Transforming Trauma

Most addiction treatment models focus on behavioral change. And yet, many of these models fail at helping people fully recover from their addiction. Perhaps it is time to try something different? Applying NARM® to addiction brings focus to areas that behavioral interventions miss, like understanding the role of trauma, attachment, relationships, and shame. Addressing these areas has a profound impact on addiction recovery.

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth invites James McNinch, LCSW and PhD candidate, addiction specialist, to introduce NARM-AC™ (also known as NARMA™), the NeuroAffective Relational Model® - Addiction Centered, an approach he co-developed alongside Dr. Laurence Heller, the creator of NARM. Emily and James explore the evolution of NARM-AC and its application at Grata House, the premiere drug and alcohol treatment center located in Thousand Oaks, CA, where James serves as clinical director.

About James McNinch:

James McNinch, LCSW, is an experienced addiction treatment and trauma clinician with 16 years of experience. He is a NARM-AC Co-Founder who facilitates the creation of addiction treatment programs at the world's most elite treatment centers, including the Grata House where he is the Clinical Director. James is writing the NARM-AC Workbook and Treatment Model Book with Dr. Laurence Heller for publication by North Atlantic.

Learn More:

Grata House

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

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The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

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While many clinical modalities are designed for helping clients in individual therapy, trauma therapists are often looking for modalities that can better support their groups. One therapist was inspired to take NARM principles and apply them to group therapy. Her experience transformed how she thinks about the therapeutic group dynamic and the expanded role the NeuroAffective Relational Model plays in supporting those healing from complex trauma.

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, Emily invites Pamela Kraus, LCPC, MBA, to share her process for and evaluation of using NARM in a group setting. The pair also discuss the value of adopting a "beginner's mindset" when applying NARM in ways that might be new to us.

About Pamela Kraus:

Pamela Kraus, LCPC, MBA, is a psychotherapist in private practice and passionate about helping her clients address unresolved complex trauma (developmental, relational and attachment trauma.) These challenges may be contributing to a negative sense of self, relationship struggles, or other difficulties in their lives.

Pamela is a NARM Master Therapist and an EMDR Certified Therapist. A portion of the clients she works with are challenged (in their own or others' lives) by the dynamics of addiction and/or engaged in the journey of recovery. She works with individuals, couples, and families (adult children and their parents), and conducts psychotherapy groups from time to time.

Pamela is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, with a master's degree from DePaul University. She also has an MBA and had a previous career doing qualitative research and consulting for corporations wanting to have greater insight into people's feelings, motives, behaviors, and lifestyles. Pamela works in downtown Chicago and Evanston, IL and also conducts some telehealth therapy sessions.

Learn More:

Website

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

LinkedIn

YouTube

There's a growing body of evidence suggesting that practices like weight lifting can support trauma-affected individuals on their healing journeys.

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, Emily is joined by Mariah Rooney, LCSW, co-founder of Trauma-Informed Weight Lifting, the one-of-a-kind non-profit program dedicated to the training and education of trauma-informed movement practitioners as well as research on the healing potential of weight lifting. The pair discuss the program's structure, the neuroscience behind it, and how Mariah's extensive participation in social justice practices led to its creation. Mariah also shares some case studies that highlight the positive impact that weight lifting has on a trauma-impacted individual's resilience, sense of agency, and interoceptive awareness.

About Mariah Rooney:

Mariah Rooney, MSW, LCSW (she/they) is the co-founder and co-director of Trauma Informed Weight Lifting, a program of the Center for Trauma and Embodiment. She is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in treating the complex challenges that arise as a result of traumatic stress, attachment trauma, intergenerational trauma, and dissociation in children and adults. She is also an adjunct professor in the graduate School of Social Work at Winona State University, and a trauma-informed care consultant who supports systems change and capacity building efforts in systems of all sizes and types. As a previous Fellow at the Trauma Center at JRI she received extensive training in trauma and supported various project and research efforts.

Additionally, Mariah is a movement practitioner and somatic coach with extensive training in trauma-sensitive and culturally-informed yoga and meditation practices through Warriors at Ease, Prison Yoga Project, Insight Prison Project, Mind Body Solutions, and Trauma Sensitive Yoga. Her writing and research has explored trauma-informed considerations for personal trainers and fitness spaces, posttraumatic outcomes among combat veterans with histories of interpersonal violence, trauma-sensitive education, and inclusive practices for LGBTQIA+ clients in fitness and weight lifting.

