The Complex Trauma Podcast

"What counts as a trigger for CPTSD? And why do I get triggered by everyday stuff that shouldn't feel threatening?" If you've ever found yourself completely activated by something that seems small to everyone else (a text message, a tone of voice, someone's silence), this episode is for you. I'm breaking down what triggers actually are in complex trauma, why your body...

What if your anxiety, depression, or chronic overwhelm aren’t personal failures, but the echoes of unprocessed trauma? In this week’s episode, Sarah sits down with EMDR therapist, consultant, and author Thomas Zimmerman, whose work has shaped how thousands of clinicians around the world approach complex trauma. Together, they unpack what recovery from complex trauma actually looks like and why it’...

It's New Year's Eve, and if you're feeling anything other than excited, there's absolutely nothing wrong with you. This isn't your typical "new year, new you" pep talk. It's for the trauma survivors who are exhausted by the pressure to transform, who feel like they're failing because they didn't have some massive breakthrough this year, or who are...

That weird week between the holidays and New Year's hits different. You've survived the holiday chaos, the family dynamics, the endless to-do lists, and now you're supposed to just... exist?  Enter: the emotional hangover. In this episode, we break down why that post-holiday crash feels so brutal and what actually helps when you're running on empty. What We Cover: Why 80-90% of...

You set a boundary. They ignored it. You repeated yourself. They pushed again. And by the fourth time, you weren't calmly redirecting anymore, you were yelling, crying, or walking out. Now you're sitting with shame, wondering if all that therapy was pointless. In this episode, I answer a listener question about what to do when family members repeatedly violate your boundaries during holi...

If family gatherings leave you feeling drained or like you're reverting to an old version of yourself, you're not alone. EMDR therapist and yoga teacher, Abby Albright, returns to discuss the invisible rules governing dysfunctional family systems and how they intensify during the holidays. We explore six categories of unspoken family rules: emotional (don't feel, don't be sad),...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Judith Herman, author of the groundbreaking book Trauma and Recovery , to talk about complex PTSD, trauma recovery, and what justice actually means to survivors. Dr. Herman explains why complex trauma is still overlooked in mental health training, what the three stages of trauma recovery really look like in practice, and why isolation is one of the biggest pred...

If you've been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, or bipolar - but nothing quite fits - you might actually be dealing with Complex PTSD.  In this episode, I break down the crucial differences between PTSD and CPTSD, why so many trauma survivors get misdiagnosed, and why traditional therapy approaches often miss the mark for complex trauma.  Be sure to listen...

Welcome to the Complex Trauma Podcast, formerly Reclaim You.  If you’ve been minimizing your experiences as “not that bad,” holding it together for everyone else because you don’t know another way, or you’re finally ready to understand why you are the way you are in the world, you’re in the right place. Host Sarah Herstich shares the story behind the rebrand, her journey from treating eating disor...

Does love feel overwhelming, triggering, or just plain scary? If you have Complex PTSD, your nervous system might be treating intimacy like a threat, even when you desperately want connection. In this episode, I break down why CPTSD makes love feel so complicated, what's actually happening in your nervous system when someone gets close, and the real (messy, non-linear) path to trusting love a...

In this solo episode, trauma and EMDR therapist Abby Albright breaks down what trauma-informed yoga actually is and why it can be such a powerful support for healing.  She explores how this gentle approach to movement creates space for choice, consent, and nervous system awareness, especially for those living with trauma. You’ll learn how trauma-informed yoga differs from traditional yoga classes,...

In this mini episode, Abby gets personal, sharing how her journey from dance to yoga became a turning point in her own healing.  She opens up about what it meant to shift from performance to presence, and how yoga helped her slow down, reconnect with her body, and build a foundation rooted in awareness and self-trust. You’ll hear reflections on the lessons she’s learned on the mat (and off), the p...

You’ve been showing up to therapy. You’re naming your patterns, doing the work and still wondering: Why am I not feeling better? In this episode, Sarah is joined by trauma and EMDR therapist Ashley Fox to explore why therapy can feel stagnant, confusing, or even discouraging at times and how those exact moments might reflect slow, meaningful change beneath the surface. Together, they unpack three...

