Healing and Growing, Hand in Hand

Lisa Duez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and the founder of Turning Point Counseling and Consulting—a thriving, trauma-informed group practice serving the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, Lisa blends clinical expertise with bold, compassionate leadership.

She's writing a book on leadership in mental health and is the force behind the Clinician Connection Conference, an annual gathering designed to inspire, equip, and connect mental health professionals. Lisa is also an author, speaker, and leadership coach who helps practice owners and clinical supervisors navigate the emotional weight of leadership while building sustainable, values-driven teams.

Connect with Lisa:

Websites: www.turningpointva.com

www.lisaduez.com

Instagram: @ lisaduez4

Facebook: @lisaduez

LinkedIn: @lisaduez

00:00 Introduction to EMDR and Trauma Therapy

04:06 Reparenting and Its Importance

13:30 Practical Steps to Begin Reparenting Yourself

18:24 Grounding Techniques for Healing and Presence

19:59 The Importance of Reparenting

23:11 Practical Steps for Self-Affirmation

25:04 Writing to Your Younger Self

27:35 Building a Sense of Safety

31:16 Empowerment Through Self-Care

33:53 Finding Agency in Reparenting

35:42 Embracing Your Worth

37:26 Lisa Podcast Thumbnail samples.mp4

Garrett Wood, NBC‑HWC, is a clinical hypnotherapist, executive functioning specialist, and founder of Gnosis Therapy. He works with high‑achieving, high‑masking executives, founders, and entrepreneurs who want sustainable high performance without trading health, wealth, or relationships. Over 18 years he developed the A3 Framework, Assess, Accommodate, Align, which maps capacity across sensory processing, bio‑budgets, subconscious beliefs, attachment patterns, values, and executive functioning. He then applies clinical hypnotherapy, outcome‑based coaching, and somatic tools to end the boom and bust cycle of burnout for leaders and support consistent, durable, long‑term results.

Connect with Garrett:

Website: https://www.gnosistherapy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gnosistherapy/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gnosistherapy/

What happens when betrayal doesn’t just break your heart… but shatters your identity?

In this episode of Healing and Growing Hand in Hand, we are joined by Lora Cheadle — former attorney, author, and betrayal recovery expert — for a powerful conversation about betrayal trauma, infidelity, healing after betrayal, and the ripple effect trauma has on intimate relationships and families.

Laura shares her personal story of discovering her husband’s long-term infidelity and explains why betrayal is more than grief — it’s a deep loss of identity, trust, safety, and self. Together, we discuss how trauma responses can fuel destructive behaviors, how healing can happen on both sides, and why recovery requires boundaries, self-trust, and compassion.

Connect with Lora:

Website: www.loracheadle.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/loracheadlelifechoreographer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loracheadle/

Lora Cheadle, Life Choreographer FB: https://www.facebook.com/LifeChoreographer/

Facebook Lora: https://www.facebook.com/lora.cheadle

Affair Recovery for Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295371218873642

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-cheadle-lifechoreographer/

Resources from Lora:

FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self: https://www.amazon.com/FLAUNT-Cover-Reveal-Smart-Spiritual/dp/1608686213/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me

It’s Not Burnout It’s Betrayal: 5Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-Burnout-Betrayal-Thrive/dp/B0DSTSTRN1

Free Betrayal Recovery Guide: www.BetrayalRecoveryGuide.com

00:00 Introduction

03:39 Understanding Betrayal: A Complex Injury

06:49 How Betrayal Affects Identity

09:44 Trusting After Betrayal

12:52 Healing and Recovery

15:48 The Flaunt Process

18:50 The Importance of Laughter in Healing

21:42 Unconditional Acceptance

24:59 Learning from Challenges

27:26 Failure as a Learning Opportunity

31:02 Trusting Your Truth

33:52 Past Choices and Self-Forgiveness

36:42 The Impact of Trauma on Relationships

40:12 Breaking Generational Trauma

43:26 The Ripple Effect of Healing

48:51 Finding Hope and Empowerment in Adversity

If you’ve ever felt like you’re overreacting, constantly on edge, or stuck in survival mode… this episode will change how you see yourself.

In this conversation, we dive deep into nervous system regulation, trapped emotions, and why your reactions aren’t actually the problem.

About Jessy:

Jessy Pearson-Cheney is a certified Emotion Code Practitioner and nervous system guide who helps women release trapped emotions and regulate their bodies so they can finally feel safe, calm, and in control. After years of working with women who’ve carried the weight of childhood trauma into adulthood, Jessy uses her signature approach: combining quick, everyday nervous system resets with deeper emotional release work, to help women shift from overwhelm and exhaustion into clarity & freedom. Jessy wants every woman who’s healing to know, you aren’t broken. Your body is holding onto emotions it was never taught to release, and with the right tools, it can finally let go.

Connect with Jessy:

Website: https://jessypearson.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessypearsoncheney?_t=ZT-8zlAKcTvfsD&_r=1

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jessypearsoncheney

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jessypearsoncheney

Free Foundations of Trauma Healing Video Series: https://theregulationremedy.myflodesk.com/cn9bxaeixs

Free Consultation Call for 1:1 Sessions:

https://pocketsuite.io/book/jessy-pearson/item/request-a-consultation-call

Ron Souers is an ADHD advocate, podcast host, and author dedicated to empowering adults with ADHD to embrace their differences and unlock their true potential. He’s the voice behind “Don’t Mind Me, I Have ADHD,” a podcast that dives into the experiences of living with ADHD and depression. - and is the author of The Self Discovery Journal for Adults with ADHD. As a consultant, Ron works with businesses to foster neurodiverse-friendly environments and to support employees with ADHD and their needs.

Connect with Ron:

Website: http://www.youradhdguy.com/

Email: ronsouers@dadhdwss.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-souers-9162b1a0/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronnyreel/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ron.solo1

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RonSouers

Book: The Self Discovery Journal for Adults with ADHD: https://a.co/d/h96bpkt

00:00 Introduction

03:58 The Strength in Vulnerability

06:52 The Path to Diagnosis and Acceptance

10:05 Employment Challenges with ADHD

12:55 ADHD and Emotional Dysregulation

15:57 Connection Between ADHD and Addiction

19:01 ADHD as a Strength

21:53 Medication and Diagnosis

25:05 Emotional Awareness and Communication in the Workplace

29:32 Triggers and Emotional Regulation

34:38 Mindfulness and Acceptance

40:45 Embracing Mistakes and Learning from Choices

47:14 Redefining Normal and Embracing Individuality

49:56 Finding Strength in ADHD and Resilience

52:38 Vulnerability and Connection

In this episode, Danielle Bernock, a Relationship Repair Specialist, discusses the subtle yet profound impact of "childhood emotional neglect recovery." She highlights how "child neglect" is often an absence, a missing element, rather than an overt event, making it particularly difficult to recognize compared to abuse. Understanding "emotional neglect in childhood" is crucial for individuals who feel they were "neglected as a child," as it sheds light on what was absent during their formative years. This perspective is vital for those on a journey of "overcoming neglect" and addressing the long-term effects of "childhood trauma."

About Danielle:

Danielle Bernock is an international, award-winning independent author, speaker, trauma-informed faith-based self-love coach, founder of 4F Media, and creator of the S.E.L.F.© process for life transformation.

As a childhood trauma survivor, Danielle combines her personal journey with professional expertise to lead others into the transformation they long for through her books, coaching, courses, workshops, and speaking. She is a relationship repair specialist and is known as “that lady on the internet who loves you.”

