The Trauma Therapist | Podcast With Guy Macpherson, Phd | Inspiring Interviews With Thought-leaders In The Field Of Trauma.

Dr. Shahrzad Jalali is a licensed clinical psychologist, executive coach, and trauma specialist whose work bridges neuroscience, somatic psychology, and mindfulness. She is the author of The Fire That Makes Us (Greenleaf Book Group, Sept 2025), which reframes emotional pain as fuel for transformation, and the creator of Regulate to Rise™, an eight-module program for emotional regulation and resilience. As founder of Align Remedy and Dr. Jalali & Associates, she and her team help clients move beyond coping toward meaningful change using EMDR, somatic experiencing, brainspotting, and Jungian dream work. With a multicultural lens and a rare gift for making mental health deeply human, Dr. Jalali guides high-achievers, women in transition, and trauma survivors from survival to expansion.In This EpisodeShahrzad’s websiteShahrzad’s book: The Fire That Makes Us LinkedinInstagramTikTokBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about

Dr. Shanéa Thomas, LICSW, CSE is a TEDx speaker, award-winning sexuality educator, and clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience in Washington, D.C. They serve as the LGBTQ+ Training Specialist at the University of Maryland School of Public Health and lead Thomas Consulting and Therapeutic Services, helping organizations create more inclusive, trauma-informed spaces. A former USC lecturer and AASECT’s 2024 Sexuality Educator of the Year, Dr. Thomas focuses on grief, identity, and preventing burnout among marginalized providers.Their upcoming book, Accountable Care and Identity Camaraderie for Transgender and Queer Service Providers: Preventing Burnout, will be published by Bloomsbury in 2026.In This EpisodeShanéa on LinkedinShanéa on InstagramBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's fr

Today I'm joined by the incredible Luke Chao, Hon. B.A. Luke founded The Morpheus Clinic for Hypnosis in 2006 and holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and Consulting Hypnotist and Certified Instructor certifications with the National Guild of Hypnotists.His approach is client- and solution-focused, brief and humanistic. And his voice his amazing. In This EpisodeLuke’s websiteLuke’s classesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Thank you to our Sponsors:Jane App - use

Sean/a Smith:Sean/a’s bold style and vibrant spirit made her a beloved figure in La Jolla—despite being unhoused for years. When Dr. Kirsten Harrison learned Sean/a’s story, she was moved to help. Their connection sparked a shared journey of healing, advocacy, and transformation. From life on the streets to co-author and national speaker, Sean/a now champions intersex rights and dignity for the marginalized, always grounded in her deep sense of community.Dr. Kirsten Harrison:Dr. Kirsten Harrison is a psychologist specializing in trauma, with research experience at UCLA and advanced studies at institutions like Georgetown, Harvard, and Pepperdine. But her greatest education has come from working directly with survivors of PTSD, DID, and near-death experiences. Inspired by their resilience, she continues to share her expertise with compassion and purpose, guided by the strength of those she serves.In This EpisodeDr. Kirsten’s websiteI, Sean/a: The Story of A Homeless Intersex Woman Who Inspired A CommunityBecom

Dan Fabrizi is a real estate entrepreneur and senior living consultant whose career includes leading one of Florida’s largest and most effective COVID care units for 1,200+ seniors. Despite his success, burnout pushed him toward therapy and a personal reinvention that reshaped both his business and his identity.Now, as founder of Burgh2Bay Partners, Dan brings radical honesty and emotional intelligence to conversations about trauma, leadership, and resilience. Passionate about reaching men, entrepreneurs, and young people under constant pressure to perform, he speaks with a candid, unfiltered voice grounded in lived experience.In This EpisodeDan’s websiteArtem Vale FoundationBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma

Jordan is the founder of Jordan’s Artful Wellness, a massage therapist, yoga instructor, and brain injury survivor whose life was profoundly changed after sustaining a severe injury from Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Drawing from her personal recovery, she blends her professional training in bodywork and nervous system regulation with lived experience to support others navigating trauma, chronic illness, and neurological injury. Through writing, advocacy, and community education, Jordan is raising awareness about misunderstood brain injuries while empowering others to approach healing with compassion, patience, and curiosity.In This EpisodeJordan on IG: @jordansartfulwellness Jordan on YT: @JordansArtfulWellnessA giant thank you to our sponsors:Jane App – Simple EMR with no contracts or hidden fees. Free onboarding + data imports.

