

Therapy Chat
Laura Reagan, LCSW-C
Laura Reagan, LCSW-C, Psychotherapist, Burnout Prevention Consultant and Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator interviews guests to discuss holistic and alternative approaches used in psychotherapy, counseling, coaching and healing sessions. Be a fly on the wall as therapists discuss the practice of psychotherapy and how they implement self care into their own lives to prevent therapist burnout. Conversations about mindfulness, self compassion, The Daring Way™, EMDR, art therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, other somatic methods, trauma, parenting, attachment will get you thinking deeply about therapy and the universal experience of being human, with all the joy and pain that entails.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 30, 2019 • 19min
196: Trauma Shows Up In Surprising Ways
Thank you to this episode's sponsor, TherapyNotes. Get a 2-month free trial of TherapyNotes by going to www.TherapyNotes.com and using the promo code TherapyChat. Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's podcast host Laura Reagan revisits an earlier episode, expanding more on trauma, what you think it is: and what you can do if you have experienced it.If you listened to episode 195 with Dr. Gabor Maté, you’ll be interested in this episode, in that episode we defined what trauma was, but there is still confusion around what trauma is, so I hope this episode will help in explaining further what trauma is and the issues around it.When you hear the word "trauma," what do you think of? If you're like most people, you probably imagine that people experience the effects of trauma after a plane crash, surviving a fire, a major car accident, or participating in military combat. It's true that all of those things can cause someone to experience trauma symptoms, but there are many other traumatic experiences which are more common in the general population that we don't always recognize as being traumatic.I must point out, though, that I have talked to many people who have survived house fires or military combat. Most often when I describe that these experiences - which you and I can pretty much agree, can we not, are considered by most people to be experiences fitting the definition of trauma - could have been traumatic, the person sitting with me in the therapy room will say, "I don't really think of it as traumatic. I mean, so many people have been through much worse."There is a reason why that statement is so interesting, which I explain in the podcast… Enjoy!ResourcesEpisode 79: Childhood Traumatic Stress: The Mind-Body Connection http://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/baltimoreannapolispsychotherapypodcast/id/5241791Episode 25: What Is Childhood Emotional Neglect? - https://www.laurareaganlcswc.com/connectwithyourtrueselfblog/2016/3/21/therapy-chat-podcastVisit Therapy Chat website at Http://therapychatpodcast.com and send host Laura Reagan a voice message letting her know what you think of Therapy Chat! Did you like this episode? Did you dislike it? Let her know!Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes.Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Aug 23, 2019 • 52min
195: The Trauma Of Adoption
Amy Sugeno, a trauma therapist specializing in attachment and adoption, discusses how attachment trauma can affect adopted children behaviorally. She explores how trauma can impact adoptive parents and the family dynamic. Amy also shares her use of non-verbal trauma processing techniques and nature-based therapy in her practice.

Aug 16, 2019 • 40min
194: Childhood trauma and the Mind Body Connection
Thank you to this episode's sponsor, TherapyNotes. Get a 2-month free trial of TherapyNotes by going to www.TherapyNotes.com and using the promo code TherapyChat. Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's podcast host Laura Reagan revisits an earlier episode speaking to. Gabor Maté. Dr. Maté is the co-founder of Compassion for Addiction, a new non-profit that focuses on addiction. He is also an advisor of Drugs over Dinner.As an author, Dr. Maté has written several bestselling books including the award-winning In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction; When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress; and Scattered Minds: A New Look at the Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder, and co-authored Hold on to Your Kids. His works have been published internationally in twenty languages.For twelve years Dr. Maté worked in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with patients challenged by hard-core drug addiction, mental illness and HIV, including at Vancouver’s Supervised Injection Site. With over 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience and extensive knowledge of the latest findings of leading-edge research, Dr. Maté is a sought-after speaker and teacher, regularly addressing health professionals, educators, and lay audiences throughout North America.In the fall of 2017, Dr. Maté will be launching a brand new website offering online courses in his various areas of expertise. The first course will be a training program for health professionals working with people with addiction.Dr. Maté explains the connection between childhood traumatic stress at any point in development - even in utero - and mental and physical health and well-being. Beyond a discussion of ACES, he describes the causes of illness and how trauma fits in. Did you know that ADD/ADHD, MS, Prostate cancer, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and many other diseases, as well as addictions of all kinds are linked to trauma? Gabor's books, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, Scattered, and When the Body Says No go into depth with the research to support his assertions.Resources:https://drgabormate.comhttps://www.compassion4addiction.orghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66cYcSak6nE (Ted Talk)Article Dr. Maté referenced: "An Integrated Scientific Framework for Child Survival and Early Childhood Development" from Pediatrics, February 2012, Vol 129, Issue 2.Download the free Therapy Chat app here (ios only)Please consider supporting Therapy Chat by becoming a member on Patreon! Just $1 a month would make a huge impact to keep Therapy Chat going strong! To learn more head to - https://patreon.com/TherapyChat where members get special perks and swag too! Leave me a message via Speakpipe by going to https://therapychatpodcast.com and clicking on the green Speakpipe button. Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes. You can also download the Therapy Chat app on iTunes by clicking here. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Aug 9, 2019 • 30min