Connect with Danielle:

Website: https://www.daniellebernock.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniellebernock/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellebernock/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbernock/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DanielleBernockLovesYou

X: https://x.com/DBernock

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dbernock

Alignable: https://www.alignable.com/utica-mi/danielle-bernock-2025-local-business-person-of-the-year-2025-top-50-women-of-alignable

Book: Emerging with Wings: A True Story of Lies, Pain and the Love that Heals (https://a.co/d/ey378RT)

Link to the free assessment: https://dani-daniellebernock-com.kit.com/de9e550f64

Why can’t trauma survivors sleep — even when they’re exhausted?

In this Experts Explain Trauma episode, Lisa Tickel sits down with Dr. Iden to unpack what’s really happening in the brain and body when rest doesn’t come easily.

They explore how trauma rewires your body’s threat detection system, why the nervous system can’t “switch off,” and what to do when your brain starts racing the moment your head hits the pillow.

You’ll also learn about a simple evidence-based technique called constructive worry that can calm your mind before bed — helping you finally rest without your thoughts taking over.

✨ Join Lisa’s healing community to connect with others walking the same path → https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

✨ Take the next step with Lisa’s 6-week Healing Workshop → https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

Why do I feel worse now than before I even started healing?

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, Lisa Tickel and Dr. Tammy Oluyori unpack why greater self-awareness can sometimes feel like things are getting worse—when in reality, it’s a sign of progress.

They explore how awareness magnifies what’s already there, why stories we tell ourselves can intensify pain, and how noticing unhealthy patterns is the first step to real change.

✨ Join our healing community to connect with others walking the same path → https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

✨ Take the next step with our 6-week Childhood Abuse Healing Workshop → https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

Connect with Dr. Tammy Oluyori

Website: https://drtammyoluyori.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tammy.oluyori

Ebook: Staying Rooted (https://drtammyoluyori.com/staying-rooted/)

Who am I… after years of manipulation and devaluation?

In this Experts Explain Trauma conversation, Lisa Tickel and Tim Fletcher explore what it really takes to rebuild identity after narcissistic abuse. You’ll hear how shame and gaslighting shrink the self, why compassion (not self-blame) is step one, and the steady practices that help you re-discover preferences, voice, and boundaries—at your own pace.

Expect mindset shifts for replacing old lies with truth, finding safe people, and giving yourself permission to play and explore again as you figure out who you are now.

✨ Join Lisa’s healing community to connect with others walking the same path → https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

✨ Take the next step with Lisa’s 6-week Healing Workshop → https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

In this episode of Healing and Growing Hand in Hand, host Lisa Tickel is joined by Dr. John Connolly, the founder of Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT), to explore a radically different approach to trauma healing.

Dr. Connolly explains why healing does not need to be painful, slow, or retraumatizing—and how Rapid Resolution Therapy helps people resolve deep emotional suffering quickly, gently, and effectively, often without reliving traumatic memories.

🔹 About Dr. John Connolly

Dr. John Connolly is the visionary founder of Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT), a trauma-resolution approach designed to create fast, painless, and lasting change. RRT is practiced worldwide by professionals across healthcare, mental health, coaching, education, and business.

Connect with Dr. John Connolly:

Website: https://rapidresolutiontherapy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rapidresolutiontherapy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RapidResolutionTherapy/

X: https://x.com/cleartrauma

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rapidresolutiontherapy/

Books:

Life Changing Conversations with Rapid Resolution Therapy (https://a.co/d/ajXxiNF)

Grief is NOT Sacred (https://a.co/d/gTPQmNY)

Quick Shifts (https://a.co/d/gTPQmNY)

Solutions: https://rapidresolutiontherapy.com/solutions

00:00 Introduction to Rapid Resolution Therapy

08:55 The Journey to Creating RRT

14:59 Understanding the Mechanism of RRT

19:52 Free Solutions and Community Support

29:53 Compassion and Healing in the Modern World

What if “self-sabotage” isn’t sabotage at all — but a signal?

In this powerful conversation, we are joined by trauma-informed eating expert Dr. Jessica Neukam-Helms and we unpack why progress with food can feel unsafe, why your nervous system resists change, and how to replace shame with curiosity and compassion.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles of binge eating or emotional eating, this episode helps you understand what’s really happening beneath the surface — and how to start responding, not blaming.

Connect with Dr. Jessica:

Website: https://peacefulpresencepsych.com/

✨ Join Lisa’s healing community to connect with others walking the same path → https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

✨ Take the next step with Lisa’s 6-week Healing Workshop → https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

Can you learn secure attachment if love never felt safe growing up? In this conversation, Lisa and attachment specialist Bev Mitelman, M.A. explore how real-life experiences, gentle self-awareness, and practice can reshape patterns that once came from survival.

If you’ve always felt “too much,” “not enough,” or stuck replaying the same relationship dynamics, this episode offers a clear, hopeful path forward—without perfectionism or pressure.

🔗 Connect with Bev:

Website: https://www.securelyloved.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/securely_loved

Verified Therapist Profile: https://www.goodtherapy.org/therapists/profile/bev-mitelman-counselor

✨ Join our healing community to connect with others walking the same path → https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

✨ Take the next step with our 6-week Childhood Abuse Healing Workshop → https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

Am I actually healing—or just surviving differently?

In this Experts Explain Trauma episode, Lisa Tickel and Dr. Tammy Oluyori dive into one of the most common (and confusing) questions people ask in recovery.

They explore the difference between survival mode and true healing, why mapping your nervous system matters, and how living in alignment with your values becomes the clearest sign that you’re moving forward.

✨ Join our healing community to connect with others walking the same path → https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

✨ Take the next step with our 6-week Childhood Abuse Healing Workshop → https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

Connect with Dr. Tammy Oluyori

Website: https://drtammyoluyori.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tammy.oluyori

Ebook: Staying Rooted (https://drtammyoluyori.com/staying-rooted/)

How do you prepare for the smear campaign and guilt tactics after you set boundaries—or walk away—from a narcissist?

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, Tim Fletcher unpacks why boundary-setting triggers retaliation, how “confusion tactics” keep you hooked, and the mindset shifts that help you stay grounded. Expect practical principles for preserving your sanity, protecting your story, and limiting the narcissist’s leverage—without feeding the drama.

If you’ve been dreading the fallout, this conversation offers a clear, steady way to think about what’s coming and how to respond.

✨ Join Lisa’s healing community to connect with others walking the same path → https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

✨ Take the next step with Lisa’s 6-week Healing Workshop → https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

How do you tell emotional hunger from physical hunger—especially if you’ve never known the difference?

In this Experts Explain Trauma episode, Lisa Tickel talks with Dr. Jessica Neukam-Helms about why many of us lose touch with hunger/fullness cues and how trauma, stress, and dieting complicate what we feel. You’ll hear a simple way to start noticing patterns—without shame—and what tends to distinguish body-based hunger from urge-based eating.

If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t tell what my body is asking for,” this conversation will help you begin tuning back in.

✨ Join Lisa’s healing community to connect with others walking the same path → https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

✨ Take the next step with Lisa’s 6-week Healing Workshop → https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

00:20 Distinguishing Between Emotional and Physical Hunger

02:42 Understanding Interoceptive Awareness

05:34 Reconnecting with the Body

07:09 Distinguishing Physical and Emotional Hunger

11:28 The Cycle of Emotional Eating

How do I stop beating myself up when I slip back into old patterns?

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, Lisa Tickel and Dr. Tammy Oluyori talk about why self-criticism is so common in healing—and why compassion is the real key to moving forward.

Together, they discuss how old adaptations return when we’re under stress, why relapse is a normal part of recovery, and how compassion can be developed as a skill that changes the way we respond to setbacks.

