In this insightful episode of M.E.S.H., host Pamela Brewer welcomes psychotherapist Stella Kimbrough, LCSW, who specializes in trauma, depression, and anxiety. Together, they decode some of the "acronym soup" of modern psychotherapy, clarifying what EMDR, DBT, IFS, and other modalities actually mean. Stella Kimbrough explains the nuances of trauma, describes who benefits from specific therapies, and highlights the importance of the therapeutic relationship in healing.

Topics Covered:

• Defining trauma: big T vs. little T trauma
• EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
• DBT: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 
• IFS: Internal Family Systems
• The crucial role of the therapist-client relationship
• Demystifying mental health labels and diagnoses
• The importance of feeling safe in therapy

Key Takeaways:

• Trauma is highly individual and can be either acute or cumulative.
• EMDR, DBT, and IFS differ from traditional talk therapy, offering specialized, structured methods for treatment.
• EMDR is particularly effective for trauma and PTSD, DBT for borderline personality disorder (and more), and IFS for various issues including addiction, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
• The fit between therapist and client is often more important than the specific modality chosen.
• One size does not fit all in therapy; exploring different approaches is valid and encouraged.
• Therapy is not about being "crazy"—it's about living fully as a human being.

Six Best Quotes:

1. “Trauma really is in the eye of the beholder. Trauma affects everyone differently.” –
   Stella Kimbrough
2. “EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing... It helps us desensitize from traumatic memories using rapid eye movements.” –
   Stella Kimbrough
3. “DBT is much more solution-focused, concrete, skills-based therapy.” –
   Stella Kimbrough
4. “In IFS, it's not like everyone has multiple personalities... It's saying that everyone has multiple parts of themselves.” –
   Stella Kimbrough
5. “The most important part of therapy is the relationship that you have with your therapist.” –
   Stella Kimbrough
6. “None of this is about who's crazy and who's not. All of this is about how we live as human beings.” –
   Pamela Brewer

Connect with the Guest:

• Website: calmpathway.com
• Instagram: @calmpathway
• LinkedIn: Stella Kimbrough

Resources List:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): EMDR Institute
• DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy): Behavioral Tech
• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): APA: CBT
• IFS (Internal Family Systems): IFS Institute
• Marsha Linehan (DBT founder): Wikipedia
• Francine Shapiro (EMDR founder): Wikipedia
• Richard Schwartz (IFS founder): IFS Institute – About
• M.E.S.H. Podcast: [Follow/Subscribe link placeholder]

#TraumaTherapy 
#MentalHealthMatters 
#EMDR 
#DBT 
#IFS #Psychotherapy 
#TherapeuticRelationship 
#MESHPodcast

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