Want to coach with me? Book a free no pressure consultation call here: https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation

Learn the proven system that’s helped 2,000+ trauma survivors reduce symptoms by 77.9% in just 4.5 months without therapy or medication 👉 https://overcomingptsd.com/

Control Your Thoughts Before PTSD Controls Your Life

Host: Brad Schipke • Overcoming PTSD Podcast • Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching

In this episode, Brad and Kayleen break down one of the most important foundations of PTSD and trauma recovery: controlling your thoughts before they control you. They explain how your mind is constantly running in the background, often wired by trauma to default toward negativity, fear, and self-sabotage.

You’ll learn how your “automatic programming” gets created by past experiences, and why that programming doesn’t have to be your future. Brad shares a simple robot-and-controller analogy to help you see that you are not your thoughts — you’re the one holding the controller, even if you haven’t been using it.

Kayleen opens up about how thought control was essential in her sobriety and healing from trauma. She walks through exactly how she talked herself out of urges, triggers, and negative spirals using one simple phrase and “future casting” her decisions.

By the end, you’ll have a clear, practical way to start reprogramming your mind with positive self-talk, affirmations, and tiny daily cues (like red lights or doorways) so your thoughts begin working for your recovery hero — not against it.

💡 What You’ll Learn

Why unmanaged thoughts quietly shape your PTSD symptoms, behaviors, and results

How trauma “programs” your brain to default to negative, fearful thinking

A simple robot-and-controller analogy to separate your true self from your thoughts

How to choose one powerful phrase (“You’ve got this” or “I love you”) to interrupt spirals

Practical examples of talking yourself out of urges, addiction patterns, and triggers

How to use future casting to make choices your future self will be proud of

Ways to use environmental cues (like red lights or mirrors) to practice positive self-talk

Why changing your thoughts first eventually makes positive behavior feel automatic

How daily mindset work supports long-term PTSD and trauma recovery goals

🧠 Key Takeaway

If you don’t intentionally direct your thoughts, your old trauma programming will — but you always hold the controller, and you can choose a new path starting today.

🔗 Next Steps

Subscribe for new weekday episodes from the Recovery Secrets Daily Coaching archive.

To go deeper or work with Brad directly, visit https://overcomingptsd.com/consultation.

CHAPTERS:

Topics Covered:

PTSD recovery • trauma healing • controlling your thoughts • negative self-talk and PTSD • trauma mindset shifts • positive self-talk for trauma survivors • PTSD coping tools • nervous system regulation • neuroplasticity and trauma recovery • affirmations for PTSD • addiction and sobriety after trauma • recovery hero identity • emotional regulation skills • self-love after trauma • practical PTSD daily routines • trauma-informed mindset coaching