00:00 Understanding Self-Compassion in Healing

03:13 The Role of Triggers in Personal Growth

06:18 Compassion as a Healing Skill

10:07 Developing Compassion

13:34 The Relational Aspect of Healing

18:33 Embracing Imperfection in the Healing Process

24:36 The Importance of Self-Care and Compassion

✨ Join our healing community to connect with others walking the same path → https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

✨ Take the next step with our 6-week Childhood Abuse Healing Workshop → https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

Connect with Dr. Tammy Oluyori

Website: https://drtammyoluyori.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tammy.oluyori

Ebook: Staying Rooted (https://drtammyoluyori.com/staying-rooted/)

How does art therapy help heal trauma when talk therapy isn’t enough?

In this episode of Healing and Growing Hand in Hand, host Lisa Tickel sits down with board-certified art therapist Tracey Saia to explore how art therapy accesses parts of the brain trauma lives in—beyond words.

Tracy explains how trauma is stored in the nonverbal parts of the brain and why traditional talk therapy can sometimes fall short. Through powerful real-life stories, she shows how drawing, color, movement, and metaphor help survivors process experiences they can’t yet explain—and reclaim safety, clarity, and empowerment.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- Why trauma shuts down language and logic

- How art therapy bypasses the thinking brain

- Why you don’t need to be “artistic” for art therapy to work

- How images reveal truths words often defend against

- Real examples of breakthroughs art therapy made possible

About Tracey:

Tracey Saia is an energetic and compassionate board certified, licensed professional art therapist, who has been pioneering in the mental health and art therapy landscape since 2000. Her journey began in the heart of nonprofit domestic violence agencies, where she offered invaluable free services to the non-offending parent and their children. Tracey's footprint extends across New Jersey, where she has left her mark of expertise and empathy in many counties across the state.

Art Psychotherapy, her chosen field, stands out as a unique mental health specialization that harnesses the power of artistic creation and expression for psychological growth and healing.

Connect with Tracey:

Website: www.traceyesaia.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracey-saia-ms-atr-bc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traceysarttherapy/?hl=en

Get Tracey's coloring book for children: https://a.co/d/7CGnfXi

00:00 Introduction to Art Therapy

02:03 The Journey into Art Therapy

05:27 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact

09:03 The Role of the Body in Healing

11:54 Art as a Medium for Expression

16:00 Personal Experiences with Art Therapy

19:53 Breakthroughs in Art Therapy

24:55 Exploring Safety and Self-Expression

27:45 The Power of Visual Representation in Therapy

30:52 Aha Moments: Understanding Through Art

34:53 Art Therapy: A Path to Empowerment

38:54 The Science Behind Art Therapy

42:47 Connecting with Tracey Saia: Resources and Insights

How does gaslighting actually break a person down — and why is it so effective in narcissistic abuse?

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, Lisa Tickel talks with Tim Fletcher about the mechanics of gaslighting: how it erodes identity, trains people to doubt themselves, and creates the perfect environment for control. Tim connects the patterns of childhood conditioning to adult relationships, and explains why building safety and outside support is essential to recover.

This conversation is for anyone trying to make sense of confusing, manipulative interactions — or for those supporting someone who’s been gaslit.

If this resonated, share one word in the comments that describes how you felt while watching — it helps others know they’re not alone.

About Tim Fletcher:

Tim Fletcher is the founder of RE/ACT (Recovery Education for Addictions and Complex Trauma). Known for his practical, no-fluff teaching style, Tim helps people understand complex trauma, addiction, and mental health with clarity and compassion.

A former engineer and pastor turned trauma educator, Tim draws from his own family’s experiences with mental illness and addiction, as well as decades of counseling work. His groundbreaking insights—like the 12 Basic Needs and 60 Characteristics of Complex Trauma—have helped thousands understand why they feel broken, and how to heal with the right tools and support.

Tim is passionate about helping people break free from destructive cycles and rebuild their lives from the inside out—with safety, support, and practical steps forward.

🔗 Connect with Tim:

Website: timfletcher.ca

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TimFletcher

Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: @timfletcherco.accelyouth6398

Links & Resources

• Healing Starter Kit → https://lisa-tickel.kit.com/62c7639811

• Women’s Healing Workshop → https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

• Join the Healing Community → https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

JOIN THE HEALING COMMUNITY HERE: https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

What’s one small step you can take to stop using food as your only comfort—without adding more shame?

In this Experts Explain Trauma episode, Lisa Tickel and Dr. Jessica Neukam-Helms explore why emotional eating is often misunderstood—and how shifting your perspective can open the door to new, compassionate options.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of food, comfort, and guilt, this conversation offers a simple, doable practice to begin changing the pattern.

Subscribe for weekly honest, vulnerable, and practical episodes

Links & Resources

• Healing Starter Kit → https://lisa-tickel.kit.com/62c7639811

• Women’s Healing Workshop → https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

• Join the Healing Community → https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

Why does healing sometimes feel like going backwards?

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, Lisa Tickel and Dr. Tammy unpack the messy middle of healing—the stage where progress feels unclear, old patterns resurface, and grief shows up in unexpected ways.

They explore why grief is central to recovery, how healing shifts relationships, and why adjusting expectations is key to moving forward with compassion.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your healing journey, this conversation will bring clarity and reassurance that you’re not alone.

✨ Join Lisa’s healing community to connect with others walking the same path → https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

✨ Take the next step with Lisa’s 6-week Healing Workshop → https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

Connect with Dr. Tammy Oluyori

Website: https://drtammyoluyori.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tammy.oluyori

Ebook: Staying Rooted (https://drtammyoluyori.com/staying-rooted/)

00:15 Understanding the Messy Middle of Healing

03:04 The Role of Grief in Healing

06:12 Navigating Relationships During Healing

09:14 The Complexity of Grief

12:08 The Impact of Trauma on Healing

15:06 Expectations and Reality in Healing

18:07 Identifying and Sitting with Grief

21:03 The Ripple Effect of Trauma

23:58 The Importance of Support Systems

26:51 Living Gracefully Through Grief

29:50 Final Thoughts on Healing and Grief

35:13 Navigating Grief and Motherhood

Subscribe for weekly expert insights on trauma recovery, nervous system healing, and reclaiming safety.

What’s the difference between narcissistic traits and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)? And why does that distinction matter for healing?In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, Lisa Tickel sits down with trauma recovery expert Tim Fletcher to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in mental health today: narcissism.What part of this conversation stood out most to you? Share in the comments—we’d love to hear your story!00:00 Understanding Narcissism: Traits vs. Disorder02:53 The Impact of Complex Trauma on Narcissism05:45 The Cycle of Narcissistic Behavior08:55 Recognizing Narcissistic Relationships11:58 The Challenges of Leaving a Narcissist14:55 Building Leverage Against Narcissism18:06 Healing from Narcissistic Relationships30:08 Understanding Narcissistic RelationshipsAbout Tim Fletcher:Tim Fletcher is the founder of RE/ACT (Recovery Education for Addictions and Complex Trauma). Known for his practical, no-fluff teaching style, Tim helps people understand complex trauma, addiction, and mental health with clarity and compassion.A former engineer and pastor turned trauma educator, Tim draws from his own family’s experiences with mental illness and addiction, as well as decades of counseling work. His groundbreaking insights—like the 12 Basic Needs and 60 Characteristics of Complex Trauma—have helped thousands understand why they feel broken, and how to heal with the right tools and support.Tim is passionate about helping people break free from destructive cycles and rebuild their lives from the inside out—with safety, support, and practical steps forward.🔗 Connect with Tim: Website: timfletcher.ca YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TimFletcher Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: @TimFletcherCo

JOIN THE HEALING COMMUNITY HERE: https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

Is your body holding onto weight as a trauma response?

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, psychologist Dr. Jessica Neukam-Helms joins Lisa to unpack a question many trauma survivors ask:

“Could my weight struggles actually be my body’s way of protecting me?”

