The Trauma Therapist There's No Pill for Shame with Rob Gent
Dec 18, 2025
Rob Gent, a clinical psychologist and Chief Clinical Officer at Pacific Quest, dives into the complexities of developmental trauma and therapeutic practice. He reveals how personal experiences shaped his passion for trauma work and emphasizes that true healing comes from experiences, not just talk. Rob discusses innovative approaches like sensory-motor therapy and how dyadic empathy can engage adolescents. He highlights the importance of building trust and understanding attachment, transforming therapy into a more holistic and experiential process.
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Shame Resists Words; Purpose Guides Practice
- Shame is deeply rooted in trauma and resists verbal fixes alone.
- Rob Gent realized that purpose, not passion, oriented his clinical work toward trust-building.
The Drawing That Changed Everything
- Rob described the projective house-tree-person exercise that revealed his personality.
- That single classroom task sparked his fascination with psychology and development.
Entering Residential Care Work
- Rob joined a residential program treating adolescents with traumatic pasts and adoption histories.
- That hands-on experience steered him into developmental trauma and attachment work.