Today’s episode is about trauma and healing. We’ll explore science, lived experiences, and expert wisdom including insights from books like My Grandmother’s Hands, The BodyKeeps the Score, Trauma and Recovery, It Didn’t Start With You, Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection, Healing the Shame That Binds You, No Bad Parts, and No Racial Elephants in the Therapy Room. We will discuss what trauma is or what experiencing trauma can look like, how it may develop, as well as explore what clinical treatment options are available for trauma-based concerns.

As always, due to the nature of today’s episode there may be information that is distressing for some listeners. Please feel free to skip this episode and return to the a following one if you experience any symptoms of distress while listening tothis episode.

Resources:

Adonis, M., Loucaides, M., Sullman, M.J.M. et al. The protective role of self compassion in trauma recovery and its moderating impact on post traumatic symptoms and post traumatic growth. Sci Rep 15, 8145 (2025).https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91819-x

Bradshaw, J. (2015). Healing the shame that binds you. Health Communications, Incorporated.

Dana,D., & Porges, S. W. (2020). Polyvagal exercises for safety and connection: 50 client- centered practices. W.W. Norton & Company.

Haeyen S. (2024). A theoretical exploration of polyvagal theory in creative arts and psychomotor therapies for emotion regulation in stress and trauma. Frontiers in psychology, 15, 1382007.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1382007

Herman, J. L. (2020). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence - from domestic abuse to political terror. BasicBooks.

Menakem, R. (2021). My grandmother’s hands: Racialized trauma and the pathway to mending our hearts and Bodies. Penguin Books.

Schwartz, R. C., Morissette, A., & Mechling, C. (2024). No bad parts: Healing trauma & restoring wholeness with the internal family systems model. PublishDrive.

Shapiro, F. (2014). Getting past your past: Take control of your life with self-help techniques from EMDR therapy.

Van der Kolk, B. A. (2015). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma: Key takeaways, Analysis & Review. Instaread.

Walker, R., & Waltman, S. H. (2024). No racial elephants in the therapy room: An unapologetic approach to providing culturally affirming mental health care to black and African American clients. PESI Publishing, Inc., PESI.

Walker, P. (2021). Complex PTSD: From surviving to thriving. Azure Coyote.

Wolynn, M. (2022). It didn’t start with you the international bestseller - how inherited family trauma shapes who we are and how to end the cycle. Ebury Publishing.

Yehuda R, Lehrner A. Intergenerational transmissionof trauma effects: putative role of epigeneticmechanisms. World Psychiatry. 2018 Oct;17(3):243-257. doi: 10.1002/wps.20568.

Today’s episode is about the societal shift towards artificial intelligence. On the one hand, the rising use of artificial intelligence (AI) in various fields including healthcare could potentially alleviate the scarcity and barriers with mental health services. However, with the advancement of AI-driven platforms providing counseling-related information, there is a growing need to assess the efficacy and ethical implications of these technologies in addressing mental health issues. Throughout this episode, I aim to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence when it comes to mental health care. So, let’s dive right on in and ask yourself, is it possible that AI will replace how we perceive and treat mental health?

Resources:

Fiske A, Henningsen P, Buyx A (2019). Your Robot Therapist Will See You Now: Ethical Implications of Embodied Artificial Intelligence in Psychiatry, Psychology, and Psychotherapy. JMIR Publications, Volume 21(5). doi: 10.2196/13216

Johnson, Jarvis. “People Are Marrying Their AI.” YouTube, YouTubewww.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ7XTTaXfOk&list=PLdtJu1LG7HO3Y93gMyJytMNY69 LWx7ZQv&index=1Accessed 6 Sept. 2025.

Khawaja, Z., & Bélisle-Pipon,J. C. (2023). Your robot therapist is not your therapist: Understanding the role of AI-powered mental health chatbots. Frontiers in Digital Health, Volume 5https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1278186.

Rehman F., & Sajjad S. (2024). MentalHealth in the Digital Age: Comparing AI Counseling with Traditional Counseling among University Students. Journal of Social Sciences and Media Studies (JOSSAMS) Volume 8(2). ISSN: (Print) 2518-8046; (Online) 2663-7049

Zhang, Z., & Wang, J. (2024).Can AI replace psychotherapists? Exploring the future of mental health care? Frontiers in Psychiatry, Volume 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1444382

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Hello Listeners!

Today’s episode is about preventing burnout. Whether you’re a therapist, counselor, social worker, or anyone else in the mental health field, your work can be incredibly rewarding but also emotionally and mentally taxing. It's vital to take care of yourself, so you can show up for your clients in the best way possible. In this episode, we’ll explore practical self-care techniques that can help you recharge, reduce burnout, and maintain your mental and emotional health while you continue to do important work.

Warning in advance, I will be disclosing some of my own personal experiences and struggles in this episode. If you would like to skip this episode due to these disclosures, feel free and we will catch you on the next episode!

Resources/Media:

https://www.instagram.com/revivecounselingfayetteville/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D