383. What My Bones Know: C-PTSD with Stephanie Foo

6 snips

Nov 27, 2024

Stephanie Foo, a NYT bestselling author and former radio producer, shares her journey of healing from complex PTSD in this insightful conversation. She illustrates the differences between complex PTSD and traditional PTSD, emphasizing the lifelong effects of trauma. Stephanie discusses how creativity and writing can aid in processing trauma, while highlighting the importance of community and relationships in recovery. She also explores practical therapeutic methods like EMDR and yoga, showcasing how social support enhances healing.

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INSIGHT

CPTSD vs PTSD Difference

CPTSD results from repeated trauma over time, often by close caregivers, unlike PTSD from a single event.
This leads to fear not of outside stimuli but of relationships and love, complicating healing.

ANECDOTE

Receiving CPTSD Diagnosis Experience

Stephanie's therapist gave her a CPTSD diagnosis after eight years but abruptly ended the session.
This left her isolated, leading to despair due to harsh, pathologizing internet descriptions of CPTSD.

INSIGHT

Balance Pathology with Strengths

Healing from CPTSD requires alleviating shame and recognizing the strengths of trauma adaptations.
Self-loathing blocks healing, so therapy must simultaneously highlight severity and heroism.

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How can you begin to heal from complex PTSD?

In this episode, Jill sits down with Stephanie Foo to explore her memoir, What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma, a deeply personal account of her healing journey through complex PTSD (CPTSD). Stephanie shares what it’s like to carry the weight of complex trauma, offering insights into how you can begin to heal too.

Through her story and experience, you’ll learn how CPTSD differs from PTSD and why understanding those differences can help you (or someone you love) feel less alone. Stephanie opens up about her therapy journey—EMDR, yoga, and meditation—and how relationships and community became her anchors in the storm.

Whether you’re a therapist, someone walking your own healing path, or supporting a loved one, this conversation is full of wisdom and practical advice to inspire hope and compassion.

Listen and Learn:

Meet Stephanie and find out why she wrote What My Bones Know, a memoir about healing from complex trauma.
Understand what makes CPTSD different from PTSD and how that knowledge can help you or someone you love.
How writing and creativity can be powerful tools for processing trauma and finding meaning.
The role of community, relationships, and support in recovering from trauma.
The complexities of abusive relationships and how they shape the healing journey.
Practical therapeutic methods like EMDR, yoga, and meditation, and why they worked for Stephanie.
How social support can make therapy more effective and healing more sustainable.
The importance of facing suicidal thoughts with connection and support from loved ones.
How journalism and purpose helped Stephanie move forward after trauma.
How to begin your own healing journey and the three key elements that helped Stephanie recover from complex trauma.
How therapists can create compassionate, validating spaces for clients dealing with trauma.

Resources:

What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma
Official Website: Stephanie Foo
Facebook: Stephanie Foo on Facebook
Twitter: @stephaniefoooo on Twitter
Instagram: @foofoofoo on Instagram

About Stephanie Foo

Stephanie Foo is the NYT Bestselling author of What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma. She has written for Vox and The New York Times. She worked as a radio producer for This American Life and Snap Judgment, and her stories aired on Reply All, 99% Invisible, and Radiolab. A noted speaker and instructor, she has taught at Columbia University and has spoken at venues from the Sundance Film Festival to the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

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