Does love feel overwhelming, triggering, or just plain scary? If you have Complex PTSD, your nervous system might be treating intimacy like a threat, even when you desperately want connection. In this episode, I break down why CPTSD makes love feel so complicated, what's actually happening in your nervous system when someone gets close, and the real (messy, non-linear) path to trusting love again. If you're wondering about Complex PTSD and relationship, this episode is for you. You'll learn: ...
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Does love feel overwhelming, triggering, or just plain scary? If you have Complex PTSD, your nervous system might be treating intimacy like a threat, even when you desperately want connection. In this episode, I break down why CPTSD makes love feel so complicated, what's actually happening in your nervous system when someone gets close, and the real (messy, non-linear) path to trusting love again. If you're wondering about Complex PTSD and relationship, this episode is for you. You'll learn: ...
Does love feel overwhelming, triggering, or just plain scary? If you have Complex PTSD, your nervous system might be treating intimacy like a threat, even when you desperately want connection. In this episode, I break down why CPTSD makes love feel so complicated, what's actually happening in your nervous system when someone gets close, and the real (messy, non-linear) path to trusting love again. If you're wondering about Complex PTSD and relationship, this episode is for you. You'll learn: ...
In this solo episode, trauma and EMDR therapist Abby Albright breaks down what trauma-informed yoga actually is and why it can be such a powerful support for healing. She explores how this gentle approach to movement creates space for choice, consent, and nervous system awareness, especially for those living with trauma. You’ll learn how trauma-informed yoga differs from traditional yoga classes, why it’s rooted in Polyvagal Theory, and how practices like grounding, breathwork, and mind...
In this mini episode, Abby gets personal, sharing how her journey from dance to yoga became a turning point in her own healing. She opens up about what it meant to shift from performance to presence, and how yoga helped her slow down, reconnect with her body, and build a foundation rooted in awareness and self-trust. You’ll hear reflections on the lessons she’s learned on the mat (and off), the power of starting with the basics, and why community matters just as much as the poses. Wheth...
You’ve been showing up to therapy. You’re naming your patterns, doing the work and still wondering: Why am I not feeling better? In this episode, Sarah is joined by trauma and EMDR therapist Ashley Fox to explore why therapy can feel stagnant, confusing, or even discouraging at times and how those exact moments might reflect slow, meaningful change beneath the surface. Together, they unpack three reasons therapy might feel like it’s not working, including: Why insight isn’t the same as nervou...
If the words “be kind to yourself” make you want to roll your eyes (or run) you’re not alone. For many trauma survivors, self-compassion doesn’t feel good. It feels awkward. Threatening. Even fake. In this episode, Sarah is joined by trauma therapist Erin Witmer for an honest conversation about what makes self-compassion so hard to access, and why the resistance itself is often a form of protection. Erin shares her personal and professional journey with softening toward herself, the ear...
If asking for help feels like a risk… If you pride yourself on being “the strong one”… If burnout sneaks up on you even when you're doing everything right, this episode is for you. Sarah and Abby are talking about the hidden costs of hyper-independence. They unpack how this survival strategy gets wired into your nervous system, why it often stems from trauma or emotional neglect, and how it can quietly erode your capacity for rest, trust, and connection. They explore: → Why over-f...
What if the biggest signs of healing aren’t big at all? In this episode, Sarah is joined by Laura for a conversation about the micro-moments that might mark recovery from trauma and disordered eating. Together, they unpack five powerful cues that your nervous system is shifting toward safety: like noticing your body, making a small choice, or feeling a flicker of joy without shutting it down. You’ll hear: Why awareness is a milestone, not a “first step”How setting the tiniest limit can signal...
What if your anxiety, shutdown, or overwhelm aren’t signs of failure—but signs your body is finally healing? In this episode of Reclaim You, Sarah breaks down one of the most misunderstood ideas in trauma recovery: that nervous system regulation = being calm. (Spoiler: it doesn’t.) You’ll learn: Why calm isn’t always regulation—and why stillness can be a shutdown in disguiseWhat dysregulation actually means in a trauma-informed frameworkHow real healing builds nervous system flexibility, not ...
Ever felt like you’re floating through life, watching it all happen from the outside? That might be dissociation—and no, it's not as scary as it sounds In this episode, Sarah and Casey unpack what dissociation really is (hint: it’s more common than you think). They explore how it shows up across a spectrum, from zoning out during conversations to feeling completely disconnected from your body—and why these responses make so much sense in the context of trauma. You'll hear: How dissociation fu...
