Safe Meditation Practices for Trauma Survivors: Expert Tips from David Treleaven

Not all meditation experiences are peaceful — and that's something we need to talk about.

In this conversation, meditation teacher Meryl Arnett sits down with mindfulness trainer and trauma expert David Treleaven, PhD, author of The Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness Workbook, to explore how trauma impacts meditation and vice versa.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, dysregulated, or triggered during meditation practice, this episode will help you understand why — and give you practical tools to work with these challenging experiences.

What To Expect

Why meditation can trigger trauma responses and what to do about it

The spectrum of trauma: understanding the difference between stress, traumatic stress, and PTSD

The Window of Tolerance: a powerful framework for knowing when to lean into meditation and when to back off

Being with vs. working with: two essential approaches to meditation practice

Practical regulation tools beyond traditional seated meditation

Perfect For

Meditation practitioners experiencing difficulty or overwhelm in practice

Yoga and meditation teachers wanting to develop trauma-informed teaching skills

Mental health professionals integrating mindfulness into their work

Anyone with a trauma history exploring meditation

Parents helping children develop emotional regulation skills

Anyone interested in understanding the intersection of meditation and mental health

Featured Guest

David Treleaven, PhD is a writer, educator, and trauma professional specializing in trauma-sensitive mindfulness. His work helps meditation teachers and practitioners understand how to work skillfully with trauma in contemplative practice. He's trained thousands of meditation teachers worldwide and his resources include The Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness Workbook and various online trainings.

Find David at: davidtreleaven.com

Resources Mentioned

The Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness Workbook by David Treleaven

Widening the Window by Elizabeth Stanley

Teachers referenced: Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, Rick Hanson

Free trauma-informed meditation webinar available at davidtreleaven.com

Join the Conversation

Have you experienced challenges in your meditation practice? What tools help you regulate when practice becomes overwhelming? Share your experiences on social media using #meditatewithmeryl

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you're experiencing trauma symptoms or mental health concerns, please consult with a qualified mental health professional.

Learn more and sign up for Nature's Reflection: A Meditation and Forest Bathing Retreat happening October 23 - 26 here: https://www.hambidge.org/workshop-schedule/natures-reflection-a-meditation-and-forest-bathing-retreat

Sign up for my newsletter at http://eepurl.com/jjPrV2 to receive free mini meditations and soundscapes each week, along with creative musings and more.

New episodes every Monday (just the meditation) and Thursday (a full meditation class).

Learn more or contact me at https://www.merylarnett.com/.

Thank you to Brianna Nielsen for production and editing support. Find her at:

https://www.instagram.com/itsbriannanielsen

This podcast explores meditation, mental health and the power of connection, offering guidance for caregivers, healers, and therapists facing compassion fatigue, burnout, and other mental health struggles through self-care, self-compassion, and resilience. With a focus on anxiety, depression, and overwhelm, each episode provides tools like meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, and grounding to cultivate clarity and reduce stress. Listeners can also experience nature-inspired guided meditations, designed to bring peace and balance in times of distress.