app for free today on the App Store or Google Play and learn more at Bumble.com!Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here! If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - submit your info on this form. Thanks!

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 trauma reaction and practice self-compassion when it arises.Challenge the illusion of control and release the burden of preventing every negative outcome.Seek out and embrace "corrective emotional experiences" where you allow yourself to be vulnerable and receive support.Prioritize genuine connection and community to combat isolation and foster reciprocal relationships.Give yourself permission to "be human" and express your authentic self.What if you try giving connection a chance? It might just change your life.Additional Resources: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 share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Bumble is the dating app built with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships and with the belief that love—in all its forms—is the foundation to a happy, healthy life. Bumble helps you find the real, intentional connections you're looking for. Download the app for free today on the App Store or Google Play and learn more at Bumble.com!Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here!If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Ther

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 was honoured to receive an award from ATTACh for innovation in the treatment of children with trauma, and with 41+ years of practice, she is still learning every day. Kim’s overall mission is to support the conscious evolution of the human spirit.Learn more about Kim Barthel and her work here!Additional Resources: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 share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Bumble is the dating app built with a focus on meaningful and authentic relationships and with the belief that love—in all its forms—is the foundation to a happy, healthy life. Bumble helps you find the real, intentional connections you're looking for. Download the app for free today on the App Store or Google Play and learn more at Bumble.com!Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here!If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: h

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 exploring their experiences in religious or spiritual trauma. Learn more about SC Nealy and their work at: https://lgbtcounselingdmv.com .Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here!If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to give TherapyNotes a try is now! Sign up for your free

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 supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here!If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to give TherapyNotes a try is now! Sign up for your free trial by going to TherapyNotes.com, clicking "Start my free trial", and accessing your first two months free with the promo code CHAT. See why TherapyNote

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this episode, my guest is Dr. Dan Siegel. In this deep conversation, we explored themes of grief, connection, the quantum realm, integration in a biological sense, the work of Joanna Macy, losing our parents and staying connected with them, and the shared humanity that binds us all together, while also addressing the challenges we face in today's world and how we can find new ways of living. Dr. Dan Siegel is the Founder and Director of Education of the Mindsight Institute and founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, where he was also Co-Principal Investigator of the Center for Culture, Brain and Development and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine. An award-winning educator, Dan is the author of five New York Times bestsellers and over fifteen other books which have been translated into over forty languages. As the founding editor of the Norton Professional Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology (“IPNB”), Dan has overseen the publication of one hundred books in the transdisciplinary IPNB framework which focuses on the mind and mental health. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Dan completed his postgraduate training at UCLA specializing in pediatrics, and adult, adolescent, and child psychiatry. He was trained in attachment research and narrative analysis through a National Institute of Mental Health research training fellowship focusing on how relationships shape our autobiographical ways of making sense of our lives and influence our development across the lifespanLearn more about Dr. Dan Siegel and purchase his books  Find the Mindsight Institute here Bob Sima’s song “The Measure,” performed with Dr. Dan Siegel in Baltimore (YouTube)Find Bob Sima’s music with Shannon Plummer at Where the Light Gets InJoanna Macy’s The Work That Reconnects is found here.Karen O’Brien’s work - Quantum Social Change Substack If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page

This week's guest is Vanessa Bennett, LMFT, author of the new book "The Motherhood Myth: A Depth Therapist's Guide to Redefine Parenting, Reimagine Intimacy, and Reclaim the Self." In this soulful conversation, through the lens of depth psychology, Vanessa Bennett explores themes of motherhood, and some of the archetypal wounds that women carry, including the mother wound, sister wound, witch wound, and father wound. We discuss societal myths surrounding motherhood and the importance of reclaiming one's self and intuition after becoming a parent. I shared about my mother wound. Vanessa Bennett, LMFT, is a licensed depth psychotherapist, author, and facilitator known for her no-nonsense yet compassionate approach to personal growth and healing. She is the coauthor of the bestselling relationship book It’s Not Me, It’s You with her partner John Kim and co-hosts the Cheaper Than Therapy podcast. A former New Yorker now based in Los Angeles, Vanessa leads transformational retreats and workshops grounded in Jungian and depth-oriented psychology. Through her writing, teaching, and digital content, she helps others break generational patterns and reconnect with their truest selves. Find everything Vanessa Bennett offers on her website here.If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - which will open in September, 2025, submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to give TherapyNotes a try is now! Sign up for your free trial by going to TherapyNotes.com, clicking "Start my free trial", and acc