193: Self Compassion In Psychotherapy
Thank you to this episode's sponsor, TherapyNotes. Get a 2-month free trial of TherapyNotes by going to www.TherapyNotes.com and using the promo code TherapyChat. Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's podcast host Laura Reagan revisits an earlier episode speaking to Tim Desmond about self-compassion. Tim is a student of Zen master Thich Nhat Hahn who wrote a book called Self Compassion in Psychotherapy: Mindfulness-Based Practices for Healing and Transformation. Laura and Tim discuss how he became interested in self-compassion, how it has helped him, and how it can be used in psychotherapy. Resources:http://www.timdesmond.net http://www.morningsuncommunity.org Download the free Therapy Chat app here (ios only)Please consider supporting Therapy Chat by becoming a member on Patreon! Just $1 a month would make a huge impact to keep Therapy Chat going strong! To learn more head to - https://patreon.com/TherapyChat where members get special perks and swag too! Leave me a message via Speakpipe by going to https://therapychatpodcast.com and clicking on the green Speakpipe button. Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes. You can also download the Therapy Chat app on iTunes by clicking here. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Aug 2, 2019 • 53min
192: Issues In The Tissues
Thank you to this episode's sponsor, TherapyNotes. Get a 2-month free trial of TherapyNotes by going to www.TherapyNotes.com and using the promo code TherapyChat. Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's podcast host Laura Reagan revisits an earlier episode speaking to Lisa Ferentz about Trauma. What you’ll hear in this episode:After 32 years in private practice, Lisa knows that trauma survivors use coping strategies such as eating disorders, addictions, self-mutilation, depression, anxiety, and relationship problems. Lisa does consulting work for clinicians in the US and Canada; she has written two books and has two more in process.Early in her practice, Lisa realized how important it is to approach her work from the viewpoint of being a good student and learning from your clients.In the exciting world of therapy today, incredible connections are being made between trauma and the impact on the brain.Lisa advises that clinicians be more aware and mindful in working with the body in trauma work.Lisa explains “dual awareness,” meaning being aware of what’s happening in both the client’s and clinician’s body during therapy.Lisa explains the “vasovagal zone” of the body and tracking sensations in the area that houses 80% of emotions.Trauma is stored visually and viscerally, and can present with actual physical pain, such as:Limb painFibromyalgiaChronic migrainesStomach/GI upsetFatigue One technique is to start with the body and work your way into words to deal with trauma.Movement and expressive arts can also be used in trauma therapy.Simplistic art therapy strategies can open the door to visually-based modality when a client is unable to communicate with words.Lisa uses drawing, collaging, and sand tray art so a client can SHOW their narrative, share a memory, or process an emotion.Clinicians have to refrain from interpreting the client’s art for themselves.Lisa explains the stigma associated with borderline personality disorder as opposed to identifying the same client as a “trauma survivor.”Lisa introduces her books: Treating Self-Destructive Behavior in Trauma Survivors: A Clinician’s Guide and Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors: A Workbook of Hope and Healing. One is for clinicians and one is for laypeople.In treating trauma survivors, you have to give them new tools to replace self-destructive behavior—other ways to self-soothe and regulate their pain.Lisa explains why she doesn’t like standard safety contracts because they introduce a power struggle between client and therapist.“The goal is that trauma therapy doesn’t re-traumatize.”Lisa gives details about her Institute in Baltimore, in its 9th year of offering certification programs in Advanced Trauma Treatment, working with expressive modalities and traditional talk therapy. The Institute offers ethics training, from which 700 clinicians have already graduated. Her website includes a calendar of CEU training and the details about the Trauma Certificate Levels 1 & 2.Resources:www.lisaferentz.comDownload the free Therapy Chat app here (ios only)Please consider supporting Therapy Chat by becoming a member on Patreon! Just $1 a month would make a huge impact to keep Therapy Chat going strong! To learn more head to - https://patreon.com/TherapyChat where members get special perks and swag too! Leave me a message via Speakpipe by going to https://therapychatpodcast.com and clicking on the green Speakpipe button. Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes. You can also download the Therapy Chat app on iTunes by clicking here. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jul 26, 2019 • 31min
191: Understanding Childhood Emotional Neglect
Thank you to this episode's sponsor, TherapyNotes. Get a 2-month free trial of TherapyNotes by going to www.TherapyNotes.com and using the promo code TherapyChat. Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's podcast host Laura Reagan revisits an earlier episode speaking to Dr Jonice Webb about understanding childhood emotional neglect. What you’ll hear in this episode:The definition of Childhood Emotional Neglect: a parent’s failure to respond enough to the child’s emotional needsThis condition is different from physical neglect and abuse.In her private practice, Dr. Jonice kept seeing patients with the same patterns.She has identified 12 different types of parenting styles that lead to Childhood Emotional Neglect.Children of CEN end up treating their children with the same patterns of behaviors, and no one really knows what’s wrong.Dr. Jonice has developed a questionnaire, designed for adults, to determine if you’ve been affected by this condition.Her book gives examples of what happens to a child with real-life vignettes.How to heal from CEN?Fully recognize and accept that CEN happened.Welcome back and get in touch with walled-off emotions.Dr. Webb wants to put together training for CEU’s for therapists who want to work on this specialty, but first, she wants to complete a research project to compile results.She is working on making a page on her website listing mental health providers who can work with people on CEN.Resources:www.emotionalneglect.com or email her at jwebbphd@rcn.comDownload the free Therapy Chat app here (ios only)Please consider supporting Therapy Chat by becoming a member on Patreon! Just $1 a month would make a huge impact to keep Therapy Chat going strong! To learn more head to - https://patreon.com/TherapyChat where members get special perks and swag too! Leave me a message via Speakpipe by going to https://therapychatpodcast.com and clicking on the green Speakpipe button. Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes. You can also download the Therapy Chat app on iTunes by clicking here. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jul 19, 2019 • 56min
190: Structural Dissociation
Thank you to this episode's sponsor, TherapyNotes. Get a 2-month free trial of TherapyNotes by going to www.TherapyNotes.com and using the promo code TherapyChat. Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's podcast host Laura Reagan speaks to Kathy Steele about structural dissociation. Kathy Steele is a psychotherapist, consultant, trainer, and author. She practices in Atlanta, Georgia, working with complex psychological trauma, dissociation, attachment issues, therapeutic impasse, therapist self-care, and many other related topics in psychotherapy.Kathy has been in private practice since 1985, and with Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates in Atlanta, Georgia since 1988. She was Clinical Director of Metropolitan Counseling Services, a non- profit psychotherapy and training center until 2016. Kathy received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in 1978, and completed her graduate work at Emory University in 1983.She is a Past President and Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), and has also served two terms on the Board of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). Kathy served on the International Task Force that developed treatment guidelines for Dissociative Disorders, and on the Joint International Task Force that has developed treatment guidelines for Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. She has received a number of awards for her work, including the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award from ISSTD, an Emory University Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006, and the 2011 Cornelia B. Wilbur Award for Outstanding Clinical Contributions from ISSTD.Kathy is known for her humor, compassion, respect, and depth of knowledge as a clinician and teacher, and for her capacity to present complex issues in easily understood and clear ways. She is sought as a consultant and supervisor, and as an international lecturer on topics related to trauma, dissociation, attachment, and psychotherapy. She enjoys collaborating with colleagues around the world on clinical, educational, and research projects. Kathy has (co)authored numerous book chapters, peer reviewed journal articles, and three books with her colleagues.Resources:https://www.kathy-steele.com Download the free Therapy Chat app here (ios only)Please consider supporting Therapy Chat by becoming a member on Patreon! Just $1 a month would make a huge impact to keep Therapy Chat going strong! To learn more head to - https://patreon.com/TherapyChat where members get special perks and swag too! Leave me a message via Speakpipe by going to https://therapychatpodcast.com and clicking on the green Speakpipe button. Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes. You can also download the Therapy Chat app on iTunes by clicking here. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jul 12, 2019 • 33min
189: Introduction To Dissociation
Thank you to this episode's sponsor, TherapyNotes. Get a 2-month free trial of TherapyNotes by going to www.TherapyNotes.com and using the promo code TherapyChat. In this week's episode host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C discusses a topic which is often misunderstood by the general public as well as mental health professionals: dissociation. Next week's episode is an interview with Kathy Steele, an expert on this subject, who explains the concept of Structural Dissociation. To help demystify this topic and lay some groundwork for understanding the interview with Kathy, Laura gives some basic definitions and describes how they might show up in therapists' offices as well as in each of our personal lives. Laura will be re-releasing some past episodes on the topic of trauma and new episodes will resume in early September, 2019.Resources:Download the free Therapy Chat app here (ios only)Treating Trauma-Related Dissociation, A Practical, Integrative Approach by Kathy Steele, Onno Van Der Hart and Suzette Boon and Coping with Trauma-Related Dissociation: Skills Training for Patients & Therapists: buy on Amazon (non-affiliate link)International Society for Study of Trauma & Dissociation: www.isstd.orgWisdom, Attachment & Love in Trauma Therapy by Susan Pease Banitt - find on Amazon here (non-affiliate link)Therapy Chat Episode 152 with Susan Pease Banitt - listen hereThe Trauma Toolkit by Susan Pease Banitt - find on Amazon here (non-affiliate link)Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Internal Self Alienation by Janina Fisher - find on Amazon here (non-affiliate link) System Speak Podcast: listen herePlease consider supporting Therapy Chat by becoming a member on Patreon! Just $1 a month would make a huge impact to keep Therapy Chat going strong! To learn more head to - https://patreon.com/TherapyChat where members get special perks and swag too! Leave me a message via Speakpipe by going to https://therapychatpodcast.com and clicking on the green Speakpipe button. Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes. You can also download the Therapy Chat app on iTunes by clicking here. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jun 28, 2019 • 1h 4min
188: Chronic Illness & Trauma
Thank you to this episode's sponsor, TherapyNotes. Get a 2-month free trial of TherapyNotes by going to www.TherapyNotes.com and using the promo code TherapyChat. Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's podcast host Laura Reagan speaks to Dr. Veronique Mead on chronic illness and trauma. Dr. Veronique Mead integrates the research on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), attachment trauma and additional types of adversity as risk factors for autoimmune disease and other chronic illnesses.She shares this emerging new paradigm of disease on her blog Chronic Illness Trauma Studies to inform people living with chronic physical conditions and educate medical and health care professionals.Veronique draws from her background as a family physician and assistant professor, a Master's degree in body-oriented psychotherapy, specialty training in somatically based trauma and perinatal therapies, and applying and exploring these principles on a personal journey of recovery from chronic illness. She lives in Boulder, CO.Resources Veronique's website: https://chronicillnesstraumastudies.com/Are you a therapist needing support to sharpen your clinical skills in working with trauma survivors? Want to work with Laura for clinical consultation? Get in touch via laura@bahealing.com. Or if you're interested in joining an upcoming online or in person clinical consultation group, go here to sign up on the interest list! Please let us know what you'd like to learn more from Laura by completing this short survey! Want a cool Therapy Chat t-shirt, sticker or mug? Find them here: https://www.teepublic.com/user/therapychat Please consider supporting Therapy Chat by becoming a member on Patreon! Just $1 a month would make a huge impact to keep Therapy Chat going strong! To learn more head to - https://patreon.com/TherapyChat where members get special perks and swag too! Leave me a message via Speakpipe by going to https://therapychatpodcast.com and clicking on the green Speakpipe button. Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes. You can also download the Therapy Chat app on iTunes by clicking here. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jun 21, 2019 • 50min
187: Somatic Therapy In Perinatal Mental Health
Thank you to this episode's sponsor, TherapyNotes. Get a 2-month free trial of TherapyNotes by going to www.TherapyNotes.com and using the promo code TherapyChat. Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In today's podcast host Laura Reagan speaks to Dr Helena Vissing about somatic therapy in perinatal mental health.Dr. Vissing is a Licensed Psychologist practicing in West Los Angeles. She specializes in Early Development, Maternal Mental Health, and trauma. As Adjunct Faculty at Antioch University and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Dr. Vissing teaches Child and Adolescent Development, Treatment of Children and Adolescents, and Play Therapy classes.She is also Faculty on the Training Committee of the nonprofit Maternal Mental Health NOW, where she trains providers working with families in Maternal Mental Health. Dr. Vissing has experience working as a School Psychologist and Play Therapist in her home country Denmark, before she relocated to Los Angeles. She has a private practice in Westwood where she provides trauma-informed psychotherapy for adults and children.She is trained in psychodynamic and somatic approaches and is also certified in Interpersonal Therapy. She is enrolled in the Somatic Experiencing 3-year program for trauma treatment. Dr. Vissing has published articles and book chapters on Maternal Mental Health and the psychology of motherhood. She also runs a group for Perinatal Anxiety and Depression at the nonprofit counseling center Well Baby Center. Resources https://allthingsmaternal.blog/about/about-helena/ Are you a therapist needing support to sharpen your clinical skills in working with trauma survivors? Want to work with Laura for clinical consultation? Get in touch via laura@bahealing.com. Or if you're interested in joining an upcoming online or in person clinical consultation group, go here to sign up on the interest list! Please let us know what you'd like to learn more from Laura by completing this short survey! Want a cool Therapy Chat t-shirt, sticker or mug? Find them here: https://www.teepublic.com/user/therapychat Please consider supporting Therapy Chat by becoming a member on Patreon! Just $1 a month would make a huge impact to keep Therapy Chat going strong! To learn more head to - https://patreon.com/TherapyChat where members get special perks and swag too! Leave me a message via Speakpipe by going to https://therapychatpodcast.com and clicking on the green Speakpipe button. Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes. You can also download the Therapy Chat app on iTunes by clicking here. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code CHAT for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands


