The Trauma Doc (Wednesdays With Watson)

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Episode sponsored by Pop Fusions Gourmet Ice and Wine Pops. Click the hyperlink for your amazing collision of fresh fruit flavors straight from Florida or if you are feeling like an extra kick, pick up one of their wine pops. Likely at a beach town near you or their website. We are so grateful for their support!

Little Jay was just five years old, when a mistake changed the lives of everyone around him.

Randy Mortensen joins the Wednesdays With Watson, AKA as "the healing zone" podcast to share his story of losing his five year old son, and shares the crooked roads of pain and despair that took him and where he found Hope and Restoration.  He has turned his immense pain into incredible purpose. After living with  substance abuse disorder for decades, Randy answered the first alter call he ever experienced and gave his life to Jesus. He tells the story of his journey to God, his recovery from substance abuse and his impactful calling now, including Jay's House Of Restoration in Haiti. Here is the link for Jay's House of Restoration.

The Wednesdays With Watson podcast seeks to encourage those who are walking or have walked painful roads in their lives, whether officially diagnosed with PTSD or not, we seek to bring Hope and remove stigma of mental health in the community, family, church, and work place. Keep it here, in the healing zone, we are always going to bring you stories of Hope and resources that educate you and opportunities to help.

If you are interested in the many recovery programs that Randy offers, head to his website. To learn more about Jay's House Of Restoration also head to that website. If you or someone you love is suffering with substance abuse, head  to Randy's podcast as his podcast seeks to serve you.

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15, Revelation 21:5

Quote by Tony Dungy, "Quiet Strength"--"Life will never be the same, but it won't always feel like this"

Quote by J.R.R Tolkien: "all the sad things will become untrue"

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Podcast Host: Amy Watson
Podcast Guest: Randy Mortensen
Podcast Producer: Amy Highland
Podcast Cover Art: Brittney Knight
Logo Design: Anna Roberts

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Thank you to our podcast sponsor this week!!
Podcast Sponsor: Amy Meek of Meek Real Estate. We are INCREDIBLY grateful for her sponsorship of this podcast and our mission to help provide counseling to to those who may not be able to afford it. If that is you, contact Amy Watson on Instagram. To contact Amy Meek about real estate call 352-364-​4132 or visit their website.

As we continue our second season, PTSD, Jesus and YOU, we are highlighting PTSD in the stories of others and how they found Hope for the crooked roads of their trauma. Joining the Wednesdays With Watson Podcast is Troy McLaughlin, a fellow podcaster, but a parent of a child who's trauma resulted in PTSD and all of its fall out.

Sometimes, as Christians, we think that statistics like 1:4 women will be assaulted and 1:7 men in their lifetime does not apply to us. As human and flawed parents want the best for their children--it is a special kind of hard when a statistic like this literally hits smack dab in the middle of a Christ centered--two parent home. Our guest today shares his family's struggles and fall out from his child's trauma, much of which they still very much live with today.

Because of the sensitive nature of the topic, we handle this story with the delicacy that it deserves and listeners will be nothing but encouraged as Troy shares the deep lessons of faith, forgiveness, love and moving on through the hard.  This is Parenting PTSD

Scripture References: Phil 4:8, Hebrews 4:15, Revelation 21:5

References: Multiple Quotes by Henri Nouwen, find those by visiting his website.
Quote by J.R.R. Tolkien "all sad things will become untrue"

“True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world."
Brenee Brown, look for more resources on her website.

Podcast Host: Amy Watson
Podcast Guest: McLauglin
Podcast Producer: Amy Highland
Podcast Cover: Britnany Knight
Logo Design: Anna Roberts

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Finished Listening? For the REST and BEST part head here, to the Faithful Podcast


After 30 plus episodes, it is time. It is time to tell you the whole Amy Watson story. True to self, this podcast is Amy's story on her terms and in the most hopeful way possible given the body of trauma that is her story. Special guest Phil Baker recorded some of Amy's favorite songs and they are interwoven into the podcast.

