EP.079 | Unlearning What Keeps You Stuck | Learned Distress with Sara Avery

EP.081 | Rumination, Trauma & OCD: Inside Rumination-Focused ERP with Dr. Michael Greenberg

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Michael J. Greenberg, licensed clinical psychologist and the director of OCD Associates, to talk about something I've lived with since childhood but only recently learned has a name: rumination OCD. For a long time, I thought rumination was something that happened to me, a side effect of trauma. But Michael's work helped me see that rumination is actually something we do, and if it's something we do, it's something we can stop. We talk about what rumination is, how it differs from intrusive thoughts, the six engagement patterns that keep rumination going, and how attachment and complex trauma can intensify OCD loops. This conversation opened my eyes to how treating OCD requires different tools than treating C-PTSD, and I hope it offers you the same clarity it gave me. Chapters: 10:49 Conversation with Dr. Greenberg begins 13:02 Understanding Rumination in OCD 14:11 The Control of Rumination 17:08 The Complexity of Stopping Rumination 19:56 The Role of Core Fears in OCD 35:49 Core Fears and Emotional Conflicts 37:37 The Role of Attachment in OCD 52:06 Dependency and Control in Treatment 58:11 Inner Child Work and Its Challenges 01:02:48 Understanding Rumination and Compulsions 01:04:13 The Six Types of Rumination 01:07:57 Navigating Emotional Flashbacks and Feelings 01:24:22 Healing Invitation Connect with Dr. Michael J. Greenberg: * Website [https://ocdassociates.com/] * Email: michael@drmichaeljgreenberg.com [michael@drmichaeljgreenberg.com] Resources Mentioned: * Dr. Elna Yadin [https://iocdf.org/providers/yadin-elna/] * David Malan’s book Individual Psychotherapy and the Science of Psychodynamics [https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.1201/b13307/individual-psychotherapy-science-psychodynamics-2ed-david-malan-lynn-parker] * Dr. Michael Alcée’s Website [https://michaelalcee.com/] ✨ Stay connected with Hello Trauma Brain: 🎧 Listen on all platforms → hellotraumabrain.riverside.com [http://hellotraumabrain.riverside.com] 🔗 All links in one place → bio.site/hellotraumabrain [http://bio.site/hellotraumabrain] ⭐ Subscribe + leave a 5-star review wherever you listen 📱 Follow @hellotraumabrain on social ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube and hit the bell 💛 Donate via PayPal → paypal.com/paypalme/rmichellerising [http://paypal.com/paypalme/rmichellerising] 📧 Email Raysa → hellotraumabrain@gmail.com [hellotraumabrain@gmail.com]

EP.080 | Breaking the Silence: Emotional Incest & Sexual Assault | SAAM

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and in this episode I share my personal experiences as a survivor of sexual abuse and emotional incest. For a long time, I didn't have names for what happened to me. I just knew something felt wrong. ---------------------------------------- CHAPTERS * 00:00 Sexual Abuse Awareness Month * 05:20 Trauma Anniversaries * 09:40 Emotional Incest * 25:27 Consent and Boundaries * 33:21 Spectrum of Sexual Abuse * 36:13 Grooming and Why Survivors Stay Silent * 40:44 Resources and Healing ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES * RAINN Hotline [http://rainn.org] — 1-800-656-HOPE * Crisis Text Line [https://www.crisistextline.org/] — Text HOME to 741741 * SNAP [http://snapnetwork.org] * Psychology Today Therapist Finder [http://psychologytoday.com/us/therapists] * YWCA [https://ywcalancaster.org/] (not YMCA 😅) * Incest Aware Alliance [https://www.instagram.com/iaalliance/] * Healing and C-PTSD Foundation [https://www.instagram.com/healing.and.cptsd.foundation/] * Silently Seduced — Kenneth Adams [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Silently-Seduced/Kenneth-M-Adams/9780757315879] * Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents — Lindsay C. Gibson [https://www.newharbinger.com/9781648482649/adult-survivors-of-emotionally-abusive-parents/] * The Emotional Incest Syndrome — Patricia Love [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/103844/the-emotional-incest-syndrome-by-dr-patricia-love-with-jo-robinson/] * Fawning — Dr. Ingrid Clayton [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/779579/fawning-by-dr-ingrid-clayton/] * Perry Power on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iamperrypower/] * Brad Shore on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BradShore] * EP.064 with Dr. Ingrid Clayton [https://youtu.be/hCZOlAQ7MOg] * RAYE — Life Boat [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOs_LvCMpXI] * Redd & The Paper Flowers [https://www.reddandthepaperflowers.com/] ---------------------------------------- ✨ Stay connected: 📱 Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hellotraumabrain/] 🌐 hellotraumabrain.riverside.com [http://hellotraumabrain.riverside.com] 🌐 All platforms via Bio Site [https://bio.site/hellotraumabrain] (quick links to every player 🙂) 💛 Donate via PayPal [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rmichellerising] 📧 hellotraumabrain@gmail.com [hellotraumabrain@gmail.com]

EP.079 | Unlearning What Keeps You Stuck | Learned Distress with Sara Avery

Welcome to Hello Trauma Brain, a podcast where I share my personal journey of living with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), and the tools and practices I'm using to heal, recover, and grow. 🎙️ In this episode, Sara Avery, executive director of the Learned Distress Removal Process, joins me to discuss why healing from complex trauma can feel so difficult, even when we're doing all the "right" things. Sara Avery shares her 25-year journey helping people heal from complex trauma through the Learned Distress Removal Process Sara explains what Learned Distress is, how it gets created during childhood, and why many survivors keep ending up in the same kinds of relationships and situations. We explore the six Learned Distress types (Idealist, Perfectionist, Caregiver, Optimist, Defeatist, and Dictator) and what core well-being looks like when it's uncovered for each type. Sara shares the story behind the development of the Learned Distress Removal Process and her collaboration with founder Mimi Herrmann. Our conversation touches on the connection between emotional and physical health, the role of sleep in healing, how to begin accessing your core well-being, and so much more. This episode's healing invitation encourages you to reflect on which Learned Distress patterns resonated with you and notice what comes up as you sit with this new language Connect with Today's Guest, Sara Avery Learned Distress Removal Process website: https://www.LearnedDistress.com [https://www.LearnedDistress.com] Free Learned Distress Type Report: https://LearnedDistress.com/SQ/ [https://LearnedDistress.com/SQ/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraavery_ldr_process/ [https://www.instagram.com/saraavery_ldr_process/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearnedDistress [https://www.facebook.com/LearnedDistress] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LearnedDistress [https://www.youtube.com/@LearnedDistress] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sara.avery?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@sara.avery?lang=en] 📖 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Healing from Trauma 09:34 The Connection Between Emotional and Physical Health 12:18 The Role of Sleep in Healing 15:31 The Process of Change in Trauma Recovery 18:22 Understanding Learned Distress 21:20 Resistance to Change in Trauma Work 24:24 Core Well-Being vs. Learned Distress 27:21 The Impact of Early Experiences on Trauma 29:50 Survival Mechanisms and Trauma Responses 36:42 Understanding Learned Distress 38:13 Types of Learned Distress 46:23 The Impact of Relationships on Recovery 57:46 The Journey to Core Well-Being 01:09:35 - Healing Invitation ✨ Stay connected with Hello Trauma Brain: 📱 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellotraumabrain/?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.instagram.com/hellotraumabrain/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hello-trauma-brain/id1701533871?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hello-trauma-brain/id1701533871?utm_source=chatgpt.com] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HelloTraumaBrain?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.youtube.com/@HelloTraumaBrain?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2SmkhdauRaPVQVqfLH3vs7?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://open.spotify.com/show/2SmkhdauRaPVQVqfLH3vs7?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/30355338-f787-4305-b06b-36c4beec07e0/hello-trauma-brain?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/30355338-f787-4305-b06b-36c4beec07e0/hello-trauma-brain?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 💛 If the podcast has been meaningful to you and you'd like to support it, you can make a donation (any amount is so appreciated!) here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rmichellerising?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rmichellerising?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. Thank you for helping me keep this space going. 🔗 More links: 🌐 Official Bio Site: https://bio.site/hellotraumabrain?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://bio.site/hellotraumabrain?utm_source=chatgpt.com] (quick links to all platforms 🙂) 🌐 Official Website: https://www.raysamichelle.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.raysamichelle.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] (currently under construction) 📧 You can reach me at: hellotraumabrain@gmail.com [hellotraumabrain@gmail.com] Disclaimer: I'm not a licensed psychologist or mental health professional. This podcast is simply me sharing my own journey. It's not meant to replace professional care. If you think you might have Complex PTSD or any mental health condition, please reach out to a qualified provider.

