That weird week between the holidays and New Year's hits different. You've survived the holiday chaos, the family dynamics, the endless to-do lists, and now you're supposed to just... exist? Enter: the emotional hangover. In this episode, we break down why that post-holiday crash feels so brutal and what actually helps when you're running on empty. What We Cover: Why 80-90% of adults report increased stress during the holidays (and why the crash afterwards is inevitable)The real reason ...

You set a boundary. They ignored it. You repeated yourself. They pushed again. And by the fourth time, you weren't calmly redirecting anymore, you were yelling, crying, or walking out. Now you're sitting with shame, wondering if all that therapy was pointless. In this episode, I answer a listener question about what to do when family members repeatedly violate your boundaries during holiday gatherings. I talk about what's actually happening in your body when boundaries get crossed (spoiler: y...

If family gatherings leave you feeling drained or like you're reverting to an old version of yourself, you're not alone. EMDR therapist and yoga teacher, Abby Albright, returns to discuss the invisible rules governing dysfunctional family systems and how they intensify during the holidays. We explore six categories of unspoken family rules: emotional (don't feel, don't be sad), need-based (don't need anything), relational (don't rock the boat, don't outshine anyone), role-based, loyalty (prot...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Judith Herman, author of the groundbreaking book Trauma and Recovery, to talk about complex PTSD, trauma recovery, and what justice actually means to survivors. Dr. Herman explains why complex trauma is still overlooked in mental health training, what the three stages of trauma recovery really look like in practice, and why isolation is one of the biggest predictors of poor outcomes. We also dig into her latest book, Truth and Repair, where she interviewed...

If you've been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, or bipolar - but nothing quite fits - you might actually be dealing with Complex PTSD. In this episode, I break down the crucial differences between PTSD and CPTSD, why so many trauma survivors get misdiagnosed, and why traditional therapy approaches often miss the mark for complex trauma. Be sure to listen to my interview with Dr. Judith Herman next! Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podc...

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 & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your thera...

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...