Sometimes it is time to close a chapter, and at least for the purposes of this podcast, this is the last time this story will be told in a public forum. God could always change that, but in this podcast journey, Amy has found healing and Hope of her own and is happy to close this chapter--the one that built her and the whole reason for this podcast.

Her mission will not die, in fact, quite the opposite. But moving forward, the focus will continue to be on the stories of other people, and the mission will continue to provide Hope in the veins of unimaginable pain and suffering. But God is keeping His promises, and is redeeming all the years the locust stole, and so it is our desire that as you listen to Amy's story, and her favorite songs, that you will know that the God of the universe is able to and will redeem it all. This earth may not be the place where all the sad things become untrue, but this podcast points you to the Star of the story, Jesus, Who will, one day make all things new.

Our journey has just begun, but this chapter is closing--may you find peace in the God of comfort in Amy's story, and know it is yours too.

Podcast Sponsor: Pastor Anthony Shannon. Pastor Shannon is hosting the Hard Reset Conference June 22nd-June 24th. You can register for FREE  here. This conference will focus on faith, family, fitness and finance and will help you recognize and activate your spiritual gifts. We are so grateful to Pastor Shannon and his support of this podcast.

Podcast Host: Amy Watson
Special Music: Phil Baker (you can find his music by clicking on his name)
Podcast Producer: Amy Highland
Podcast Sponsor: Anthony Shannon
Accompanying Podcast: The Faithful Podcast, host--Stephanie Baker

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Returning guest Crissy Loughridge is back for a check in from her episode "Shattering Safety" (Season 2, Ep1). When using the most rudimentary definition of PTSD it can be said that at some point safety has been compromised. As the world continues to adjust to life with
Covid-19, everyone's safety was compromised at one point. Crissy shares her struggle and need for safety and how she is doing with that now. She also helps listeners understand how it has been walking through the pandemic with PTSD herself as well as with Amy.  This is the second in a series of 3 "Check In" episodes from guest that have appeared on the podcast this season.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8
John 16

"Could he accept the more complex truth" excerpt from "Let It Be Me" by Becky Wade.
You can purchase that book here.  Find Becky's social media here:
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This podcast is sponsored by Anthony Shannon, author of Live Generously. We are grateful to Anthony for his generous contribution to our cause. His sponsorship helped fund pro bono counseling for those who can not afford it and also to fund the Wednesdays With Watson podcast.

"You Are" Merchandise can be purchased here

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Podcast Host: Amy Watson
Podcast Guest: Crissy Loughridge
Executive Producer: Amy Highland
Logo Design: Anna Roberts
Podcast Cover: Brittney Knight
Song, "Marked By You" used by permission by Phil Baker off his album, Babylon

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In the first of the "Where Are They Now" episodes, special guest Lindsay Tozer is back for an update. Lindsay told her story on episode 2 of season 2 of the podcast. We check in with her, ask how telling her story was for her and how she has been since guesting on Wednesdays With Watson. Lindsay, a PTSD patient, also battled cancer and a multiplicity of health issues. Lindsay is the text book PTSD patient, her body has truly kept the score, a principle highlighting in the book by Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD.

This episode is vital to our understanding of the body's response to trauma and what we can do to ensure that we do the hard trauma work so that we can live in whole bodies and no longer be affected by our trauma.

Podcast Host: Amy Watson
Podcast Guest: Lindsay Tozer
Podcast Producer: Amy Highland
Podcast Cover Art: Brittany Highland
Amy Watson Logo: Anna Roberts
Song, "Marked By You" by Phil Baker, used with permission.

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Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Patrice Berry joins the Wednesdays With Watson podcast to help us understand other mental health illnesses and their presence with PTSD. Dr. Berry walks listeners through Bi-polar disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, OCD, social anxiety, and Major Depression. She also helps listeners understand miss diagnosis and strongly suggest that individuals engage  a therapist that works for their individual struggles. Not all therapist are created equal and patients have every right to find the right one for them.

Follow Dr. Perry on all social media (TikTok, Instagram and YouTube)  and learn more about her credentials here.