If you’ve dealt with emotional eating, binge eating, or long-term body image struggles after trauma, this conversation is for you. Dr. Jessica breaks down the nervous system science behind weight gain, how trauma rewires our eating habits, and why compassion and curiosity are essential for healing.

In this video:

– Why trauma survivors may hold onto weight as protection

– How binge eating becomes a nervous system regulation tool

– The role of cortisol, safety, and emotional suppression

– Why healing begins with body awareness, not shame

– How to stop making weight your enemy and reconnect with your body

Whether you’re in recovery from trauma, CPTSD, disordered eating, or simply trying to heal your relationship with food—this episode brings insight and hope.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly trauma education & expert insights

👇 Comment below: Did this resonate with your healing journey?

Why did I fight so hard to keep a toxic relationship alive—when everything in me knew it was hurting me?

In this episode on Experts Explain Trauma, Dr. Nadine Macaluso (Dr. Nae) helps us unpack the emotional, cultural, spiritual, and physiological reasons many survivors cling to abusive relationships—often long after they know they should leave.

This episode dives into the hard truth: love, addiction, cognitive dissonance, shame, religious guilt, and societal conditioning all make leaving incredibly hard. But there is a path forward—and it starts with self-compassion and education.

What You’ll Learn:

🔹 Why smart, loving people stay in toxic relationships

🔹 How love, trauma, and manipulation create a powerful bond

🔹 The role of religious and cultural narratives in staying “too long”

🔹 How to stop self-abandoning and rebuild commitment to yourself

🔹 The importance of self-compassion in breaking free from shame

🔹 Where to start: education, community, and healing resources

About the Expert:

Dr. Nadine Macaluso is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in healing from trauma bonds and narcissistic abuse. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she helps clients reclaim their lives after toxic relationships.

About the Expert:

Dr. Nadine Macaluso is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in healing from trauma bonds and narcissistic abuse. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she helps clients reclaim their lives after toxic relationships.

Connect with Dr. Nadine Macaluso

Website: https://drnae.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnaelmft

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrnadine/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealDrNadine

Contact Info: nmacaluso1@me.com / (310) 612-1113

Book: Run Like Hell: A Therapist’s Guide to Recognizing, Escaping & Healing from

Trauma Bonds

FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS: Download the First Chapter of Dr. Nae’s new book, Run Like Hell: A Therapist’s Guide to Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds https://drnae.com/giveaway-book

🔔 Subscribe for more weekly insights from trauma-informed therapists and psychologists.

In this discussion, Rick Alan Ross explains how individuals can be manipulated into creating cults and working for free due to the absence of laws against brainwashing. We also touch upon emerging laws against coercive control in abusive relationships, highlighting the legal and psychological aspects of such situations. We explore the dynamics of manipulation and emotional abuse within these contexts, offering a deeper understanding of these disturbing social phenomena.

Rick Alan Ross is one of the leading experts on cults in the world today. He has consulted with the FBI, the BATF, and various other law enforcement agencies, as well as the governments of Israel and China, on the topic of cults.

He founded and serves as Executive Director of the Cult Education Institute, a non-profit dedicated to research and public education on cults and high-control groups.

Documentaries

· The Rise & Fall of LulaRoe

· Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult

· The Vow

· Truth & Lies: Jonestown, Paradise Lost

· America’s Book of Secrets “Scientology”

Connect with Rick:

Website: https://culteducation.com/

X: @rickalanross

Book: Cults Inside Out: https://a.co/d/2FMRSHW

00:00 Introduction

05:17 The Legal Landscape of Cults

07:13 The Psychology of Cult Leaders

09:40 Who Falls for Cults?

12:40 The Process of Indoctrination and Control

19:35 Recovering from Cults

22:16 The Tactics of Cult Leaders

24:55 Case Studies of Notorious Cults

37:53 Understanding Cults and Their Appeal

42:22 Recognizing Narcissistic Behavior

44:49 The Importance of Education and Intuition

46:32 The Control Mechanisms of Cults

48:52 The Impact of Isolation and Fear

54:31 The Challenges of Leaving

57:24 The Long-Term Effects of Cult Involvement

01:00:54 Healing and Moving Forward

01:06:10 Supporting Those in Abusive Relationships

Why do survivors sometimes feel sympathy for their abuser—even after deep harm?

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, UK-based counselling psychologist Dr. Tammy Oluyori unpacks this complex trauma response. She explains how people-pleasing, dissociation, fawning, and worthiness wounds can cause survivors to disconnect from their own pain and focus instead on the suffering of those who hurt them.

You’ll learn:

- Why feeling sorry for your abuser is a trauma response—not a character flaw

- How fawning and dissociation protect us from overwhelming pain

- What it looks like to build safety without needing others to be happy

- The power of anger and rituals in trauma recovery

- How to create healing practices that rewire your nervous system

Connect with Dr. Tammy Oluyori

Website: https://drtammyoluyori.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tammy.oluyori

Ebook: Staying Rooted (https://drtammyoluyori.com/staying-rooted/)

Subscribe for weekly expert insights on trauma recovery, nervous system healing, and reclaiming safety.

Why do trauma survivors feel so disconnected from their emotions, needs, and inner alarms—and how do we start rebuilding trust with our own body?

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, educator and founder of RE/ACT Tim Fletcher explores how complex trauma shuts down healthy internal systems like intuition, hunger, empathy, and emotional awareness. He explains why this shutdown happens as a survival mechanism—and how to slowly and safely restore connection with our nervous system, emotions, and inner truth.

You'll learn:

🔹 Why your body “stops sounding the alarm” after chronic trauma

🔹 How childhood freeze and fawn responses disconnect you from yourself

🔹 What it really means to “feel nothing” or lose trust in your gut

🔹 How to gently reawaken emotion, need, and body awareness

🔹 What daily practices can help rebuild internal safety and self-trust

🔹 Why you can’t fix your relationships until you reconnect with yourself

This episode is for anyone who feels numb, overwhelmed, or like they’ve lost their sense of self. There is a path back.

About Tim Fletcher:

Tim Fletcher is the founder of RE/ACT (Recovery Education for Addictions and Complex Trauma). Known for his practical, no-fluff teaching style, Tim helps people understand complex trauma, addiction, and mental health with clarity and compassion.

A former engineer and pastor turned trauma educator, Tim draws from his own family’s experiences with mental illness and addiction, as well as decades of counseling work. His groundbreaking insights—like the 12 Basic Needs and 60 Characteristics of Complex Trauma—have helped thousands understand why they feel broken, and how to heal with the right tools and support.

Tim is passionate about helping people break free from destructive cycles and rebuild their lives from the inside out—with safety, support, and practical steps forward.

🔗 Connect with Tim:

Website: timfletcher.ca

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TimFletcher

Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: @TimFletcherCo

Can you really unlearn insecure attachment? Yes—and it starts with awareness, curiosity, and baby steps.

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, certified attachment specialist Bev Mitelman, M.A. returns to unpack one of the most common questions in trauma healing: “Why do I keep repeating the same patterns in relationships?”

Bev walks us through:

- What makes insecure attachment so hard to unlearn

- Why your subconscious runs the show (and how to change that)

- How to make small, sustainable shifts toward secure attachment

- Why emotional regulation—not perfection—is the key to freedom

With warmth and deep experience, Bev helps us see that real change is possible—and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

🔗 Learn more about Bev Mitelman:

Website: https://www.securelyloved.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/securely_loved

Verified Therapist Profile: https://www.goodtherapy.org/therapists/profile/bev-mitelman-counselor

🔔 Subscribe for weekly expert insights on trauma, healing, emotional regulation, and relationships.

Why does silence feel like abandonment—even when I was the one who chose no contact?

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, Dr. Nadine Macaluso (Dr. Nae)—somatic psychotherapist and trauma bond expert—helps us understand the painful contradiction of going no contact with a toxic partner but still feeling pulled toward them.

