Author Stephanie Foo joins Forrest to share her journey with Complex PTSD. They talk about what it was like to receive a diagnosis, the various techniques and modalities she used (and what really helped), the importance of social support, self-acceptance and self-compassion, difficulties with access and cultural competence in the mental healthcare system, intergenerational trauma, and motherhood.
About Our Guest: Stephanie is a writer and radio producer whose work has been featured on This American Life, 99% Invisible, and Radiolab among other shows, and she’s the author of the truly wonderful book What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing From Complex Trauma.
Watch the Episode: Prefer watching video? You can watch this episode on YouTube.
Key Topics:
0:00: Introduction and disclaimer
2:10: Stephanie’s experience in sharing her story
6:00: Features of CPTSD
7:50: What led Stephanie to seek help, and work as a coping mechanism
10:15: “The Dread” and healing through relationship
17:40: The effects of receiving diagnosis, and aspects of CPTSD that are helpful
25:45: Practices that helped Stephanie and incorporating them practically
33:45: Balancing showing up for other people and receiving care
35:15: Self-love, gratitude, psychedelics, and relationships
38:20: Two way repair and comfort receiving feedback
42:55: The need for reform to our mental healthcare system and who it serves
49:55: Societal trauma among first generation immigrants
53:30: More natural and communal frameworks for healing
54:30: Parenthood
57:00: Resources available on Stephanie’s website
58:15: Recap
Support the Podcast: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link.
Sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp, and you can join over a million people using the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month!
Want to sleep better? Try the Calm app! Visit calm.com/beingwell for 40% off a premium subscription.
Connect with the show:
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
