The Trauma Therapist

Dr. Shanéa Thomas, a clinical social worker and award-winning sexuality educator, dives into the intriguing intersection of grief and sexuality. They recount their journey from working at a morgue to advocating for LGBTQ youth. Shanéa distinguishes sex, gender, and attraction while emphasizing the crucial need for identity-informed care in various organizations. They reveal insights from their forthcoming book aimed at supporting trans and queer service providers, sharing the importance of resilience and community in navigating today's political landscape.

In a captivating discussion, Luke Chao, a Consulting Hypnotist and founder of The Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis, shares insights into the art of hypnosis. He explores the appeal of hypnotherapy through his journey, drawing connections to cultural concepts like ikigai. Luke explains how suggestibility works and the deep absorption that defines trance, contrasting hypnosis with traditional talk therapy. He also addresses common issues like smoking cessation and public speaking fears, emphasizing moral clarity and cognitive reframing in his approach.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Kirsten Viola Harrison, a trauma psychologist with extensive research experience, shares her inspiring journey alongside Sean/a Smith, a former unhoused individual now advocating for intersex rights. They delve into their unlikely friendship, touching on themes of resilience, mental health complexities, and the challenges of trauma. Kirsten recounts their mutual transformation, highlighting their co-authorship of 'I, Shauna,' which emphasizes allyship and the human rights of marginalized communities.

Dan Fabrizi is a real estate entrepreneur and senior living consultant known for leading a major COVID care unit and founding Burgh2Bay Partners. In this engaging conversation, he dives into the importance of radical honesty in leadership and the journey of personal reinvention prompted by therapy. Dan shares how therapy unveiled his self-critical tendencies and emphasized emotional regulation. He advocates for men's mental health, aiming to destigmatize vulnerability and promote authenticity as a means to build trust in both personal and professional realms.

Jordan is the founder of Jordan’s Artful Wellness, a massage therapist, yoga instructor, and brain injury survivor whose life was profoundly changed after sustaining a severe injury from Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Drawing from her personal recovery, she blends her professional training in bodywork and nervous system regulation with lived experience to support others navigating trauma, chronic illness, and neurological injury. Through writing, advocacy, and community education, Jordan is raising awareness about misunderstood brain injuries while empowering others to approach healing with compassion, patience, and curiosity.In This EpisodeJordan on IG: @jordansartfulwellness Jordan on YT: @JordansArtfulWellnessA giant thank you to our sponsors:Jane App – Simple EMR with no contracts or hidden fees. Free onboarding + data imports.👉 Book a Demo | See How Jane App Can Support Your Practice | Code GUY1MO-Arizona Trauma Clinic - Online Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist course (self-paced + CE credits).🎓 Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist - Individual | 15% off with ati-15off-Incumental - If you’re struggling with gambling or supporting someone who is — there’s help. The Incumental app offers 24/7 tools and guidance for your recovery journey.Visit incumental.com.Become 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:Jane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.appArizona Trauma Institute at https://aztrauma.org/

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:Jane App - use code GUY1MO at https://jane.appArizona Trauma Institute at https://aztrauma.org/

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.