On this week's episode, we welcome Dr. Kimberley Johnson - a psychologist who works with clients with a range of maternal and reproductive health concerns, including PMADs, perinatal trauma and loss, infertility, and life-impacting gynecological conditions. Her research is primarily centered on childbirth-related pelvic floor injuries and conditions and intersections with mental health. In this episode, we talk about chronic pain and how it intersects with mental health and specifically in this community with perinatal trauma. Your pain is real  and valid and as Dr. Johnson shares, pain being “all in your head” is actually true, but not because you’re making it up. Pain originates in our brain, so our key to working with chronic pain might just be there as well.

On this episode, you will hear:
- intersection of chronic pain and birth trauma
- understanding the biopsychosocial model
- the impact of birth injuries
- Kimberley's personal journey with chronic pain
- reframing pain: from danger to sensory experiences
- role of fear in pain perception
- redefining relationships with pain
- role of natural pathways in pain management
- building confidence in managing pain
- pain reprocessing therapy
- interconnectedness of pain and psychological wellbeing

You can find Dr. Kimberley on Instagram at @wildmatrescence or email her at [email protected]!

Resources:
The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook

Guest Bio:
Kimberley Johnson completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Utah, predoctoral clinical internship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and is now an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with complementary research and clinical interests. She works with clients with a range of maternal and reproductive health concerns, including PMADs, perinatal trauma and loss, infertility, and life-impacting gynecological conditions. Her research is primarily centered on childbirth-related pelvic floor injuries and conditions and intersections with mental health. In addition to enhancing evidence-based mental health treatment and resources for those impacted, she is passionate about improving patient-provider communication patterns surrounding birth-related trauma and injuries in the perinatal period. Alongside her professional work, she is the mother of two young children and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, camping, and Nordic skiing with her family.

For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.

Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.