Therapy Chat

499: Trauma + The Vestibular System with Kim Barthel

Sep 23, 2025
In this enlightening conversation, Kim Barthel, a seasoned Canadian occupational therapist with over 41 years of experience, delves into the intricate connections between trauma and the vestibular system. She discusses how developmental trauma impacts sensory processing and emphasizes the importance of co-regulation in therapy. Kim shares fascinating insights on the role of the Vagus Nerve, sound healing therapies, and how trauma can shift visual attention. Her holistic approach highlights the significance of embracing neurodiversity and understanding the body’s response to trauma.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Occupation As Holistic Healing

  • Occupational therapy frames healing as mind-body-spirit occupation rather than only symptom reduction.
  • Kim Barthel uses embodied, activity-based learning to support conscious evolution and clinician development.
INSIGHT

Heart-Brainstem Wiring Shapes Connection

  • Embryological development links heart and brainstem, shaping early heart-vagal connections and social engagement wiring.
  • Kim Barthel highlights this physical proximity as foundational to interconnectivity between heart and mind.
ADVICE

Use Containment And Co-Regulation

  • Use containment tools like Lycra and proprioceptive input to rebuild embodied boundaries after trauma.
  • Pair sensory interventions with relational co-regulation to titrate safety and embodiment.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app