Holding the Stories: Conversations with Trauma Clinicians Around the World

In this episode, we hear from a bilingual clinical psychologist whose work has spanned Puerto Rican, immigrant, and Native American communities. She reflects on how moving between cultures has shaped her understanding of acculturation, historical trauma, and the importance of approaching each client without assumptions. The conversation explores staying calm during a crisis, making difficult decisions when resources are limited, and recognizing that every client brings an entirely new world into the therapy room.

In this episode, we hear from a Ukrainian trauma therapist reflecting on what it means to care for others while living through war firsthand. The conversation explores the shift from the initial shock of crisis to what she calls the "long marathon" of war, as well as the grounding practices, human connections, and sense of purpose that help her continue. She also shares how structure, meaningful action, and respect for emotional boundaries can support both trauma survivors and the clinicians working beside them.

In this episode, we hear from a trauma therapist who was born in Beijing, trained and practiced in the United States, and later returned to China. He reflects on having to relearn the language of therapy in Mandarin and discovering that effective care requires more than translating words—it means understanding how culture shapes emotion, shame, authority, and trust. The conversation explores what it takes to adapt trauma treatment across cultures while balancing empathy with curiosity and clear boundaries.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Maksim Goncharov, a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, author, and international trainer in Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy with 30 years of clinical experience. Maksim explores the danger of both overusing and overlooking the word trauma, describing healing as a movement from fragmentation toward integration. He also reflects on why the therapeutic relationship, rather than tools or quick fixes, remains at the heart of meaningful change.

In this episode, we are joined by a counselor from Burundi whose work has brought people together after violence and displacement. Drawing on her experience in Burundi and Rwanda, she describes what happens when neighbors divided by conflict sit together, share their stories, and begin to rebuild trust. Her work asks a powerful question: how can a community heal when the people who have hurt one another must also find a way to live together?

In this episode, we are joined by Jim Drisko, a clinical social worker and former professor and co-director of the doctoral program at Smith College School of Social Work. Drawing on his years of work with children and families, Jim discusses the slow work of building trust in trauma therapy: staying curious, knowing when insight comes too soon, and repairing mistakes when they happen.