She explains the neurobiological addiction created by trauma bonds, the discomfort of peace after chaos, and how to stabilize in the transition from survival to healing. You’ll learn:

🔹 Why your brain and nervous system still crave the person who hurt you

🔹 What happens when chaos feels “normal” and peace feels unsafe

🔹 Why you may feel abandoned—even after leaving them

🔹 How to rebuild safety and trust inside yourself

🔹 The role of self-care, somatic healing, and self-compassion in recovery

🔹 Simple ways to begin reclaiming your identity and soothing your nervous system

About the Expert:

Dr. Nadine Macaluso is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in healing from trauma bonds and narcissistic abuse. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she helps clients reclaim their lives after toxic relationships.

About the Expert:

Dr. Nadine Macaluso is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in healing from trauma bonds and narcissistic abuse. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she helps clients reclaim their lives after toxic relationships.

Connect with Dr. Nadine Macaluso

Website: https://drnae.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnaelmft

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrnadine/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealDrNadine

Contact Info: nmacaluso1@me.com / (310) 612-1113

Book: Run Like Hell: A Therapist’s Guide to Recognizing, Escaping & Healing from

Trauma Bonds

FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS: Download the First Chapter of Dr. Nae’s new book, Run Like Hell: A Therapist’s Guide to Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds https://drnae.com/giveaway-book

🔔 Subscribe for more weekly insights from trauma-informed therapists and psychologists.

#traumabond #emotionalabuse #toxicrelationships #traumahealing #narcissisticabuse #cognitivedissonance #healingjourney #expertsseries #mentalhealthawareness

🔔 Subscribe for more weekly insights from trauma-informed therapists and psychologists.

“Why do I keep ending up with people who hurt me?”

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, trauma educator Tim Fletcher breaks down the real reasons survivors unconsciously recreate cycles of abuse—and how to finally break free.

You’ll learn:

- How childhood trauma programs us to seek out unsafe people

- Why emotionally unavailable relationships feel “normal”

- What abandonment wounds do to our behavior in adulthood

- Why chasing love or validation often leads to rejection

- How trauma hijacks your brain chemistry—creating addiction-like cravings for toxic connection

- The key to rebuilding trust in yourself and finding real safety

About Tim Fletcher:

Tim Fletcher is the founder of RE/ACT (Recovery Education for Addictions and Complex Trauma). Known for his practical, no-fluff teaching style, Tim helps people understand complex trauma, addiction, and mental health with clarity and compassion.

A former engineer and pastor turned trauma educator, Tim draws from his own family’s experiences with mental illness and addiction, as well as decades of counseling work. His groundbreaking insights—like the 12 Basic Needs and 60 Characteristics of Complex Trauma—have helped thousands understand why they feel broken, and how to heal with the right tools and support.

Tim is passionate about helping people break free from destructive cycles and rebuild their lives from the inside out—with safety, support, and practical steps forward.

🔗 Connect with Tim:

Website: timfletcher.ca

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TimFletcher

Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: @TimFletcherCo

Why does emotional or physical intimacy feel so hard after trauma?

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, UK-based counseling psychologist Dr. Tammy Oluyori explains why survivors of childhood trauma often find intimacy overwhelming, confusing, or even scary—and what it actually takes to begin healing.

You’ll learn:

- How trauma lives in the body—not just the mind

- Why trust and safety are prerequisites for intimacy

- The real reason time alone doesn’t heal trauma

- Practical ways to reconnect with your body through journaling, movement, or creativity

- How to redefine safety and build it back slowly

Whether you're navigating emotional closeness or physical connection, this episode is for anyone doing the slow, powerful work of learning to feel safe again.

Connect with Dr. Tammy Oluyori

Website: https://drtammyoluyori.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tammy.oluyori

Ebook: Staying Rooted (https://drtammyoluyori.com/staying-rooted/)

Subscribe for weekly expert insights on trauma recovery, nervous system healing, and reclaiming safety.

#traumarecovery #intimacyaftertrauma #nervoussystemhealing #bodybasedhealing #somatictrauma #traumabonding #emotionalhealing #expertsplaintrauma #drtammyoluyori

Why do we cling to old patterns in relationships—even when they hurt us?

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, certified attachment specialist Bev Mitelman, M.A. joins usl to unpack how inner child work and attachment theory intersect to help us break free from insecure attachment styles.

You’ll learn:

- What inner child work really is (and isn’t)

- Why insecure attachment forms in childhood—and how to rewire it

- How unresolved pain shows up in our adult relationships

- Practical tools for building secure attachments, even if you didn’t grow up with them

Bev shares simple, empowering strategies to help you reconnect with your authentic self, recognize old coping mechanisms, and finally begin to heal.

🔗 Learn more about Bev Mitelman:

Website: https://www.securelyloved.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/securely_loved

Verified Therapist Profile: https://www.goodtherapy.org/therapists/profile/bev-mitelman-counselor

🎧 Subscribe for weekly expert insights on trauma, healing, and relationships.

#innerchildwork #insecureattachment #attachmenthealing #traumarecovery #secureattachment #expertsplaintrauma #attachmentstyles #healingjourney #emotionalhealing

Ever wonder what to do with your emotions if you stop coping through food?

In this powerful episode of Experts Explain Trauma, licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Jessica Neukam-Helms shares answers to one of the most common (and overwhelming) questions in binge and emotional eating recovery: If I stop eating this way… then what?

You’ll learn:

- Why taking food away as a coping tool can actually backfire

- The difference between healthy distraction and emotional processing

- Practical regulation tools like breathing techniques and urge surfing

- How to build a coping toolbox—without shame, guilt, or “all-or-nothing” pressure

- Why curiosity and compassion are the keys to long-term change

This episode is a must-watch for anyone navigating emotional eating, trauma, or building self-awareness and nervous system resilience.

Connect with Dr. Jessica Neukam-Helms:

Psychologist & Creator of The Finding Food & Body Freedom Formula

Website: https://peacefulpresencepsych.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finding_food_and_body_freedom

Subscribe for more weekly insights on trauma healing, emotional regulation, and food freedom.

#emotionaleating #bingehealing #traumarecovery #foodfreedom #copingskills #nervoussystemhealing #expertsplaintrauma #intuitiveeating #selfregulation #drjessicaneukamhelms

“Why do I still miss them—even after everything they did to me?”

If you’ve asked yourself this, you’re not alone—and you’re not crazy.

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, Dr. Nadine Macaluso (a.k.a. Dr. Nae, real-life inspiration for Naomi in The Wolf of Wall Street) unpacks the neurobiological roots of trauma bonds—and why survivors often long for their abuser, even after leaving.

You’ll learn:

- What happens in your brain and body during toxic relationships

- How emotional highs and lows mimic the cycle of addiction

- Why no-contact is essential to recovery

- How to reframe “withdrawal thoughts” and stop the cycle

- Why group support and trauma-informed therapy are crucial

Connect with Dr. Nadine Macaluso

Website: https://drnae.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnaelmft

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrnadine/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealDrNadine

Contact Info: nmacaluso1@me.com / (310) 612-1113

Book: Run Like Hell: A Therapist’s Guide to Recognizing, Escaping & Healing from

Trauma Bonds

FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS: Download the First Chapter of Dr. Nae’s new book, Run Like Hell: A Therapist’s Guide to Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds https://drnae.com/giveaway-book

#traumabond #narcissisticabuse #drnadinemacaluso #expertsplaintrauma #attachmenttrauma #emotionalhealing #narcissisticrecovery #traumarecovery #addictioncycle #toxicrelationships

Why do we turn to food when we’re stressed, sad, or overwhelmed?

