The Complex Trauma Podcast

On this episode of Reclaim You, Sarah and Laura dive deep into the challenging journey of coping with weight gain during the recovery process.  They discuss how difficult it is to accept this part of healing and how it can lead to true freedom and empowerment. Through their conversation, they explore the intersection of eating disorders and trauma, highlighting the need to create a safe space for...

Join Sarah and Katie Fries ,therapist and owner of All of You Therapy in Center City Philadelphia, as they delve into the fascinating world of attachment theory and its impact on our behavior and relationships.  In this episode, they explore: The foundation of secure attachment and its role in fostering healthy relationships Insecure attachment styles: anxious and avoidant, and how they manifest i...

In this conversation, Sarah and Erica Butler, PhDc, LMFT, the founder and executive director of Blue Ridge Eating Disorder Care Center, discuss the role of families in eating disorder recovery.  They highlight the importance of families being involved and invested in the treatment process. They also discuss the challenges that families face, such as navigating higher levels of care and dealing wit...

In this conversation, Sarah and Casey discuss what to do when motivation in recovery wanes. They use the analogy of gardening to illustrate how motivation can waver and how external factors can impact progress. They emphasize the importance of adjusting expectations, setting boundaries, and finding joy in other areas of life to maintain momentum. They also highlight the need for support and compas...

In this conversation, Sarah and Laura discuss the Olympics, athletes, and eating disorders. They talk about their love for the Olympics and their favorite events. They also discuss the importance of body diversity in the Olympics and how athletes can be affected by eating disorders. They highlight the high prevalence of eating disorders among athletes and the need for support and healthy environme...

In this conversation, Sarah and Abby discuss trauma therapy and how it can support ACA's and folks who have experienced complex trauma. They highlight the importance of building a strong therapeutic relationship and developing safety and stabilization as the first step in trauma therapy. They also discuss the use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and parts work (ego stat...

In this episode, Sarah and Emily discuss the recent buzz around the show Bridgerton, bodies in the media, fatphobia, internalized fatphobia, and anti-fatness. They explore the definitions of these terms and their impact.  Takeaways Fatphobia and anti-fat bias perpetuate fear, stereotypes, and harm. Internalized fatphobia is the internalization of societal messages that fat bodies are undesirable,...

On today's podcast Sarah is introducing a new Reclaim Therapist, Ashley Fox ! Ashley comes to Reclaim with experience working in a college counseling center. On today's episode Sarah and Ashley are talking all about the college experience and ways to navigate the many transitions that college students face. From new roommates and academics to dining halls, defining your values and the fr...

In this conversation, Sarah and Casey discuss the what's why's and how's of saying no. They explore the challenges of setting boundaries and the fear of losing connections. They also discuss the idea of selfishness and self-care, emphasizing the need to prioritize oneself. Casey provides tips for saying no, including seeking support, visualizing, and starting with small steps. Takea...

In this conversation, Sarah and Abby discuss a tool called RAIN (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture) that can be used to navigate challenging emotions. They emphasize the importance of recognizing and allowing difficult emotions to be present, rather than trying to avoid or fix them. They also discuss the ongoing nature of the investigation process and the need for self-compassion. The convers...

In this conversation, Sarah and Laura discuss relationships with people who have experienced trauma. They discuss the importance of safety in relationships with individuals who have experienced trauma and the need for patience and understanding. They emphasize the significance of self-care and seeking support for both the person who has experienced trauma and their loved ones. They also discuss th...

In this episode, Sarah and Megan Luybli, a registered dietitian and intuitive eating counselor, discuss the intersection of chronic pain and body image. Megan shares her personal journey with chronic pain and how it has affected her body image. They talk about the importance of support, self-validation, and self-compassion in navigating these challenges. Megan also highlights the need for more awa...

In this episode, Sarah and Emily celebrate the one-year anniversary of their podcast and share tips for starting therapy.  They discuss how to find a therapist, including using online search tools and social media, and the importance of finding a therapist who specializes in the specific issues you want to work on.  They also talk about the initial consultation process, including questions to ask...

In this conversation, Sarah and Abby discuss the traits and strategies that adult children of alcoholics and addicts develop as a result of their childhood experiences. They explore the fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and attach responses and how these responses manifest in different ways. They emphasize that these strategies were adaptive and helped individuals survive in their challenging environme...

In this conversation, Sarah and Laura discuss the challenges and pressures that come with wedding planning, particularly related to body image and disordered eating. They emphasize the importance of considering financial well-being, inclusivity, and accessibility when making wedding-related decisions. They also provide tips for navigating dress shopping, staying resilient against societal pressure...

On today's episode, Sarah and Casey are diving back into shame.  They share some recent personal experiences with shame and how they've navigated through it. They emphasize the importance of recognizing shame not only cognitively, but also in the body, and connecting with others for empathy and support. They also discuss the relationship between shame and anxiety, answering a listener&ap...

In this conversation, Sarah and Emily discuss health anxiety and how it can manifest in individuals.    They define health anxiety as anxiety focused on physical health and discuss the similarities and differences between health anxiety and hypochondria. They also explore the impact of medical trauma and weight stigma on health anxiety.    The conversation highlights the importance of finding a tr...

In this conversation, Sarah and Abby discuss the experiences of adult children of alcoholics (ACOA) and the impact of childhood trauma. They explore related terms and labels, such as codependency and Al-Anon, and address the question of whether the trauma experienced by ACOAs is severe enough. The conversation dives into the three components of complex trauma: too much too soon, too much for too l...

In this conversation, Sarah and Laura discuss the link between eating disorders and control.  They explore how control can be a response to feeling out of control in other areas of life and how trauma can contribute to disordered eating behaviors.  They emphasize the importance of creating stability and safety in recovery, while also challenging rigid structures and exploring flexibility. They als...

In this episode, Sarah and Casey discuss the topic of shame. They explore the definition of shame and differentiate it from guilt. They also delve into the origins of shame, including childhood experiences and societal influences. The impact of shame on relationships and body image is examined, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing shame. The episode concludes with a discussi...

In today's episode, Sarah and our special guest Rachael McLaughlin discuss the journey of reclaiming oneself throughout different seasons of life. They chat about what that might look like in eating disorder recovery and in motherhood, particularly in the context of postpartum depression.  Sarah and Rachael explore the challenges of navigating multiple roles and identities, the loss and grief...

In this episode, Sarah and Emily bust common myths about therapy. They discuss the misconception that you have to be struggling to go to therapy, the idea that therapy leads to major insights every session, and the belief that something is wrong if progress in therapy isn't happening quickly. They also address the myth that therapy is just talking or receiving advice from your therapist, the...

In this episode, Sarah and her guest, Gabby Morreale, discuss how to navigate relapses while in recovery from an eating disorder. They explore the difference between recovery and being recovered, and emphasize the importance of self-compassion and working with the inner critic.  They also discuss common times for relapse, such as major life changes, stress, and seasons of life when bodies naturall...

This conversation with Sarah and Abby explore the challenges and emotions involved in ending a therapeutic relationship.  Sarah and Abby discuss the how, at times, ending your relationship with your therapist can be intense  and share discomfort associated with the terminology used to describe the process. They share personal experiences of parting ways with therapists and offer insights into navi...

In this conversation, Sarah and Robin Klein, Registered Dietitian and Pediatric Nutrition Specialist,  discuss the challenges of parenting in a weight-centric society and how to begin to create body positive homes for our kids.  They explore the importance of creating body positive homes and provide tips for navigating school environments. They also discuss how to respond to kids' comments ab...