EP.078 | Home After Emotional Abuse with Dr. Sherrie Campbell

Welcome to Hello Trauma Brain, a podcast where I share my personal journey of living with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), and the tools and practices I'm using to heal, recover, and grow. 🎙️ In this episode, Dr. Sherrie Campbell shares her personal experience of recognizing emotional abuse from her own parent and the tools that helped her cope and grieve as she began to distance herself. Dr. Sherrie defines emotionally abusive parents using her DNA framework (Do Not Abuse) and explains how abusive parents offer conditional kindness instead of unconditional love. The concept of defensive hypervigilance trauma is explored, along with "toxic parent abuse victim syndrome" and how these patterns show up for survivors. Dr. Sherrie discusses rebellious hope, a transformative alternative to the toxic hope that keeps survivors stuck in abusive systems. The episode closes with reflections on embodying healing traits, advice to younger selves, and where listeners can connect with Dr. Sherrie's work. 📖 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Sherry Campbell 09:42 Recognizing Toxic Family Dynamics 12:00 The Impact of Post-Separation Abuse 14:21 Defining Emotional Abuse 18:11 Understanding Defensive Hypervigilance Trauma 21:27 Exploring Toxic Parent Abuse Victim Syndrome 25:38 Transforming Defense Mechanisms into Superpowers 27:23 Reclaiming Hope and Healing 27:51 Rebellious Hope: A New Perspective 30:54 The Journey of Writing and Healing 36:59 Introducing 'You Are Home': A Transformative Book 40:05 Understanding Estrangement: Types and Misconceptions 44:04 Moments of Truth: Advice to My Younger Self 46:44 Healing Invitation References EP.064 | Reclaiming Fawning While Believing Me with Dr. Ingrid Clayton: youtube.com/watch?v=hCZOlAQ7MOg&feature=youtu.be [http://youtube.com/watch?v=hCZOlAQ7MOg&feature=youtu.be] Connect with Today's Guest (Dr. Sherrie Campbell) Official Website: https://drsherriecampbell.com/ [https://drsherriecampbell.com/] Sherapy Sessions: Cutting Toxic Family Ties Podcast: https://drsherriecampbell.com/cutting-toxic-family-ties-podcast/ [https://drsherriecampbell.com/cutting-toxic-family-ties-podcast/] Not all parents are good | Dr. Sherrie Campbell | TEDxDanville: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deyHwDkG7oc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deyHwDkG7oc] X (formerly known as Twitter): https://x.com/Dr_Sherrie [https://x.com/Dr_Sherrie] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD [https://www.facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD] YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeRnhojed-YbXJO8otIXe4g [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeRnhojed-YbXJO8otIXe4g] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.sherrie [https://www.instagram.com/dr.sherrie] Pre-Order her upcoming book You Are Home: Heal from Family Trauma, Establish Boundaries, and Find a Place of Peace and Safety (available April 1, 2026): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-are-home-sherrie-campbell-phd/1147948122 [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-are-home-sherrie-campbell-phd/1147948122] ✨ Stay connected with Hello Trauma Brain: 📱 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellotraumabrain/?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.instagram.com/hellotraumabrain/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hello-trauma-brain/id1701533871?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hello-trauma-brain/id1701533871?utm_source=chatgpt.com] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HelloTraumaBrain?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.youtube.com/@HelloTraumaBrain?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2SmkhdauRaPVQVqfLH3vs7?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://open.spotify.com/show/2SmkhdauRaPVQVqfLH3vs7?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/30355338-f787-4305-b06b-36c4beec07e0/hello-trauma-brain?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/30355338-f787-4305-b06b-36c4beec07e0/hello-trauma-brain?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 💛 If the podcast has been meaningful to you and you'd like to support it, you can make a donation (any amount is so appreciated!) here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rmichellerising?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rmichellerising?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. Thank you for helping me keep this space going. 🔗 More links: 🌐 Official Bio Site: https://bio.site/hellotraumabrain?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://bio.site/hellotraumabrain?utm_source=chatgpt.com] (quick links to all platforms 🙂) 🌐 Official Website: https://www.raysamichelle.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.raysamichelle.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] (currently under construction) 📧 You can reach me at: hellotraumabrain@gmail.com [hellotraumabrain@gmail.com] Disclaimer: I'm not a licensed psychologist or mental health professional. This podcast is simply me sharing my own journey. It's not meant to replace professional care. If you think you might have Complex PTSD or any mental health condition, please reach out to a qualified provider.

