The Trauma Therapist

Dr. Pauline Thompson is a US Navy veteran who served aboard the USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37) in the Nuclear Repair division, during the 1988 Persian Gulf conflict. Subsequent to her service, she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at DeSales University and a PhD in Psychology from Temple University.    Pauline has a way of identifying, and cogently articulating, that most crucial el...

Pat Ogden, PhD is back and I have to say, I did it! I think I’ve done my best interview, yet, with her! (Not that this is the best interview that she’s done. I’m not saying that.)    I feel this is a really good one in that we go into a lot of detail about one particular case of Pat’s, and my goal here was to highlight the use of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, (SPI), rather than simply talk about it...

Lisa Danylchuk, LMFT, E-RYT returns to The Trauma Therapist | Podcast! Lisa is an author, licensed psychotherapist, and yoga teacher-trainer specializing in bringing yoga into trauma treatment, and she first joined me back on episode 33 of the podcast.  Lisa is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard University, and is the founder of the Center for Yoga and Trauma Recovery in Oakland, CA, and creator of th...

Today we conclude the series, Managing in The Midst of The Current Outbreak, with none other than Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis. Thema, a repeat guest on this podcast, is a light of hope for all of us. Watch this interview and you'll feel it. Thema is a licensed psychologist, ordained minister, and sacred artist who has worked nationally and globally to provide relief and empowerment to marginalized pers...

Suzi Rutti, MSW, LISW-S, is a Clinical Social Worker that works with children, adolescents and adults of all ages, and specializes in the treatment of complex PTSD, dissociation/dissociative disorders, preverbal trauma, sexual violence, childhood abuse, traumatic birth experience, intimate partner violence, secondary trauma, and other adverse life experiences.   She owns and operates Rutti Counsel...

Today I welcome back one of my favorites--Sarah Peyton. We conclude our series with this fourth and final episode, Truth Not Trauma.  Sarah Peyton is Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication and teaches people how language changes relationship and the brain.  --- First, a huge thank you to my sponsor for making this podcast happen!   Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute Do you struggle to hel...

Angi Yoder-Maina is one of those people. She’s one of those people who after you get through talking to, you walk away feeling lighter, more inspired, and that you, too can change the world. She’s one of those people I love having on the podcast. --- First, a huge-thank you to my sponsors for making this podcast happen: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute Do you struggle to help numb, disconnecte...

We continue with the series, Managing in The Midst of The Current Outbreak, with Christine Forner (B.A., B.S.W., M.S.W., Registered Social Worker). Christine, who specializes in the intersection of mindfulness and trauma dissociation, shares her insights on managing within the context of the current pandemic.  She began her career early starting as a volunteer at the age of 16 at a crisis line for...

Eduardo Duran is back. Eduardo is one of the foremost authorities on working with veterans and Native populations around the subjects of war and healing soul wounds.  Eduardo was born in northern New Mexico and at age 14 his family relocated to California. He worked in the fields as a migrant farm worker and at age 17 enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served for 6 years on board submarines and ot...

I’m very excited to have back Kate Hudgins, PhD, TEP - Therapeutic Spiral Model as my guest today as we continue with the series, Managing in The Midst of The Current Outbreak. Kate continues from her previous episodes as we use the context of managing during the current pandemic as a backdrop for healing with experiential therapy, and specifically psychodrama. Experiential therapy, as you’ll lear...

We continue the series, Managing in The Midst of The Current Outbreak, with none other than Pat Ogden, PhD, a pioneer in somatic psychology and both Founder and Education Director of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute®, an internationally recognized school specializing in somatic–cognitive approaches for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and attachment disturbances. In this intervie...

Today we continue with the special series, Managing in The Midst of The Current Outbreak, with my guest Peter M. Bernstein, PhD, and I couldn't be more honored. Peter, who was first on the podcast in episode 91, shares his story and his story truly embodies journey of authenticity. I recall first interviewing Peter and being inspired by what he's overcome to do the work he ---does.  --- Today's ep...