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, licensed clinical psychologist and binge eating recovery expert Dr. Jessica Neukam-Helms breaks down the psychological and biological reasons food becomes a source of comfort—especially for those with trauma histories.

We explore:

- Why food is tied to safety in early childhood

- How trauma disconnects us from hunger and fullness signals

- What "interoceptive awareness" is and why it's essential to healing

- The truth behind intuitive eating—and why it’s not as simple as “eat when you're hungry”

- Practical ways to start rebuilding body trust after binge or emotional eating

If you’ve ever wondered why you reach for food when you're not hungry, or felt shame for emotional eating, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and real solutions.

Connect with Dr. Jessica Neukam-Helms:

Psychologist & Creator of The Finding Food & Body Freedom Formula

Website: https://peacefulpresencepsych.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finding_food_and_body_freedom

Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly trauma-informed tools for healing, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.

#bingehealing #traumarecovery #emotionaleating #interoceptiveawareness #bodytrust #expertsplaintrauma #foodfreedom #intuitiveeating #healingjourney #drjessicaneukamhelms

In this episode, trauma expert Tim Fletcher breaks down one of the most misunderstood emotions in trauma recovery: anger. If you've ever wondered why you’re either always angry—or never angry at all—this conversation is for you.

We explore:

- Why many trauma survivors see anger as dangerous

- The 4 hidden ways suppressed anger shows up (even if you “don’t feel angry”)

- How chronic cortisol buildup leads to burnout, illness, and emotional disconnection

- How to begin safely releasing long-held anger stored in your body

- Why anger can become addictive—and how to shift toward emotional balance

- How to listen to your body’s warning signs and create a new emotional “default setting”

- Why anger is not the enemy—it’s your internal alarm system for when something isn’t right

About Tim Fletcher:

Tim Fletcher is the founder of RE/ACT (Recovery Education for Addictions and Complex Trauma). Known for his practical, no-fluff teaching style, Tim helps people understand complex trauma, addiction, and mental health with clarity and compassion.

A former engineer and pastor turned trauma educator, Tim draws from his own family’s experiences with mental illness and addiction, as well as decades of counseling work. His groundbreaking insights—like the 12 Basic Needs and 60 Characteristics of Complex Trauma—have helped thousands understand why they feel broken, and how to heal with the right tools and support.

Tim is passionate about helping people break free from destructive cycles and rebuild their lives from the inside out—with safety, support, and practical steps forward.

🔗 Connect with Tim:

Website: timfletcher.ca

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TimFletcher

Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: @TimFletcherCo

#TimFletcher #complextrauma #CPTSD #toxicrelationships #attachmenttrauma #narcissisticabuse #codependencyrecovery #emotionalhealing #traumabond #abandonmentwound #REACT

Can you really rewire your brain for healthier relationships and secure attachment? In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, Lisa Tickel sits down with Certified Attachment Practitioner Bev Mitelman, M.A., founder of Securely Loved, to explore daily practices that help shift internal narratives and heal attachment wounds.

Bev shares a powerful and accessible exercise called auto-suggestion—a method that uses repetition, imagery, and emotion to challenge and replace negative core beliefs like “I am unlovable” or “I will be abandoned.” Whether you struggle with anxious attachment, low self-worth, or persistent self-doubt, this practical conversation will give you tools to begin creating new, healthier mental pathways.

💬 What you’ll learn:

- How to identify your core attachment wounds

- The role of subconscious beliefs in shaping your relationships

- Why your brain looks for evidence to confirm negative beliefs—and how to retrain it

- How to build secure attachment with intention and practice

- Why even starting small (like noticing a pet’s love) can spark change

This episode is for anyone navigating relationship anxiety, self-esteem struggles, or on a journey of emotional healing.

🔗 Learn more about Bev Mitelman:

Website: https://www.securelyloved.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/securely_loved

Verified Therapist Profile: https://www.goodtherapy.org/therapists/profile/bev-mitelman-counselor

#attachmentstyle #anxiousattachment #healingjourney #selfworth #innerhealing #mentalhealth #traumarecovery #rewireyourbrain #secureattachment #emotionalhealing

In this episode of Experts Explain Trauma, Lisa sits down with trauma expert Dr. Nadine Macaluso to unpack a question so many survivors silently ask:

“Why do I stay with someone who hurts me over and over again?”

Dr. Nadine breaks down:

- What a trauma bond is (and how it keeps you stuck)

- Why intermittent reinforcement creates powerful emotional confusion

- The real cost of holding on to “hope”

- How to dissolve cognitive dissonance and start seeing the truth

- Steps to safely prepare for leaving a toxic relationship

- Why wearing a “mask” and planning in secret might save your life

If you’ve ever felt caught between “they’re not all bad” and “why can’t I leave?”—this episode is for you.

About the Expert:

Dr. Nadine Macaluso is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in healing from trauma bonds and narcissistic abuse. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she helps clients reclaim their lives after toxic relationships.

Connect with Dr. Nadine Macaluso

Website: https://drnae.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnaelmft

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrnadine/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealDrNadine

Contact Info: nmacaluso1@me.com / (310) 612-1113

Book: Run Like Hell: A Therapist’s Guide to Recognizing, Escaping & Healing from

Trauma Bonds

FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS: Download the First Chapter of Dr. Nae’s new book, Run Like Hell: A Therapist’s Guide to Recognizing, Escaping, and Healing from Trauma Bonds https://drnae.com/giveaway-book

🔔 Subscribe for more weekly insights from trauma-informed therapists and psychologists.

#traumabond #emotionalabuse #toxicrelationships #traumahealing #narcissisticabuse #cognitivedissonance #healingjourney #expertsseries #mentalhealthawareness

In this powerful conversation, trauma therapist and psychologist Dr. Jessica Neukam-Helms joins Lisa Tickel to explore the deep connection between trauma, survival mode, and binge eating.

Dr. Jessica answers one of the most important questions trauma survivors ask:

"Why do I keep reaching for food even when I’m not hungry?"

Together, they unpack:

- What survival mode actually looks like in everyday life

- Why binge eating can feel like the only relief in high-stress environments

- The difference between emotional eating and binge eating

- How trauma disrupts interoceptive awareness (our ability to know hunger/fullness)

- Practical tips to help regulate your nervous system and break binge cycles

- Why food often becomes our first—and sometimes only—form of comfort

- How to start building a healthier relationship with food without shame or restriction

This episode is filled with insights, compassion, and tangible takeaways for anyone navigating food and emotional regulation after trauma.

Connect with Dr. Jessica:

Website: https://peacefulpresencepsych.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finding_food_and_body_freedom/

Subscribe for new expert videos every Thursday!

#bingeeatingrecover #emotionaleatinghelp #traumahealing #womenhealing #nervoussystemregulation #bingeeating #emotionaleating

Have you ever felt like you need others to approve of you to feel worthy or loved? You’re not alone.

In this week’s Experts Explain episode, trauma recovery expert Tim Fletcher breaks down how complex trauma—especially in childhood—rewires the brain to confuse validation with love, and why so many trauma survivors become stuck in cycles of people-pleasing, self-criticism, and external approval-seeking.

We explore:

- Why children in trauma learn love is conditional

- How the need for validation becomes a survival strategy

- Why self-criticism often replaces self-acceptance

- The real definition of validation (hint: it’s more about action than words)

- Practical tools for shifting from external validation to self-affirmation

- What to do when compliments feel uncomfortable or manipulative

- How to build trust, self-awareness, and internal safety

If you’ve struggled with self-worth, overthinking, or trusting your own value—this episode is for you.

About Tim:

Tim Fletcher is the Founder and President of RE/ACT (Recovery Education for Addictions and Complex Trauma). Originally an engineer, Tim transitioned into pastoral work before becoming a counselor specializing in complex trauma and addiction. Through his research and hands-on experience, Tim has developed groundbreaking tools and resources to help individuals understand and heal from the deep wounds of complex trauma.

