The Couples Therapist Couch 252: Trauma & Relationships with Dr. Janina Fisher
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Jul 21, 2025 In this engaging conversation, Dr. Janina Fisher, a clinical psychologist and trauma expert, shares insights from her extensive work in trauma treatment. She discusses the significant shift from narrative therapy to body-based approaches, explaining how trauma is stored in the body. Dr. Fisher emphasizes the importance of recognizing bodily reactions in relationships and reframing conflicts as trauma responses. She highlights the need for safe sharing practices and small disclosures, advocating for empathy over vulnerability in healing.
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Body Memory Over Narrative
- Trauma imprints nonverbal, bodily memories more strongly than narrative details.
- Healing requires working with body and nervous system responses rather than only retelling events.
Sunday Triggers From Childhood Fear
- A woman felt suicidal every Sunday because childhood fear during Steelers games had sensitized her body to that day.
- She later realized the present triggers came from bodily memory, not current events.
Make Trauma The Common Enemy
- Reframe couple conflict as an alliance against trauma rather than a fight between partners.
- Tell couples 'your common enemy is the trauma' to reduce blame and build collaboration.