Dr. Smita Das is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in addiction psychiatry and addiction medicine, and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford. With over 20 years of experience in clinical care, research, and leadership—including her role as VP of Psychiatry & Complex Care at Lyra Health—she’s known for bringing nuance and compassion to how we talk about trauma and addiction. What sets her apart is how she addresses overlooked trauma, especially among high-functioning populations. She’s been a leading voice in reframing motherhood—not just as joy, but as a potential mental health breaking point. Dr. Das explores how sleep deprivation, identity rupture, hormonal shifts, and the invisibility of caregiving pain can mirror complex trauma, challenging the notion that maternal crises are rare.In This EpisodeDr. Smita in Psychology TodayThe Science Behind RecoveryDr. Das on LinkedInBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-the

Dr. Gent is an accomplished clinician and expert in psychotherapeutic development with a distinguished career that spans over two decades. He is currently the Chief Clinical Officer at Pacific Quest where he oversees the Clinical program, ensuring the highest standards of care and leading a dedicated team of professionals.In This EpisodeRob’s websitePacific Quest on FacebookPacific Quest on YoutubeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Thank you to our Sponsors:Incogni - Use code [traumatherapist] and

Jill Sitnick is a trauma-informed psychedelic educator, retreat leader, and coach who helps people move from surviving to thriving through safe, grounded psychedelic-assisted healing. Through her work with The Journey Sage, Jill offers coaching, retreats, and education that equip clients and clinicians with practical tools for lasting transformation—not just fleeting insights. As an author and educator, she focuses on making the mystical practical so others can walk the path of healing with confidence and safety.In This EpisodeJill's websiteJill on FacebookJill’s booksBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate t

Juliane Maxwald is a licensed psychoanalyst, AASECT-certified sex therapist, and the author of the upcoming book Psychoanalytic Sex Therapy: Exploring the Unconscious Life of Sexuality (Routledge, Dec 2025). She specializes in exploring how trauma shapes adult sexual expression—manifesting as dissociation, shame, compulsive patterns, shutdown, or fear of intimacy—and how healing can emerge through depth psychology, attachment work, and somatic attunement. Juliane brings a unique lens to the intersection of trauma, sexuality, and the therapeutic relationship, highlighting the body as both a site of injury and a path to recovery.In This EpisodeJuliane’s websiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcas

Cassandra helps people heal intergenerational trauma through somatic and ancestral practices. Through blending shadow work, inner child healing, and ritual, they guide clients into deeper liberation and authentic empowerment, so they can embody purpose and positively impact the world around them.In this Episode: instagram.com/healinglineagesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Thank you to our Sponsors:Incogni - Use code [traumatherapist] and get 60% off annual plans: https://incogni.com/traumatherap

Karen C.L. Anderson is a master-certified life coach and author who specializes in helping women understand and relate to shame differently so they no longer hurt themselves (and others) with it. She is the author of several books including "You Are Not Your Mother: Releasing Generational Trauma & Shame" and "Difficult Mothers, Adult Daughters: A Guide for Separation, Liberation & Inspiration"In This EpisodeBooks by KarenKaren on FB Karen on TikTok Karen on SubstackBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and o

Arkadiy Volkov is a Registered Psychotherapist and the founder of Feel Your Way Therapy, a private practice in Toronto specializing in trauma-informed care. After a decade-long career as a lawyer, Arkadiy made a personal and professional transformation, shifting into psychotherapy to help people heal from anxiety, trauma, and relationship challenges.At Feel Your Way Therapy, Arkadiy leads a team of therapists who work with individuals, couples, children, and families using approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), EMDR, CBT, DBT, and somatic-based practices. His work is rooted in attachment theory and the belief that healing happens through safe, attuned connection.Arkadiy is especially passionate about helping people move beyond protective strategies like emotional shutdown or perfectionism, and into deeper self-acceptance and secure connection.In This EpisodeArkadiy’s websiteArkadiy on IGBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.Yo

Tomilyn (“Tomi”) Ward, LPC, is the founder of My Wellness Center and My Wellness Retreats in Pittsburgh whose goal is to help individuals and families heal from past events and navigate life’s challenges. She counsels clients through milestones such as pregnancy and adoption, supports veterans living with PTSD, and guides young adults exploring their sexual identity.In This EpisodeMy Wellness CenterBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to The Trauma Therapist Podcast.Click here to join my email list and receive podcast updates and other news.Thank you to our Sponsors:Incogni - Use code [traumatherapist] and

