Transforming Trauma

Nancy McWilliams, PhD, is a pioneer in the field of psychoanalytic/psychodynamics. Her genuine curiosity for trying to understand and help people has led to a rich, 50-year career. In this conversation, Nancy shares learnings from her research in the field of complex trauma and profound lessons from clients who have opened up their worlds to her.  Reflecting on the changing landscape of psychother...

In this episode of Transforming Trauma, NARM Senior Faculty Brad Kammer shares an excerpt from the highly anticipated new book he co-authored with NARM Creator Dr. Laurence Heller, The Practical Guide for Healing Developmental Trauma: Using the NeuroAffective Relational Model to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resolve Complex Trauma .  This book will be released soon on July 26, 2022!  T...

Ingrid Cockhren is the CEO of PACEs Connection, a social network that connects organizations, systems, and communities that implement trauma-informed policies and practices, as well as positive and adverse childhood experience (PACEs) science.  Ingrid dedicated her career to educating the public about the connection between adversity and poor health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, crimina...

Dr. Laurence Heller and Dr. Stephen Porges engage in a stimulating conversation about safety cues, life-threat reactions, shame, and connection as our "biological imperative." Dr. Porges, a distinguished neuroscientist and originator of the Polyvagal Theory, emphasizes the importance of physiological states in expressing trauma-related behavioral and health problems.  The fascinating exploration t...

"Our heartfelt desire is that the NeuroAffective Relational Model can support you and your clients and that this book will enhance the work you are all doing to heal our world." - Laurence Heller and Brad Kammer, co-authors NARM creator Dr. Laurence Heller and Senior NARM Trainer and Training Director Brad Kammer are co-authors of the new book, The Practical Guide for Healing Developmental Trauma:...

Dr. Sandra Bloom is a Board-Certified psychiatrist, Associate Professor of Health Management and Policy at Drexel University, and the Founder of Creating Presence , an online organization for creating trauma-informed systems. She is the founder of the Sanctuary Model which provides inpatient psychiatric programs for the treatment of trauma-related emotional disorders. Dr. Bloom is the author of a...

Trained in clinical psychology, Bayo Akomolafe, Ph. D. now works as an author, speaker, and professor. He is recognized worldwide for his thoughtful and unconventional take on global crises, trauma and social change.  Bayo starts off by sharing a proverb from his Yoruba people: "In order to find your way, you must become lost". This leads to an invitation to being in the world in a different way. ...

Dr. Jena Vasquez, LCSW-S, NARM Therapist, SEP, Yoga Therapist and Instructor, professor and researcher recently completed her doctoral dissertation, Meaning Making: Understanding Professional Quality of Life for NARM Trained Trauma Therapists , one of the first research studies on how professional training in trauma impacts quality of life for trauma therapists. Dr. Vasquez specifically chose NARM...

Dr. Carrie Griffin is an osteopathic family medicine physician and addiction medicine specialist with advanced training in maternal child and reproductive health. Dr. Carrie has been practicing obstetrics and addiction medicine where she became interested in trauma, which led her to training in NARM. Becoming a NARM Practitioner transformed her work and she now practices and teaches on trauma-info...

Judge Abby Abinati is the Chief Judge of the Yurok Tribe, which is the largest surviving Native American Tribe in the state of California. Judge Abby shares about what she and her people have learned directly about cultural and intergenerational trauma, and how this trauma-informed understanding provides the context for her work within her community. Judge Abby presides over what is called a welln...

Drs. Joanne and Lynne describe how pervasive and toxic trauma can be, and some of the challenges that clients face in grappling with the impact of complex trauma. Yet, they also share that from their experience, healing from trauma is possible. They've recently published the book, Intergenerational Trauma Workbook: Strategies to Support Your Journey of Discovery, Growth, and Healing, which helps r...

Prashant Goel works in service of healthy cultures and systems. He specializes in leadership development, drawing on both scientific research and global wisdom traditions to advance renewed practices of attention, execution, collaboration, and innovation. Prashant began exploring NARM while taking the Level 1 Online NARM Basics Training. Having studied and practiced with world-renowned teachers, P...

