Therapist Origin Story Series with Brad Kammer, CTTC Training Director & Faculty

Aug 13, 2025

This discussion reveals the transformative power of personal narratives in therapy. It emphasizes the role of vulnerability and storytelling in connecting therapists and clients. Listeners learn about the journey from trauma to holistic healing, highlighting the significance of community and mentorship. Public speaking fears are explored, shedding light on personal growth in supportive environments. The evolution of somatic training and the collaborative efforts present in trauma healing offer valuable insights into the therapeutic process.

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ANECDOTE

Early Family Trauma Shaped Belonging Questions

Brad describes growing up with intergenerational trauma and family narcissism that left him feeling different and unsafe.
He traced early sensitivity and belonging questions to those family dynamics and his mother's traumatic birth experience.

ANECDOTE

World Travel Sparked Spiritual Awakening

In his twenties Brad traveled extensively across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East while on a spiritual quest.
Those experiences broadened his cultural perspective and deepened his interest in spirituality and healing.

ANECDOTE

Refugee Work Revealed Cultural Healing Needs

Brad and his wife worked with Burmese refugees on the Thailand–Burma border and lived within the community they served.
That immersive humanitarian work showed him trauma's cultural rituals and the necessity of embodied, relational healing.

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In this special Transforming Trauma series, we will be exploring the “origin stories” of influential therapists. These episodes offer a rare opportunity to peek behind the curtain and understand what inspired these therapists to pursue healing work, and how they have brought their life experiences into their professional work, impacting and inspiring many people along the way. By learning from seasoned master therapists who openly share their professional journeys, as well as the painful personal life lessons along the way, we gain valuable insights to support our own growth, both professionally and personally.

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth is thrilled to welcome back Brad Kammer, Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) Director, Senior Trainer in the NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) Senior Trainer, author, and executive producer of this podcast, to discuss his eclectic personal and professional journeys. Brad also details the experiences that have shaped his approach to the treatment of trauma and informed the creation of CTTC.

About Brad Kammer:

Brad Kammer, LMFT, LPCC, is the Training Director and Senior Trainer for the Complex Trauma Training Center. Brad is responsible for the creation of the CTTC professional development programs, including the SPACE Inner Development Program for Therapists. He also is a Senior Trainer in the NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Training Programs offered through CTTC. Brad guides the mentorship programs involving CTTC faculty, training assistants and participants; the diversity, inclusion and belonging (DIB) efforts; and is the executive producer of the Transforming Trauma podcast. Brad has a passion for cultivating a professional learning community that provides ongoing training opportunities and mentorship to a diverse group of mental health professionals in their work with complex trauma. Brad is also the co-author of The Practical Guide for Healing Developmental Trauma and the upcoming Workbook for Healing Developmental Trauma.

Learn More:

Complex Trauma Training Center

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

SPACE:

SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

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The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

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The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

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