Zero Disturbance

Parenting can be a complex journey, especially when your child's needs differ from what you initially expected. In fact, many parents find themselves struggling with feelings of failure or inadequacy when their children don't fit into societal norms or expectations. Maybe you’ve experienced this yourself.

And who decides what “normal” is anyway?

This week, we’re looking at the challenges of parenting neurodivergent children and offering a fresh perspective on how to approach these unique situations. Because no one is alone in the challenges of parenting, and it’s time we meet every child and parent where they are.

This episode looks at the impact of societal expectations on parenting and explores the common negative beliefs parents may develop when faced with unexpected challenges. These beliefs not only affect parents but can also significantly influence their children's self-perception and behavior, which has a lifelong impact.

So what can we do about this? It’s a matter of reframing challenges and expectations and emphasizing the power of experimentation and flexibility in parenting. You’ll learn how in the episode! By adopting a more adaptable approach, parents can create a nurturing environment that celebrates their child's unique traits and supports their growth.

This episode provides insights for parents navigating raising neurodivergent children, offering a compassionate and practical approach to family dynamics. Whether you're a parent seeking guidance or a therapist working with families, let’s foster a more understanding and adaptive environment for all family members.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. By embracing flexibility and experimentation, you can create a family dynamic that works for everyone involved.

The Zero Disturbance podcast is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care.

Want to learn more about empowering yourself to experience therapy or coaching on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, you won't want to miss out on The Client Workbook + supporting videos!

We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey.

Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle.

With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.

Accommodations are not just for schools or workplaces—they're about creating environments where everyone can thrive. In this week’s episode, we explore how the concept of accommodations extends far beyond traditional settings, drawing parallels between personalized experiences in everyday life and the support needed in educational and professional environments.

There’s a big contrast between personalized experiences in adult settings and the rigid structures often found in schools. (Why is that?) It’s important to recognize how embracing individual differences and providing choices can lead to more positive self-beliefs and enhanced performance. And then to do the work to make those changes. I’d like to challenge everyone to stop thinking of neurodivergent traits as disorders, and instead explore their potential as superpowers.

Throughout this week’s episode, I share strategies for advocating for yourself or your child in educational and professional settings. This conversation encourages a more inclusive and empowering perspective that recognizes and celebrates the unique needs and strengths of every individual.

And I challenge listeners to reconsider their approach to accommodations. Whether you're a therapist, a parent, or someone navigating your own neurodivergent journey, this episode offers valuable insights on creating environments where everyone can flourish.

Listen now to gain a fresh perspective on accommodations and learn how to advocate for a world that embraces neurodiversity. Discover how small changes in our approach to individual needs can lead to significant improvements in personal growth, learning, and overall well-being.

The Zero Disturbance podcast is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care.

Want to learn more about empowering yourself to experience therapy or coaching on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, you won't want to miss out on The Client Workbook + supporting videos!

We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey.

Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle.

With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.

The true definition (and outcomes) of depression goes far beyond what we typically think of: someone pulling away from loved ones, extreme sadness, maybe even feeling suicidal.

But the truth is that depression is often a symptom of trauma, and can manifest in individuals in so many different ways. It may be a collapse after extreme anxiety that we may not even notice because we’ve normalized living life at a high cadence. When we crash into depression, we may feel safe because we learned that there’s safety in that. However, we may not recognize this initially because that learning happened in a pre-verbal stage, before we can even remember.

Because we want to rewrite what we’ve learned and decided so we can feel better, because we want to heal from past trauma, EMDR is an amazing therapeutic option for people who suffer from depression and hopelessness.

This week on the podcast, I’m sharing what happens in our bodies and minds when we experience early trauma, why depression and anxiety are so linked, why there might be a medical reason for some depression, and how depression can actually feel safe for some of us.

There are so many options available for people who feel depressed, especially in the winter months. EMDR is just one of the tools that can help. I urge anyone who feels an overwhelming sense of helplessness and withdrawal to seek out professional help.

When something traumatic happens to us, it can be healing to have a therapist listen to and/or validate our horrible experience, especially if no one else has before. However, rehashing the details of that traumatic event can be retraumatizing. Brain-based therapies like EMDR teach us that we don't have to talk about the trauma or the details if we don't want to because the real healing doesn't focus on the traumatic event itself.

The Zero Disturbance podcast is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care.

Want to learn more about empowering yourself to experience therapy or coaching on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, you wont want to miss out on The Client Workbook + supporting videos!

We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey.

Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle.

With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.

Our brains are as unique as our fingerprints, yet society often expects us all to think, learn, and behave in uniform ways. We're told to sit still, focus on demand, and visualize on cue. But what if these expectations are built on flawed assumptions about how our minds work?

This week on the podcast, we explore the fascinating spectrum of mental imagery, from aphantasia (the inability to visualize) to hyperphantasia (vivid, movie-like imagination). This reveals just how diverse our cognitive experiences can be. You'll discover how some people can't conjure a simple mental image, while others experience rich, multi-sensory internal worlds.

But this variation in how we process and experience information extends far beyond visualization. It affects how we learn, communicate, and interact with the world around us. We'll dive into real-life examples and cutting-edge research that challenge our assumptions about “normal” brain function.

Understanding these differences is crucial, not just for personal insight, but for reconsidering how we approach education, workplace expectations, and even mental health diagnoses. By embracing the full spectrum of cognitive diversity, we can create more inclusive, effective strategies in therapy, education, and daily life.

Listen in as we challenge our assumptions and celebrate the unique ways each mind works. Whether you're an educator, mental health professional, or simply curious about the intricacies of the human mind, this week’s episode will transform how you view cognitive diversity.

The Zero Disturbance podcast is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care.

Want to learn more about empowering yourself to experience therapy or coaching on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, you wont want to miss out on The Client Workbook + supporting videos!

We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey.

Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle.

With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.

Every brain is unique, and that's something to celebrate. Unfortunately, that isn’t always what happens—at home, in the classroom, in the workplace. It’s time we explore how understanding and embracing neurodiversity can transform our relationships, parenting approaches, and therapeutic practices.

As a therapist and parent, I've seen firsthand how recognizing neurodivergent traits can open doors to deeper connections and personal growth. Whether you're a parent wondering about your child's unique way of experiencing the world, or a therapy client seeking to understand yourself better, this conversation is for you.

In this new series on parenting neurodivergence, we'll talk about real-life experiences from Silicon Valley to school classrooms, sharing stories that highlight the beauty and challenges of neurodiversity. You'll learn practical ways to support yourself and your loved ones, and how to advocate effectively in educational settings.

Together, we'll explore:

This is just the first episode of this series, where I’ll share why this conversation is so important for parents, therapy clients, therapists, and anyone who wants to be able to better support all the different humans we encounter every day.

Remember, there's no one "right" way to think or be. By embracing our differences, we create space for everyone to thrive.

Let's learn together how to create a world that celebrates the unique wiring of every brain.

The Zero Disturbance podcast is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care.

Want access to resources and tools that allow you to support your children? Get on the waiting list today!

Interested in learning more about empowering yourself to experience therapy or coaching on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, you wont want to miss out on The Client Workbook + supporting videos!

We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey.

Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle.

With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.

Thanks to Gabor Maté, we know that trauma isn’t just something that happens; it’s something that happens inside of you. So when something happens to us (or doesn’t happen, like in an omission of care) and we feel anxiety, that anxiety is a result of trauma.

Anxiety can come from so many things, like overextending ourselves and trying to do too much, divorce, job loss, and even things that some might perceive as positive experiences like an upcoming social event, wedding, or vacation. And often we feel this way not because we are anxious people, but because our relationship with anxiety has been wired a certain way. And we know that neuroplasticity allows us to rewire our relationship with emotions, sense of self and identity. How cool is that?

When we can expand the definition of anxiety outside of what the DSM and the American Psychological Association tell us it is, we can start to see the value of EMDR treatment for people who experience anxiety. This is a beautiful thing.

In this episode of the Zero Disturbance podcast, I’m talking about what anxiety and trauma actually are, and why professional associations in the psychological space need to expand their official definitions so that more people can easily access the support and treatment they need. And I’m sharing why EMDR is a great choice for people who have experienced anxiety or who have been told they “have anxiety.” This is especially important so we can create more hope for people so they don’t think they have to “have anxiety” forever, as part of who they are.

When something traumatic happens to us, it can be healing to have a therapist listen to and/or validate our horrible experience, especially if no one else has before. However, rehashing the details of that traumatic event can be retraumatizing. Brain-based therapies like EMDR teach us that we don't have to talk about the trauma or the details if we don't want to because the real healing doesn't focus on the traumatic event itself.

The Zero Disturbance podcast is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care.

Want to learn more about empowering yourself to experience therapy or coaching on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, you won't want to miss out on The Client Workbook + supporting videos!

We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey.

Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle.

With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.

Forgiveness in therapy is a complex and often misunderstood concept. Many clients have been pressured to forgive their abusers or "just let it go," but this approach can be harmful and retraumatizing. True healing comes from understanding that what happened wasn't your fault, processing your emotions safely, and rebuilding trust in yourself.

I've seen how EMDR can help desensitize traumatic memories without forcing forgiveness. The body stores trauma, making it impossible to simply forget. Instead, we work to integrate experiences in a way that allows us to feel safe and empowered again.

This episode explores alternatives to the "forgive and forget" narrative that respect your healing journey. We'll discuss how to honor your anger as a protective force, forgive the parts of yourself that feel blame or shame, and reclaim your sense of safety and trust. Your only job in therapy is to reconnect with yourself and your inherent worth. And this message is for both individuals in therapy and their therapists.
Join me as we dive into this important topic and empower both therapists and clients to approach trauma healing with compassion, understanding and respect for each individual's process.

