July 03, 2024

Trauma and CIRS: Healing through connection - with Dr. Lauren Sparks and Therapist Brenda Stewart

35 minutes

For more information, visit https://thecirsgroup.com

Guests today:

Dr. Lauren Sparks, DNP, CNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CTP, MA, RN

Therapist Brenda Stewart, LMHC, NCC, CTH

CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, can take a toll on the mental health of the patient, just as much and sometimes more so than physically. No one knows this better than our guests today: Dr. Lauren Sparks, a Shoemaker Certified Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Brenda Stewart, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and trauma specialist. Together they are offering a much needed extra layer of support for CIRS patients that are experiencing PTSD or other trauma-like responses due to CIRS and other events in their lives: group therapy. Today, they’ll explain why trauma plays such a big role in so many CIRS patients’ lives and what can be done to heal and move past it. This is not medical advice - please consult your physician or provider for what might be best for you. For more information, support, and resources in your own CIRS healing journey, visit TheCIRSGroup.com

TIME STAMPS:

0:00 Intro and disclaimer

0:30 Dr. Lauren Sparks’ background and personal CIRS story

2:07 Brenda Stewart’s background and personal CIRS story

4:19 People with CIRS want to help others with CIRS

4:43 How and why trauma complicates CIRS, or possibly causes it

10:00 What modalities of therapy are best for CIRS patients?

12:33 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Narrative Therapy

16:17 What is EMDR and what to expect during a session

20:27 Group Therapy option through Dr. Sparks’ practice

23:20 Why group therapy might be more beneficial for CIRS patients

27:23 Group therapy promotes connection and feelings of safety

28:28 Who would most benefit from their Group Therapy offering

30:08 How to sign up for Dr. Sparks’ and Brenda’s Group Therapy program

32:33 If you feel resistant to group therapy, explore why that is

HELPFUL LINKS:

Dr. Sparks’ practice’s website with information about their new group therapy options: https://www.untamediona.com/therapy

Send an email to Dr. Sparks’ team if you are interested in working with them: [email protected]

The CIRS Group:

Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/

Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivory

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivory

Blog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/

Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:

Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara

Jacie is a 4 year carnivore, certified nutrition coach, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a coach, facilitator, speaker, 3 year carnivore, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.

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