A cool medical podcast focusing on women’s health! Grab a seat and catapult yourself into the heart of the most exciting, intriguing, and downright cool world of medicine. Dr. Soma and her guests will share their unique stories and insights and peel back the layers of issues that women commonly face. Just remember, knowledge is power, and it’s ALWAYS ladies first on Soma Says!
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A cool medical podcast focusing on women’s health! Grab a seat and catapult yourself into the heart of the most exciting, intriguing, and downright cool world of medicine. Dr. Soma and her guests will share their unique stories and insights and peel back the layers of issues that women commonly face. Just remember, knowledge is power, and it’s ALWAYS ladies first on Soma Says!
Decoding the Mental Prison: Are Your Defenses Also Your Downfall?
Soma Says
36 minutes
1 week ago
Decoding the Mental Prison: Are Your Defenses Also Your Downfall?
In this powerful episode of Soma Says, host Dr. Soma Mandal sits down with Michelle Smith, LPC, LMHC, LCMHC, a trauma-informed psychotherapist who helps women move from survival mode to self-trust.
Michelle shares her personal journey into psychotherapy and unpacks the deep connection between the brain, body, and emotional healing. Together, they explore what it truly means to heal from the inside out—addressing the impact of trauma on the brain, the difference between coping and healing, and how self-compassion, mindfulness, and body awareness can transform mental health.
Listeners will walk away with practical tools for grounding, understanding the nervous system, and recognizing that real healing begins when we stop trying to “fix” ourselves and start listening to our inner wisdom.
This conversation offers insight, hope, and clarity for anyone navigating anxiety, burnout, or emotional overwhelm—especially during the midlife transition.
Timeline
00:00 Introduction to Michelle Smith and Her Work00:40 Michelle’s Journey into Psychotherapy01:22 The Mind-Body Connection in Therapy02:00 Healing from the Inside Out03:07 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact04:39 Identifying and Rewiring Hidden Patterns05:30 Coping vs. Healing08:12 The Role of the Nervous System in Emotional Regulation09:29 Building Safety and Awareness in Therapy10:38 Mindfulness and Body-Based Awareness11:49 Addressing Perfectionism and Guilt14:42 Returning to the Authentic Self16:03 Common Myths About Mental Health and Trauma17:04 Favorite Grounding Techniques18:10 Finding the Right Therapist for Trauma and Anxiety19:15 Integrating Evidence-Based Practices with Intuitive Tools20:20 The Role of AI in Therapy23:38 Human Resilience and the Power of Therapy26:22 Advice for Those Feeling Stuck in Their Healing Journey27:44 Inspiring Patient Journeys and the Importance of Self-Care31:48 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
Connect with Michelle Smith
🌐 Website: www.michellesmithlmhc.com📲 Instagram: @michellesmithlmhc💼 LinkedIn: Michelle Smith, LMHC
Connect with Dr. Soma Mandal
🌐 Website: www.somamandalmd.com🏥 Upcoming Medical Director of Women’s Health, Hackensack Meridian Health – Jersey Shore University Medical Center📚 Book: Midlife Masala — available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and BookBub🎧 Listen to Soma Says on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube @SomaSays📲 Instagram: @drsomamandalmd💼 LinkedIn: Dr. Soma Mandal, MD
Support the Podcast
If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Soma Says on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps more women discover empowering, science-based conversations on healing, resilience, and thriving through midlife.
Soma Says
A cool medical podcast focusing on women’s health! Grab a seat and catapult yourself into the heart of the most exciting, intriguing, and downright cool world of medicine. Dr. Soma and her guests will share their unique stories and insights and peel back the layers of issues that women commonly face. Just remember, knowledge is power, and it’s ALWAYS ladies first on Soma Says!