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, I’m sharing an incredibly rich and soul-stirring conversation with psychotherapist and author, Francis Weller. Recently retired after 43 years in practice, Francis shares profound insights from his fieldwork—sitting with grieving people for over four decades to understand what the individual and collective psyche are trying to express through symptoms and suffering. We delve into how grief saturates almost every human experience, from addiction to childhood wounds, and how our culture often teaches us to avoid it.This episode explores the concept of "soul work" and how indigenous traditions offer profound wisdom on community, ritual, and the "primary satisfactions" that keep us strong and fluid. Francis illuminates how Western individualism has ripped apart these vital connections and what it has cost us. We also discuss his new book, In the Absence of the Ordinary, Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty, and how it couldn't be more timely for the times we're living in. Learn more about Francis Weller's work on his website and find his newest book here. To view The Eternal Song, the film that Francis Weller described in this episode, go here: https://theeternalsong.org/If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - which will open in September, 2025, submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly represe

In this conversation, I interviewed Yudit Maros, LMFT, founder of Authenticity Therapy. Yudit led the retreat I attended earlier this year in Italy, which was a powerful experiential training in her method. Authenticity Therapy is a form of inner child work which helps identify unmet emotional needs, emphasizing the importance of self-love and our relationship to ourselves. Yudit shares her journey of developing this therapy model, the significance of body awareness, and the process she teaches to guide individuals in responding to their feelings. I talked about my experience in the training. Yudit Maros is an LMFT and Certified Hypnotherapist in private practice in Ridgefield, CT, with 32 years of clinical experience. She is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and an international trainer of psychotherapists in Authenticity Therapy© and Brief, Solution Oriented Trauma Resolution. She is author of „Apple of My I: The Four Practices of Self-Love”, and the originator of Authenticity Therapy©, a new integration in the field of psychotherapy. Yudit is a regular presenter at major National conferences. She leads Certification Trainings in Authenticity Therapy, and Deep Reset Retreats internationally for the Self of the Therapist. Learn more about Yudit Maros's work and find her book here.If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - which will open in September, 2025, submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to give TherapyNotes a try is now! Sign up for your free

In this week's episode of Therapy Chat, I interviewed Michelle Chalfant, a licensed therapist and coach, about her journey from anxiety and self-hatred to self-love and healing. She describes her Adult Chair model, which includes understanding the ways the energy of our child parts, adolescent parts and adult parts show up in our lives. Her recent book, The Adult Chair: Get Unstuck, Claim Your Power, and Transform Your Life, teaches readers about how these energies feel and how to work with them. Michelle shares insights on working with triggers and the role of the body in emotional healing, emphasizing that everyone has the potential to transform their lives with the right tools and support. In this warm, engaging and funny conversation with Michelle, you'll gain insight into how her Adult Chair method can help transform our lives as we learn to meet the unmet needs of our child parts. I love this book and have been recommending it to so many clients and friends!Michelle Chalfant, MS, LPC, is a licensed therapist, holistic life coach, and author committed to helping individuals break free from limitations and discover their true selves. Her podcast, The Michelle Chalfant Show - Life from The Adult Chair, has over 10 million downloads, offering practical tools and relatable insights for overcoming life’s challenges. Michelle’s new book, The Adult Chair: Get Unstuck, Claim Your Power, and Transform Your Life, was released in May, 2025 through Penguin Random House and is available where all books are sold. Michelle leads transformative events, retreats, and courses through The Academy of Awakening Membership and trains others in her model via The Adult Chair® Coaching Certification Program where she is creating a new generation of coaches.Order Michelle Chalfant's book and get her FREE masterclass here: https://courses.theadultchair.com/the-adult-chair-bookSee everything Michelle offers at her website here: https://theadultchair.com/If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - which will open in September, 2025, submit your info on this form. Thanks!Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcastTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com<spa

In this episode of Therapy Chat, I interviewed returning guest Deb Dana, LCSW. We explored the profound impact of Polyvagal Theory on emotional regulation and connection. We discussed the importance of co-regulation, the role of nature in fostering a sense of safety, and the significance of recognizing micro-moments of joy and connection in our daily lives. We talked about the current trend of regulation "hacks" and challenged the idea that our goal is to be regulated. We also touchedthe power of glimmers as reminders of safety and connection. We talked about how we can move forward when things seem dark and discouraging. Ultimately, this conversation offers hope and practical insights for fostering emotional well-being in a dysregulated world, through the power of connection.Deb Dana, LCSW, is a clinician, consultant, author and speaker. Deb’s work delves into the intricacies of how understanding and befriending the nervous system can change the way we navigate our daily lives. She is well known for translating Polyvagal Theory into a language and application that is both clear and accessible and for her significant contribution pioneering Rhythm of Regulation® methodology, tools, techniques and practices which continue to open up the power of Polyvagal Theory for professionals and curious people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life. Deb’s clinical work published with W.W. Norton includes The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy, Polyvagal Exercises, the Polyvagal Flip Chart, and the Glimmers Journal. Her work with Sounds True for a general audience includes Anchored and The Nervous System Workbook.  Learn more about Deb Dana's work and books via her website. If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership - open to anyone, not just therapists - which will open in September, 2025, submit your info on this form. Thanks!Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on training, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, we're talking about a subject that many people are curious about lately, GLP-1's the diabetes medications that are being used by non-diabetics for weight loss. Therapists need to know about these medications, because clients are exploring them. I sat down with Dr. Vanessa Scaringi and Kathryn Garland, two therapists who specialize in eating disorders, to hear their perspective on whether these medications are helpful or harmful. Our conversation took us many places I wasn't expecting and challenged so many biases I had about these medications - some I wasn't aware of until we started talking. We went into diet culture, various eating disorders, why people are using GLP-1's and what they're experiencing. Their perspective was much more nuanced than I expected and I'm grateful to them for educating me! Whether you're someone considering GLP-1's, or a therapist whose clients may be curious about these meds, you'll find a lot to think about in this episode.Vanessa Scaringi, PhD, CEDS-C, is a licensed psychologist in Austin, TX. Vanessa co-owns with Kathryn Garland, LCSW, CALM Counseling, a group therapy practice. She primarily sees individuals in working on recovery from eating disorders or body image issues. Vanessa has dedicated much of her career to working in the eating disorder field. Kathryn Garland is a licensed clinical social worker and supervisor as well as a certified eating disorder specialist consultant in Texas, New York, Massachusetts and Colorado. She obtained postgraduate psychoanalytic training in New York City and incorporates relational and intuitive methods into her work with clients. Learn more about Dr. Vanessa Scaringi and Kathryn Garland, LCSW via their CALM Counseling ATX website and their Instagram.If you're interested in being notified when I announce the details of the new Therapy Chat membership which will open in September, 2025, submit your info on this form. Thanks!Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on training, recommended resources and more. Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to no

Welcome back to `Therapy Chat! This week, I interviewed Michelle Renee of Cuddlist about cuddle therapy. Michelle and I discussed what cuddle therapy is, what it can do and who can benefit from it. Our conversation brought up many thoughts about loneliness, platonic touch, consent, boundaries, attachment and much more. Michelle Renee (she/her) is a human connection coach based in San Diego, California, dedicated to helping individuals overcome challenges related to emotional and physical connection. As a Cuddlist certified relational-based touch practitioner, she offers platonic nurturing touch in a safe and supportive environment, and she works collaboratively with licensed talk therapists to help clients address deeper issues surrounding trust, vulnerability, and connection. Michelle is deeply passionate about supporting individuals with a history of trauma, guiding them toward building safety within themselves and their relationships. In addition to her coaching and therapy work, Michelle is the Co-Owner and Director of Training for Cuddlist.com.Visit Michelle’s website at: https://humanconnectioncoach.comLearn more about Cuddlist at: www.cuddlist.comGet a 10% discount on Cuddlist training at: https://cuddlist.podia.com/cuddlist-certification/6dnxo?coupon=REFERRALTherapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on training, recommended resources and more. Curious about SSP after listening to the most recent episodes of Therapy Chat? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! More new episodes about SSP are coming this summer!Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of da