What if the thing you're grieving never even happened? In this mini episode, Sarah explores the quiet ache of emotional neglect—the grief of what you didn’t get. No big event. No goodbye. Just an invisible heaviness that lingers. If you've ever felt sadness you can't explain, this one’s for you. Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Learn more about EMDR &...
What if your body was never the problem? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Registered Dietitian, Heather Rudalavage for a real, unfiltered conversation about body image, intuitive eating, and the messy truth behind self-acceptance. Together, they unpack the unrealistic expectations we’re taught to have about our bodies, and explore what it actually looks like to build a more compassionate relationship with ourselves. They talk about: ✨ Letting go of “shoulds” around body size and he...
In this episode, Sarah and Kri Gore LMFT dive into ADHD, neurodivergence, and sober curiosity, exploring how societal norms shape our identities and what it takes to break free. They unpack the power of self-compassion, the impact of sensory overload, and how somatic practices can help you reconnect with your body. Takeaways: Why ADHD can make you feel different, and how to embrace it.The truth about sober curiosity (no labels, just exploration).How somatic practices support healing and emoti...
Join Abby Albright, a trauma and EMDR therapist, each month for a mindful moment. This month's meditation is centered around rest. We trust that you'll use your discretion, listening and/or participating when you are safe (not driving) and distraction free. Feel free to download this episode to refer back to the meditation as you need. Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on Instagram: @...
In this episode, Sarah and Casey take a deep dive into loneliness—the kind that lingers even when you're surrounded by people. They explore how childhood experiences shape our sense of connection, why loneliness can sometimes feel protective, and why "just make friends" is the worst advice ever. Together, they unpack the emotional roots of isolation, the role of emotional attunement, and how understanding your loneliness can actually be a path to healing. Takeaways: Loneliness is about discon...
In this mini episode, we get real about self-care in eating disorder. Not the bubble bath, surface-level version, but a deeper dive into reclaiming your worth and even the smallest sense of safety in your body. Join me as we unpack how eating disorder recovery is about challenging toxic beliefs and understanding the vital role our nervous system plays in coping. I share insights on finding those small, powerful moments of safety that pave the way for healing, trusting your body, a...
Social media is full of trauma talk—but how much of it is actually helpful? In this episode, Sarah and Laura unpack the rise of ‘social media therapy,’ the dangers of misinformation, and why trauma healing requires more than just a viral post. If you’ve ever wondered, ‘Do I actually have trauma, or is this just life?’ this one’s for you. Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on ...
Let’s be real- life can feel like a lot. Between social media making us feel like we’re always falling behind, relationship struggles, and the never-ending pressure to be better, it’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed. In this episode, Sarah and Emily are digging into the weight of expectations. Where they come from, how they mess with our self-worth, and what we can actually do about it. We’ll talk about the sneaky ways societal standards shape how we see ourselves (spoiler: they’re mostly...
In this episode, Sarah explores the often-overlooked impact of childhood emotional neglect- what happens when emotional needs go unmet. She unpacks the subtle signs, like difficulty identifying emotions, chronic anxiety, and hyper-independence, and explains how these patterns shape relationships and self-worth. She also dives into the science behind emotional neglect and shares practical insights on healing. Tune in to learn how recognizing, grieving, and validating your experiences can l...
Join Abby Albright, a trauma and EMDR therapist, each month for a mindful moment. This month's meditation is centered around balance. We trust that you'll use your discretion, listening and/or participating when you are safe (not driving) and distraction free. Feel free to download this episode to refer back to the meditation as you need. Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on Instagram...
In this episode, Sarah and Ashley dive into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)- what it is, how it shows up, and ways to cope. They unpack the symptoms and different types of SAD while offering practical tips like working on sleep hygiene, light therapy, better sleep habits, and when to seek extra support. Ashley normalizes the tough emotions that can come with SAD and shares ways to face the changing seasons with hope and proactive care. If winter blues feel familiar, thi...
Does love feel overwhelming, triggering, or just plain scary? If you have Complex PTSD, your nervous system might be treating intimacy like a threat, even when you desperately want connection. In this episode, I break down why CPTSD makes love feel so complicated, what's actually happening in your nervous system when someone gets close, and the real (messy, non-linear) path to trusting love again. If you're wondering about Complex PTSD and relationship, this episode is for you. You'll learn: ...