Connect with Tim Fletcher:

Website: https://www.timfletcher.ca

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TimFletcher

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timfletcherco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimFletcherCo

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@timfletcher_co

New episodes every Thursday. Subscribe and turn on notifications to never miss an expert insight.

#traumarecovery #validationvsapproval #innerchildhealing #timfletcher #selfworth #traumahealing #peoplepleasing #selfvalidation #expertsexplain #complextrauma #emotionalhealing

In this Experts Explain episode, trauma expert Dr. Tammy Oluyori unpacks one of the most confusing and painful questions many survivors ask: What if my abuser wasn’t always bad?

Using real-life analogies and clinical insight, Dr. Tammy explores the impact of "hot and cold" abuse, especially in childhood and caregiver relationships. She explains how inconsistency, confusion, and emotional manipulation can lead survivors to doubt their own reality—and why that doubt is part of the trauma itself.

You’ll learn:

- Why inconsistency is a form of abuse

- How this kind of trauma imprints confusion on the nervous system

- The link between gaslighting, self-doubt, and trauma response

- Why survivors must shift from asking "what if?" to "what is?"

This episode is a must-watch for anyone navigating the lasting effects of relational trauma or struggling to validate their own story.

📌 New episodes every Thursday on the Experts Explain series!

About Dr. Tammy Oluyori:

Dr. Tammy Oluyori is a UK based counselling psychologist with over 15 years of experience specializing in trauma recovery, specifically focusing on survivors of childhood trauma. Her practice emphasizes developing a deeper, more compassionate relationship with oneself as the cornerstone of healing. Dr. Oluyori believes that understanding oneself is the beginning of all wisdom, and she is dedicated to guiding her clients toward this understanding. She is committed to helping individuals achieve clarity, balance, and purpose in their lives, leading to a more wholesome and fulfilling existence.

Listen full episode with Dr. Tammy on Healing and Growing Hand in Hand podcast here:

https://youtu.be/ndNZQCsvL5I

Connect with Dr. Tammy:

Website: www.drtammyoluori.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tammy.oluyori

Ebook: Staying Rooted (https://drtammyoluyori.com/staying-rooted/)

#expertsexplain #attachmenttrauma #emotionalabuse #nervoussystemhealing #traumarecovery #mentalhealth #validation #healingjourney #gaslighting #traumaawareness #emotionalhealing #cptsd #childhoodtrauma

In this episode of our Experts Explain series, trauma-informed therapist Bev Mitelman, M.A., breaks down the signs of insecure attachment styles and how they show up in relationships.

If you've ever found yourself feeling too needy, constantly pushing people away, or stuck in the same relationship patterns again and again, this episode is for you.

We explore:

- Common behaviors linked to anxious and avoidant attachment

- Why emotional overreactions often stem from unresolved childhood trauma

- How nervous system dysregulation impacts your relationships

- What "glimmers" are and how they help promote healing

- The difference between true safety and perceived emotional threat

New episodes drop every Thursday!

Subscribe for more expert-led videos on trauma, healing, and emotional resilience.

Connect with Bev Mitelman

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/securely_loved

Website: www.securelyloved.com

#attachmentstyles #avoidantattachment #anxiousattachment #traumahealing #relationshippatterns #emotionalhealing #expertsexplain #lisatickel #therapytools #nervoussystemhealing

What’s really going on when you feel out of control around food?

This week’s Experts Explain Series features Dr. Jessica Neukam-Helms, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of The Finding Food & Body Freedom Formula. After healing from binge eating herself, she now helps women across the country break free from food guilt and obsessive cycles—without relying on willpower.

In this conversation, Dr. Jessica explains:

- The difference between emotional eating and binge eating

- How trauma plays a massive role in disordered eating patterns

- Why your nervous system impacts your cravings more than you think

- What healing your relationship with food really looks like

- Tools to begin shifting out of shame and into self-trust

Connect with Dr. Jessica:

Website: https://peacefulpresencepsych.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finding_food_and_body_freedom/

Subscribe for new expert videos every Thursday!

#bingeeatingrecover #emotionaleatinghelp #traumahealing #womenhealing #nervoussystemregulation #bingeeating #emotionaleating

In this video, Dr. Tammy discusses the complexities of sharing trauma with friends or partners. Dr. Tammy provides insights on how to communicate needs effectively, ensuring that the person receiving the disclosure is trustworthy and supportive. The discussion highlights the emotional challenges that come with sharing trauma and the necessity of self-care throughout the process.

About Dr. Tammy Oluyori:

Dr. Tammy Oluyori is a UK based counselling psychologist with over 15 years of experience specializing in trauma recovery, specifically focusing on survivors of childhood trauma. Her practice emphasizes developing a deeper, more compassionate relationship with oneself as the cornerstone of healing. Dr. Oluyori believes that understanding oneself is the beginning of all wisdom, and she is dedicated to guiding her clients toward this understanding. She is committed to helping individuals achieve clarity, balance, and purpose in their lives, leading to a more wholesome and fulfilling existence.

Listen full episode with Dr. Tammy on Healing and Growing Hand in Hand podcast here:

https://youtu.be/ndNZQCsvL5I

Connect with Dr. Tammy:

Website: www.drtammyoluori.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tammy.oluyori

Ebook: Staying Rooted (https://drtammyoluyori.com/staying-rooted/)

JOIN THE WOMEN’S HEALING COMMUNITY HERE: https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

What if sitting face-to-face with the person who murdered your family could actually heal you instead of destroy you?

Discover why traditional court systems fail victims by turning them into witnesses to their own crimes and how restorative justice gives back the voice, agency and healing that punishment alone cannot provide.

In this episode:

- How restorative justice gives victims agency and answers that traditional court systems cannot provide, including Amanda's transformative meeting with her family's murderer after 28 years

- The connection between unresolved childhood trauma and criminal behavior, plus why addressing these root causes prevents future crimes and protects communities

- Breaking generational cycles of harm through accountability, understanding and healing rather than perpetuating punishment-only approaches that fail everyone

Check out our Expert Series for more helpful, healing discussions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL55ypWHIjesvMja7UmGPCVU-UqwBpBvld

Connect with Amanda Carrasco:

Website: https://amandacarrasco.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_the_brave_one

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandacarrasco.com

X: https://x.com/Amanda_Carrasco

Book "Becoming the Brave One: My Journey to Justice": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJ92MY9G/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1T0DCQ0U3WFB2

Connect with Lisa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisatickel/

Website: https://healingandgrowinghandinhandpodcast.com/

JOIN THE HEALING WORKSHOP HERE: https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

JOIN THE WOMEN’S HEALING COMMUNITY HERE: https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

What happens when the very institutions meant to guide your spiritual journey become sources of deep trauma?

Former Buddhist nun Amma Thanasanti shares her journey of spending nearly three decades in monasteries, only to discover she was trapped in a system that used sacred teachings to justify harmful patriarchal structures.

In this episode:

- How spiritual abuse uniquely impacts our sense of meaning and identity, making it particularly difficult to recover from compared to other forms of trauma

- The crucial difference between genuine spiritual teachings and distorted systems that exploit vulnerability for power and control

- Practical somatic healing techniques including grounding exercises, nervous system regulation, and safe anger release methods that help trauma survivors reconnect with their bodies

Check out our Expert Series for more helpful, healing discussions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL55ypWHIjesvMja7UmGPCVU-UqwBpBvld

Connect with Amma Thanasanti:

Website: http://awakeningtruth.org/blog

YouTube: @Amma Thanasanti

Facebook: @Amma Thanasanti, @AwakeningTruth

Instagram: @AwakeningTruth

Free Integrated Meditation Program Drop-in Sessions: Available through awakeningtruth.org

Connect with Lisa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisatickel/

Website: https://healingandgrowinghandinhandpodcast.com/

JOIN THE HEALING WORKSHOP HERE: https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

Ready to trust your intuition again? Drop a comment below sharing one insight that resonated with you from this conversation.