Welcome back to `Therapy Chat! This week's guest, Eugene Ellis, is a UK-based therapist with a background in systems theory, play therapy and adoption work who identifies as a Buddhist and is helping people talk about race through his recent book, "Transforming Race Conversations - A Healing Guide for Us All," which was previously released in 2021 as "The Race Conversation". Eugene's book delves into the story of race, exploring its historical and social construction, the language of race, the impact of race trauma on the body, and how intergenerational race trauma continues to impact us today. For the past 22 years, he has been the director and founder of the Black, African and Asian Therapy Network, the UK's largest independent organisation to specialise in working therapeutically with Black, African, Caribbean and Asian people. We talked about the importance of supportive communities in helping us stay connected in mind, body and spirit through the tumultuous times we're living through. This conversation, which relates well with the discussion of authenticity from last week's episode, was deep and vulnerable, and I hope you'll find it inspiring as you listen.Find Eugene Ellis's book, Transforming Race Conversations: A healing guide for us all on the WW Norton publishing website here. Learn about the Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN) here.Find Therapy in Colour on Jessica Kingsley Publishers site.TRAUMA THERAPISTS - TTN membership will be open for new members from Friday, 6/27/35 to Wednesday, 7/2/25. If you've been waiting for your chance to join, this is it! Join us for a FREE webinar on Friday, June 27, 2025 at 2 pm Eastern time where you can get a taste of the TTN experience, and a special discount to save on your membership fee. Register for the webinar here! If you are a therapist working with trauma survivors who would like to join our amazing community, add your name to the waiting list! You'll be the first to know when membership opens, and you'll get a coupon code to save on your first month of membership.Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on training, recommended resources and more. Curious about SSP after listening to the most recent episodes of Therapy Chat? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we ar

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week's guest is Dr. Sabrina N'Diaye, a wise and deep clinician, author, teacher, speaker and leader. We had a heartfelt conversation about showing up authentically as a therapist. Not "trying to show up authentically," but living and working as our authentic selves. Sabrina speaks about how spirituality fits in with the process of reclaiming your authenticity. This was a beautiful and inspiring conversation which I hope you will enjoy.Dr. Sabrina N'Diaye is a thought leader in integrating spirituality with psychotherapy. As an integrative therapist, author, and peacebuilder, she blends ancient spiritual practices with the latest scientific research and wisdom to guide others on their healing journeys. She is affectionately referred to as, “Sister Sabrina” in the communities that she serves.Dr. Sabrina holds a PhD in Mind-Body Medicine from Saybrook University, where her research focused on the use of guided imagery as a healing tool for African-American women with chronic STIs. She is also the founder of The Heart Nest Center for Peace and Healing, where she lovingly serves women, couples, and small groups. Her first book, Big Mama Speaks: Love Lessons from a Harlem River Swan, draws on her maternal grandmother’s resilience in overcoming trauma and chronic illness. Dr. Sabrina is deeply passionate about mentoring other therapists in creating fulfilling careers while serving humanity. She is a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, who remains humbled by the healing powers of compassion, forgiveness, and love.Find Dr. Sabrina N'Diaye's book, Big Mama Speaks: Love Lessons From a Harlem River Swan here.Visit Dr. Sabrina's website here.Register for Dr. Sabrina's upcoming course "Writing the Healers Journey" here.Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on training, recommended resources and more. TTN will be opening for new members in June. If you are a therapist working with trauma survivors who would like to join our amazing community, add your name to the waiting list! You'll be the first to know when membership opens, and you'll get a coupon code to save on your first month of membership.Curious about SSP after listening to the most recent episodes of Therapy Chat? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with cl