Galina Denzel is trained as a practitioner of NARM as well as Somatic Experiencing. She recently published a book, Peace with Self, Peace with Food . We'll hear about how Galina integrates trauma healing approaches into her work. Galina's current focus in her work is with people who are suffering in their relationship with food, and often people who also have chronic body pain, fatigue, or other c...

Muhammad (Moe) Kathrada is based in Malaysia and is an adolescent and family trauma therapist and also works in the field of addiction. He is passionate about supporting the young people he works with to have opportunities for connection, stability and recovery - and developing the capacity for more intentional living through connection.  Moe defines complex trauma as "anything that disconnects so...

Igal Hamelin is a spiritual director, meditation teacher, and a NARM Master Practitioner. In addition to working one on one with people, he also offers meditative attunement workshops for therapists. Brad Kammer talks with Igal about his spiritual journey, his interest in psychology, and how he integrates the two today.  They discuss collective and generational trauma, and how suffering can often...

We've invited Daniel Shaw back to have a conversation with our host, Emily, to further discuss his work and his most recent book, Traumatic Narcissism and Recovery: Leaving the Prison of Shame and Fear. Daniel Shaw LCSW is an author, private practice psychoanalyst, faculty and supervisor at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies. He has provided professional counseling for former cultic gr...

Emily is joined by Dr. Nadine Macaluso. Dr. Nae is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist in Glen Cove, New York. She has a Ph. D. in counseling and somatic psychotherapy, specifically honoring the mind-body connection. Her work is informed by the NARM model and she carries a strong emotional and relational intelligence as she supports individuals struggling to map their own journey and overcome...

NARM Faculty Marcia Black, Stefanie Klein and Brad Kammer welcome our new Transforming Trauma host Emily Ruth, and together explore the challenges, learning and growth over this past year. They reflect on how NARM has supported them in their teaching and work with clients. They also reflect on the power of coming together in community with NARM Therapists and Helping Professionals around the world...

In this end of the year episode, we are joined by Brad Kammer, NARM Training Director and Senior Faculty, Dr. Laurence Heller, creator of the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), and new Transforming Trauma host, Emily Ruth.  They start by saying goodbye to Sarah Buino, the inaugural host of the podcast, and expressing their gratitude for her contributions to Transforming Trauma .  They then sh...

Jacqueline Russell is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Chicago Children's Theatre, and founded The Chicago Children's theatre seventeen years ago with the goal of creating the best quality children's theatre. She also started the Red Kite Project in order to support children on the Autism Spectrum, providing them and their families with theatrical and educational programs. Dexter Ellis has...

Chaz Franke, LCSW, is the owner of Light Source, a private practice in Belleville, Illinois, is an adjunct professor in the MSW program at St. Louis University, and has over 15 years of experience working with trauma. Chaz shares his journey to becoming a trauma therapist, the role curiosity can play in the therapeutic relationship, and how his work has impacted him and his clients.  Chaz had many...

Althea Simpson, founder of Brighter Day Therapeutic Solutions, Unicorn Life Training and the Black Play Therapy Society, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in Trauma Recovery, a Registered Play Therapist, and a Certified Lego Serious Play Facilitator. Althea shares that she would like for listeners to learn that play therapy is not just for children, but that it is a trauma-informed...

Brad Kammer, Senior Faculty and Training Director of the NARM Training Institute, is joined by Lara Eisenberg. Lara is a bilingual licensed professional clinical counselor, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and women's spirituality and sexuality therapist. Lara shares that her lived experiences informed much of her work including witnessing violence in her community and her home, and also the opp...

Brad Kammer talks with Dr. Martin Lemon, a clinical psychologist who has been practicing in Chicago's western suburbs for more than 25 years. Dr. Lemon's work focuses on the psychology of men and male identity. Dr. Lemon shares how he integrates NARM into his work, both conceptually and in practice.  Brad and Dr. Lemon also discuss their own personal experiences of trauma in the context of what is...

This extraordinary conversation between mind-body physician and author Dr. Lissa Rankin, MD, and NARM creator Dr. Laurence Heller, PhD. centers around healing through the integration of western and non-western healing modalities. Dr. Rankin believes that to optimize healing it takes an integrated approach between the sciences, traumatology, spirituality, and collective healing.  Dr. Heller acknowl...