Today, we continue with the series, Managing in The Midst of The Current Outbreak, with my guest today, Cathy Malchiodi.  Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPAT, LPCC, ATR-BC, REAT is a leading international expert, writer, and educator in the fields of art therapy, expressive arts therapy, trauma and arts in healthcare.  In this interview Cathy brings to our current situation of shelter-in-place and quaranti...

Today my guest is the inspiring Michele Solloway, PhD. Michele is a nationally certified healing arts practitioner with training in somatic therapy, polarity and craniosacral therapies, and energy medicine. She is on the board of directors for the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute, an organization founded by Dr. Peter Levine and dedicated to the development, training and dissemination of somat...

Today we continue with the series Managing in the Midst of The Current Outbreak, and my guest is the incredible Manuela Mischke-Reeds, MA, MFT. Manuela is a licensed Somatic Psychotherapist. She is an International teacher of psychology and trains health professionals in California, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and Europe and starting in China next year. When I began putting this series together...

Mica Gonzalez, PhD. Managing in The Midst of COVID-19 Today we continue with our series on Managing during the current outbreak with my guest, Dr. Mica Gonzalez. Mica is the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of Family First Psychotherapy in Oakland, California and he specializes in helping anxious, aggressive, and hyper kids and their stressed out parents.  When I queried people about who they want...

Today, we continue with the series Managing in The Midst of The Outbreak, with Sharon Salzberg, New York Times Best selling author and teacher of Buddhist meditation practices in the West.  In 1974, Sharon co-founded the Insight Meditation Society at Barre, Massachusetts with Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein.  First a giant thank-you to my sponsors:   Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute Do you...

Today we continue with the series, Managing in The Midst of COVID-19.  My guest today, Fran Waters is one of those therapists you wish you had: She’s funny, warm, creative and super smart. In this interview we talk about the global impacts of trauma and how to manage during this unprecedented time, as well as explore how the trauma of this experience is impacting individuals and therapists alike....

I hope you're continuing to stay healthy during these times. Today my guest is the incomparable Janina Fisher, PhD. This is the third in the series, Managing in The Midst of COVID-19, (listen to Bruce Perry here and Peter Levine here). When I reached out to the Trauma Therapist | 2.0 community to ask them who they’d like to hear from for this series, Janina’s name (not surprisingly) came up quickl...

Today in this second of the series, Managing in The Midst of COVID-19, (listen to Bruce Perry’s interview here) my guest is Dr. Peter A. Levine. Peter received his PhD in medical biophysics from the University of California in Berkeley and also holds a doctorate in psychology from International University.  He has worked in the field of stress and trauma for over 40 years and is the developer of t...

Today on the podcast, I bring on two senior members of Gould Farm team. This episode truly inspired me because it really validated the fact that there are incredible people, and in this case--teams of people--doing amazing work to help those who've been impacted by mental health issues and trauma. I turned off the mic and walked away from my desk after the interview and I was like, "These two wome...

Dr. Bruce Perry is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and neuroscientist. He is senior fellow at the ChildTrauma Academy and an adjunct professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine. In addition to having written more than two hundred scientific articles, Dr. Perry has coauthored with Maia Szalavitz two books for general audiences: The Boy Who Was R...

Today on the podcast a Trauma Therapist | 2.0 member spotlight with Diana Lea Baranovich. Trauma Therapist | 2.0 is my online membership community that helps support, educate and inspire new trauma therapists. Diana is an American who has lived in Malaysia for the past 12 years. Along with being a full-time professor and research supervisor at the University of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, she also r...

Today on the podcast, an incredibly tragic subject, the loss of a child, though ultimately one that is profoundly inspiring. My guest, Megan Hillukka encourages and supports grieving mothers to recognize that despite having gone through an unimaginable experience, that life is not over for them. Megan, herself, is a grieving mother, with 6 children, 5 of whom are still alive.  --- First, a huge-th...

At the age of 12 my guest today, Jeannette Dijkstra was raped at a campsite. A life ruled by this trauma lay ahead. Jeannette managed to grow up and had a good job in the OR in an academic hospital. At the age of 40 she started her training as a therapist, with a transpersonal specialization. More and more her own traumatic experience became important, but no therapist could ever help her --- Firs...