The Complex Trauma Podcast

In this conversation, Sarah and Laura explore the intersection of spirituality and psychology, discussing the importance of reclaiming ancient wisdom practices and the three centers of knowing: intellectual, heart, and embodied.

Laura shares about her journey through recovery, explains wisdom practices, the significance of joyful movement in recovery and the ripple effect of wisdom in personal and communal contexts.

The discussion also touches on the challenges of modern life and the need for connection and understanding in therapeutic practices.

Also be sure to check out our new logo on our website and let us know what you think!

Check out Laura's Blog here:

https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/blog/reclaiming-our-voices-healing-wisdom-for-the-worried

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw 

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

On today's mini episode, Sarah discusses the limitations of traditional body image work and emphasizes the importance of understanding the nervous system's role in healing.

She introduces practical approaches to body awareness and emotional regulation, advocating for gentle, mindful practices that respect individual boundaries and promote a healthier relationship with one's body.

To listen to our library of meditations, head here:
https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/reclaim-you-membership

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw 

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

Join us for an essential guide to holiday gathering survival! Our entire team is here to unpack practical responses to dreaded comments and questions to support you in maintaining your peace of mind and protecting your recovery this holiday season.

This episode tackles the delicate art of handling those tricky family conversations – from deflecting body image comments to navigating the dreaded "Why are you still single?" questions. 

Whether you're bracing for unsolicited advice or looking to set healthy boundaries without starting the royal rumble at the dinner table, we've got you covered. 

Learn how to balance gratitude with personal boundaries, use humor to defuse tension, and prioritize your recovery and well-being during the this season.

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw 

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

Join hosts Sarah and Abby as they unpack the challenging terrain of family dysfunction and its often heightened impact during the holiday season. 

This episode explores how trauma shapes family systems, the lasting effects of shame and abandonment, and the vital role of healthy relationships in the healing journey. 

Abby shares practical wisdom for managing complex family dynamics and reminds listeners that healing isn't linear. Whether you're struggling with difficult family relationships or supporting someone who is, this episode offers valuable insights on setting boundaries, finding community, and embracing self-compassion during the holidays and beyond.

Listen as we explore:

• Understanding different patterns of family dysfunction
• Practical strategies for navigating holiday stress
• The importance of building support systems outside family
• Tools for self-regulation and emotional well-being
• Finding peace with the complexity of family relationships

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw 

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

Why is it so hard to heal your relationship with your body, even when you know all the right things to think and say? In this mini episode, we explore why positive affirmations and "just love yourself" advice often isn't enough, and how understanding your nervous system can transform your healing journey.

We'll dive into:

• Why disconnection from your body served a purpose
• How your nervous system shapes your body story
• The three states that influence your body image
• What actually creates lasting change in your relationship with your body

If you've ever felt frustrated that you can't "think" your way into feeling better about your body, this video explains why - and more importantly, what you can do instead.

Perfect for anyone struggling with body image, recovering from disordered eating, or wanting to understand the deeper roots of their body relationship.

✨ FREE RESOURCE✨

Download our Window of Tolerance Tracker to support you in understanding your nervous system states: https://www.subscribepage.com/windowoftolerance

To read the full blog post, head to: https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/blog/a-somatic-approach-to-healing-body-image-issues

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw 

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

It's a big week here in the US. Today, Emily is sharing 5 quick tips to manage election week anxiety. 

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw 

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

Happy Halloween! Today Sarah and Laura are sharing a Halloween episode, unpacking the masks that we wear. 

They explore the concept of masking in our daily lives, particularly in relation to mental health, neurodivergence, and societal expectations. They discuss the various masks people wear to fit in, the exhaustion that comes from constant masking, and the journey towards authenticity. 

The conversation also touches on the importance of therapy, parts work, and finding community to support individuals in their unmasking process. Ultimately, they emphasize the significance of recognizing and honoring all parts of ourselves, including the masks we wear, as a means of self-discovery and healing.

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw 

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

On today's episode Sarah and Casey dive deep into how capitalism shapes our daily lives, mental health, and sense of self-worth. From the historical roots of Wall Street to the modern housing crisis, they unpack the often invisible ways our economic system impacts everything from basic needs to personal hobbies.

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw 

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

Today Sarah and Casey are back talking about relationships between money and trauma. From feeling lack of choice and safety to how that might manifest later in life, they're peeling back a few layers of this proverbial onion.

Our hope is that you feel *even a little* seen and can make some heady connections about your personal relationship with money that you can bring to the therapy couch (or screen if that's your jam).

Have you listened to last week's episode? If not, be sure to tune in because Casey and Sarah are sharing a bit of the why behind this mini series of episodes. Tune in here!

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw 

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

Today, hosts Sarah and Casey kick off a new series on money and mental health.
 
This is the first episode of a handful to explore your relationship with money, how it came to be, how society impacts it and how to re establish a relationship with it.

Today Casey and Sarah dive into their personal financial journeys, from childhood experiences to adult realizations, exploring how money shapes our lives, values, and self-worth.

The conversation touches on the shame and stigma often associated with finances, the importance of financial education, and the goal of viewing money as a tool rather than a source of fear. 

Whether you're struggling with money anxiety, feel a sense of shame about what you do or don't have, or are simply curious about the psychological aspects of finance, this episode offers relatable stories and insights to help you lean into your relationship with money. Join us for an honest discussion about one of life's topics that isn't often spoken about.

Start to get clear on your money stuff. Consider:

• For me, money has been...
• Money is...
• What I hope money will be...

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw 

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.