EP.077 | Why Current Events Hit Different When You Have C-PTSD

Welcome to Hello Trauma Brain, a podcast where I share my personal journey of living with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), and the tools and practices I'm using to heal, recover, and grow. 🎙️ In this episode, I explore why current events hit differently when you have C-PTSD, and what happens when the world around us mirrors the original system of abuse we survived. Why news cycles about ICE raids, Epstein files survivors being punished, and other stories trigger full nervous system dysregulation for trauma survivors How current events mirror the pattern many of us grew up in: vulnerable people punished, abusers protected Why shame gets activated when we see survivors silenced and perpetrators face no accountability Personal reflections on childhood experiences with family-adjacent convicted offenders and being blamed instead of protected How I'm working on reclaiming my voice and remembering I have power now that I didn't have as a child Permission to feel triggered and empowered, and why your nervous system isn't overreacting This episode’s healing invitation: Notice how your body reacts to the news. Set boundaries around when and how long you consume content about current events. Research safe ways to take action if you feel called. Most importantly, take care of yourself and honor your boundaries, and you cannot pour from an empty cup. Content warning: This episode mentions sexual abuse and child sexual abuse and may mention trauma or other topics that could feel activating. Please pause, take a break, or skip the episode if needed. 📖 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Trauma and Current Events 01:41 The Impact of CPTSD on Perception 03:39 Navigating Personal Challenges and Podcasting 06:05 The Role of Magical Thinking in Healing 07:14 Addressing Current Events and Their Emotional Toll 09:47 The Importance of Acknowledging Abuse Patterns 12:27 Survivor's Perspective on Accountability 14:22 The Pain of Watching Injustice 16:16 Understanding the Cycle of Abuse 17:27 Personal Stories of Abuse and Healing 20:04 The Complexity of Recognizing Abuse 22:02 Conclusion and Call to Action 22:28 The Impact of Childhood Trauma 26:12 Outrage Against Systemic Injustice 28:51 Healing and Self-Care for Survivors 36:44 The Importance of Speaking Up 39:35 This Week’s Healing Invitation ✨ Stay connected with Hello Trauma Brain: 📱 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellotraumabrain/?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.instagram.com/hellotraumabrain/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hello-trauma-brain/id1701533871?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hello-trauma-brain/id1701533871?utm_source=chatgpt.com] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HelloTraumaBrain?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.youtube.com/@HelloTraumaBrain?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2SmkhdauRaPVQVqfLH3vs7?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://open.spotify.com/show/2SmkhdauRaPVQVqfLH3vs7?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/30355338-f787-4305-b06b-36c4beec07e0/hello-trauma-brain?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/30355338-f787-4305-b06b-36c4beec07e0/hello-trauma-brain?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 💛 If the podcast has been meaningful to you and you'd like to support it, you can make a donation (any amount is so appreciated!) here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rmichellerising?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rmichellerising?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. Thank you for helping me keep this space going. 🔗 More links: 🌐 Official Bio Site: https://bio.site/hellotraumabrain?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://bio.site/hellotraumabrain?utm_source=chatgpt.com] (quick links to all platforms 🙂) 🌐 Official Website: https://www.raysamichelle.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.raysamichelle.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] (currently under construction) 📧 You can reach me at: hellotraumabrain@gmail.com [hellotraumabrain@gmail.com] Disclaimer: I'm not a licensed psychologist or mental health professional. This podcast is simply me sharing my own journey. It's not meant to replace professional care. If you think you might have Complex PTSD or any mental health condition, please reach out to a qualified provider.