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week I'm talking with Pam Conboy and Dr. Leah Linder, co-founders of Setas Seminary. Pam, whose background is in biology, was trained as a clinical laboratorian and is currently a doctoral student in naturopathic medicine. She is an IIN certified health coach, trained psychedelic facilitator, medical marketing|business development entrepreneur, and ordained minister.With a background in biochemistry and emergency medicine, Leah is a naturopathic physician trained in psychedelic assisted therapy with deep expertise in natural supplement formulation and manufacture and an ordained minister. We spoke about micro- and macro-dosing psilocybin mushrooms - why people do it, how it may help, and the importance of ceremony when using these medicines. Many people are micro- and macro-dosing psilocybin, so this information is valuable for clinicians and those considering using psilocybin therapeutically. Learn more about Setas Seminary via their website.Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on training, recommended resources and more. TTN will be opening for new members in June. If you are a therapist working with trauma survivors who would like to join our amazing community, add your name to the waiting list! You'll be the first to know when membership opens, and you'll get a coupon code to save on your first month of membership.Curious about SSP after listening to the most recent episodes of Therapy Chat? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! More new episodes about SSP are coming this summer!Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week we are talking about a newly coined term, "high functioning codependency," which was defined by our guest, Terri Cole. Terri Cole is a licensed psychotherapist and global relationship and empowerment expert who authored two books, Boundary Boss and her newest, book, Too Much, which we discuss in this week's episode. For over 20 years, Terri has worked with a diverse group of clients that includes everyone from stay-at-home moms to celebrities and Fortune 500 CEOs. She has a gift for making complex psychological concepts accessible and actionable so that clients and students achieve sustainable change - and she's hilarious, in my opinion.She inspires over a million people weekly through her blog, social media platform, signature courses, and her popular podcast, The Terri Cole Show. You'll hear us discuss how HSP's and narcissists go together like peanut butter and jelly, why, and what can be done about it. I couldn't put her book down - it opened up a new level of understanding of this subject for me. I hope you'll enjoy this conversation as much as I did!Find Terri's website with her books, courses, podcast and everything she is doing at www.terricole.com .Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on training, recommended resources and more. TTN will be opening for new members in June. If you are a therapist working with trauma survivors who would like to join our amazing community, add your name to the waiting list! You'll be the first to know when membership opens, and you'll get a coupon code to save on your first month of membership.Curious about SSP after listening to the most recent episodes of Therapy Chat? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! More new episodes about SSP are coming this summer!Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, continuing the discussion of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), we have a new interview with my colleague, teacher and friend Paula Scatoloni, LCSW. Paula Scatoloni is a Licensed Social Worker and a Healing Arts Practitioner in NC blending transpersonal psychology, somatics, and sound with the principles of traditional wisdom and earth-based spirituality. Paula created Transformative Harmonics as a bridge to help individuals shift their frequency into safety, connection, and empowerment so they can begin live a more purpose-driven life. We talked about the importance of embodiment for practitioners who are delivering the SSP. Paula spoke about how we can work with our nervous systems for co-regulation and much more. Find Paula's website with all of her offerings at: www.paulascatoloni.comFind the Polyvagal Institute website here.Purchase Safe and Sound: A polyvagal approach for connection, change and healing here.Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on training, recommended resources and more. On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to give TherapyNotes a try is now! Sign up for your free trial by going to TherapyNotes.com, clicking "Start my free trial", and accessing your first two months free with the promo code CHAT. See why TherapyNotes is the most trusted EHR for behavioral health professionals today.Love Therapy Chat? <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week we have another new episode, which I've been super excited to share with you! I had a powerful experience with the SSP myself, over the last couple of years, and prior to that I had been interested in its potential since first hearing about it around 2017. The challenge I found was in understanding - and then explaining - how it can benefit those who participate in the protocol! My guests today understand all the ins and outs of the protocol. In fact, they literally wrote the book! The new book, Safe and Sound: A polyvagal approach for connection, change and healing, is out now! It covers the research on SSP, gives many case examples, and covers some important factors in the delivery of the method.Stephen W. Porges, PhD, is author of The Polyvagal Theory and creator of SSP. He is professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina and Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University, where he is founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium. He lives in Atlantic Beach, Florida. More at stephenporges.com. Karen Onderko helped bring SSP from the research lab to clinicians, who then enabled individuals to experience the many benefits of improved nervous system regulation. Together, they answered all of my questions about how the SSP works, who it's for and what the research to date has found. We will continue to learn about the SSP in a few more episodes. Look for my interview with Paula Scatoloni about the importance of the therapist's (or other provider's) embodied presence when delivering the SSP next week! Find the Polyvagal Institute website here.Purchase Safe and Sound: A polyvagal approach for connection, change and healing here.Access the bonus content my guests mentioned here - you'll see Deb Dana and Arielle Schwartz, among many others!Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on training, recommended resources and more. On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week I'm sharing a new interview with Dr. Hillary McBride, a clinician, teacher, author, speaker, trainer, and host of "Other People's Problems" podcast on CBC. One of the things I wanted to discuss with her is how they ensure ethics and consent from the clients featured in the therapy sessions shared on the show. I loved her answer!We also discussed spiritual abuse, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, the research on the COVID pandemic as a transformative experience and more! Hillary writes about embodiment, trauma, eating disorders, mental health and spirituality; her bestselling book The Wisdom Of Your Body was released in 2021, Practices for Embodied Living was released in 2024, and her most recent book "Holy Hurt: understanding spiritual trauma and the process of healing" was released April 2025. Her award-winning CBC podcast Other People's Problems was mentioned in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times as essential listening, and she is the co-developer of Katalyst Mental Health Ketamine Assisted Therapy program.Hillary McBride's headshot photo credit: Lily GlassFind Hillary McBride's website here: www.hillarylmcbride.comRead the article Hillary mentioned about transformation after the pandemic here.Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on training, recommended resources and more. On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code!Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to give TherapyNotes a try is now! Sign up for your free trial by going to TherapyNotes.com, clicking "S

