The Complex Trauma Podcast
Episodes
Complex Trauma, Motherhood, and Cycle Breaking with Libby Ward
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Libby Ward, creator, speaker, and author of Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Mysel...
The Hidden Shame in Emotional Neglect
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You might not call it shame. But if you were emotionally neglected, there's a chance it's been running the show.Most people who grew up emot...
How Complex Trauma Shows Up in Your Sex Life with Rachael Garner
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sex and complex trauma. It's one of those topics that doesn't get nearly enough airtime, and yet it comes up so frequently in the therapy ro...
Why You Freeze or Shut Down When Things Get Hard
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever gone completely blank in the middle of a hard conversation, or found yourself frozen, heart hammering, unable to say a single thin...
Why Nervous System Regulation Feels Impossible With CPTSD
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you've done the work, learned the tools, and still feel like you're white knuckling through every single day, this episode is for you.For...
Childhood Emotional Neglect with Dr. Danica Harris
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Childhood emotional neglect doesn't always look like what you'd expect. Sometimes it looks like a parent who showed up to every game, made d...
3 Dissociation Questions Everyone's Asking (Answered)
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After my conversation with Janina Fisher about dissociative parts, my inbox exploded with questions about dissociation. So today, I'm answering t...
Betrayal Trauma and Learning to Trust Again with Joe Sanok
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Betrayal doesn't just hurt. It rewires your nervous system, shakes your ability to trust yourself, and makes you question everything you thought...
Understanding Dissociative Parts with Dr. Janina Fisher
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if forgetting your childhood, feeling disconnected from your emotions, or experiencing different "versions" of yourself weren't si...
Understanding Your Response to Collective Trauma
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a bit different. If it's not for you, that's okay.Right now, a lot of us are struggling. The anxiety that won't quit, t...
Religious Trauma is Complex Trauma with Cassidy DuHadway
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I sit down with Cassidy DuHadway, author of "Becoming Me," to talk about religious trauma as complex trauma. We dig into ho...
I Don't Even Have Trauma Memories, So Why Am I Triggered?
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
"What counts as a trigger for CPTSD? And why do I get triggered by everyday stuff that shouldn't feel threatening?"If you've ever ...
The Beauty and the Work of Complex Trauma Recovery with Thomas Zimmerman
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if your anxiety, depression, or chronic overwhelm aren’t personal failures, but the echoes of unprocessed trauma?In this week’s episode, Sara...
A New Year's Pep Talk (Without the Toxic Positivity)
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's New Year's Eve, and if you're feeling anything other than excited, there's absolutely nothing wrong with you.This isn't ...
How to Navigate Holiday Emotional Hangovers
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
That weird week between the holidays and New Year's hits different. You've survived the holiday chaos, the family dynamics, the endless to-d...
Q&A: How to Set Boundaries With Family Who Won't Listen
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You set a boundary. They ignored it. You repeated yourself. They pushed again. And by the fourth time, you weren't calmly redirecting anymore, yo...
Invisible Rules of Dysfunctional Families with Abby Albright
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Dr. Judith Herman on Complex PTSD and What Survivors Really Want
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
CPTSD vs PTSD (And, Why You Keep Getting Misdiagnosed)
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you've been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, or bipolar - but nothing quite fits - you might actually be d...
Welcome to The Complex Trauma Podcast
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Instagr...
Why Love Feels So Hard with CPTSD (And How to Change That)
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does love feel overwhelming, triggering, or just plain scary? If you have Complex PTSD, your nervous system might be treating intimacy like a threat, ...
Mini Episode: What is Trauma Informed Yoga?
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 supp...
Mini Episode: 5 Ways Yoga Can Support Healing
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 wh...
Therapy Isn’t Working… or Is It? 3 Reasons You Might Feel Stuck
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, S...
Why Self-Compassion Feels So Cringey
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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’...
Hyper-Independent and Burnt Out? It’s Not Your Fault
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 e...
What Safety Might Feel Like in Recovery (It’s Not What You Think)
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 mig...
You Don't Need to Be Calm to Be Healing (and Other Nervous System Truths)
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Feeling Numb, Floaty, or Shut Down? It Might Be Dissociation
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Mini Episode: The Grief of Emotional Neglect
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 wha...
What Body Image Work Actually Looks Like with Heather Rudalavage
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if your body was never the problem?In this episode, Sarah sits down with Registered Dietitian, Heather Rudalavage for a real, unfiltered conversa...
ADHD, Sober Curiosity & Healing from the Inside Out with Kri Gore LMFT
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sarah and Kri Gore LMFT dive into ADHD, neurodivergence, and sober curiosity, exploring how societal norms shape our identities and w...
Monthly Mindful Moment with Abby: Rest
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 yo...
Why Am I So Lonely? The Deeper Truth About Disconnection
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Mini Episode: Redefining Self Care in Eating Disorder Recovery
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 you...
Trauma Dumping, Misinformation & the Social Media Therapy Trap
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 the...
The Pressure to Do More Is Exhausting. Let's Talk About it.
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 nev...
Mini Episode: Signs of Childhood Emotional Neglect in Adulthood
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sarah explores the often-overlooked impact of childhood emotional neglect- what happens when emotional needs go unmet. She unpacks th...
Monthly Mindful Moment with Abby: Balance
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
10 Ways to Cope With Seasonal Affective Disorder
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 symptom...
18 Things To Do In 2025 Instead Of Going On A Diet
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy 2025!!Today the entire team is here to share 18 things to do in 2025 instead of going on a diet.We know the lure toward dieting this time of yea...
Mini Episode: 10 Signs of Post Traumatic Growth
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's mini episode, Sarah shares about the concept of post-traumatic growth. She outlines ten signs of post-traumatic growth, highlighting t...
Finding Peace With Your Body- A Conversation With Johanna Kulp
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Sarah is joined by special guest Johanna Kulp, a therapist and author of the upcoming book "Finding Peace With Your Body: A Body Image Gui...
Laura Shares About Wisdom Practices
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Laura explore the intersection of spirituality and psychology, discussing the importance of reclaiming ancient wisdom ...
Mini Episode: A Beginner’s Guide to Embodied Body Image Healing
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's mini episode, Sarah discusses the limitations of traditional body image work and emphasizes the importance of understanding the nervou...
What To Say When- A Guide For Surviving Holiday Conversations
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for an essential guide to holiday gathering survival! Our entire team is here to unpack practical responses to dreaded comments and questions ...
Family Dysfunction: What It Is and What To Do With It
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join hosts Sarah and Abby as they unpack the challenging terrain of family dysfunction and its often heightened impact during the holiday season. Thi...
Mini Episode: Why Positive Thinking Just Isn't Enough When it Comes to Body Image
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why is it so hard to heal your relationship with your body, even when you know all the right things to think and say? In this mini episode, we explore...
5 Tips to Manage Election Week Anxiety
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's a big week here in the US. Today, Emily is sharing 5 quick tips to manage election week anxiety. Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma...
Halloween Special: Looking Behind The Masks We Wear
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Halloween! Today Sarah and Laura are sharing a Halloween episode, unpacking the masks that we wear. They explore the concept of masking in our ...
Money Talk: Capitalism and Its Impact
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode Sarah and Casey dive deep into how capitalism shapes our daily lives, mental health, and sense of self-worth. From the histori...
Money Talk: Unpacking Trauma and Money
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today Sarah and Casey are back talking about relationships between money and trauma. From feeling lack of choice and safety to how that might manifest...
Money Talk: From Terrifying To A Tool
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, hosts Sarah and Casey kick off a new series on money and mental health. This is the first episode of a handful to explore your relationship wi...
Thriving on Campus: A Guide to College Resources for Mental Health
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, hosts Sarah and Ashley dive deep into the world of college support systems. They explore the various resources available to s...
Mini Episode: How Trauma Affects The Brain and Memories
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's mini episode, Sarah is sharing how trauma affects the brain and memory after experiencing trauma.Be sure to head to our blog to view t...
Unpacking Perimenopause
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tune in as Sarah and Laura pull back the curtain on perimenopause on today's episode. They dive into the physical and emotional rollercoaster tha...
Mini Episode: Food Freedom- What It Really Means in Eating Disorder Recovery
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's mini-episode Sarah is sharing her hot take on the popular notion of food freedom, what it might really mean, and steps to get there on...
Athlete Mental Health Challenges with Paige Thompson
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sarah and Paige Thompson discuss discuss mental health in athletes. Paige shares her personal journey as a collegiate athlete, detail...
Mini Episode: Toxic Positivity- What It Is & How to Navigate It
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's mini episode, Sarah discusses the concept of toxic positivity, particularly its effects on trauma survivors. She explains how the pres...
Feeling Like You're Falling Behind in Your 20's and 30's
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Reclaim You, Sarah and Emily discuss the common feelings of falling behind in life, particularly during the pressure-filled decades...
Mini Episode: 10 Reasons To Stop Watching What I Eat In A Day Videos
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this mini episode, Sarah dives into 10 reasons why you should stop watching what I eat in a day videos.Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma P...
Episode Rewind! How to Cope With Weight Gain
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Reclaim You, Sarah and Laura dive deep into the challenging journey of coping with weight gain during the recovery process. They d...
Why Understanding Attachment is Important in Trauma Recovery with Katie Fries
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sarah and Katie Fries ,therapist and owner of All of You Therapy in Center City Philadelphia, as they delve into the fascinating world of attachm...
The Role of Families in Eating Disorder Recovery with Erica Butler
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Erica Butler, PhDc, LMFT, the founder and executive director of Blue Ridge Eating Disorder Care Center, discuss the ro...
What To Do When Motivation Wanes in Recovery
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Casey discuss what to do when motivation in recovery wanes. They use the analogy of gardening to illustrate how motiva...
The Olympics, Eating Disorders and Athletics
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Laura discuss the Olympics, athletes, and eating disorders. They talk about their love for the Olympics and their favo...
The How's and Why's of Trauma Therapy with Abby Albright
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Abby discuss trauma therapy and how it can support ACA's and folks who have experienced complex trauma. They high...
Diving Into The Bridgerton Buzz with Emily Cinque
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sarah and Emily discuss the recent buzz around the show Bridgerton, bodies in the media, fatphobia, internalized fatphobia, and anti-...
Navigating Transitions That Come With The College Experience with Ashley Fox
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's podcast Sarah is introducing a new Reclaim Therapist, Ashley Fox!Ashley comes to Reclaim with experience working in a college counseli...
All About Saying "No"
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Casey discuss the what's why's and how's of saying no. They explore the challenges of setting boundarie...
The RAIN Tool For Challenging Emotions
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Abby discuss a tool called RAIN (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture) that can be used to navigate challenging emot...
Relationships with Trauma Survivors
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Laura discuss relationships with people who have experienced trauma. They discuss the importance of safety in relation...
Chronic Pain and Body Image with Megan Luybli
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sarah and Megan Luybli, a registered dietitian and intuitive eating counselor, discuss the intersection of chronic pain and body imag...
Tips for Starting Therapy: Finding the Right Fit
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sarah and Emily celebrate the one-year anniversary of their podcast and share tips for starting therapy. They discuss how to find a ...
Adaptive Strategies of Adult Children of Alcoholics and Addicts
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Abby discuss the traits and strategies that adult children of alcoholics and addicts develop as a result of their chil...
Let's Talk Weddings... And All That Can Come With Them
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Laura discuss the challenges and pressures that come with wedding planning, particularly related to body image and dis...
More About Shame and Shame Resiliency
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, Sarah and Casey are diving back into shame. They share some recent personal experiences with shame and how they've nav...
How to Cope With Health Anxiety
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Emily discuss health anxiety and how it can manifest in individuals. They define health anxiety as anxiety focused ...
Exploring Trauma in Adult Children of Alcoholics
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Abby discuss the experiences of adult children of alcoholics (ACOA) and the impact of childhood trauma. They explore r...
Control in Eating Disorder Recovery
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Laura discuss the link between eating disorders and control. They explore how control can be a response to feeling ou...
Shame: What It Is And Where It Comes From
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sarah and Casey discuss the topic of shame. They explore the definition of shame and differentiate it from guilt. They also delve int...
Stepping Off The Spiral Staircase with Rachael McLaughlin
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Sarah and our special guest Rachael McLaughlin discuss the journey of reclaiming oneself throughout different seasons of life...
Therapy Myths
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sarah and Emily bust common myths about therapy. They discuss the misconception that you have to be struggling to go to therapy, the ...
Navigating Relapse in Eating Disorder Recovery with Gabby Morreale
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sarah and her guest, Gabby Morreale, discuss how to navigate relapses while in recovery from an eating disorder. They explore the dif...
Breaking Up With Your Therapist
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This conversation with Sarah and Abby explore the challenges and emotions involved in ending a therapeutic relationship. Sarah and Abby discuss the h...
Creating Body Positive Homes with Robin Klein
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Robin Klein, Registered Dietitian and Pediatric Nutrition Specialist, discuss the challenges of parenting in a weigh...
Returning to Movement in Recovery
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Laura discuss the challenges and strategies of reintroducing movement after engaging in recovery work. They share thei...
All Things Medical Care and Eating Disorder Recovery with Anti-Diet Dietitian Rachel Shifflet
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and her guest, Rachel Shiflet, discuss the importance of having eating disorder-informed medical providers and regular c...
Body Image, Dating and Relationships
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Casey discuss various topics related to body image and relationships. They dive into the impact of body image on da...
Navigating ADHD and Disordered Eating With Eva Haldis
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Eva Haldis, owner of Reclaim Nutrition, discuss the intersection of nutrition and ADHD, particularly in relation to ea...
To Resolution or Not Resolution in 2024
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sarah and Emily discuss New Year's resolutions and the mixed feelings people have towards them. They explore the pressure and hy...
Coming Back To The Basics in Recovery
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Laura discuss the challenges of navigating food and the holidays. They emphasize the importance of getting back to bas...
Dysfunctional Family Dynamics & The Holidays
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sarah and Abby discuss how to navigate the holidays when dealing with dysfunctional family dynamics. They explore the stress that ma...
Grief During The Holiday Season
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Sarah and Casey discuss the topic of grief in the holiday season. They share their personal experiences of grief and how it can ...
Taking Care of Yourself When The World is in Turmoil
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join the entire Reclaim Therapy team in a heartfelt conversation about navigating life's challenges when it feels like the world is on fire. To...
Gratitude as a Path to Healing
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sarah and Laura in this special Thanksgiving episode of Reclaim You as they explore the transformative power of gratitude. Reflecting on the cha...
Attachment: What It Is & Why It Matters
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join Sarah on this episode of Reclaim You as she dives into the intricate world of attachment with her guest, Katie Fries, a trauma and attachment spe...
Understanding Overfunctioning and Embracing Slowing Down
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Reclaim You, hosts Sarah and Abby candidly discuss the subtleties and impacts of over-functioning in one's life, exploring the...
Coping Skills: Your Toolkit for Navigating Life's Challenges
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered about the secret to coping with emotional challenges? Join us in an enlightening conversation with mental health therapist Mallory Grims...
When Things Feel Worse Before They Feel Better
25 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to Reclaim You, a podcast dedicated to healing from trauma, disordered eating, and body shame. In today's episode, Sarah and Casey d...