Therapy Chat | Psychotherapy | Mindfulness | Trauma | Attachment | Worthiness | Self Care | Parenting

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this week's episode, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C revisits her two previous conversations with Lisa Ferentz. In this episode, you will hear Lisa speak about her book Finding Your Ruby Slippers: Transformative Life Lessons from the Therapist which looks at how you can overcome everyday obstacles, boost confidence, and end self-critical thoughts with simple life lessons. Lisa is a recognized expert in the strengths-based, depathologized treatment of trauma and has been in private practice for 32 years. She presents workshops and keynote addresses nationally and internationally, and is a clinical consultant to practitioners and mental health agencies in the United States, Canada, and the UK. She has been an Adjunct Faculty member at University of Maryland School of Social Work, University of Baltimore at Maryland, University of Maryland Department of Family Medicine, and is the Founder of The Ferentz Institute, formerly known as The Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy Training

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this week's episode, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews returning guest Thad Frye, LCSW. Thad was a guest on episode 216 in early 2020, speaking about how Brainspotting can help with grief, trauma and more. This week he returns to speak in more depth about how he uses Brainspotting to help athletes and creatives who are struggling in their performance. Listen in to this fascinating conversation! Thad Frye, LCSW is a Brainspotting psychotherapist with a passion for supporting individual adults as they address grief, anxiety and performance issues. He has worked in hospice and in private practice companioning people through their grief process over the past 19 years. Thad has been lucky enough to study under Dr. Pie Frey and the wonderful Dr. David Grand to be able to focus his skillset in the healing power of Brainspotting. He is a consultant for other Brainspotting psychotherapists, assists Brainspotting trainings and is on the board of the Rocky Mountain Brainspotting I

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews Dr. Arielle Schwartz, who is an author, teacher and therapist who specializes in complex trauma and dissociation. Arielle shared her perspective and how she uses somatic methods, including yoga therapy, to help her clients heal following traumatic experiences.  She and Laura shared a hopeful message of encouragement about healing from trauma. Arielle Schwartz, PhD, is a psychologist, internationally sought-out teacher, yoga instructor, and leading voice in the healing of PTSD and complex trauma. She is the author of five books, including The Complex PTSD Workbook, EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology, and The Post Traumatic Growth Guidebook. Dr. Schwartz is an accomplished teacher who guides therapists in the application of EMDR, somatic psychology, parts work therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of trauma and complex PTSD. She has a depth of understanding, passion, kindness, compassion, joy, and a succinct

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C shares an update on what she's been doing over the month of August, including the launch of Trauma Therapist Network (www.traumatherapistnetwork.com), a vacation and getting Covid. Laura also interviewed Allyson Dinneen, MFT, the therapist who authored the book "Notes From Your Therapist" and the owner of the popular Instagram account by the same name. Allyson talks about her work with adult survivors of Childhood Emotional Neglect. She and Laura discuss authenticity, vulnerability, self compassion and connection with self and within relationships. Allyson Dinneen is a writer and marriage and family therapist specializing in emotions, emotional neglect, and relationships. Her book, Notes From Your Therapist (January 2021), is based on the Instagram account she started after her husband's death, where she reflects on grief, childhood trauma, and life. She is currently working on a memoir.  RESOURCES: Allyson's website: https:

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews returning guest Dr. Pat Ogden. You may recall back in 2018 Dr. Ogden was on Therapy Chat for the first time, talking about Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, the method she founded (link below). This time, Dr. Ogden discusses her newest book, The Pocket Guide to Sensorimotor Psychotherapy in Context. She talks about the book and the importance of bringing an anti-racist, anti-oppressive perspective to the field of psychology in general, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy in particular.    Pat Ogden, PhD, (she/her), is a pioneer in somatic psychology, the creator of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy method and founder of the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute. Dr. Ogden is a clinician, consultant, international lecturer and the first author of two groundbreaking books in somatic psychology: Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Interventions for Trauma and Attachment (2015). Her third book,