Dr. Robert Rhoton is the Chief Clinical Officer of the Arizona Trauma Institute and President of the Trauma Institute International. A Diplomate of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, he has spent decades advancing the understanding and treatment of developmental and family trauma. Dr. Rhoton has supervised outpatient clinics, juvenile justice and substance abuse programs, day treatment centers, and child and family therapeutic services. Formerly a professor at Ottawa University, he trained counselors to work with traumagenic family dynamics using non-egoic, compassionate models of care. Today, he consults with agencies and organizations across the globe, helping them strengthen trauma-informed systems and improve therapeutic outcomes for both individuals and families.In This EpisodeArizona Trauma InstituteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrate

Andrea Leeb is the author of Such a Pretty Picture, a debut memoir about childhood trauma, dissociation, and the long road to healing. Abused before the age of five and raised in a home of denial and silence, Andrea grew up to look “fine”—a successful attorney, wife, and high-functioning perfectionist. But when she was assaulted in her 30s, the façade cracked, and repressed memories, panic, and PTSD surfaced, forcing her into a profound journey of recovery.Through inpatient trauma therapy, EMDR, yoga, journaling, and boundary work, Andrea experienced what she calls a psychological rebirth. She now speaks with raw honesty about the hidden impact of childhood abuse, the myth of “I’m fine,” and why healing, though nonlinear, is always possible.Andrea brings a gentle yet unflinching presence, offering audiences validation, hope, and the reminder that it’s never too late to tell the truth—or to reclaim who you were meant to be before the pain.In This EpisodeAndrea’s websiteSuch a Pretty PictureRAINAndrea on IGBeco

Melissa Williams is the creator of the YouTube channel Lostat50Something and the originator of the “Backwards Confession,” a powerful practice of entering a confessional not to seek absolution, but to name the harm caused by certain church doctrines and actions — and then to offer forgiveness as an act of reclaiming personal power and peace. This deeply personal ritual has become the foundation for a budding movement and online community, r/BackwardsConfession, where individuals are encouraged to engage in similar acts of active forgiveness and liberation from institutional harm.Through this work, Melissa offers a unique perspective on healing from religious trauma, challenging institutional power dynamics, reclaiming agency in the face of patriarchal structures, and transforming pain into empowerment. By sharing her own story and guiding others in this practice, she hopes to open new pathways for those navigating religious deconstruction and seeking healing beyond traditional frameworks.In This EpisodeMeliss

Calvin Armerding is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor based in South Carolina, specializing in Adlerian psychology. He regularly leads workshops, offers retreats, and gives keynotes on topics such as grief, couples counseling, and trauma. His recent work explores trauma as what Alfred Adler described as an “exogenous factor” — an external event that collides with an individual’s internal narrative, purpose, and movement.Calvin teaches a model that integrates trauma with Adlerian lifestyle investigation, framing trauma not as a fixed, defining event but as a disruption that can reveal or amplify a client’s core convictions, compensations, and private logic. This approach helps both clinicians and clients reconnect with agency, courage, and belonging without minimizing pain or pathologizing symptoms.  In This EpisodeCalvin’s websiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist New

Gabriela Rosa is the founder and CEO of The Rosa Institute, the world’s first entirely virtual and holistic fertility clinic. She is a Harvard-trained fertility specialist who has spent decades not only treating the biological side of reproductive health but also holding space for the psychological pain that comes with it. Her clinical insights are matched by her deep empathy for what her patients go through and her belief that we need to start calling this what it is: a trauma that deserves to be witnessed and treated with compassion. In This EpisodeGabriella’s websiteFertility BreakthroughBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $

Dennis Church, 76, has been a photographer for 50 years and has used the quiet act of photographing the world around him to navigate childhood trauma, addiction, and shame. His forthcoming book, DIRT FRESH (Fall Line Press, Atlanta), is part visual memoir and part emotional x-ray—a project rooted in finding light, humor, and color in the mundane. Having survived much, Dennis has made pictures through it all, using photography as a kind of recovery hymn. He speaks on art as healing, vision as survival, and the long arc of becoming whole.In This EpisodeDennis’ websiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-trauma-therapist--5739761/support.You can learn more about what I do here:The Trauma Therapist Newsletter: celebrates the people and voices in the mental health profession. And it's free! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/4jGBeSa———If you’d like to support The Trauma Therapist Podcast and the work I do you can do that here with a monthly donation of $5, $7, or $10: Donate to T