Two Trauma Therapists on How Childhood Trauma Shows Up in Relationships

Will You Ever Be Fully Healed? A Somatic Therapist Explains Self-Trust, Trauma Recovery & Living Authentically

If you've ever wondered, "Will I ever finally feel healed?" this episode is for you. In this powerful conversation, Hannah Guy, LCSW, is joined by Megan Sherer, somatic therapist, author, podcast host, and retreat facilitator, to explore one of the biggest misconceptions in the mental health world: that healing is a destination. Together, they unpack the self-improvement trap, why so many people feel like they are constantly trying to "fix" themselves, and how true healing is less about becoming a different person and more about building the capacity to fully experience life; including uncertainty, grief, joy, discomfort, and authentic connection. Whether you're navigating trauma recovery, PTSD, CPTSD, anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or simply trying to trust yourself more, this conversation offers practical tools and compassionate insights grounded in somatic therapy and nervous system regulation. You'll learn why self-trust isn't about always making the "right" decision, it's about knowing you'll be there for yourself no matter what life brings. In this episode, we discuss: * Why healing is an ongoing journey, not a finish line * The hidden dangers of the self-improvement trap * How trauma influences our need for certainty and safety * Building genuine self-trust through everyday actions * Why discomfort is necessary for growth and authentic living * Somatic therapy techniques for nervous system regulation * How to stop people-pleasing and begin taking up space * The role of emotional resilience in trauma recovery *  Why accepting difficult emotions is part of healing, not a setback Whether you're in therapy, considering therapy, or simply interested in personal growth, this episode will challenge the idea that you need to be "fixed" before you can fully live your life. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Meet Megan Sherer 02:54 – The Self-Improvement Trap: Why Healing Never Feels "Done" 05:41 – Safety, Trauma & Learning to Tolerate Uncertainty 08:30 – Why Healing Is a Lifelong Journey 11:06 – Accepting Emotions Instead of Fighting Them 13:56 – What Self-Trust Really Means 16:38 – Practical Ways to Build Self-Trust Every Day 19:33 – Taking Up Space & Choosing Authenticity Over People-Pleasing 21:52 – Final Takeaways & Resources for Continued Healing   ✨ Connect with  Megan Sherer: Instagram: @megansherer Tiktok: @healwithmegs Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/well-then/id1482678110 Website: https://www.megansherer.com/   ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: www.revivetherapyservices.com [http://www.revivetherapyservices.com] Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices Worksheets: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/store   If you enjoyed this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, please subscribe, leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with someone who could use the reminder that healing isn't about perfection, it's about learning to trust yourself through every season of life.

High-Functioning Anxiety in Gen Z & Millennial Women: Perfectionism, People Pleasing & Healing

What does high-functioning anxiety actually look like? Why do so many successful, high-achieving women appear to have everything together while quietly battling constant self-doubt, perfectionism, people pleasing, and burnout? In this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, host Hannah Guy, LCSW, sits down with Jennifer Nobo, LCSW, co-owner of Reimagine Mental Health Collective, to explore why high-functioning anxiety is so common among Gen Z and millennial women and why it's often overlooked because it looks "successful" from the outside. Together, they discuss how childhood experiences, achievement, parentification, perfectionism, and emotional masking shape anxious patterns that follow us into adulthood. They also explain why healing isn't about becoming perfectly calm or giving up ambition, it's about building nervous system capacity, learning to trust yourself, and finding a healthier, more sustainable way to thrive. Whether you've ever thought, "I don't have a reason to be anxious," struggled to slow down, or constantly felt like nothing you accomplish is ever enough, this conversation will help you understand where those patterns come from—and how to begin changing them. In this episode, you'll learn: • What high-functioning anxiety really is (and why it isn't a diagnosis) • Signs you may be experiencing high-functioning anxiety • How perfectionism and people pleasing develop • Why successful people often struggle with hidden anxiety • The connection between childhood experiences, achievement, and anxiety • Why healing can't be rushed • Practical ways to regulate your nervous system and build self-trust • How therapy, EMDR, and nervous system work can support long-term healing If this episode resonates with you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that healing doesn't require perfection.   Chapters 00:00 Welcome & Meet Jennifer Nobo, LCSW 01:10 What Is High-Functioning Anxiety? 03:05 Signs You Might Have High-Functioning Anxiety 05:15 Why Success Never Feels Like Enough 11:40 Where High-Functioning Anxiety Comes From 17:20 Why High Achievers Eventually Burn Out 20:00 Healing Isn't Something You Can "Win" 22:00 People Pleasing, Self-Trust & Perfectionism 25:00 Why Your Nervous System Needs to Slow Down 27:30 Small Ways to Start Healing Today 30:30 Learning to Rest Without Feeling Guilty 32:00 Jen's ADHD Support Group & Resources 33:20 Free Nervous System Worksheets from Revive Therapy Services 34:40 Closing Thoughts   ✨ Connect with Jennifer Nobo: Instagram & TikTok: @jen.nobo Website: reimaginementalhealthcollective.com ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: www.revivetherapyservices.com [http://www.revivetherapyservices.com]Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Trauma, Tea, and Tangents on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Leaving a rating and review helps more people discover conversations about trauma, healing, mental health, and personal growth.

How to Know When It's Time to Break Up: Signs to Stay, Leave, and Trust Yourself

If you've ever wondered "How do I know if it's time to break up?" or found yourself questioning whether to stay in a relationship, this episode is for you. In this episode of Trauma, Tea & Tangents, Hannah Guy, LCSW, sits down with relationship coach and MFT intern Ella Ozer, founder of Clarity in Love, to unpack one of the hardest relationship questions people face: When is it time to leave—and when is it worth staying? Together, they explore why relationship decisions are rarely black and white, how anxiety and attachment wounds can cloud your judgment, and why having doubts doesn't automatically mean your relationship is doomed. They discuss the importance of understanding your non-negotiable values, recognizing emotional compatibility, and learning how to make decisions from a place of confidence rather than fear. Whether you're dating, in a long-term relationship, engaged, or simply navigating uncertainty, this conversation offers compassionate, practical guidance to help you better understand yourself and your relationships. In this episode, you'll learn: *  How to know if it's time to break up * The difference between relationship anxiety and true incompatibility   * Why "good on paper" doesn't always mean "right for you" * What healthy emotional compatibility actually looks like * How attachment styles influence relationship doubts * Why your non-negotiable values matter more than your checklist * How to seek advice without getting overwhelmed by everyone else's opinions * Why you don't owe the world an explanation for your relationship decisions If today's conversation resonated with you, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Trauma, Tea & Tangents. New episodes explore trauma, mental health, relationships, attachment, nervous system healing, and practical tools to help you thrive both inside and outside of therapy.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:57 Meet Ella Ozer & Today's Topic 02:35 The Hidden Signs It May Be Time to Leave a Relationship 05:45 Why Relationship Decisions Feel So Difficult 07:25 Learning to Trust Yourself Instead of Seeking Validation 09:15 Choosing the Right People for Relationship Advice 11:55 What Healthy Emotional Compatibility Looks Like 15:00 When Your Partner Is Trying…But Something Still Feels Off 16:20 Commitment, Marriage & Knowing When You've Tried Everything 18:30 Leaving Doesn't Make You the Villain 20:00 Why You Don't Owe Everyone an Explanation 21:10 Ella's Clarity Sessions & Resources 22:00 Closing Thoughts   ✨ Connect with Ella Ozer: Instagram: @clarityinlove  ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: www.revivetherapyservices.com [http://www.revivetherapyservices.com]Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Trauma, Tea, and Tangents on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Leaving a rating and review helps more people discover conversations about trauma, healing, mental health, and personal growth.

Why Understanding Your Trauma Isn't Healing It

Have you ever felt like you understand your trauma but still can't seem to move past it? In this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, host Hannah Guy sits down with EMDR Intensive Therapist and Hello Calm Therapy owner Hannah Ciampini, LCSW, to explore one of the most common frustrations in trauma recovery: feeling stuck despite years of insight and self-awareness. Together, they unpack why intellectual understanding alone isn't always enough to heal trauma, how emotional processing differs from simply talking about your experiences, and why nervous system regulation plays such a critical role in recovery. Hannah Ciampini shares her expertise on evidence-based trauma treatments including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Brainspotting, explaining how these approaches help clients access and process trauma stored in the body. The conversation also explores how to recognize meaningful progress in therapy, what healing actually looks like, and how to find a therapist who is the right fit for your unique needs. Whether you're currently in therapy, considering trauma treatment, or simply curious about how trauma impacts the brain and body, this episode offers practical insights and compassionate guidance for anyone navigating the healing journey. In This Episode, We Discuss: * Why insight alone doesn't always create lasting change • The difference between intellectualizing trauma and truly processing it • How trauma affects the nervous system • The role of body awareness in healing • EMDR therapy and Brainspotting explained • Signs that trauma therapy is working • How to find a therapist who aligns with your needs • Why feeling stuck doesn't mean you're failing About Our Guest: Hannah Ciampini, LCSW, is a trauma therapist, EMDR Intensive Therapist, and owner of Hello Calm Therapy. She specializes in helping individuals move beyond survival mode through trauma-informed approaches that support nervous system regulation, emotional processing, and lasting healing. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction to Trauma and Therapy 01:36 – Why Understanding Trauma Isn't Always Enough 04:29 – Intellectualizing Trauma vs. Emotional Processing 08:59 – EMDR Therapy and How It Supports Healing 16:18 – Recognizing Progress in Trauma Recovery 24:19 – Finding the Right Therapist for You   ✨ Connect with Hannah Ciampini: Instagram: @blueprintandbloomlab Website: http://www.peacefullivingmentalhealthcounseling.comwww.Hellocalmtherapy.com  ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: www.revivetherapyservices.com [http://www.revivetherapyservices.com]Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Trauma, Tea, and Tangents on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Leaving a rating and review helps more people discover conversations about trauma, healing, mental health, and personal growth.

EMDR Therapy Explained: Healing Trauma, PTSD & Attachment Wounds

What is EMDR therapy, and how does it actually help people heal from trauma? In this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, host Hannah Guy, LCSW, sits down with EMDR consultant and therapist Dana Carretta-Stein, LMHC, to break down one of the most misunderstood trauma therapies available today. Together, they explore how EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) works, why trauma gets "stuck" in the nervous system, and how healing happens when traumatic memories are safely reprocessed. Whether you're a therapist, someone considering EMDR therapy, or a trauma survivor looking to better understand your experiences, this episode offers practical insights into trauma recovery, PTSD treatment, complex trauma, attachment wounds, nervous system regulation, and emotional healing. Dana explains how childhood experiences shape adult relationships, why triggers continue showing up long after a traumatic event has ended, and how EMDR can help people move from survival mode into a greater sense of safety, connection, and self-compassion. In this episode, you'll learn: * What EMDR therapy is and how it works • Common misconceptions about EMDR • How trauma impacts the brain and nervous system • Why attachment wounds continue affecting adult relationships • The role of self-regulation and co-regulation in healing • How EMDR helps process complex trauma and PTSD • What clients can expect during EMDR sessions • Using EMDR with addiction, OCD, and developmental trauma • Why therapists must prioritize their own nervous system health • Practical tools for healing both inside and outside of therapy Whether you're new to EMDR or already familiar with trauma treatment, this conversation provides a compassionate and accessible look at one of the most effective evidence-based approaches for trauma recovery. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Dana and EMDR 01:07 Media Representation of EMDR 02:05 What EMDR Actually Is 02:57 Attachment Trauma and Unmet Needs 03:58 How Childhood Trauma Shows Up in Adulthood 05:25 Understanding Trauma Responses 06:24 Child Parts vs. Adult Parts 07:12 Trauma Activation and Triggers 08:29 Re-Parenting and Self-Regulation 09:09 Psychoeducation and Trauma Resources 10:39 Intergenerational Trauma and Parenting 11:45 Therapist Regulation and Boundaries 13:48 Creativity and Flexibility in EMDR 14:59 Working with Specific Traumatic Memories 16:18 How the Brain Responds to Trauma 17:32 Transformative EMDR Moments 18:08 Body Awareness and Memory Processing 19:21 Implicit Memory and Early Trauma 20:35 Addressing Pre-Verbal Trauma 22:24 EMDR for Addiction and OCD 23:32 What to Expect in an EMDR Session 25:07 Window of Tolerance Explained 27:28 Safety and Pacing in Trauma Therapy 29:24 Why Healing Often Happens Slowly 29:37 Self-Acceptance and Lasting Change 29:48 The Therapist as a Regulated Presence 31:39 The Importance of Therapist Self-Work 33:09 Co-Regulation and Nervous System Healing 34:25 Building Healthy Support Systems 36:53 Managing Therapist Burnout and Dysregulation 37:44 Balancing Connection and Self-Care 39:14 Dana's Book and Additional Resources 41:05 Colorado's EMDR Community 41:56 Integrating EMDR with Other Modalities 43:16 Healing Beyond Therapy 44:21 Closing Thoughts About Dana Carretta-Stein Dana Carretta-Stein, LMHC, is an EMDR consultant, therapist, speaker, and educator who specializes in helping clinicians and clients understand trauma through the lens of attachment, nervous system regulation, and EMDR therapy. ✨ Connect with Dana: Instagram: @the_emdr_coach Website: www.peacefullivingmentalhealthcounseling.com [http://www.peacefullivingmentalhealthcounseling.com]  ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: www.revivetherapyservices.com [http://www.revivetherapyservices.com]Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Trauma, Tea, and Tangents on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Leaving a rating and review helps more people discover conversations about trauma, healing, mental health, and personal growth.