May is Mental Health Awareness month and Amy is posting a Mental Health Tip every day this month on her instagram, check it out, and follow along!

You matter, and so do your needs. If you or someone you know needs help, please see resources below:

To search your area for a therapist click here

Other resources

United States 🇺🇸

Access Help Call 211

Suicide Help 800-273-8255 Text 741741

Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233

NAMI 800-950-6264

Text 741741 free crisis counseling.

POST Partum Help: 800-944-4773

Biblical Counseling nationwide: Baylightcounseling.com

Podcast Host: Amy Watson
Guest: Dr. Patrice Berry
Executive Producer: Amy Highland

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Special guest and award winning author Rebekah Millet joins the Wednesdays With Watson podcast.  Rebekah is married with two boys and makes her home in the bayou state. Fiercely in love with Jesus, Rebekah shares her experience of her otherwise healthy 36 year old husband almost losing his life. "I thought it was so odd that the ambulance did not have on their sirens on the way to the hospital", she said. Rebekah also shares, in part, her own near death experience and how years later she could relate to PTSD symptoms and realized that she could live with them as she understood them. Listeners will hear how she came to learn about PTSD and that some of the things she still endures is as a result of these experiences.

She is a champion of the Gospel and of Christian fiction. Rebekah loves people, and wants to help, so she brought her story to the Wednesdays With Watson podcast. There is no question about the source of this much power in her testimony and she beautifully shares this difficult time in her life in such a way that listeners are encouraged, not traumatized--most will hit stop and feel Hope.

Here are a few of her own words about herself:
"I grew up on beignets and cafe au lait, and love infusing my colorful New Orleans culture into my stories. My husband goes crazy with me rearranging the living room furniture, while my kids share in my love for strawberry Pop-Tarts."

But she is a warrior, a fighter, and when your faith is hard to find, you can borrow hers.

To keep up with her and to join her on her writing journey head to her website.

Scripture Hebrew 13:8
Isaiah 61:1-6
"Graves Into Gardens" by Elevation Worship and Brandon Lake.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwX1f2gYKZ4

"I am not afraid to show you my weakness, my failures and flaw- Lord You have seen them all, and You still call me friend...there is not a place your mercy and grace won't find me again.
There is nothing better than You. There is nothing better than You, Lord there is nothing better than You. You turn mourning to dancing, you give beauty for ashes you turn shame into glory You are the only One Who can.  You turn graves into gardens, You turn bones into armies, You turn seas into highways, You are the only one Who can. There is nothing better than You, there is nothing better than you, nothing is better than you." 

Podcast Host: Amy Watson
Podcast Guest: Rebekah Millet
Executive Producer: Amy Highland
Podcast Cover Art: Brittany Knight
Logo Design: Anna Roberts
Song" "Marked By You" by Phil Baker, used by permission

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Special guest Marlena Kandell, pediatric ER nurse,  advocate, child abuse survivor and thriver brings first hand value  to the Wednesdays With Watson podcast. Think you can recognize child abuse? Maybe Marlena's story will help reframe flawed assumptions about this subject, and what we should observe--and more importantly ACT.

What if a harmed child just wanted you to ask if you cared? What if they just wanted you to ask if they are okay? Marlena shares her own desire to have had just one person ask her even one of those questions. What if just paying attention stopped wounded children from becoming wounding adults? WHAT IF?

Marlena also brings vulnerability to podcast by answering faith questions with beautiful honesty and transparency. She asks the questions we all ask, "Where was God?" She beautifully works out her own answer (or lack thereof) answer to that question.

April is child abuse awareness month, and Marlena is passionate about bringing awareness and solutions.  In her advocacy work, she created {Re} Making Marley, an endeavor to empower abuse survivors and to create a safe place to undo child abuse and even have the opportunity to {Re] write our stories. In her [Re] Parenting Series, she guides adults survivors into an encouraging space that allows us to be the parents we never had.