The Zero Disturbance podcast is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care.

Want to learn more about empowering yourself to experience therapy or coaching on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, you won't want to miss out on The Client Workbook + supporting videos! 

We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey.

Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle.

With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.

Traditional therapy often focuses on measuring changes in behaviors and emotions. While valuable, this approach may overlook some important aspects of the healing process. As an EMDR therapist, I've discovered a powerful metric that can transform how we set goals and assess progress in therapy: process outcomes.

Process outcomes measure how easy, efficient, or effective it is to implement positive changes. For EMDR clients, this could mean tracking how quickly they can access coping strategies or how much emotional distress they experience when facing triggers. By focusing on these metrics, we gain a more nuanced understanding of therapeutic progress.

This week, I’m sharing my "secret sauce" for goal-setting and assessment in EMDR therapy. You'll learn how decreasing disturbances in the body can lead to effortless behavioral changes and free up energy for personal growth. And we'll explore the power of neutralizing negative experiences and expanding positive resources.

For therapists, this episode offers fresh perspectives on treatment planning and client progress. For therapy clients, it provides insights into what's possible with EMDR and how to advocate for a more comprehensive approach to your healing journey.

Tune in to discover how EMDR and other brain-based therapies are changing the therapeutic process, offering faster, more efficient paths to lasting change.

The Zero Disturbance podcast is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care.

Want to learn more about empowering yourself to experience therapy or coaching on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, you won't want to miss out on The Client Workbook + supporting videos! 

We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey. Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle.

With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.

Safety in therapy is a complex and evolving concept. As therapists and clients, we're constantly learning and adapting our understanding of what creates true safety in the therapeutic process.

This week on the podcast, we explore the nuances of safety in EMDR, Brainspotting and beyond, challenging some common assumptions and opening up new possibilities for healing.

Our perceptions of safety can shift over time, both in immediate situations and in retrospect. My own certainly have. From first hearing about EMDR and Brainspotting (and discounting them), to now specializing in EMDR and training other therapists in the practice.

For therapists, this means constantly reevaluating our approaches and being open to new modalities that may offer deeper healing for our clients like I did. For clients, it involves recognizing and honoring your own experiences of safety and empowerment in the therapeutic journey.

The conversation has recently expanded to include emerging therapies like psychedelic-assisted treatments, despite no mention of so-called “alternative” therapies during therapy training. I invite you to approach these topics with curiosity and critical thinking rather than immediate judgment. We need to discuss the importance of ongoing education and personal experience in forming well-informed opinions about therapeutic approaches.

In fact, I’m so committed to growth as a clinician and as a therapy client that I’ve started a year-long training in psychedelic-assisted treatments so I can speak more on the topic. Something I never would have imagined even just a few years ago.

This episode challenges both therapists and clients to examine their preconceptions about safety in therapy and to remain open to new possibilities for healing. By leaning into a spirit of continuous learning and exploration, we can create more empowering and effective therapeutic experiences.

Whether you're a seasoned EMDR practitioner, a therapy client, or simply interested in the future of mental health treatment, this episode offers valuable insights into creating true safety and facilitating deeper healing in therapy.

The Zero Disturbance podcast is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care.

Want to learn more about empowering yourself to experience therapy or coaching on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, you won't want to miss out on The Client Workbook + supporting videos!

We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey. Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle.

With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.

EMDR therapy is a powerful path to healing, but many misconceptions persist about it—from medical professionals, therapists, and others. As an EMDR consultant with over ten thousand hours of sessions under my belt, I've witnessed firsthand how this brain-based therapy can transform lives when applied thoughtfully.

Traditional talk therapy absolutely has its place, providing a safe space for clients to explore their narratives and build coping skills. However, EMDR takes healing to the next level by directly rewiring neural pathways associated with distressing memories and beliefs. This accelerated approach can lead to faster, more profound changes than talk therapy alone.

One common myth that we need to bust is that EMDR is only suitable for severe trauma or that clients need extensive preparation before beginning. But the reality is that EMDR can be tailored to address a wide range of issues, from minor anxieties to complex PTSD. And by starting with less distressing memories and gradually building up, therapists can help clients experience the benefits of EMDR without overwhelm.

This week on the podcast, I'll break down the various approaches within EMDR therapy, including standard protocol, addiction-focused techniques, and newer innovations. I'll explain how these different methods can be customized to meet each client's unique needs and comfort level.

Whether you're a therapist looking to expand your toolkit or a client seeking more empowering treatment options, this discussion will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about incorporating EMDR into your healing journey. This versatile, brain-based approach truly can accelerate progress and help to create lasting positive change.

The Zero Disturbance podcast is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care.

Want to learn more about empowering yourself to experience therapy or coaching on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, you wont want to miss out on The Client Workbook (+ supporting videos)!

We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey. Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle.

With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.