Category Archives: Trauma and the Brain

What Are 10 Mindful Lessons That Can Transform Your Relationships?



Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph.D., MPH, LCSW-R, CGP stops by to discuss 10 mindful lessons you can use to strengthen all of the relationships in your life.

Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph.D., MPH, LCSW-R, CGP maintains a private practice in Harrison, NY. She is an adjunct graduate professor of Mindfulness Practice at New York University. She is the president and clinical director of the Thru My Eyes Foundation, a 501c3 organization that helps individuals with life-threatening illnesses create a video legacy for their loved ones. She has advanced training in CBT, ACT, Structural Family Therapy, Mindfulness, Polyvagal Theory, and is a Level II trained Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist.

Dr. Maidenberg is a contributing editor of GROUP, the journal of the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society. She has also published in varied professional journals and was quoted in The New York Times, the Daily News, Fitness, Woman’s Day, Parents, and many other publications. Her book Free Your Child from Overeating: 53 Mind-Body Strategies for Lifelong Health utilizes strategies underpinned in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness. Her new book is ACE Your Life: Unleash Your Best Self and Live the Life You Want.

Click for more information on Dr. Maidenberg:
Visit her website
Check out her blog on Psychology Today
Purchase her books


What Are Six Steps Toward Recovery From A Toxic Relationship?



On this episode psychotherapist, Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS, chats about her article 6 Steps Toward Recovery From a Toxic Relationship.  She describes the six steps, discusses how survivors can move between the steps,

Kaytee is a psychotherapist, author, and consultant with a passion for working with survivors of relationship and family trauma. Her first book, Invisible Bruises: How a Better Understanding of the Patterns of Domestic Violence Can Help Survivors Navigate the Legal System, released in 2021, sheds light on the ways that the legal system can perpetuate the cycle of domestic violence by failing to recognize patterns that would otherwise hold perpetrators accountable and protect survivors. Her new book, It’s not High Conflict, It’s Post Separation Abuse is set to be released in February.
Kaytee has been featured on Psychology Today, iheart radio, Psychotherapy Networker, The Dr. Wendy Walsh Show, CP24 News out of Toronto, Newsweek, The Mind Journal, Shaye Ganam’s radio show, and numerous others.

To get in touch with Kaytee:
www.kaytlyngillislcsw.com
Instagram: @KurleeKaytee
Instagram: @Claras_ _Voice – support for survivors and allies
Facebook: Claras Voice- a group in support of survivors and allies
Twitter: @Kaytee_Gillis
Blog: Invisible Bruises, Psychology Today


Is There a Link Between Trauma and Eating Disorders?



Dr. Zoe Ross-Nash stops by to discuss the link between trauma and eating disorders/disordered eating. She defines different eating disorders and discusses which type of trauma is associated with each eating disorder.  Dr. Ross-Nash explores the importance of not having preconceived notions of what eating disorders “look like”.  She also discusses resources available to those struggling with disordered eating.

Dr. Zoe Ross-Nash (she/her) earned her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University and completed an APA accredited internship at the University of California, Davis in the Eating Disorder Emphasis. Ross-Nash won the Division 29 Student Excellence in Clinical Practice Award in 2022 and is the Associate Editor for Website Content for the division. Zoe’s clinical interests include trauma, eating disorders, wellness, mentorship, and advocacy. She is originally from Allendale, New Jersey and earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Service Studies and Dance from Elon University. In her spare time, Zoe likes to practice yoga and ballet, read and write poetry, and try new restaurants with her loved ones.

To get in touch with Dr. Ross-Nash: Click Here
Need to talk? Contact the National Eating Disorders Association to phone/chat/text about what you are experiencing: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline
More resources are available through the Eating Recovery Center: https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com
Need a podcast to help? Dr. Ross-Nash recommends Food Psych: https://christyharrison.com/foodpsych
Want to learn about intuitive eating? Check out http://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/
Want to diversify your social media feed? Here is a great place to start: https://scplab.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/body-diversity-resource-guide-i.pdf

Are Any of the Relationships on “Love Is Blind” Abusive?



On this episode, Dr. Isabelle Morley discusses the toxic and abusive relationship behaviors she saw on the latest season of “Love Is Blind”. We chat about what responsibility Netflix has to contestants and viewers, and how Netflix can protect both groups.

Isabelle Morley, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and co-founder of The Relationship Coaches. She specializes in helping people navigate their romantic relationships. Dr. Morley has trained in several couples therapy orientations and does extensive work with couples and individuals on healing and strengthening their relationships. This includes working on communication, emotional intimacy, healthy boundary setting, dependency awareness, and conflict resolution skills. She is a writer for Psychology Today, and in her blog, Love Them or Leave Them, she analyzes on-screen romantic relationships in scripted shows and reality television. As co-founder of The Relationship Coaches, Dr. Morley provides evidence-based but accessible information on how to form healthy relationships through PDFs, intensives, and retreats. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two daughters, and a toy poodle named Clifford.
To get in touch with Dr. Morley, please visit her website and social media:
Website
Instagram
And don’t forget to sign her petition to Netflix to help protect contestants and viewers from abusive relationships HERE

How Does The Pressure To Be The “Perfect Victim” Affect Survivors of Abuse?



Julie Sweet stops by to speak about the phenomen known as the “perfect victim” and how it affects survivors of abuse and violence.

Julie is an experienced Clinical Psychotherapist of 10 years with a demonstrated history of working in the mental health and human services industry. Skilled in Drug and Alcohol counselling, counselling adult survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA), Trauma Informed clinical practice, crisis counselling, family counselling, advocacy, negotiation, business planning, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and media relations. Julie has strong community and social services professional experience and a Bachelor of Counselling and Human Change (Psychotherapy) focused in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy from Jansen Newman Institute.
She is an approved Counsellor with the Approved Counselling Service, Victims Services, NSW. and an approved Counsellor on the Blue Knot Foundation Helpline Referral Database.

To get in touch with Julie please visit any of the following:
Linkedin
Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

 


What Do You Wish You Knew About Abusive Relationships?



On this episode, coauthor of Kendall Ann’s book “What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After An Abusive Relationship”, Dr. Amelia Kelley, stops by to answer reader and listener questions with Kendall Ann.  They discuss how the book came to fruition, suggest other books survivors can read to help them thrive, chat about the difference between an abusive partner and a “jerk” and much more.

Dr. Amelia Kelley is a trauma-informed therapist who has conducted research on the effects of exercise on ADHD symptoms as well as a the effects of resiliency on PTSD. She is a trained Hypno-therapist, Art therapist, HSP Therapist, EMDR-informed therapist, meditation teacher, as well as a Certified Yoga instructor integrating therapeutic yoga and psychotherapy. She is a presenter and writer in the “science-help” field focusing on Highly Sensitive Persons, trauma, motivation, healthy living, and adult ADHD.  She is a guest podcast presenter focusing on women’s issues and coping with the trauma of unhealthy relationships, as well as a coach and trainer for SAS’s Work/Life Program in Cary, NC and a resident trainer for the NC Art Therapy Institute. Her practice is also currently part of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at the Kinsey Institute.

For more information about Dr. Kelley visit her site and follow her social media HERE.

Click HERE to purchase, rate, or review What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After an Abusive Relationship.


Is Forgiveness Required for Trauma Recovery?



Trauma psychotherapist, Amanda Ann Gregory, discusses why forgiveness isn’t necessary in trauma recovery.  She walks us through possible messages we are internalizing about forgiveness and five reasons why forgiveness should not be imposed in the process of healing from trauma. Click here to check out her Psychology Today article “Why Forgiveness Isn’t Required in Trauma Recovery”.

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, is a trauma psychotherapist, national speaker, and author. She holds licenses in the states of Illinois, Texas, and Missouri, as well as an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Certification, and a National Counselor Certification. Gregory has provided individual, group, and family therapy for more than a dozen years in outpatient and residential settings and is currently in private practice in Chicago. Her work has appeared in Psychology Today, Psychotherapy Networker, Happiful Magazine, Addiction Professional, Adoption Today, All Creatures, Highlights Magazine, and New Therapist Magazine.

Gregory has served as a presenter for clinical conferences, employee trainings, and community events and has spoken for the ACA (American Counseling Association), NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Symmetry Counseling, the Missouri School Counselor Association, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, and the Missouri Association of Marriage and Family Therapy to name a few. She tailors all presentations to meet the needs of your audience.

Click here to check out her awesome blog “Transforming Trauma Blog” on her website.


What is Repeat Traumatization?



On this episode of High Heels and Heartache I chat with Dr. Amelia Kelley, owner and supervisor of Kelley Counseling & Wellness, about repeat traumatization. We discuss what happens when a person experiences more than one trauma in their life, how trauma changes the brain, and the role of nature vs. nurture have in repeat trauma. Dr. Kelley also teaches us about synaptic pruning!

Dr. Amelia Kelley, PhD, MS, LPC, ATR-P, RYT is an integrative therapist with 15 years of experience. She is trained in Art Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Yoga Therapy and other adjunctive treatments for trauma such as EMDR, Prolonged Exposure, Imagery Rehearsal Therapy and Trauma Sensitive Yoga.  She is the owner and supervisor of Kelley Counseling and Wellness in Cary, NC. Her practice is part of the Trauma Consortium at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana State University. She is a trained Level I and II Vinyasa Yoga teacher, a Yin Yoga certified teacher and a trained Restorative Yoga teacher. Dr. Kelley provides yoga therapy to individuals facing physical and mental health challenges to help reduce symptoms, address trauma in the body, help reduce addiction, restore balance and increase vitality. Her art therapy group work with the substance abuse population has been featured in the media as well as her advocacy for the licensure of Art Therapy in the state of NC. Dr. Kelley has been featured in the news as an expert discussing addiction to technology. She has also offered blog contributions in the areas of coping with ADHD in marriage as well as podcasts about Art Therapy in mental health. Additionally, she is a trained meditation teacher with a library of her teachings found on Insight Timer. Dr. Kelley is currently working on her first book examining healthy coping for an overactive nervous system in an overactive society.

For more information on Dr. Kelley and her practice, CLICK HERE.