JOIN THE WOMEN’S HEALING COMMUNITY HERE: https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

Think you can spot narcissistic abuse? Think again.

This conversation with Dr. Deborah Dantzler reveals the hidden "death by a thousand paper cuts" that survivors endure and why understanding antagonistic relational stress changes everything.

Discover why only 6-7% of people actually qualify for narcissistic personality disorder, how childhood trauma creates patterns that attract toxic relationships, and the three-step framework that leads to freedom.

In this Episode:

- How narcissistic abuse creates "death by a thousand paper cuts" and why it's now called antagonistic relational stress

- The three-stage awareness, acceptance and action framework that helps survivors break free from toxic patterns

- Why narcissists target empathic overachievers and how childhood trauma creates vulnerability to these relationships

Check out our Expert Series for more helpful, healing discussions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL55ypWHIjesvMja7UmGPCVU-UqwBpBvld

Connect with Dr. Deborah:

Website: https://www.3dpsychotherapy.com/

G33ky Clinicians: https://www.g33kyclinicians.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3dpsychotherapy/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the3dpsychotherapy/

Book a Session: https://www.3dpsychotherapy.com/

Free Resource: Sign up for healthy coping strategies: https://keap.app/contact-us/5979160322682406

Connect with Lisa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisatickel/

Website: https://healingandgrowinghandinhandpodcast.com/

JOIN THE HEALING WORKSHOP HERE: https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

Ready to take the next step in your healing journey? Share your biggest takeaway in the comments below and subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations that help you break free from the past and step into your power.

JOIN THE WOMEN’S HEALING COMMUNITY HERE: https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

Sexual intimacy after trauma is one of the most challenging yet rarely discussed aspects of healing. In this vulnerable conversation, sex and intimacy coach Xanet Pailet shares how sexual shame from childhood experiences can create a lifelong blueprint that affects adult relationships.

In this episode:

- How early sexual experiences create lasting trauma patterns - Xanet explains how shame and anxiety around sexuality in childhood become the blueprint for all future sexual experiences, leading to conditions like vaginismus and dissociation

- The mind-body connection in sexual healing - Discover why traditional talk therapy often isn't enough for sexual trauma and how somatic approaches help rewire the nervous system to feel safe with touch and pleasure again

- From broken to empowered - Learn about the transformative journey from a 26-year sexless marriage to becoming a healer, including practical steps for addressing touch aversion, numbing, and reconnecting with your body

Check out our Expert Series for more helpful, healing discussions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL55ypWHIjesvMja7UmGPCVU-UqwBpBvld

Connect with Xanet:

Website: https://www.powerofpleasure.com

Retreats: https://www.passionateintimacyretreats.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xanetpop/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xanetpop

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xanet-pailet-2b464671/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepowerofpleasure8132/featured

Book: Living an Orgasmic Life: Heal Yourself and Awaken Your Pleasure (https://a.co/d/555SMdf)

Connect with Lisa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisatickel/

Website: https://healingandgrowinghandinhandpodcast.com/

JOIN THE HEALING WORKSHOP HERE: https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

JOIN THE WOMEN’S HEALING COMMUNITY HERE: https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

When trauma survivor Heidi Yewman decided to carry a gun for a month to understand her opponents in gun violence prevention, she discovered something unexpected about fear, paranoia, and the hidden costs of self-protection. In this deeply insightful conversation, Heidi shares how her journey from childhood abuse to trauma advocacy taught her that curiosity can replace judgment, and how facing your triggers head-on can become your greatest source of healing.

In this episode:

- Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs: Discover how the "dumb girl" message shaped Heidi's entire worldview and learn practical strategies for recognizing and challenging the toxic beliefs that keep you small

- The Hidden Psychology of Self-Protection: Learn what happened when Heidi carried a concealed weapon for 30 days and why understanding fear-based behavior can transform how you interact with difficult people

- Turning Trauma into Advocacy: Explore how facing your deepest triggers in service of others can become a pathway to healing and discover why curiosity is more powerful than judgment in creating lasting change

Check out our Expert Series for more helpful, healing discussions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL55ypWHIjesvMja7UmGPCVU-UqwBpBvld

Connect with Heidi Yewman:

Website: https://heidiyewman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidiyewmanauthor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidiyewmanauthor

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/heidiyewmanauthor.bsky.social

Book "Dumb Girl" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dumb-Girl-Journey-Childhood-Advocacy/dp/1647429420/

Documentary "Behind the Bullet" (Amazon Prime): https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Bullet/dp/B087NQXQZB/

Connect with Lisa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisatickel/

Website: https://healingandgrowinghandinhandpodcast.com/

JOIN THE HEALING WORKSHOP HERE: https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

JOIN THE WOMEN’S HEALING COMMUNITY HERE: https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

What happens when a successful chiropractor becomes physically abusive and has to confront the darkest parts of himself? Dr. Nima Rahmany shares his story of transformation from toxic relationship patterns to becoming "trigger-proof" in his current marriage. This conversation tackles the uncomfortable reality of how good people can cross lines they never thought they would and explores shadow work as a path to healing attachment wounds.

Key Points Discussed:

- The difference between situational violence and coercive control in abusive relationships

- How victim identity can actually keep you trapped and damage your health

- Why understanding someone's behavior is more powerful than forgiving them

Check out our Expert Series for more helpful, healing discussions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL55ypWHIjesvMja7UmGPCVU-UqwBpBvld

Connect with Dr. Nima Rahmany:

Website: https://drnima.com/

Take the Attachment Style Quiz: https://drnima.com/programs/overview-experience-virtual-workshop/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnimarahmany/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnima/?hl=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/drnimarahmany

Resources Mentioned:

The Overview Experience: https://drnima.com/programs/overview-experience-virtual-workshop/

Connect with Lisa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisatickel/

Website: https://healingandgrowinghandinhandpodcast.com/

JOIN THE HEALING WORKSHOP HERE: https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

Join our Women's Healing Community here: https://womenshealingcommunity.carrd.co/

When traditional therapy leaves you feeling stuck, holistic healing offers a different path forward. Dr. Cristina Louk, Clinical Director of Peace Humanistic Therapy, shares how addressing your body, mind, energy and spirit together can unlock breakthrough healing that single-modality approaches often miss. This conversation reveals practical ways to start your own holistic healing practice, even when feeling overwhelmed.

Key Points Discussed:

- The difference between holistic and traditional therapy approaches - Why treating just thoughts or just emotions limits healing potential, and how addressing all layers simultaneously creates lasting change

- Practical holistic healing techniques for daily life - Including emotional freedom tapping for nervous system regulation, energy clearing practices, and building personalized "soul hygiene" routines

- How ADHD and trauma symptoms overlap - Why proper assessment matters and how rejection-sensitive dysphoria can be healed through integrated mind-body approaches

Check out our Expert Series for more helpful, healing discussions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL55ypWHIjesvMja7UmGPCVU-UqwBpBvld

Connect with Dr. Cristina Louk:

Website: https://www.peacehumanistic.com/

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@drcristinalouk

Connect with Lisa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisatickel/

Website: https://healingandgrowinghandinhandpodcast.com/

JOIN THE HEALING WORKSHOP HERE: https://healingworkshop.carrd.co/

Ready to explore holistic healing for yourself?

Drop a comment sharing which technique you're most curious to try, hit that like button if this resonated with you, and subscribe for more expert insights on healing and growth. Your healing journey matters and there are always new paths forward.