The Science of Psychotherapy cover image

The Science of Psychotherapy

Liam O'Mahony on Trauma and Addiction Counselling

Sep 11, 2023
Liam O'Mahony, expert in trauma and addiction counselling, discusses the complex relationship between developmental trauma and addiction, emphasizing the storage of trauma in implicit memory. They also explore compulsive caregiving and unmanaged empathy in the field of addiction treatment, highlighting the importance of top-down and bottom-up thinking in complex systems.
24:37

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Developmental trauma is a significant factor in addiction, often resulting from a lack of developed capacities for relationships, emotional regulation, and self-image.
  • Addressing addiction requires a balanced approach that acknowledges the role of developmental trauma, views symptoms as communication, and integrates bottom-up modalities.

Deep dives

Liam Mahoney's Personal Journey and the Connection Between Developmental Trauma and Addiction

Liam Mahoney, an expert in addiction treatment, shares his personal journey of joining the army at a young age and how his history of developmental trauma made him vulnerable to alcohol addiction. In the Irish army, a culture of heavy drinking exacerbated his dependency on alcohol. Liam highlights the lack of developed capacities for relationships, emotional regulation, and self-image among individuals with addiction and developmental trauma. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the intimate relationship between developmental trauma and addiction, labeling it as the unseen road to addiction.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode