Relationship As Medicine

In part two of my conversation with Nyck Walsh, we continue exploring what it means to approach neurodivergence, therapy, and healing through a more relational, non-pathologizing, and deeply human lens. Nyck is a somatic psychotherapist, counselor educator, and author of Neurodivergent Somatics in Therapy , and this conversation moves through so many important questions: What do we actually mean w...

This episode is a re-release, as it is the perfect entry into Season Two of Relationship As Medicine. What does it mean to choose a wholeness paradigm instead of a pathology lens when it comes to neuro-affirming care? In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Nyck Walsh to explore what happens when we bring compassion, authenticity, and somatics into the conversation about neurodivergence. To...

This episode is a re-release, as it is the perfect entry into Season Two of Relationship As Medicine. After a season of quiet integration, Shelby returns to the mic to share a powerful evolution in her work: the weaving of neurodiversity-affirming assessment into her trauma-healing framework. In this intimate and thoughtful episode, she explores what it means to recognize, affirm, and support neur...

Introducing Season 2 of Relationship as Medicine, hosted by Shelby Leigh. This season expands the conversation beyond pathology and into a more compassionate, empowering and honest exploration of healing, connection, nervous systems, neurodivergence and the many ways relationship can become medicine. Hosted by somatic psychotherapist, educator, writer, and neuro-affirming autism and ADHD assessor...

What happens when (as is the focus in most western grad school programs) we emphasize diagnosis and prescription over the therapeutic relationship and holistic healing? We might end up with excellent theoretical knowledge and clinical skills, and while those things are important, they’re only one piece of the support that’s needed to facilitate effective and lasting healing and growth. So how do w...

In this episode of Relationship As Medicine, we explore the power of intentional relationships and the ripple effect of our actions. Topics include the pitfalls of spiritual bypassing, the necessity of rest and reciprocity, and how to create a bigger impact by doing less. We also dive into decolonizing coaching & healing relationships and building authentic relationships. I hope this conversat...

In a culture that glorifies self-help, therapy, and coaching as solo journeys to self-improvement, many of us have absorbed the belief that we must “do it all” ourselves. But what does this push for hyper self-reliance cost us? Join me as I speak with Catherine Hale, nervous system coach and educator, as we dive deep into the concept of co-regulation and explore how our tendency toward self-suffic...

Trusting Your Inner Compass: Cultivating Intuition, Clarity, and Confidence In this episode, join Bre and I as we dive deep into the art of trusting your intuition in a society that often values logic and external validation over inner knowing. We discuss how to overcome the stigma around intuition, especially for those who have experienced trauma or oppression, and explore ways to create a sense...

Join us in "Peace with Self, Peace with Food," where we dive deep into the intricate relationship between nourishment, body image, and our nervous systems. This podcast explores the barriers to true nourishment, both physically and emotionally, and how attachment, development, and physiology shape our eating behaviors. We'll uncover why certain behaviors and experiences can't be changed through th...

The result of nervous system regulation isn't just being calm all of the time.  As our regulation increases, we gain range. It gives us this incredible ability to welcome all parts of ourselves and be present for many more experiences.  We get to voraciously experience life's highs and lows without shutting down. Instead we are here for it - grounded, centered and connected to each moment...

In a culture that tends to drive a state of urgency and action, it’s an act of rebellion to practice and choose spaciousness.  That old paradigm is one I no longer subscribe to and I’ll tell you why and how. The more regulated our nervous systems get, the easier it is to consciously choose peace and ease within - even amidst challenge. I am adamant about the power of discernment and choice. It’s n...

Having taught meditation for decades and sharing various practices, I have learned that for me… I need both consistency AND variety.  Others need the same thing every day. And others need to scattered bouts of showing up. Listen in and see if there’s one thing that you can take with you that helps you give yourself permission to see what most supports YOU.  There’s so much space to remember who we...

Start here and see where you go with your practice(s). Have you ever started a practice thinking it would help you get to where you want to go?  Only to realize a day or weeks or months in that it felt impossible to keep going?  This applies to everything from exercise to meditation to money management to therapy or coaching or nutrition.  If resistance didn’t exist… there are so many more possibi...

This episode we bring something different. Mari Mu interviews me, Shelby Leigh on my thoughts and views around a new paradigm of healing. It's a revolutionary path towards trauma healing and beyond. Both practitioners and folks in a process of healing their own trauma will take something meaningful away from this episode. We also talk about an exciting new 9-Month offering that starts in Septe...

Kristin joins me again as we settle in to the moment and really explore and enjoy the aftermath of my Soulful Retreat in Panama. If you were curious how it went and also about some of my behind the scenes process... here's a window in to all of that. It was an epic coming home and a remembering of our deepest hearts. This time spent reflecting together really anchored in the nourishment of it...

Natalia Sanyal returns to The Relationship As Medicine Podcast for a second time. We dive into trauma-informed and anti-oppressive marketing PRACTICES for business owners. We take a look at how to care for our audience AND ourselves when marketing from this perspective. We look at some outdated ways of marketing and talk about possibilities of an entirely new foundation and paradigm of marketing t...

Stephen Terrell joins me for a third time in this inspiring episode about bringing a caring heart to our work in supporting clients on their trauma healing journey. We: Talk about a pet peeve of how clinicians talk about trauma. Explore the difference between pain and suffering Share about nervous system regulation work vs. pathology Look at how a somatic trauma treatment without words can actuall...

Gail Susan Gordon joins me as we look at nervous system regulation within the therapeutic relationship, whether working with individual adults or supporting parents, caregivers and children. As we support and foster attunement and regulation within the healing relationship, we create the conditions that allow people to grow and flourish. Gail describes her compassionate view on how to best support...

Jivana Heyman shares how accessibility flows naturally from ethics. We explore how accessibility and trauma informed care weave together as we support those in our care. This conversation applies not only to. yoga teachers and facilitators but to anyone in a supporting and healing role. We delve into the theme of sharing power and why we do this with those in our care. Collaboration is key in how...

Justin Salamon and I explore the intersections between the therapeutic power of working in the outdoor industry and supporting clients in our healing modalities. We explore river running, nature, regulation, intuition, sharing power and why we don’t give our clients “psychic downloads”. Listen in a find out more about how we can become a safer space for those we support. About Justin Justin Salamo...

In this episode, Sarah Buino and I dive into the current business landscape of therapists and care providers. We shine a light on the prevalent issue of burnout gripping many within these professions, particularly in our current times. Sarah shares her personal journey, from the early days in community mental health to running group therapy practices. Through her experiences, we uncover valuable l...

This week, I am so grateful to welcome Kristen Ales, LPC & Kristin Mathes, LCSW of the Wilder Wellness Podcast. Our conversation delves into the power of connection through group experiential work - a topic that we’ve been reflecting a lot on lately. We also explore how we as practitioners learn to let go of old habits, particularly the tendency to push ourselves too hard in not only our own h...

I am so moved and honored to welcome Kelly McDaniel LPC, NCC to the podcast to discuss her book Mother Hunger, a personal life-changer that I frequently recommend to my clients. During this powerful conversation, we explore the term “Mother Hunger” and its various impacts on daughters with mothers who weren’t able to tend to them in nurturing and supportive ways. We also discuss: The importance of...

I am so excited to be joined by Megan deBoer again as we reflect on expanding, receiving money/abundance, what we see in the clients we work with and what inspires us to do this work.  We touch on:  Expanding our capacities to cope with ebbs and flows within our businesses The “Nourishment Barrier” and how we can lean into support and learn tools that help us know that money is safe to receive and...

In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Lacey Nagar Ammerman on how practitioners and care providers can best support individuals with different abilities or chronic health conditions through a trauma-informed approach to ensure they feel seen, acknowledged, and understood in their healing journey. Lacey also shares her deeply personal journey through navigating muscular dystrophy in her perso...