Early childhood relational experiences play a vital role in laying the foundation for health, happiness, love, security, and emotion regulation. Laura is an expert in this, as a CASA (court appointed special advocate) who has taken an oath to advocate for the needs of vulnerable children.

In this episode, we explore how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is limited in its ability to reach these deeper layers of the brain formed by our early attachments. Laura makes a case for the value of "right brain therapies," such as Dr. Laurence Heller's Neuro Affective Relational Model (NARM). We discuss the need to re-parent those who have experienced complex/severe developmental trauma, and how mind-body lifestyle therapies such as physical activity, nature, ocean therapy, volunteering, and fostering animals, can all help develop "earned" secure attachment in adulthood. 

Laura Wiley Haynes grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. She received a degree in English and American Literature from Brown University in 1983, and later her Master of Fine Arts, in Poetry, from The Bennington Writing Seminars. She worked in film in her early career, first in production and development and later as a screenwriter. After having children, she wrote part time from home, and over time became active as both a La Leche League Leader and a Bradley Childbirth Teacher. In 2015 Laura became a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Foster Youth, a trained paraprofessional role which combines advocacy, mentoring, and friendship for each foster youth, for as long they remain in the system. She has studied developmental psychology, neuroscience, and C-PTSD, to better understand the needs of this population, as well as the most effective ways of healing from early trauma.

She has been suspended from her Twitter account, @haynes_wiley. Please contact Twitter Support to encourage them to un-suspend her. You can reach Laura at [email protected].

Laura mentioned the Twitter account “Read Some Piaget, Please!” which you can follow @prof_curiosity1, and Darcia Navarez of Notre Dame University, who you can follow @MoralLandscapes. 

Laura recommends the following books:

Dr. John Bowlby: Attachment

Dr. Allan Schore: Affect Regulation And The Origin of The Self

Sebern Fisher: The Use of Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Developmental Trauma

Dr. Bessell van der Kolk: The Body Keeps The Score

Dr. Laurence Heller: Healing Developmental Trauma (NARM)

Dr. Peter Levine: Healing Trauma

Dr. Peter Levine: Waking The Tiger

Dr. Pat Ogden: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Darcia Narvaez: Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality

To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!

Learn more about Do No Harm.

Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.

Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.

Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.

Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD.