Empowered Through Compassion: EMDR and IFS Informed Therapy

It was an absolute pleasure speaking with Julian Bermudez, founder of Psychedelic Integration, about his deeply personal and powerful approach to healing. In this episode, Julian shares his philosophy of psychedelic integration as a sacred return—a coming home to the body, to the heart, and to the version of ourselves that existed before life’s pain forced us to adapt. Through his lived experience and the space he holds for others, Julian invites us to see integration not as a checklist, but as a living, breathing practice of transformation. We explore the idea of purpose, reclaiming value, and the path to remembering who we truly are.

I'm excited to share the latest episode of the Empowered Through Compassion podcast: Part 2 of my conversation with Sid Friedman. In this episode, we delve deeper into Sid's innovative approach to Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and his exploration of nonduality. Sid discusses his YouTube channel, Effortless IFS with Sid Friedman, where he offers insights into integrating IFS with nondual awareness. You can explore his videos here: Effortless IFS with Sid Friedman. We also talk about the vibrant online community Sid co-created with Dr. Laura Patryas: the IFS Nondual Community on Facebook. This group serves as a supportive space for individuals interested in the intersection of IFS and nonduality. You can find the community here: IFS Nondual Community. Throughout our conversation, we reflect on the joy of discussing IFS, the importance of connecting with others. We speak aboutn embracing the innocence and beauty of all parts.​ Sid has so much wisdom, and he shares how healing and transformation are accessible through gentle, playful, and profound engagement with our inner world. ​For a fun exploration and brilliant analysis of movie clips, check out: https://effortlessifs.com/movie-clips/.

This episode is part 1 of a beautiful conversation with my dear friend Sid Friedman. Sid-- along with Laura Patryas-- have created an incredible IFS Facebook community called "IFS Nondual Community." Sid shares with me, and the audience, what is meant by nonduality, and how this intersects with IFS. We also speak about NVC-- Nonviolent Communication, and I learn what a pro Sid is in this type of communication! This was such a fun and enjoyable episode-- to Sid, it feels like life is such a celebration, and he really is able to acknowledge the beauty with all of our PARTs. Indeed, how can you have a PARTY without PART? Together, we reflect on what it means to embrace kindness and compassion in our lives, and how we both draw inspiration from the wisdom of Mr. Rogers, John Lennon, the Dalai Lama, and Thich Nhat Hanh (no name a few of our shared heroes).  I invite you on this glorious ride with Sid, and if you want more-- more will be coming very soon (stay tuned for part 2 of our conversation)! 

Families Overcoming Trauma – This Is Us NBC’s This Is Us has resonated deeply with audiences, largely because of its heartfelt portrayal of family, trauma, and healing. The show masterfully illustrates how each family member carries their own pain while remaining connected through love, resilience, and acceptance. It reminds us that healing isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about learning to live with it, together. In this episode, I had the honor of speaking with Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree, whose journey is a testament to this very idea. When her daughter, Cecilia, was diagnosed with childhood leukemia at just three years old, Laura searched for guidance—a book, an expert, a roadmap. When she realized that no such book existed, she wrote it herself: The Cancer Parent’s Handbook: What Your Oncologist Doesn’t Have Time to Tell You. Through her experience, she uncovered the tools and insights necessary not just to survive, but to thrive during an overwhelming and terrifying time. As Laura and I reflected on This Is Us, we found so many parallels between the Pearson family’s story and her own. The show depicts the way trauma weaves itself into the fabric of a family, shaping identities and relationships in unexpected ways. It also highlights the power of connection—how, even through grief, loss, and struggle, love can be an anchor. Trauma and the Nonlinear Journey of Healing One of the most powerful elements of This Is Us is its nonlinear storytelling. Much like real-life healing, the past continuously intrudes on the present. The audience is transported through different points in time, seeing how early wounds manifest in adult struggles. We watch as Kevin searches for love and self-worth, Randall seeks meaning in his biological roots, and Kate finds healing through music and motherhood. Their journeys are messy, imperfect, and deeply human. At the heart of the series is a pivotal moment—the loss of Jack Pearson, the beloved yet flawed father figure. The show builds up to this revelation, allowing us to witness how his absence shapes each family member in distinct yet connected ways. In a similar way, families facing trauma must navigate their own nonlinear paths, piecing together meaning and strength as they go. Holding Space for Pain and Hope EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy that has three prongs of healing-- the past, the present, and the future. This Is Us reflects this process beautifully, showing how the past and present exist simultaneously, influencing each other in ways we don’t always recognize-- impacting the future as well. Laura’s story is a profound example of how trauma and hope can coexist. While no parent would ever choose the experience of childhood cancer, Laura chose how her family’s story would be written. She didn’t deny the pain, but she also didn’t let it define their lives. Instead, she created moments of normalcy, love, and connection amid the fear. Defining Our Narrative The final season of This Is Us centers around the decline of Rebecca’s health, bringing the family together once more in the face of loss. Yet, rather than being consumed by grief, they embrace their love for one another. It is in these moments—where vulnerability is met with compassion—that true healing and connection happens. This is the lesson Laura embodies: even in heartbreak, loss, and tragedy, life doesn’t have to be only about pain. Life can be about something so much more. We can hold space for both sorrow and joy. We can choose to show up, to embrace imperfection, and to construct the narrative that we want to-- one that is rooted in love and family connection. Trauma can break us, or it can unite us. The powerful and aligned message of both Laura’s journey and This Is Us is this: we can walk through whatever life brings us with magnanimity, with courage, and with hope. And at some point, I promise, our heartfelt laughs will be there as well! For more information on Laura, visit lauradekrakerlangreebook.com or follow her on Instagram at @laura_dekraker_langree.

