Sexual abuse is an attack on the totality of a human being. It impacts neurobiological functioning, spiritual connection to the self, other, and “the greater.” It is also an attack on a person’s cognitions, emotions, and physiology, including their endocrine and immune systems. Sexual abuse is also an attack on the survivor’s ability to form and maintain social connections. The person is changed, and this is traumatization. But this change needs are not a life sentence; it can be the journey toward post-traumatic growth (PTG). However, the process can feel taxing, especially as survivors try to connect intimately with a partner.

Returning to an act that is similar to the trauma can reflexively invite traumatic reactions. As survivors seek to have sexual intimacy with their partners, for instance, they are engaging with a familiar stimulus to the threat which triggers a cascade of stress responses like adrenaline, and noradrenaline. The release of these neurotransmitters is commonly associated with a narrowing of consciousness, that is, the prefrontal cortex shuts down so the survivor can shift into active defense responses like dissociation, appeasing, or even shutting down to name a few. The body is engaged in a survival response.

Reconnection, then, is an important area to focus on. Survivors can interrupt this automatic defence response through a series of titrated touch exercises that aims to convey safety to the nervous system and mind. Weldy Maltz, the renowned author of “The Sexual Healing Journey” and sex therapist, sits with Lucie Ritchie to discuss evidence-based ways to reconnect after trauma.

Main topics include core belief of not being good enough, objectification, Judith Herman’s Tri-Phasic Model, seeking justice, and moving forward.

I’m pleased to welcome Medical Doctor, Robert (Rusty) Turner to Heal Podcast! Dr. Turner is a neurologist and neuroscientist who has more than 30 years of experience as a physician practicing preventative medicine and assessing neurofeedback EEGs. In his field, he was told that if the observed concern was not significant, then “call it normal.” This did not land well with Dr. Turner, and he chose to focus on preventative care instead of traditional healthcare which he calls, “disease management.”

In line with this way of thinking, he's become aware of a contributing factor to intense anxiety, depression, sometimes panic, and even seizures: electromagnetic fields (EMFs) (or invisible adversaries, as I call them). In this episode, we mostly focus on the “D” in Dr. Turner’s main prescription “MEDS:” Movement, Eating, Disconnecting, and Sleeping.

Learn about Dr. Turner’s journey to self-healing, his passion for preventative care, and how (and why) you can prevent illness by disconnecting. Listen in to explore how going "wired" vs. "wireless" can optimize well-being. Learn how EMFs affect mental health, the neurological problems caused by EMFs, and what EMFs do to the brain and nervous system. Hit play now!

Physicians for Safe Technology: https://mdsafetech.org/

Environmental Health Trust: https://ehtrust.org/

Baby Safe Project: https://www.babysafeproject.org/

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Today, I have the honour of being joined by the one and only Iris McAlpin. Iris is a certified trauma coach and a Master NARM® Practitioner who specializes in treating self-sabotage, eating disorders, and complex trauma. After struggling with bulimia, complex trauma, and depression for over a decade, Iris became determined to understand what was fuelling her self-destructive behaviors and troubling symptoms. This eventually led her to an in-depth study of trauma, which resulted in a radical personal transformation. She now helps people all over the world overcome similar struggles through trauma-informed education, group programs, and individual coaching. 

***Download your FREE E-book to learn how to kickstart resilience: https://www.healpsychotherapy.ca/free-ebook/ ***

In this episode, Iris and Lucie discuss how the parent and food are so deeply connected. When there are disruptions to the parent/child bond, key aspects of that bond (nurturing, nourishment, pleasure, soothing, etc.) become threatened and the child can experience scarcity. The child needs a caregiver to survive, and the child knows this at the primitive/unconscious level. So, a threat to the attachment relationship activates our internal alarm to suggest, "The attachment failure is your fault, figure out what is needed to bond and change!"

We internalize blame as kids because 1) we are in an ego-centric stage where everything is about us, and 2) it allows us to have a sense of control (e.g., "If I can change myself, then maybe I'll get my needs met"). The pain and challenge of not feeling accepted and therefore unsafe can disrupt our neurobiological needs for a secure attachment.

When there are disruptions in the parent/child connection, the aspects of that connection (nurturing, pleasure, soothing, etc.) become threatened and the child can experience scarcity. The attempt to soothe is often primitive (unconscious) and can create a life-long battle with an object (like food, alcohol, etc.) as though we are void without IT. But the work to heal the void we felt about the root, the PARENT. Reaching for objects that provide pleasure, soothing, etc. is often an unconscious attempt to fulfill neurobiological needs for nurturing. 

Listen to this important conversation on the connection between trauma and eating disorders.

***Download your FREE E-book to learn how to kickstart resilience: https://www.healpsychotherapy.ca/free-ebook/ ***

Stay connected with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healpsychotherapy/

Podcast: https://www.healpodcast.com/

Courses: https://www.healclassroom.com/

Psychotherapy Inquiries (Ontario only): https://www.healpsychotherapy.ca/ *

**Download your FREE E-book to learn how to kickstart resilience: https://www.healpsychotherapy.ca/free-ebook/ ***

Dr. Clair Goldberg and Doctoral candidate, Lucie Ritchie, break down how the impacts of trauma shift the brain's (including the nervous system) functioning toward a survival state. The two discuss why traumatic impacts are not the survivor’s fault by exploring unconscious changes that impact personality, embodiment, and the sense of self — all in an effort to survive.

Embodiment can be a significant challenge for those with complex trauma because their brains and nervous systems develop in the context of insecurity or danger. This reinforces brains to find strategies to survive which often looks like disconnecting from the conscious knowledge of persistent threat to instead dive deeper into hypotheses and strategies to better protect themselves - this is survival mode.

Learn about the default mode network, the salience network, and how Neurofeedback can help shift functional changes in the brain to help anchor you in your sense of self.

Learn about what neurofeedback does to the brain, how neurofeedback works, and how neurofeedback can change your life.

Join the host, Lucie Ritchie, and neurofeedback expert, Michael Cohen, as they explore how electromagnetic fields (EMFs) affect our bodies, why electromagnetic radiation is harmful, where EMFs are found, and of course, how you can protect yourself from their impacts like brainwave changes, mood issues, anxiety, and more.

Finally, we look at what kills gut microbiome! You’ll be surprised to learn about EMFs’ role! You will understand how gut bacteria is linked to depression and anxiety, how it affects the brain, and how to restore your health – Hint, hint: Neurofeedback is a foundational help in this!

Mike is the bestselling author of Neurofeedback 101 on Amazon! He so graciously gifted us a PDF to share with all of you (for free) which can be downloaded at: www.healpodcast.com

Born and raised in Philadelphia, LePera had a deep inner knowing/belief that she wanted to be a psychologist. She states that she has been fascinated with the human mind and nervous system since she was a teenage girl. However, the emotional trauma she experienced in her own life has motivated her to seek how she was conditioned and lost touch with her authentic self. Interviewed by Trauma Psychotherapist and Doctoral candidate, Lucie Ritchie, Nicole reveals her childhood pains, her “Dark Night of the Soul,” and how she found authenticity through the work she does today and in her extended (or throuple) relationship with Jenna and Lolly.

Nicole holds nothing back as she shares her individuation journey with listeners on Heal Podcast where she also talks about her upcoming book, “How to be the Love You Seek,” available now!

Key talking points include:

• The impact of your childhood on current relationships
• The impact early childhood trauma on mind and body
• How to create safe + secure relationships
• The power of our heart + heart/brain coherence
• How to create interdependent + socially coherent relationships

Intense stress can cause individuals to develop symptoms of anxiety due to over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system which can often lead to burnout. In Sophie Scott's case, she experienced debilitating symptoms of burnout and today she is sharing how we can soothe and support our nervous systems to not only manage stress and anxiety but also to prevent burnout.

Let me introduce you to Sophie. She is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker on topics such as preventing burnout, managing your mental well-being during times of change, the science of high-performance habits, and how to use neuroscience to stick to new habits and overcome unwanted ones.

An award-winning journalist and former National Medical Reporter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Sophie now helps tens of thousands of people around the world using evidence-based science and her own personal journey.

She has a strong presence on social media, has been invited to speak at the World Congress on Positive Psychology, and has written two books (Live a Longer Life—ABC Books) and Road Testing Happiness (Harper Collins). She has won major awards for her journalism and medical reporting including a prestigious Eureka Award.

Sophie is an Advisory Board Member of the Australian National Mental Health Prize and sits on the advisory board on stigma at Australia’s National Mental Health Commission and the University of Melbourne’s Contemplative Studies Centre.

She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Notre Dame University Medical School lecturing in science communication.

We are pleased to have Sophie on the show! So come listen in!

Trauma psychotherapist, Lucie Ritchie, sits with Harvard Medical School-Trained Traumatologist, Dr. Leslie Korn to discuss how trauma is stuck in the body and how food can be an important healing tool. As a passionate advocate for culturally traditional medicines, Dr. Korn shares her unique journey of working with trauma survivors in a Mexican Jungle. She discusses how integrative nutrition supports the healing of trauma in the body, brain, and, mind. For helpful (and FREE) downloads on the healing of trauma, please visit www.healpodcast.com Thank you for subscribing to the show! ~Lucie