This week's episode of Therapy Chat features the creator of Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), David Emerson. In this replay episode which originally aired in 2017, you'll hear David explaining how trauma-sensitive yoga can be brought into psychotherapy. He discusses some of the benefits of trauma-sensitive yoga on mental health and talks about his book, Trauma Sensitive Yoga in Therapy: Bringing the Body Into Treatment. I also highly recommend his other book, Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga: Reclaiming Your Body. I really appreciate how the authors explain why yoga is beneficial in healing trauma. Visit the Trauma Sensitive Yoga website, where you can find trainings as well as David Emerson's books and more.Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on training, recommended resources and more. On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma RecoveryToolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code!Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. TherapyNotes® is the highest-rated EHR, practice management, and billing software for mental health professionals. Its all-in-one platform is designed to streamline all aspects of your practice, from connecting with clients via secure messages, to scheduling, to notes, to billing, and more; you can trust TherapyNotes has you covered. And one of the best parts? 24-7 customer service. It's beyond easy to get help over the phone or by email at any time of day from their knowledgeable and friendly representatives. The best time to give TherapyNotes a try is now! Sign up for your free trial by going to TherapyNotes.com, clicking "Start my free trial", and accessing your first two months free with the promo code CHAT. See why TherapyNotes is the most trusted EHR for behavioral health professionals today.Love Therapy Chat? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and subscribe where you listen to your podcasts! Thank you!Podcast produced by Vaudeo Productions - https://vaudeoproductions.comAdvertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/bra

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! I recently returned from Austin, Texas, where I completed level 1 of the Trauma Conscious Yoga Method, founded by this week's guest, Nityda Gessel.This week's episode is a part two replay of my interview with Nityda about the differences between psychotherapeutic yoga, used in clinical practice, and yoga therapy, which can be offered by yoga instructors with specialised training. Whether you're a therapist considering training in yoga to add to your clinical practice, a yoga instructor or yoga therapist, or anyone who is considering adding yoga to their healing toolkit, this is an informative episode!Nityda Gessel Onlinehttps://traumaconsciousyoga.comhttps://traumaconsciousyoga.comTherapists can get the lowest prices on selected PESI trainings, featuring past and future Therapy Chat guests by going to this link: https://pesi.com/therapychatThank you to TherapyNotes for sponsoring this week’s episode! TherapyNotes makes billing, scheduling, notetaking, and telehealth incredibly easy. And now, for all you prescribers out there, TherapyNotes is proudly introducing E-prescribe! Try it today with no strings attached, and see why everyone is switching to TherapyNotes, now featuring E-prescribe! Use promo code “chat” at www.therapynotes.com to receive 2 FREE months of TherapyNotes!!Join the TTN e-mail list to learn what's coming up in 2025 with Therapy Chat, Trauma Chat and Trauma Therapist Network and get my free PDF 5 Common Mistakes People Make When Searching For A Trauma Therapist here!Find my most frequently recommended resources for learning about trauma here – includes recommended books and trainings.Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. Love Therapy Chat? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and subscribe where you listen to your podcasts! Thank you!Podcast produced by Vaudeo Productions - https://vaudeoproductions.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands