Sexual abuse is an attack on the totality of a human being. It impacts neurobiological functioning, spiritual connection to the self, other, and “the greater.” It is also an attack on a person’s cognitions, emotions, and physiology, including their endocrine and immune systems. Sexual abuse is also an attack on the survivor’s ability to form and maintain social connections. The person is changed, and this is traumatization. But this change needs are not a life sentence; it can be the journey toward post-traumatic growth (PTG). However, the process can feel taxing, especially as survivors try to connect intimately with a partner.

Returning to an act that is similar to the trauma can reflexively invite traumatic reactions. As survivors seek to have sexual intimacy with their partners, for instance, they are engaging with a familiar stimulus to the threat which triggers a cascade of stress responses like adrenaline, and noradrenaline. The release of these neurotransmitters is commonly associated with a narrowing of consciousness, that is, the prefrontal cortex shuts down so the survivor can shift into active defense responses like dissociation, appeasing, or even shutting down to name a few. The body is engaged in a survival response.

Reconnection, then, is an important area to focus on. Survivors can interrupt this automatic defence response through a series of titrated touch exercises that aims to convey safety to the nervous system and mind. Weldy Maltz, the renowned author of “The Sexual Healing Journey” and sex therapist, sits with Lucie Ritchie to discuss evidence-based ways to reconnect after trauma.

Main topics include core belief of not being good enough, objectification, Judith Herman’s Tri-Phasic Model, seeking justice, and moving forward.

I’m pleased to welcome Medical Doctor, Robert (Rusty) Turner to Heal Podcast! Dr. Turner is a neurologist and neuroscientist who has more than 30 years of experience as a physician practicing preventative medicine and assessing neurofeedback EEGs. In his field, he was told that if the observed concern was not significant, then “call it normal.” This did not land well with Dr. Turner, and he chose to focus on preventative care instead of traditional healthcare which he calls, “disease management.”

In line with this way of thinking, he's become aware of a contributing factor to intense anxiety, depression, sometimes panic, and even seizures: electromagnetic fields (EMFs) (or invisible adversaries, as I call them). In this episode, we mostly focus on the “D” in Dr. Turner’s main prescription “MEDS:” Movement, Eating, Disconnecting, and Sleeping.

Learn about Dr. Turner’s journey to self-healing, his passion for preventative care, and how (and why) you can prevent illness by disconnecting. Listen in to explore how going "wired" vs. "wireless" can optimize well-being. Learn how EMFs affect mental health, the neurological problems caused by EMFs, and what EMFs do to the brain and nervous system. Hit play now!

Physicians for Safe Technology: https://mdsafetech.org/

Environmental Health Trust: https://ehtrust.org/

Baby Safe Project: https://www.babysafeproject.org/

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Today, I have the honour of being joined by the one and only Iris McAlpin. Iris is a certified trauma coach and a Master NARM® Practitioner who specializes in treating self-sabotage, eating disorders, and complex trauma. After struggling with bulimia, complex trauma, and depression for over a decade, Iris became determined to understand what was fuelling her self-destructive behaviors and troubling symptoms. This eventually led her to an in-depth study of trauma, which resulted in a radical personal transformation. She now helps people all over the world overcome similar struggles through trauma-informed education, group programs, and individual coaching. 

***Download your FREE E-book to learn how to kickstart resilience: https://www.healpsychotherapy.ca/free-ebook/ ***

In this episode, Iris and Lucie discuss how the parent and food are so deeply connected. When there are disruptions to the parent/child bond, key aspects of that bond (nurturing, nourishment, pleasure, soothing, etc.) become threatened and the child can experience scarcity. The child needs a caregiver to survive, and the child knows this at the primitive/unconscious level. So, a threat to the attachment relationship activates our internal alarm to suggest, "The attachment failure is your fault, figure out what is needed to bond and change!"

We internalize blame as kids because 1) we are in an ego-centric stage where everything is about us, and 2) it allows us to have a sense of control (e.g., "If I can change myself, then maybe I'll get my needs met"). The pain and challenge of not feeling accepted and therefore unsafe can disrupt our neurobiological needs for a secure attachment.

When there are disruptions in the parent/child connection, the aspects of that connection (nurturing, pleasure, soothing, etc.) become threatened and the child can experience scarcity. The attempt to soothe is often primitive (unconscious) and can create a life-long battle with an object (like food, alcohol, etc.) as though we are void without IT. But the work to heal the void we felt about the root, the PARENT. Reaching for objects that provide pleasure, soothing, etc. is often an unconscious attempt to fulfill neurobiological needs for nurturing. 

Listen to this important conversation on the connection between trauma and eating disorders.

***Download your FREE E-book to learn how to kickstart resilience: https://www.healpsychotherapy.ca/free-ebook/ ***

Stay connected with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healpsychotherapy/

Podcast: https://www.healpodcast.com/

Courses: https://www.healclassroom.com/

Psychotherapy Inquiries (Ontario only): https://www.healpsychotherapy.ca/ *

**Download your FREE E-book to learn how to kickstart resilience: https://www.healpsychotherapy.ca/free-ebook/ ***