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews returning guest Robyn Brickel, LMFT about Top-Down and Bottom-Up psychotherapy methods for trauma. In this conversation, Laura and Robyn described what the terms "Top Down" and "Bottom-Up" mean in reference to trauma therapy; how each type of trauma therapy can help trauma survivors; and what types of therapies fit into each category. Robyn Brickel, MA, LMFT, is the founder and clinical director of Brickel and Associates, LLC in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia. She and her team bring a strengths-based, trauma-informed, systems approach to the treatment of mood disorders, addiction, trauma, self-harm, eating disorders, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions. She is deeply committed to clinical practice, professional education and better public awareness of mental health issues. Robyn is a writer who regularly blogs about trauma and trauma-informed care. RESOURCES: Link to Robyn Brickel&

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this week's episode, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews trauma and attachment expert Deirdre Fay, MSW, who is the author of "Becoming Safely Embodied: A Guide to Organize Your Mind, Body and Heart to Feel Secure in the World." She discussed her earlier book, "Attachment-Based Yoga & Meditation for Trauma Recovery: Simple, Safe and Effective Practices for Therapy" on the podcast in 2018 (link below). Deirdre has also contributed to the book "Attachment Disturbances In Adults: Treatment for Comprehensive Repair with Dr. Daniel Brown and Dr. David Elliott." She offers several additional free and paid books in digital and hard copy formats, along with courses, trainings, coaching and much more on her website, www.dfay.com. Trauma creates disconnection from self and others. In today's conversation you will hear Deirdre describe how we can access our inner wisdom through skills and practices she teaches to help us become safely embodied. She rem

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C expresses gratitude to Melvin Varghese, PhD, who recently interviewed her on his podcast, Selling the Couch. That interview goes live in September, 2021. Be prepared to hear Laura getting all choked up while sharing about the process of creating the new website Trauma Therapist Network. Laura also thanked Katie Vernoy, LMFT and Curt Widhalm, LMFT for interviewing her on their podcast, The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide. Laura talked about how her frustration with the lack of awareness about trauma and trauma therapy, despite the data that is out there on its long term impact, led her to create the Trauma Therapist Network. Laura also celebrated the first 5000 downloads of Trauma Chat Podcast and welcomed the newest member of the Trauma Therapist Network family, Mary Sue McCarthy, LCPC of Hunt Valley, MD. Mary Sue is Certified in EMDR and also uses Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Equine Therapies in her practice, where she specializes in t

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C celebrates the show's 6th birthday - August 15, 2015 is Therapy Chat's date of birth, plus 4,101,000 downloads and 291 episodes! Laura thanks the newest members of the Trauma Therapist Network family, Debbie Duquette, LICSW, in Madison, AL; Gwendolyn Blake, LPC in Clinton, NJ; Catherine Fries, LCSW in Philadelphia, PA - all three of whom offer virtual therapy; and Robyn Brickel, LMFT, who is based in Virginia but also licensed in Washington DC and Connecticut, offering virtual therapy in all states where she is licensed. Laura mentions Robyn is a past guest on Therapy Chat (episode 154) and will be on again in the near future to speak about top down and bottom up therapy methods for trauma.  Laura thanks the listeners over the years and all the sponsors whose support has allowed Therapy Chat to keep going consistently - weekly -  for 6 years!! It is not easy to make time to record the show on top of running a group practice and having a

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this week's episode, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C announces that her new project, Trauma Therapist Network is now live and shares details and gratitude. Next, listen in on a fascinating interview with Kristen D. Boice, LMFT, an EMDR and Brainspotting therapist who is the owner of a trauma-focused group practice called Pathways to Healing in Noblesville, Indiana. In response to listener requests, Laura invited Kristen to Therapy Chat to discuss EMDR - what it is and how it helps; and Brainspotting - what it is and how it helps -- and how they are similar and different. This was a fascinating discussion which will be followed up next week with an interview with Curt Widhalm, LMFT about using EMDR with adolescents. Guest's Bio: Kristen D. Boice is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years experience and owner of a group private counseling practice, Pathways to Healing Counseling. She’s also the host of the Close the Chapter Podcast and a sought-after intern

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, host Laura Reagan LCSW-C interviews returning guest Dr. Kat Kaeni, who is a perinatal mental health therapist and the host of the awesome Mom & Mind podcast. She's also the author of the new book, The Pregnancy Workbook: Managing anxiety and worry with CBT and mindfulness techniques. In this episode you'll hear: What trauma can feel like when it shows up during pregnancy (even if you don't identify with having a trauma history) How birth can be traumatic even when you've made a birth plan How a history of sexual trauma can be activated during the birthing process The importance of empowerment and consent during the birthing process The effects of a traumatic birth, particularly when your child experiences trauma during birth How attachment wounds can sneak up on us when we become parents The cyclical nature of trauma and attachment wounds That seeking out therapy for perinatal mental health is brave The importance of learning to nurture yourself if

Welcome back to Therapy Chat Podcast! In this week's episode, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews guest Dr. Rosie Kuhn, an author, podcaster and coach offering training in transpersonal coaching. Laura and Rosie discussed trauma, recovery and spirituality within the context of transpersonal coaching. Learn more about Dr. Rosie Kuhn:  Dr. Rosie Kuhn is the principal of The Paradigm Shifts Coaching Group, a boutique coaching firm that focuses on personal and spiritual development in oneself, in relationships and in the workplace. She is the author of 13 books including, ‘Self-Empowerment 101,’ and ‘I’ve Arrived! Well, Sort Of'. She has been training individuals to become Transformational Coaches since 2001. She has a number of podcasts: spiritual immersion.podbean.com, and Aging Like a Guru. She can also be found on YouTube - Dr. Rosie Kuhn and her website is: https://www.theparadigmshifts.com/. Thank you to Sunset Lake CBD for sponsoring this week's episode! Sunset Lake CBD is created on a small

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this week's episode host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews returning guest Heather Tuba, who is a writer and advocate for partners and families of trauma survivors. In this conversation you will hear: Why it can be difficult for trauma survivors to find a therapist to meet their needs; How gaps in resources and services for partners and family members of trauma survivors create barriers to healing for survivors and their loved ones; Heather shares her personal experience attempting to find trauma-competent help for a family member; Important considerations for therapists when serving trauma survivors and their families; and more! Heather Tuba is a writer and educator who specializes in psychoeducational resources for loved ones of persons with complex trauma and mental health challenges. Heather has been a leading voice in highlighting the need for more understanding and better support for families. Her writing includes articles on her website, a guidebook on building emot

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this week's episode host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews author and coach Melody Wilding, LMSW about her new book, "Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success At Work." You will hear Melody explain the concept of sensitive striving and how Sensitive Strivers can harness their superpowers to achieve success.  Melody Wilding, LMSW is an executive coach for smart, sensitive high-achievers and author of TRUST YOURSELF: STOP OVERTHINKING AND CHANNEL YOUR EMOTIONS FOR SUCCESS AT WORK. Recently named one of Business Insider’s Most Innovative Coaches for her groundbreaking work on “Sensitive Strivers”, her clients include CEOs, C-level executives, and managers at top Fortune 500 companies such as Google, HP, Facebook, Netflix, Twitter, IBM, Citibank, JP Morgan, and others. Melody has been featured on The New York Times, The Oprah Magazine, NBC News, and spoken at Stanford University, Walmart, Adweek, Burberry and more. She’s here to help you br

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews author Jennifer Louden on creativity, imposter syndrome and the inner critic.  JENNIFER LOUDEN is a personal growth pioneer who helped launch the concept of self-care with her first bestseller, The Woman’s Comfort Book. Since then, she’s written six additional books on wellbeing and whole living, including The Woman’s Retreat Book and The Life Organizer, with close to a million copies of her books in print in nine languages. Jennifer has spoken around the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and has written a national magazine column for a Martha Stewart magazine.  Plus, she’s been profiled or quoted in dozens of major magazines; two of Brené Brown’s books, Daring Greatly and Dare to Lead; and has appeared on hundreds of TVprograms, radio shows, and podcasts—even on Oprah.  Jennifer has been teaching women’s retreats since 1992 and creating vibrant online communities and innovative learning experiences since 1999. She writes weekly to her email

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this week's episode host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews Michelle Farris, LMFT about codependent relational dynamics. Michelle describes the dynamics of codependency within relationships, talks about how these patterns develop and how people who lose themselves within relationships can build a stronger sense of self. Michelle Farris is a licensed psychotherapist and anger management specialist. She helps others build healthy relationships without sacrificing themselves while using her own recovery to provide hope for creating a happier life. She has written three e-books and has created several online courses to support private learning. Her articles have been featured in several online publications including Psych Central, Bustle, Your Tango, The Good Men Project and The Daily Positive. In her private practice Michelle found her sweet spot in teaching relationship skills that are easy to implement quickly. Her guilty pleasure is a Vente latte from Starbucks! Learn more ab

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this week's episode, host Laura Reagan LCSW-C interviews Dr. Kristin Neff, the researcher and author who has made Self Compassion a familiar concept. Dr. Neff has a new book out this week called Fierce Self Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power and Thrive. In this conversation you will hear: How Fierce Self Compassion differs from the tender Self Compassion we are more familiar with How both fierce and tender Self Compassion are needed Why it is uncomfortable for many women to tap into the fierce energy inside us  Guest bio: Kristin Neff is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion almost twenty years ago. In addition to writing numerous academic articles and book chapters on the topic, she is author of the book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Your

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, host Laura Reagan LCSW-C interviews nervous system expert and somatic practitioner Irene Lyon about her work using many bottom-up methods to help individuals with nervous system dysregulation due to trauma.  In this conversation you'll hear: how trauma responses show up in the body how those responses can be shifted when they're stuck how to pace the process what nervous system regulation is the beliefs that arise from our threat response systems and much more! Irene Lyon, MSC. and nervous system expert, teaches people around the world how to work with the nervous system to transform trauma, heal body and mind, and live full, creative lives. To date, her online programs have reached over 4000 people in over 60 countries. Irene has a Master’s Degree in Biomedical and Health Science and also has a knack for making complex info easy for ALL of us to understand and apply to our lives. She has extensively studied and practices the works of Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais, P

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this Bonus Episode host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews internationally known author and teacher Dr. Shefali, whose most recent book, A Radical Awakening, was recently released. In this brief bonus episode you will hear Laura and Dr. Shefali discussing the inner power that is within all of us and how it makes a difference for us individually and culturally to awaken and break the chains of culture that tell us to stay small. DR. SHEFALI received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Columbia University. Specializing in the integration of Western psychology and Eastern philosophy, she brings together the best of both worlds for her clients. She is an expert in family dynamics and personal development, teaching courses around the globe. Dr. Shefali has written four books, including the award-winning, New York Times bestsellers The Conscious Parent and The Awakened Family. She's been featured prominently on Oprah Winfrey's platforms, Good Morning America, the Today Sh

Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this week's episode, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews Dr. Karol Darsa, author of The Trauma Map: Five Steps to Reconnect with Yourself.  She discusses her book and her trauma-informed Intensive Outpatient Center, Reconnect Center. Guest Bio: Dr. Darsa is a licensed psychologist, an author, creator of RITTM, and founder of Reconnect. She has more than 20 years of clinical and administrative experience in trauma and mental health disorders. Dr. Darsa began her career in 1998 as a foster care social worker and continued her work with abused children and their families and adults abused as children. In 2002, Dr. Darsa began studying with Christine Schenk, founder of the CHRIS-Technique, a unique energy work focused on teaching clients how to ground themselves in their bodies. Dr. Darsa has completed numerous evidence-based trainings in the treatment of trauma and mental health disorders, including Level III in Brainspotting, Level I and II trainings in EMDR, and Somatic Ex