The Trauma Therapist

Dr. Smita Das is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in addiction psychiatry and addiction medicine, and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford. With over 20 years of experience in clinical care, research, and leadership—including her role as VP of Psychiatry & Complex Care at Lyra Health—she’s known for bringing nuance and compassion to how we talk about trauma and addiction. What sets her apart is how she addresses overlooked trauma, especially among high-functioning populations. She’s been a leading voice in reframing motherhood—not just as joy, but as a potential mental health breaking point. Dr. Das explores how sleep deprivation, identity rupture, hormonal shifts, and the invisibility of caregiving pain can mirror complex trauma, challenging the notion that maternal crises are rare.In This EpisodeDr. Smita in Psychology TodayThe Science Behind RecoveryDr. Das on LinkedInBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Thank you to our Sponsors:Incogni - Use code [traumatherapist] and get 60% off annual plans: https://incogni.com/traumatherapistJane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.app/book_a_demoJourney Clinical - visit https://join.journeyclinical/trauma for 1 month off your membershipTherapy Wisdom - https://therapywisdom.com/jan/

Rob Gent, a clinical psychologist and Chief Clinical Officer at Pacific Quest, dives into the complexities of developmental trauma and therapeutic practice. He reveals how personal experiences shaped his passion for trauma work and emphasizes that true healing comes from experiences, not just talk. Rob discusses innovative approaches like sensory-motor therapy and how dyadic empathy can engage adolescents. He highlights the importance of building trust and understanding attachment, transforming therapy into a more holistic and experiential process.

Jill Sitnick, a trauma-informed psychedelic educator and founder of The Journey Sage, shares her transformative journey from trauma to healing. She discusses how MDMA-assisted therapy calmed her PTSD and provided profound insights into her past. Jill emphasizes the importance of integration after psychedelic experiences and explains the concept of reparenting childhood parts. Through her memoir, Rescuing Jill, and her coaching offerings, she aims to empower others on their healing paths, highlighting the practical aspects of the mystical journey.

Juliane Maxwald, a licensed psychoanalyst and AASECT-certified sex therapist, delves into the intricate relationship between trauma and sexual expression. She discusses how trauma manifests as shame, dissociation, and fear of intimacy while emphasizing the body as a site of healing. Juliane also shares insights from her upcoming book on integrating sex therapy with depth psychology. Highlighting the impact of cultural backgrounds on sexual dynamics, she reveals how addressing sexual concerns can uncover deeper relational wounds.

Cassandra Solano, a first-generation Latinx queer therapist and coach, specializes in trauma-informed somatic and ancestral healing. They discuss the importance of healing intergenerational trauma through shadow work and ritual. Cassandra emphasizes serving cycle breakers and navigating cultural expectations. The conversation also touches on the healing power of community connections, balancing activism with nervous system regulation, and the vital steps of radical self-compassion. Their insights inspire listeners to embrace their healing journeys.

In this engaging conversation, Karen C.L. Anderson, a master-certified life coach and author devoted to helping women navigate shame and generational trauma, shares her personal journey. She opens up about her challenging relationship with her mother, early family dynamics, and the impact of childhood trauma. Karen discusses the transformative insights from her work on shame frameworks and nervous system regulation. With practical advice, she emphasizes the healing power of effective therapies like IFS and EMDR, offering inspiration for others on their path to liberation.

Arkadiy Volkov is a Registered Psychotherapist and the founder of Feel Your Way Therapy, a private practice in Toronto specializing in trauma-informed care. After a decade-long career as a lawyer, Arkadiy made a personal and professional transformation, shifting into psychotherapy to help people heal from anxiety, trauma, and relationship challenges.At Feel Your Way Therapy, Arkadiy leads a team of therapists who work with individuals, couples, children, and families using approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), EMDR, CBT, DBT, and somatic-based practices. His work is rooted in attachment theory and the belief that healing happens through safe, attuned connection.Arkadiy is especially passionate about helping people move beyond protective strategies like emotional shutdown or perfectionism, and into deeper self-acceptance and secure connection.In This EpisodeArkadiy’s websiteArkadiy on IGBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Thank you to our Sponsors:Incogni - Use code [traumatherapist] and get 60% off annual plans: https://incogni.com/traumatherapistJane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.app/book_a_demoJourney Clinical - visit https://join.journeyclinical/trauma for 1 month off your membershipTherapy Wisdom - https://therapywisdom.com/jan/

Tomilyn (“Tomi”) Ward, LPC, is the founder of My Wellness Center and My Wellness Retreats in Pittsburgh whose goal is to help individuals and families heal from past events and navigate life’s challenges. She counsels clients through milestones such as pregnancy and adoption, supports veterans living with PTSD, and guides young adults exploring their sexual identity.In This EpisodeMy Wellness CenterBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Thank you to our Sponsors:Incogni - Use code [traumatherapist] and get 60% off annual plans: https://incogni.com/traumatherapistJane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.app/book_a_demoJourney Clinical - visit https://join.journeyclinical/trauma for 1 month off your membershipTherapy Wisdom - https://therapywisdom.com/jan/

Dr. Robert Rhoton is the Chief Clinical Officer of the Arizona Trauma Institute and President of the Trauma Institute International. A Diplomate of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, he has spent decades advancing the understanding and treatment of developmental and family trauma. Dr. Rhoton has supervised outpatient clinics, juvenile justice and substance abuse programs, day treatment centers, and child and family therapeutic services. Formerly a professor at Ottawa University, he trained counselors to work with traumagenic family dynamics using non-egoic, compassionate models of care. Today, he consults with agencies and organizations across the globe, helping them strengthen trauma-informed systems and improve therapeutic outcomes for both individuals and families.In This EpisodeArizona Trauma InstituteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Thank you to our Sponsors:Incogni - Use code [traumatherapist] and get 60% off annual plans: https://incogni.com/traumatherapistJane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.app/book_a_demoJourney Clinical - visit https://join.journeyclinical/trauma for 1 month off your membershipTherapy Wisdom - https://therapywisdom.com/jan/

Andrea Leeb is the author of Such a Pretty Picture, a debut memoir about childhood trauma, dissociation, and the long road to healing. Abused before the age of five and raised in a home of denial and silence, Andrea grew up to look “fine”—a successful attorney, wife, and high-functioning perfectionist. But when she was assaulted in her 30s, the façade cracked, and repressed memories, panic, and PTSD surfaced, forcing her into a profound journey of recovery.Through inpatient trauma therapy, EMDR, yoga, journaling, and boundary work, Andrea experienced what she calls a psychological rebirth. She now speaks with raw honesty about the hidden impact of childhood abuse, the myth of “I’m fine,” and why healing, though nonlinear, is always possible.Andrea brings a gentle yet unflinching presence, offering audiences validation, hope, and the reminder that it’s never too late to tell the truth—or to reclaim who you were meant to be before the pain.In This EpisodeAndrea’s websiteSuch a Pretty PictureRAINAndrea on IGBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Thank you to our Sponsors:Incogni - Use code [traumatherapist] and get 60% off annual plans: https://incogni.com/traumatherapistJane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.app/book_a_demoJourney Clinical - visit https://join.journeyclinical/trauma for 1 month off your membershipTherapy Wisdom - https://therapywisdom.com/jan/