If the words “be kind to yourself” make you want to roll your eyes (or run) you’re not alone. For many trauma survivors, self-compassion doesn’t feel good. It feels awkward. Threatening. Even fake. In this episode, Sarah is joined by trauma therapist Erin Witmer for an honest conversation about what makes self-compassion so hard to access, and why the resistance itself is often a form of protectio...

If asking for help feels like a risk… If you pride yourself on being “the strong one”… If burnout sneaks up on you even when you're doing everything right,  this episode is for you. Sarah and Abby are talking about the hidden costs of hyper-independence. They unpack how this survival strategy gets wired into your nervous system, why it often stems from trauma or emotional neglect, and how it...

What if the biggest signs of healing aren’t big at all? In this episode, Sarah is joined by Laura for a conversation about the micro-moments that might mark recovery from trauma and disordered eating. Together, they unpack five powerful cues that your nervous system is shifting toward safety: like noticing your body, making a small choice, or feeling a flicker of joy without shutting it down. You’...

What if your anxiety, shutdown, or overwhelm aren’t signs of failure —but signs your body is finally healing? In this episode of Reclaim You , Sarah breaks down one of the most misunderstood ideas in trauma recovery: that nervous system regulation = being calm. (Spoiler: it doesn’t.) You’ll learn: Why calm isn’t always regulation—and why stillness can be a shutdown in disguise What dysregulation a...

Ever felt like you’re floating through life, watching it all happen from the outside? That might be dissociation—and no, it's not as scary as it sounds In this episode, Sarah and Casey unpack what dissociation really is (hint: it’s more common than you think). They explore how it shows up across a spectrum, from zoning out during conversations to feeling completely disconnected from your body...

What if the thing you're grieving never even happened? In this mini episode, Sarah explores the quiet ache of emotional neglect—the grief of what you didn’t get. No big event. No goodbye. Just an invisible heaviness that lingers. If you've ever felt sadness you can't explain, this one’s for you. Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow, share and give us...

What if your body was never the problem? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Registered Dietitian, Heather Rudalavage for a real, unfiltered conversation about body image, intuitive eating, and the messy truth behind self-acceptance. Together, they unpack the unrealistic expectations we’re taught to have about our bodies, and explore what it actually looks like to build a more compassionate rela...

In this episode, Sarah and Kri Gore LMFT dive into ADHD, neurodivergence, and sober curiosity, exploring how societal norms shape our identities and what it takes to break free. They unpack the power of self-compassion, the impact of sensory overload, and how somatic practices can help you reconnect with your body. Takeaways: Why ADHD can make you feel different, and how to embrace it. The truth a...

Join Abby Albright , a trauma and EMDR therapist, each month for a mindful moment. This month's meditation is centered around rest. We trust that you'll use your discretion, listening and/or participating when you are safe (not driving) and distraction free. Feel free to download this episode to refer back to the meditation as you need. Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!...

In this episode, Sarah and Casey take a deep dive into loneliness—the kind that lingers even when you're surrounded by people. They explore how childhood experiences shape our sense of connection, why loneliness can sometimes feel protective, and why "just make friends" is the worst advice ever. Together, they unpack the emotional roots of isolation, the role of emotional attunement...

In this mini episode, we get real about self-care in eating disorder. Not the bubble bath, surface-level version, but a deeper dive into reclaiming your worth and even the smallest sense of safety in your body.  Join me as we unpack how eating disorder recovery is about challenging toxic beliefs and understanding the vital role our nervous system plays in coping.  I share insights on finding those...

Social media is full of trauma talk—but how much of it is actually helpful?  In this episode, Sarah and Laura unpack the rise of ‘social media therapy,’ the dangers of misinformation, and why trauma healing requires more than just a viral post.  If you’ve ever wondered, ‘Do I actually have trauma, or is this just life?’ this one’s for you. Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sur...