The Complex Trauma Podcast
A podcast for anyone healing from complex PTSD, childhood emotional neglect, and the patterns you've been carrying without knowing what to call them. Hosted by EMDR and somatic trauma therapist Sarah Herstich, each episode gets into nervous system healing, trauma responses, and what it actually takes to stop living in survival mode. If you've spent years people-pleasing, apologizing for existing, or holding it together on the outside while unraveling on the inside, this is for you. We talk about the fawn response, toxic shame, hypervigilance, and why your body still doesn't feel safe even when nothing bad is happening. New episodes every Wednesday.
Episodes
Why Trauma Memory Gaps Don't Mean You Made It Up
Maybe you barely remember your childhood. Maybe you've done years of trauma work, you're finally feeling better, and now you're wondering, was it really that bad? Did I make it all up?This episode is about trauma, memory, and self-trust. Why memory isn't a recording, why gaps and fragments don't prove or disprove anything, why healing itself can create distance from a memo
The Messy Middle of Nervous System Regulation
This week's episode is a little different. Instead of something super polished, I'm giving you the real time version of my own messy middle. What dysregulation actually feels like in my body right now, why regulation isn't the absence of activation, and what's actually helping me stay steady in a hard season of my life, from a walk around the block to finally asking for help.I
Why Relationships and Connection Feel So Hard After Complex Trauma
Why does connection feel so hard after complex trauma?You want closeness, but when someone gets too close, you pull away.You want support, but "I'm fine" comes out before you've even thought about it.You want to trust people, yet asking for help, receiving kindness, or staying present during conflict can feel surprisingly difficult.If you've ever wondered why relationships
The Impact of Emotionally Immature Parents with Lindsay Gibson
What is the real impact of growing up with emotionally immature parents? Dr. Lindsay Gibson, author of the bestselling Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, joins the show to explain what it costs a child over decades, and how to parent differently.In this conversation, we get into:What actually makes a parent emotionally immatureWhy the love can be real and the harm can be real at the s
Why You Don't Know Who You Are After Complex Trauma
If you've ever caught yourself wondering who you actually are underneath the anxiety, the people pleasing, or the version of you that shows up to keep everyone else comfortable, this episode is for you.I break down what a sense of self actually is, why complex trauma gets in the way of building one, and what it looks like to start forming it now, as an adult. That means looking at three capac
When Perfectionism Takes the Joy Out of the Things You Love
Sometimes a hobby amplifies whatever relationship your nervous system has with uncertainty.If you've ever found yourself staring at a blank page, putting off a creative project, or feeling tense doing something that's supposed to be relaxing, this episode is for you.Today we're exploring why perfectionism can turn creativity into a performance, how complex trauma changes our relatio
Somatic Therapy 101: The Nervous System Basics Behind Trauma Healing
If you've ever wondered why insight alone hasn't been enough to heal your trauma, this episode is your answer. We're going all the way back to fundamentals with a real somatic therapy 101, covering what somatic therapy actually is, how the nervous system holds onto trauma, and why healing from CPTSD requires more than just understanding your story.In this episode, we cover:Why traum
Why Your Nervous System Craves Certainty (And Why It Looks Like Control)
Ever been called controlling? Too rigid? Too much? On today's episode I breaks down why it was maybe never about control. Your nervous system has maybe been trying to answer one question this whole time: am I safe?This episode covers the real reason behind reassurance seeking, perfectionism, hypervigilance, overthinking, and food rules, and why none of it is a character flaw. Using research o
Emotional Flashbacks in Complex Trauma Explained
Emotional flashbacks are one of the most common and most misunderstood experiences in complex trauma. Unlike visual flashbacks, they don't come with images or a clear memory. They arrive as intense feelings, shame, fear, loneliness, helplessness, often with no story attached and no warning.In this episode, Sarah breaks down what emotional flashbacks actually are. You'll learn why insight
Complex Trauma and the Belief That You're a Burden
Do you feel guilty every time you need something, even from people who love you? Do you find it easy to show up for everyone else but nearly impossible to let someone show up for you?If so, this episode is for you.In episode 135, I explore the belief that you are a burden. Not as a passing thought, but as a felt sense in the body that gets activated the moment you need something from another perso
Why Complex Trauma Survivors Struggle to Believe Themselves
Many complex trauma survivors struggle to trust their memories, emotions, perceptions, and reactions. In this episode, we're exploring why being disbelieved can feel so painful, how emotional neglect and attachment wounds can teach us to question ourselves, and why trauma often leaves us with fragments of memory instead of a clear narrative.We discuss: • Why not being believed can feel abando
Why Emotional Loneliness Runs So Deep in Complex Trauma
Emotional loneliness is one of the most common and least talked about experiences in complex trauma recovery. It's not about the number of people in your life. It's about whether your nervous system has learned to let them in. And for a lot of survivors, it hasn't. Not because something is permanently wrong with you, but because your nervous system learned some very specific things
What CPTSD Does to Your Sleep and Why Nothing Else Has Worked
Sleep is one of the most common struggles in the CPTSD community, and one of the least understood. If you've tried the routines, the supplements, the magnesium, the blue light glasses, and you're still lying awake at midnight or waking up at 3am feeling like something is wrong, this episode is for you.Today I break down why sleep is uniquely hard when you have complex trauma, what's
What Inner Child Healing and Reparenting Actually Looks Like
Inner child healing isn't easy work. For people living with complex trauma, it can be one of the most neurobiologically specific processes in trauma recovery. And the version most people have been handed doesn't come close to touching it.In this episode we get into what inner child healing actually is, what the young part is really doing in your nervous system, and what reparenting actua
Corrective Emotional Experiences After Childhood Emotional Neglect
You've done the work. You've been in therapy, read the books, and you can name what happened to you. So why doesn't it feel like enough?That gap between understanding your story and actually feeling different in your body has a reason. And it's not because you haven't tried hard enough. It's because childhood emotional neglect creates a very specific kind of wound tha
CPTSD and the Stack of Diagnoses Nobody Connects
If you've been diagnosed with more than one thing, and it feels like every provider is treating each piece in isolation, this episode is for you.Complex PTSD doesn't just show up as one condition. For many people, CPTSD symptoms include a stack of co-occurring diagnoses that are deeply connected at the nervous system level but rarely treated that way. In this episode, I break down exactl
It's Not People-Pleasing, It's Fawning
If you've spent your life being told you're "too nice," "a people-pleaser," or that you just need to "set better boundaries," this episode is for you. Fawning is the fourth trauma response, and for most folks with complex PTSD, it's been... a thing... for decades. In this episode, Sarah unpacks what fawning actually is (hint: it's not a personality
When Being Seen Can Feel Unsafe in Therapy for CPTSD with Katie Fries
If you've ever sat in your therapist's office and thought "I sort of just want you to take care of me" and then felt embarrassed for even thinking it, this episode is for you.Listener Laurie wrote in after the "I Finally Stopped Shrinking" episode asking why being truly seen by a therapist can feel so activating, why grounding doesn't always hit the way her thera
The Inner Critic, IFS, and Complex Trauma with Emily Pagone
If you've ever wondered why the harshest voice in your head won't quiet down, this episode might help you reframe the why's behind it.This week I sits down with Emily Pagone, LCPC, founder of Authentic Growth Wellness Group and host of The Inner Critic Podcast. Emily specializes in IFS therapy, EMDR, and somatic approaches with a particular focus on complex trauma and neurodivergent
I Finally Stopped Shrinking… and Still Got Hurt
You did the work. You stopped shrinking. You let someone in. And it still ended with you feeling invisible.So what do you do with that?In this episode I'm responding to a message from a listener going through a divorce. She didn't shrink. She showed up fully. And it still ended in abandonment. Her question was simple and devastating: how do you reconcile that? And, how do you ever trust
Complex Trauma, Motherhood, and Cycle Breaking with Libby Ward
In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Libby Ward, creator, speaker, and author of Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself, to talk about what it really looks like to wake up mid-motherhood and realize you never actually knew yourself to begin with. Not because motherhood took you away from yourself, but because trauma did that long before your kids ever showed up.We t
The Hidden Shame in Emotional Neglect
You might not call it shame. But if you were emotionally neglected, there's a chance it's been running the show.Most people who grew up emotionally neglected don't have a name for what they carry. They just know that asking for help feels wrong, that they can't stop replaying conversations, that being seen makes them want to disappear.This episode is about why that story forms,
How Complex Trauma Shows Up in Your Sex Life— with Rachael Garner
Sex and complex trauma. It's one of those topics that doesn't get nearly enough airtime, and yet it comes up so frequently in the therapy room.In this episode I'm talking with Rachael Garner, a certified sex therapist and EMDR clinician who works with complex trauma survivors, about what actually happens to our relationship with sex, desire, and our bodies when we've experience
Why You Freeze or Shut Down When Things Get Hard
If you've ever gone completely blank in the middle of a hard conversation, or found yourself frozen, heart hammering, unable to say a single thing, this episode is for you.A listener wrote in asking why she shuts down instead of getting upset. Why everyone else seems to cry or fight while she just goes numb and feels nothing. And whether something is wrong with her.The answer is no. And this
Why Nervous System Regulation Feels Impossible With CPTSD
If you've done the work, learned the tools, and still feel like you're white knuckling through every single day, this episode is for you.For many people with complex PTSD and developmental trauma, calm isn't somewhere familiar to return to. It's something that has to be built, maybe for the first time. And that changes everything about how healing needs to look.This episode bre
Childhood Emotional Neglect with Dr. Danica Harris
Childhood emotional neglect doesn't always look like what you'd expect. Sometimes it looks like a parent who showed up to every game, made dinner every night, and still wasn't really there. That gap between what was present and what was missing is exactly what we're unpacking today.Dr. Danica Harris is a somatic experiencing practitioner and complex trauma expert, and she break
3 Dissociation Questions Everyone's Asking (Answered)
After my conversation with Janina Fisher about dissociative parts, my inbox exploded with questions about dissociation. So today, I'm answering three that showed up a few timesIn this episode, we're covering:Why you might dissociate MORE in therapy than anywhere else (and why that doesn't mean therapy isn't working)How to tell the difference between zoning out and actual dissoc
Betrayal Trauma and Learning to Trust Again with Joe Sanok
Betrayal doesn't just hurt. It rewires your nervous system, shakes your ability to trust yourself, and makes you question everything you thought you knew about your relationship. In this episode, Joe Sanok shares what happened when his marriage ended suddenly on an RV trip, how he navigated the shock of becoming an unexpected single dad, and what it actually took to rebuild his life without r
Understanding Dissociative Parts with Dr. Janina Fisher
What if forgetting your childhood, feeling disconnected from your emotions, or experiencing different "versions" of yourself weren't signs that something's wrong with you, but evidence of how brilliantly your brain protected you?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Janina Fisher, one of the leading experts on trauma and dissociation, to unpack what dissociation actually is and
Understanding Your Response to Collective Trauma
This episode is a bit different. If it's not for you, that's okay.Right now, a lot of us are struggling. The anxiety that won't quit, the rage that scares you, the numbness that makes you wonder what's wrong with you, the exhaustion that feels bone-deep. You're not overreacting. Your nervous system is responding to real threat.In this episode, we talk about what happens in
Religious Trauma is Complex Trauma with Cassidy DuHadway
In this episode, I sit down with Cassidy DuHadway, author of "Becoming Me," to talk about religious trauma as complex trauma. We dig into how growing up in systems that demand you not be yourself creates deep attachment wounds, shame spirals, and an outsourcing of your internal knowing.Cassidy breaks down what religious trauma actually is, how it shows up in adult relationships, and why
I Don't Even Have Trauma Memories, So Why Am I Triggered?
"What counts as a trigger for CPTSD? And why do I get triggered by everyday stuff that shouldn't feel threatening?"If you've ever found yourself completely activated by something that seems small to everyone else (a text message, a tone of voice, someone's silence), this episode is for you.I'm breaking down what triggers actually are in complex trauma, why your body r
The Beauty and the Work of Complex Trauma Recovery with Thomas Zimmerman
What if your anxiety, depression, or chronic overwhelm aren’t personal failures, but the echoes of unprocessed trauma?In this week’s episode, Sarah sits down with EMDR therapist, consultant, and author Thomas Zimmerman, whose work has shaped how thousands of clinicians around the world approach complex trauma. Together, they unpack what recovery from complex trauma actually looks like and why it’s
A New Year's Pep Talk (Without the Toxic Positivity)
It's New Year's Eve, and if you're feeling anything other than excited, there's absolutely nothing wrong with you.This isn't your typical "new year, new you" pep talk. It's for the trauma survivors who are exhausted by the pressure to transform, who feel like they're failing because they didn't have some massive breakthrough this year, or who are j
How to Navigate Holiday Emotional Hangovers
That weird week between the holidays and New Year's hits different. You've survived the holiday chaos, the family dynamics, the endless to-do lists, and now you're supposed to just... exist? Enter: the emotional hangover.In this episode, we break down why that post-holiday crash feels so brutal and what actually helps when you're running on empty.What We Cover:Why 80-90% of adu
Q&A: How to Set Boundaries With Family Who Won't Listen
You set a boundary. They ignored it. You repeated yourself. They pushed again. And by the fourth time, you weren't calmly redirecting anymore, you were yelling, crying, or walking out. Now you're sitting with shame, wondering if all that therapy was pointless.In this episode, I answer a listener question about what to do when family members repeatedly violate your boundaries during holid
Invisible Rules of Dysfunctional Families with Abby Albright
If family gatherings leave you feeling drained or like you're reverting to an old version of yourself, you're not alone. EMDR therapist and yoga teacher, Abby Albright, returns to discuss the invisible rules governing dysfunctional family systems and how they intensify during the holidays.We explore six categories of unspoken family rules: emotional (don't feel, don't be sad),
Dr. Judith Herman on Complex PTSD and What Survivors Really Want
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Judith Herman, author of the groundbreaking book Trauma and Recovery, to talk about complex PTSD, trauma recovery, and what justice actually means to survivors.Dr. Herman explains why complex trauma is still overlooked in mental health training, what the three stages of trauma recovery really look like in practice, and why isolation is one of the biggest predic
CPTSD vs PTSD (And, Why You Keep Getting Misdiagnosed)
If you've been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, or bipolar - but nothing quite fits - you might actually be dealing with Complex PTSD. In this episode, I break down the crucial differences between PTSD and CPTSD, why so many trauma survivors get misdiagnosed, and why traditional therapy approaches often miss the mark for complex trauma. Be sure to listen to
Welcome to The Complex Trauma Podcast
Welcome to the Complex Trauma Podcast, formerly Reclaim You. If you’ve been minimizing your experiences as “not that bad,” holding it together for everyone else because you don’t know another way, or you’re finally ready to understand why you are the way you are in the world, you’re in the right place.Host Sarah Herstich shares the story behind the rebrand, her journey from treating eating disorde
Why Love Feels So Hard with CPTSD (And How to Change That)
Does love feel overwhelming, triggering, or just plain scary? If you have Complex PTSD, your nervous system might be treating intimacy like a threat, even when you desperately want connection.In this episode, I break down why CPTSD makes love feel so complicated, what's actually happening in your nervous system when someone gets close, and the real (messy, non-linear) path to trusting love ag
Mini Episode: What is Trauma Informed Yoga?
In this solo episode, trauma and EMDR therapist Abby Albright breaks down what trauma-informed yoga actually is and why it can be such a powerful support for healing. She explores how this gentle approach to movement creates space for choice, consent, and nervous system awareness, especially for those living with trauma.You’ll learn how trauma-informed yoga differs from traditional yoga classes, w
Mini Episode: 5 Ways Yoga Can Support Healing
In this mini episode, Abby gets personal, sharing how her journey from dance to yoga became a turning point in her own healing. She opens up about what it meant to shift from performance to presence, and how yoga helped her slow down, reconnect with her body, and build a foundation rooted in awareness and self-trust.You’ll hear reflections on the lessons she’s learned on the mat (and off), the pow
Therapy Isn’t Working… or Is It? 3 Reasons You Might Feel Stuck
You’ve been showing up to therapy. You’re naming your patterns, doing the work and still wondering: Why am I not feeling better?In this episode, Sarah is joined by trauma and EMDR therapist Ashley Fox to explore why therapy can feel stagnant, confusing, or even discouraging at times and how those exact moments might reflect slow, meaningful change beneath the surface.Together, they unpack three re
Why Self-Compassion Feels So Cringey
If the words “be kind to yourself” make you want to roll your eyes (or run) you’re not alone. For many trauma survivors, self-compassion doesn’t feel good. It feels awkward. Threatening. Even fake.In this episode, Sarah is joined by trauma therapist Erin Witmer for an honest conversation about what makes self-compassion so hard to access, and why the resistance itself is often a form of protection
Hyper-Independent and Burnt Out? It’s Not Your Fault
If asking for help feels like a risk…If you pride yourself on being “the strong one”…If burnout sneaks up on you even when you're doing everything right, this episode is for you.Sarah and Abby are talking about the hidden costs of hyper-independence. They unpack how this survival strategy gets wired into your nervous system, why it often stems from trauma or emotional neglect, and how it can
What Safety Might Feel Like in Recovery (It’s Not What You Think)
What if the biggest signs of healing aren’t big at all?In this episode, Sarah is joined by Laura for a conversation about the micro-moments that might mark recovery from trauma and disordered eating. Together, they unpack five powerful cues that your nervous system is shifting toward safety: like noticing your body, making a small choice, or feeling a flicker of joy without shutting it down.You’ll
You Don't Need to Be Calm to Be Healing (and Other Nervous System Truths)
What if your anxiety, shutdown, or overwhelm aren’t signs of failure—but signs your body is finally healing?In this episode of Reclaim You, Sarah breaks down one of the most misunderstood ideas in trauma recovery: that nervous system regulation = being calm. (Spoiler: it doesn’t.)You’ll learn:Why calm isn’t always regulation—and why stillness can be a shutdown in disguiseWhat dysregulation actuall
Feeling Numb, Floaty, or Shut Down? It Might Be Dissociation
Ever felt like you’re floating through life, watching it all happen from the outside? That might be dissociation—and no, it's not as scary as it soundsIn this episode, Sarah and Casey unpack what dissociation really is (hint: it’s more common than you think). They explore how it shows up across a spectrum, from zoning out during conversations to feeling completely disconnected from your body—
Mini Episode: The Grief of Emotional Neglect
What if the thing you're grieving never even happened?In this mini episode, Sarah explores the quiet ache of emotional neglect—the grief of what you didn’t get. No big event. No goodbye. Just an invisible heaviness that lingers. If you've ever felt sadness you can't explain, this one’s for you.Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!Be sure to follow, share and give us a
What Body Image Work Actually Looks Like with Heather Rudalavage
What if your body was never the problem?In this episode, Sarah sits down with Registered Dietitian, Heather Rudalavage for a real, unfiltered conversation about body image, intuitive eating, and the messy truth behind self-acceptance. Together, they unpack the unrealistic expectations we’re taught to have about our bodies, and explore what it actually looks like to build a more compassionate relat
ADHD, Sober Curiosity & Healing from the Inside Out with Kri Gore LMFT
In this episode, Sarah and Kri Gore LMFT dive into ADHD, neurodivergence, and sober curiosity, exploring how societal norms shape our identities and what it takes to break free. They unpack the power of self-compassion, the impact of sensory overload, and how somatic practices can help you reconnect with your body.Takeaways:Why ADHD can make you feel different, and how to embrace it.The truth abou
Monthly Mindful Moment with Abby: Rest
Join Abby Albright, a trauma and EMDR therapist, each month for a mindful moment.This month's meditation is centered around rest.We trust that you'll use your discretion, listening and/or participating when you are safe (not driving) and distraction free. Feel free to download this episode to refer back to the meditation as you need.Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!Be s
Why Am I So Lonely? The Deeper Truth About Disconnection
In this episode, Sarah and Casey take a deep dive into loneliness—the kind that lingers even when you're surrounded by people. They explore how childhood experiences shape our sense of connection, why loneliness can sometimes feel protective, and why "just make friends" is the worst advice ever. Together, they unpack the emotional roots of isolation, the role of emotional attunement
Mini Episode: Redefining Self Care in Eating Disorder Recovery
In this mini episode, we get real about self-care in eating disorder.Not the bubble bath, surface-level version, but a deeper dive into reclaiming your worth and even the smallest sense of safety in your body. Join me as we unpack how eating disorder recovery is about challenging toxic beliefs and understanding the vital role our nervous system plays in coping. I share insights on finding those sm
Trauma Dumping, Misinformation & the Social Media Therapy Trap
Social media is full of trauma talk—but how much of it is actually helpful? In this episode, Sarah and Laura unpack the rise of ‘social media therapy,’ the dangers of misinformation, and why trauma healing requires more than just a viral post. If you’ve ever wondered, ‘Do I actually have trauma, or is this just life?’ this one’s for you.Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!Be sure to
The Pressure to Do More Is Exhausting. Let's Talk About it.
Let’s be real- life can feel like a lot. Between social media making us feel like we’re always falling behind, relationship struggles, and the never-ending pressure to be better, it’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed. In this episode, Sarah and Emily are digging into the weight of expectations. Where they come from, how they mess with our self-worth, and what we can actually do about it.We’ll talk ab
Mini Episode: Signs of Childhood Emotional Neglect in Adulthood
In this episode, Sarah explores the often-overlooked impact of childhood emotional neglect- what happens when emotional needs go unmet. She unpacks the subtle signs, like difficulty identifying emotions, chronic anxiety, and hyper-independence, and explains how these patterns shape relationships and self-worth. She also dives into the science behind emotional neglect and shares practical insights
Monthly Mindful Moment with Abby: Balance
Join Abby Albright, a trauma and EMDR therapist, each month for a mindful moment.This month's meditation is centered around balance.We trust that you'll use your discretion, listening and/or participating when you are safe (not driving) and distraction free. Feel free to download this episode to refer back to the meditation as you need.Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!B
10 Ways to Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder
In this episode, Sarah and Ashley dive into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)- what it is, how it shows up, and ways to cope. They unpack the symptoms and different types of SAD while offering practical tips like working on sleep hygiene, light therapy, better sleep habits, and when to seek extra support. Ashley normalizes the tough emotions that can come with SAD and shares ways to face the chang
18 Things To Do In 2025 Instead Of Going On A Diet
Happy 2025!!Today the entire team is here to share 18 things to do in 2025 instead of going on a diet.We know the lure toward dieting this time of year is strong, so if you're feeling pulled, we're sending you endless compassion and our unwavering belief that you are and your body are worthy of love, care, kindness and connection in the here and now, exactly as you are 🧡.Thanks for liste
Mini Episode: 10 Signs of Post Traumatic Growth
On today's mini episode, Sarah shares about the concept of post-traumatic growth. She outlines ten signs of post-traumatic growth, highlighting the importance of inner strength, authentic connections, and self-compassion. Additionally, she introduces the five stages of post-traumatic growth.To read more about post traumatic growth, head to our blog post here:https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/
Finding Peace With Your Body- A Conversation With Johanna Kulp
Today, Sarah is joined by special guest Johanna Kulp, a therapist and author of the upcoming book "Finding Peace With Your Body: A Body Image Guide for Women."Johanna shares about her book, which aims to provide tools for women to reclaim their body image and foster a healthier relationship with their bodies and talks about the many complexities of body image. From her personal journey w
Laura Shares About Wisdom Practices
In this conversation, Sarah and Laura explore the intersection of spirituality and psychology, discussing the importance of reclaiming ancient wisdom practices and the three centers of knowing: intellectual, heart, and embodied. Laura shares about her journey through recovery, explains wisdom practices, the significance of joyful movement in recovery and the ripple effect of wisdom in personal and
Mini Episode: A Beginner’s Guide to Embodied Body Image Healing
On today's mini episode, Sarah discusses the limitations of traditional body image work and emphasizes the importance of understanding the nervous system's role in healing. She introduces practical approaches to body awareness and emotional regulation, advocating for gentle, mindful practices that respect individual boundaries and promote a healthier relationship with one's body.To
What To Say When- A Guide For Surviving Holiday Conversations
Join us for an essential guide to holiday gathering survival! Our entire team is here to unpack practical responses to dreaded comments and questions to support you in maintaining your peace of mind and protecting your recovery this holiday season.This episode tackles the delicate art of handling those tricky family conversations – from deflecting body image comments to navigating the dreaded &quo
Family Dysfunction: What It Is and What To Do With It
Join hosts Sarah and Abby as they unpack the challenging terrain of family dysfunction and its often heightened impact during the holiday season. This episode explores how trauma shapes family systems, the lasting effects of shame and abandonment, and the vital role of healthy relationships in the healing journey. Abby shares practical wisdom for managing complex family dynamics and reminds listen
Mini Episode: Why Positive Thinking Just Isn't Enough When it Comes to Body Image
Why is it so hard to heal your relationship with your body, even when you know all the right things to think and say? In this mini episode, we explore why positive affirmations and "just love yourself" advice often isn't enough, and how understanding your nervous system can transform your healing journey.We'll dive into:Why disconnection from your body served a purposeHow your
5 Tips to Manage Election Week Anxiety
It's a big week here in the US. Today, Emily is sharing 5 quick tips to manage election week anxiety. Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcswLearn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim TherapyThis po
Halloween Special: Looking Behind The Masks We Wear
Happy Halloween! Today Sarah and Laura are sharing a Halloween episode, unpacking the masks that we wear. They explore the concept of masking in our daily lives, particularly in relation to mental health, neurodivergence, and societal expectations. They discuss the various masks people wear to fit in, the exhaustion that comes from constant masking, and the journey towards authenticity. The conver
Money Talk: Capitalism and Its Impact
On today's episode Sarah and Casey dive deep into how capitalism shapes our daily lives, mental health, and sense of self-worth. From the historical roots of Wall Street to the modern housing crisis, they unpack the often invisible ways our economic system impacts everything from basic needs to personal hobbies.Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!Be sure to follow, share and gi
Money Talk: Unpacking Trauma and Money
Today Sarah and Casey are back talking about relationships between money and trauma. From feeling lack of choice and safety to how that might manifest later in life, they're peeling back a few layers of this proverbial onion.Our hope is that you feel *even a little* seen and can make some heady connections about your personal relationship with money that you can bring to the therapy couch (or
Money Talk: From Terrifying To A Tool
Today, hosts Sarah and Casey kick off a new series on money and mental health. This is the first episode of a handful to explore your relationship with money, how it came to be, how society impacts it and how to re establish a relationship with it.Today Casey and Sarah dive into their personal financial journeys, from childhood experiences to adult realizations, exploring how money shapes our live
Thriving on Campus: A Guide to College Resources for Mental Health
On today's episode, hosts Sarah and Ashley dive deep into the world of college support systems. They explore the various resources available to students, with a special focus on mental health, academic assistance, and the crucial role of friendships.Key topics include:Mental health resources on campus, including counseling centers and crisis hotlinesStrategies for academic success and managin
Mini Episode: How Trauma Affects The Brain and Memories
On today's mini episode, Sarah is sharing how trauma affects the brain and memory after experiencing trauma.Be sure to head to our blog to view the images discussed, and to learn more about regions of the brain, the amygdala and hippocampus.Check out the blog here:https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/blog/how-trauma-affects-the-brainThanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!Be sure to f
Unpacking Perimenopause
Tune in as Sarah and Laura pull back the curtain on perimenopause on today's episode. They dive into the physical and emotional rollercoaster that comes with this transitional phase, offering a mix of personal stories and practical knowledge.From hormone havoc to mental health hurdles, Laura is sharing common symptoms folks might experience throughout perimenopause. They explore why society o
Mini Episode: Food Freedom- What It Really Means in Eating Disorder Recovery
On today's mini-episode Sarah is sharing her hot take on the popular notion of food freedom, what it might really mean, and steps to get there on your journey in recovery.Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcswLearn more about
Athlete Mental Health Challenges with Paige Thompson
In this episode, Sarah and Paige Thompson discuss discuss mental health in athletes. Paige shares her personal journey as a collegiate athlete, detailing the challenges she faced, including an eating disorder and burnout. They explore the pressures athletes encounter, the importance of support systems, and strategies for navigating mental health issues. TakeawaysConnection is a vital theme in ment
Mini Episode: Toxic Positivity- What It Is & How to Navigate It
On today's mini episode, Sarah discusses the concept of toxic positivity, particularly its effects on trauma survivors. She explains how the pressure to maintain a positive outlook can invalidate genuine emotions, leading to feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation. Today's mini episode also offers trauma-informed strategies for navigating these challenges.Thanks for listening to The Comp
Feeling Like You're Falling Behind in Your 20's and 30's
In this episode of Reclaim You, Sarah and Emily discuss the common feelings of falling behind in life, particularly during the pressure-filled decades of the 20s and 30s. They explore societal expectations regarding career, relationships, and financial stability, emphasizing the importance of building a supportive community and recognizing that everyone's journey is unique.The conversation hi
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