Learn More:

Trauma Informed Weight Lifting

Instagram

Website

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

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Are you a mental health professional looking to deepen your clinical expertise in healing complex trauma? We are thrilled to announce our 2025 NARM Therapist Trainings designed to provide you with transformative training in the NeuroAffective Relational Model.

Visit the website to learn more about upcoming trainings and to register

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

LinkedIn

YouTube

We often discuss the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) as it relates to the adult journey of healing from complex trauma, but what about younger clients?

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth is joined by Kami Black, LCSW, founder of ROOTs Transitions, a program that supports adolescent females ages 15 to 18 and their families by blending elements of outdoor therapy and residential treatment in Park City, Utah. The pair explore ROOTs' commitment to utilizing NARM as both a therapeutic modality and a rubric for staff engagement. They also discuss the program's assessment, treatment, and reintegration phases, plus the value of embracing and navigating dysregulation within the safety of the on-site therapeutic environment.

About Kami Black:

As a young adult, Kami Black, LCSW, knew that she wanted to be a therapist and help give back to a community that once served her and address the trauma impacting others. After completing her schooling, she began working with adolescents and their families, as well as signing up for any trauma training that she could find. This included EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, and many others. About five years ago, Kami came across NARM at a conference. She was intrigued by the language, and specifically the way it articulated complex trauma healing through a deeply interpersonal process. She trained in NARM and hoped that one day this healing modality would be at the foundation of a program she was envisioning. ROOTs Transition emerged from her vision, and has been open for almost three years now. And, NARM is now the foundation of their clinical approach and how they train their therapists, guides and staff. The principles of NARM also inspire and challenges them each day to stay curious and provide agency to those around them.

Learn More:

ROOTs Transition

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

Clinicians treating clients with complex trauma already understand the value of using the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) in 1:1 settings. Imagine, then, the transformative healing that might occur when applying NARM in group recovery and transitional living environments.

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes Laura Sorte, LCSW, NARM Therapist and Executive Director at Release Recovery, to discuss her experiences creating and implementing NARM-informed programming for a New York-based outpatient addiction treatment center.

About Laura Sorte:

Laura Sorte, LCSW, is a NARM Therapist. Laura has specialized in working with families, individuals, and adolescents and thrives in helping her clients develop a deeper connection to themselves. Laura holds the position of Executive Director at Release Recovery Centers, an outpatient treatment center in Westchester County, New York where she brings her deep understanding of the impacts of developmental trauma and addiction to the clinical programming. Release Recovery Centers is a clinically driven, client-centered, trauma informed outpatient treatment center treating substance abuse disorders. Release Recovery Centers is focused on treating the root cause of the symptoms and behaviors, without blame, shame or labels that fail to acknowledge the ability to change.

Learn More:

Release Recovery

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

Many therapists are conflicted about how to show up with their clients. While there is lots of training to be highly emotionally engaged with clients, there is also training that therapists should be more distant in sessions to avoid possible countertransference––which is the evoking of emotions and reactions within the therapist. What if, instead of attempting to be overly engaged or maintaining a distancing demeanor, therapists learned how to honor their humanness within their therapeutic role?

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes Karen J. Maroda, PhD., noted psychoanalyst and author, to discuss her fascinating research on countertransference.

About Karen J. Maroda:

Karen J. Maroda, PhD., is a psychologist/psychoanalyst practicing in Milwaukee, WI. She is also an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and sits on the editorial boards of The Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, Psychoanalytic Psychology, and Contemporary Psychoanalysis. The author of four books, her most recent one, titled "The Analyst's Vulnerability: Impact on theory and practice," has received wide recognition across theoretical originations because it focuses on the early childhood experiences of all psychotherapists.

Learn More:

Website

LinkedIn

Amazon

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @cttc_training_center

A vital tenet of the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) is that, no matter how withdrawn or isolated one becomes due to complex trauma, humans remain instinctively and spontaneously drawn towards connection, just as plants are drawn towards the sun.

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, Emily Ruth is joined by Joseph McCaffrey, LPC, LMHC, an Arizona-based NARM therapist specializing in ecotherapy––the formal practice of incorporating nature-based experiences to facilitate healing. The pair explore Joseph's process for applying NARM "in the wild" and his tips for identifying everyday opportunities to re-establish a personal connection to nature no matter where you live.

