The Empowered Through Compassion Podcast

I had the privilege of sitting down with one of my heroes, Robin Shapiro, the editor of EMDR Solutions I and II and a leading voice in trauma healing.

Robin shared deeply moving stories from her 20s, when she lived in a gay community and witnessed the AIDS crisis firsthand. That early encounter with mortality shaped her calling to help people heal their suffering.

Some highlights from our conversation:

Spirituality in Therapy: Robin brings meditation, intuition, and compassion into her EMDR practice—“God is love, and all beings need love.”

Attachment as the Foundation: The therapeutic relationship itself is the most healing force. Compassion and love are central to transformation.

Polyvagal Theory in Action: Helping clients, like children, learn “I can be sad and still lovable” builds regulation and safety.

Two-Handed Interweave: A brilliant way to explore inner conflicts and polarized ego states—using EMDR to integrate them.

Ego State & Parts Work: Trauma healing means bringing parts safely into the present, so no one is left “back there.”

Intergenerational Healing: Trauma can live in our cells across generations. Robin’s work invites us to clear what was carried before us.

Robin’s wisdom blends clinical brilliance with deep spirituality. She reminds us that in facing death and trauma, we actually discover how alive and connected we truly are!

Come listen to me speaking with Cindy Arnold, who was my EMDR trainer. I attended her wonderful class through the Trauma Institute and Child Trauma Institute which was founded by Executive Director Ricky Greenwald. Listen to Cindy and I speak about EMDR, and how she is also able to integrate IFS (as well as Ego States) into her trauma work. She was one of the people who helped lead me into the world of trauma healing. I hope you find this conversation with her as interesting and enlightening as I have! 

I had the pleasure to speak with Sabine Boots today. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Massachusetts. Through EMDR and IFS therapy (she is certified in both) as well as other models of therapy, Sabine is able to create a peaceful, calm spaciousness for her clients, to help them reach a place where their souls can be healed from trauma! I hope you enjoy this beuatiful conversation.  

In this episode, I am speaking with Executive Director of Castlebrook Counseling Center (and my boss) Kerrie Toole about her journey in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). Although this is not specifically IFS or EMDR, there is a lot of convergence between all of these models. Truth is truth, whatever names or models we use to understand it! I hope you enjoy this first Episode of 2024 as much as I do!

This episode was a special treat to make. I was given a chance to interview my consultant Bruce Hersey, the founder and creator of Syzygy. At the Syzygy Institute, Bruce (and other carefully selected professionals who have been trained in EMDR, IFS, and his model) teach "IFS informed EMDR." What is special about Bruce Hersey? Come along with me on this interview, to hear some of his wisdom. He was a pleasure to speak with!  

Welcome to another wonderful episode. I had the pleasure of speaking with Beau Laviolette. He is a highly recommended EMDR/ IFS consultant and trainer. He leads classes at the Syzygy Institute, where teaches "IFS Informed EMDR." As you can hear in this episode, he has lots to share when it comes to how these two models fit together to support healing!  

Today I had the oportunity to speak with Tisha Shull, a co-host on the successful Podcast "IFS-Talks." We discuss some of her interests, which span from the incredible heights of rock climbing to the inner depths of past life exploration. I hope you find this conversation as fascinating and helpful as I did! 

I am speaking with my IFS colleague and classmate Dr. Justin Wilford, who is the Co-Founder and Director of Programs at the Yes Collective and the Co-Founder and Director of research and Wellness Programs of the MaxLove Poject. Through our mutual appreciation of the IFS model, we explore how this model has allowed both of us to be more mindful of ourselves, and the universe within. 

A beautiful conversation with Amanda Steed, where we were able to speak about her journey into EMDR, IFS and OCD. We spoke about neurodiversity, and how these two models are able to offer some support for people who are neurodiverse. I hope you enjoy hearing some of Amanda's wisdom, as I did!  

Speaking with Kendhal Hart about how she combines EMDR and IFS to help people heal from trauma. She discussing how these models provide a map, which helps provide structure for her and her clients.