Welcome to this episode, where I am thrilled to be speaking with Athena Phillips about dissociation, the difference between coaching and therapy, and Back to the Future.  Athena shares how IFS and EMDR can be complementary, but caution is needed when using EMDR with dissociative clients. Coaching and therapy have distinct roles, and in her business Athena has found a very symbiotic relationship between coaches and therapist for clients.  We speak about Back to the Future, and some of the ways this movie represents trauma healing. We even bring in current world events, and how societal disconnection reflects challenging but potentially transformative period of collective growth. Enjoy this wonderful episode, and if you would like to find out more information on Athena, check out her company here: https://traumacenternw.com/  

Therapist Burnout – A Systemic Issue, Not a Personal Failure   🎬 Pop Culture Connection: Severance – A dystopian take on work-life balance How our ‘work part’ is at risk of burnout when it is not given the emotional support and care that it needs.   📊 Burnout by the Numbers: 60-66% of workers report feeling burnout 30-70% of therapists experience burnout (especially post-pandemic) Some exploitive telehealth companies pay a s low as $30/hour   🛑 Signs of Burnout Emotional depletion Compassion fatigue Mental health struggles Shame & isolation   Why Are Therapists at High Risk? High emotional demands Exploitative telehealth practices Cultural pressure to and shame around feeling depleted Financial stress (student debt, low pay)   How to Recover & Prevent Burnout Take real breaks to reset your nervous system Avoid toxic work environments (consider local practices over telehealth) Try digital minimalism (set screen boundaries) Seek support – burnout is NOT a personal failure Give yourself permission to leave your job, (even the profession), if necessary   💡 Join the Conversation: 🗣️ Have you experienced burnout as a therapist or in another helping profession? Share your story in the comments or on The Therapist Burnout Podcast! 🔗 More resources at DrJenBlanchette.com

A re-uploaded version. Welcome to this new episode. I had the pleasure of speaking with Ned Johnson, a wonderful educator, author, and speaker. He is an expert in helping teens and tweens navigate the transition to adulthood, by bringing them the tools they need to be both successful and happy.  Ned has found that some of the leading causes of poor test performance is the stress and pressure that youths feel to get good grades, and perform well. What is the solution? Can the solution really be as simple as helping youth feel connected, getting them to appreciate their inherent self-worth, and having more fun? Check out this episode to hear some of Ned's insights into this important and fascinating topic! Check out Ned's amazing services at PrepMatters Check out Ned's wonderful Podcast "PrepTalks" here Find Ned's books here

I had the honor of sitting down with the Jan Broberg on my podcast. We spoke about her powerful story, the real-life events behind Peacock’s hit series A Friend of the Family, and how she turned unimaginable trauma into a message of hope, resilience, and healing. Jan's spirit is inspiring, as she uses her voice and story to encourage others to tell theirs. This episode shows how light can come from darkness. You can watch A Friend of the Family on Peacock. For more information, check out https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org/ Here you can find her amazing podcast: https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org/podcast/ Find out more about her retreats: https://liveinthe90.com/     #JanBroberg #AFriendOfTheFamily #Podcast #Healing #Resilience #TraumaRecovery #Peacock  

It was a pleasure to speak with Rebecca Kase this week on EMDR, Polyvagal and Parts work. She had so many interesting things to share, and I hope you enjoy this episode.   Warmly, David   Find out more about Rebecca here:   https://www.rebeccakase.com/   https://www.traumatherapistinstitute.com/   You can find her book here:      Books by Rebecca Kase              

Here is my second upload for this episode. My AI attempts were not successful, so I edited this one myself. Sorry for any confusion.   It was such a pleasure to speak with Victoria Anderson, a friend and classmate from IFS-Level one training. We speak about our experience, and then we compare it to... yep, the Squid Game. Luckily our experience was nothing like the Squid Game, except for some nerves when we started the class.  We speak about some of the parts (that we are constructing) inside some of the fictional characters of Squid Game. If you want to find out more about Victoria, please check out her website at: https://www.centeredselftraumatherapy.com/   Warmly, David