This powerful, vulnerable episode is a must listen--for all of us. It is time to act, start by pressing play. There is a practical way you can help, join Marlena's instagram challenge, and help us raise $100 for Philadelphia Children's Alliance and Prevent Child Abuse USA.

Host: Amy Watson
Guest: Marlena Kandell
Executive Producer: Amy Highland
Podcast Cover: Brittney Knight
Logo Design: Anna Roberts

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Clubhouse: @amywatsonauthor

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Check out Amy's Lost Childhood Instagram Challenge all month of April to raise awareness!

Recognizing childhood trauma is as important for us as are the solutions. The solution could be you, and your ability to recognize childhood trauma. In this second installment on this subject, special guest Jeremy Fox, LPC and EMDRI Approved Consultant joins the podcast. We continue to highlight child abuse awareness this week focusing on abandonment and neglect, and how it affects developing brains of children. We know caregivers are essential to our attachment styles (covered in this episode, Erica Nuni, LMFT explains attachment styles), and it is understood that abandonment and neglect (in all forms) can severely impact a child for the duration of their lives--but there is HOPE!  

Jeremy also brings understanding to a well established trauma informed therapy,  EMDR and how it is effective in reconsolidating painful memories and helping the survivor achieve closure. He covers the eight stages of successful integration of EMDR therapy.  

1. History & Treatment Planning
2. Preparation
3. Assessment
4. Desensitization
5. Installation
6. Body Scan
7.  Closure
8. Revaluation

In evaluating childhood trauma, children are often diagnosed with ADHD where trauma is present. Jeremy explains this phenomena and how trauma at early ages affects academic measurements such as IQ and academic performance overall. Of particular interest and the topic of conversation is childhood abandonment and neglect (in all forms). 

The effects of abandonment on the young brain:

 The psychobiology of neglect. Child Maltreatment, 

 Childhood experience and the expression of genetic potential: What childhood neglect tells us about nature and nurture.

Finally, we discuss with our guest the importance of faith in healing trauma, at any age, and Jeremy offers his perspective of the importance of faith in general, but especially in trauma healing.

Why is faith important to healing from trauma?  "Purpose in Life Predicts Better Emotional

Recovery from Negative Stimuli." 

Read Jeremy's  article.


Find Jeremy on Twitter: http://www.foxtherapyllc


Podcast Host: Amy Watson
Podcast Guest: Jeremy Fox, LPC EMDRI
Podcast Producer: Amy Highland
Podcast Cover Art: Brittney Knight
Graphic Promos: Rebekah Millet

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Erica Cuni, LMFT joins the Wednesdays With Watson podcast to help us understand and recognize childhood trauma and its effects on a child's brain. She shares her expertise of Adverse Childhood Experiences and helps us understand the pathology of trauma and ACE scores as well as a CDC study addressing adverse childhood experiences. She cites a Centers For Disease study  here.

Erica also helps us understand attachment styles and how they are fundamentally formed by trauma, but also promotes hope and healing. Erica has a passion for helping people and she herself a trauma survivor both in her young life as well as an adult. Erica speaks of trauma, and the poly-vagal industry and integrating into therapy. Finally, Erica shares with us an exciting treatment modality called Internal Family Systems. This evidence based therapy is a different take on popular trauma treatments like EMDR and CBT etc. It is based on the newest research on trauma and how to treat trauma. Find out more information about Internal Family Systems here,

The United States reported almost 2,000 child abuse deaths in 2019. April is child abuse awareness month, and the Wednesdays With Watson Podcast is going to continue to bring awareness so that wounded children do not become wounding adults.

Resources: Prevent Child Abuse, USA

During this month, Amy has a #lostchildchallenge on her Instagram account. While highlighting child abuse awareness month, the host of the healing zone is seeking healing that our guest today insists exists after child abuse. Find those videos on this Instagram handle: instagram.com/authoramywatson.com


Special Guest: Erica Cuni, LFMFT
Executive Producer: Amy Highland
Podcast Cover: Brittney Knight
Logo Design: Anna Roberts
Promotion Video: Rebecca Reed
Song "Marked By You" used by permission, words and music by Phil Baker.

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