About Joseph McCaffrey:

Joseph McCaffrey holds an MS in Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Prescott College and an MA in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado, Denver. Joseph is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Arizona as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Washington and specializes in complex developmental trauma and ecotherapy. His approach is trauma-informed, influenced by Ecotherapy, spirituality, mindfulness, and somatic work, and grounded in The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM).

Learn More:

Website

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

Telling our story––to a trusted friend, a therapist, or ourselves––is a continuous unfolding. Each layer shed is an opportunity to re-engage with the past and assess its significance on the present. If the subject matter includes trauma, the process of exposure requires extra care.

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth is joined by the inimitable writer and writing coach Jeanette LeBlanc. The pair explore what it means to "write your way through" trauma by examining the narratives we create.

About Jeanette LeBlanc:

Jeanette LeBlanc is a writer, self-published author, teacher, and motivational speaker. She guides humans seeking permission to stop seeking permission along their journeys to increased sovereignty, truth, and bravery, using their stories of lived experiences as vehicles to expand into authenticity, courage, and expression. As a facilitator, coach, and guide, she has directly led over 800 brave humans (thousands more via her social media presence) on the journey toward a life of exploration and fulfillment. Jeanette, queer and single mama to two delightfully unruly grown daughters, is the author of You Are Not Too Much | Love Notes On Heartache, Redemption, and Reclamation.

Learn More:

Website

JeanetteLeBlancArt on Etsy

Instagram

Substack

X

Facebook

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

All parents face challenges. Black fathers, however, navigate a unique combination of social and intrapersonal pressures, often without the benefit of culturally nuanced support. That's changing as more Black fathers, some of whom are also mental health clinicians, educators, or adjacent professionals, speak out about their experiences, create networks of knowledgeable care, and inspire others to seek counseling.

Emily Ruth welcomes award-winning counselor, educator, researcher, and author Dr. Michael Hannon to expand on the themes featured in his book Black Fathering and Mental Health: Black Fathers' Narratives on Raising Their Children Across the Family Life Cycle. Michael hopes his work will invite mental health practitioners to get curious about the traumas that Black fathers experience and be intentional about the kind of help they wish to embody.

About Dr. Michael Hannon:

Dr. Michael Hannon is an award-winning counselor educator and researcher, a practicing counselor, and an author. He is an Associate Professor of Counseling at Montclair State University, a mental health counselor at The Center for MARCUS, and the co-founder of the non-profit organization, Greater Expectations Teaching and Advocacy Center, with his wife, Dr. LaChan (pronounced La-Shon) Hannon.

He is the author of over 30 publications and has been cited over 500 times. His 2022 edited book, Black Fathering and Mental Health, and overall research about the mental health of Black men and fathers has been highlighted in a range of media outlets, including National Public Radio, New York Times, Autism Speaks, Thrive Global, Huffington Post, Waymaker Journal, and Black Enterprise.

Learn More:

Website

Instagram

X

LinkedIn

Facebook

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes back trauma bond expert and author Nadine Macaluso, LMFT, Ph.D., to introduce her latest book, Run Like Hell, A Therapist's Guide To Recognizing, Escaping, Healing From Trauma Bonds.

The pair also discuss the markers of a trauma-bonded relationship and how to use NARM to address the complex PTSD that routinely develops as a result of these abusive unions.

About Nadine Macaluso:

At age twenty-two, Nadine Macaluso married Jordan Belfort, the nefarious stockbroker portrayed in the Hollywood blockbuster "The Wolf of Wall Street". Their marriage began as a fairytale, but once they were bonded, Jordan's "mask" began to slip, and acts of infidelity, narcissistic abuse, insatiable greed, and uncontrollable drug addiction became Nadine's nightmare.

The horrific relationship inspired Nadine to become a psychotherapist specializing in narcissistic abuse, trauma bonds, and Complex-PTSD. Her private practice quickly flooded with clients, predominantly women, recounting an all-too-familiar story of abuse with a pathological partner. Perhaps this scenario resonates with you.

In Run Like Hell, Nadine brings you her personal experience and years of expertise to explain the mental health of the narcissistic pathological lover, the traits of people who are the perfect "victims" of these PLs, how you can leave a trauma bond safely, and how you can heal.

Learn More:

Website

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Facebook

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter