3 Signs You Have Trauma (And Don’t Even Know It!) & How to Heal with Dr Neha Bhat

Mar 10, 2025

01:11:23

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Neha discusses the complexities of trauma, particularly in the context of Indian culture, where societal narratives around sexuality and gender create challenges for both men and women.

👇 About the guest

Neha Bhat is a licensed Sex and Trauma Therapist, Entrepreneurial Coach, and bestselling author practicing between India and the U.S. She integrates arts-based therapy and psychospiritual tools to address sexual trauma, offering retreats and consultations for individuals, couples, and organizations. With experience at institutions like the University of Michigan and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Neha advocates for trauma-sensitive media and shares insights as @indiansextherapist online. Her debut book Unashamed (2024) explores sexuality’s impact on mental health in India, aiming to dismantle shame and foster healing.

👇 Highlights

Understanding Trauma and Its Impact🧠 Understanding Trauma: Trauma is not just a sad event; it can motivate and challenge individuals. It's essential to recognize that unresolved trauma can lead to repeated harmful patterns in relationships.

🤝 Teamwork in Relationships: Couples should approach their relationship as a team, working together to understand and heal from their individual traumas, rather than placing blame on each other.

💔 The Role of Shame: Shame often stems from trauma and can manifest in various ways, such as avoidance or disproportionate reactions. Recognizing and addressing shame is crucial for healing.

✍️ Self-Reflection Exercise: Neha suggests an exercise where individuals visualize their life as a mountain, reflecting on their experiences and emotions from different decades to uncover deeper insights about their trauma.

🌍 Cultural Impact: The discussion highlights how cultural narratives, especially in India, shape individuals' perceptions of sexuality and relationships, often leading to shame and repression.

👇 Timestamps

00:00- Introduction

01:28- Cultural Context of Se3uality in India

02:45- The Role of Shame in Se3uality

06:04- Understanding Trauma and Its Impact

10:00- Recognizing Trauma Responses

13:39- Examples of Trauma in Therapy

19:38- The Process of Healing Trauma

41:43- Practical Exercises for Awareness

47:07- Addressing Vaginismus and Se3ual Blocks

55:06- Building Healthy Se3ual Relationships

01:00:15- The Connection Between Shame and Trauma