Folgen

  • Healthy Boundaries in CPTSD Relationships: Create Safety While Staying Open

    Healthy Boundaries in CPTSD Relationships: Create Safety While Staying Open
    Feb 13 2026
    In this episode, we dive deep into the complex world of boundary-setting for people with CPTSD, especially in romantic relationships. Drawing from personal experience, clinical research, and real-world examples, we explore why traditional boundary advice often fails trauma survivors and introduce a trauma-informed approach to maintaining healthy limits while nurturing genuine connection. Whether you're struggling with people-pleasing or find yourself completely walled off, this episode offers practical tools for finding that crucial balance.

    What You'll Learn:

    • How to recognize when you're abandoning your own needs in relationships and what to do about it
    • Practical techniques for communicating boundaries without triggering abandonment fears
    • Ways to distinguish between protective walls and healthy boundaries in relationships
    • Strategies for maintaining connection while setting necessary limits
    • Tools for handling the physical and emotional responses that arise when setting boundaries

    Key Insights

    • Boundary issues in CPTSD aren't personal failings - they're adaptive responses to trauma
    • The "boundary paradox": why we most need boundaries where it feels scariest to set them
    • Our nervous system's response to boundaries can be rewired with consistent practice
    • Healthy boundaries actually strengthen relationships rather than threatening them
    • Setting boundaries is a skill that can be learned, even with a trauma history

    Recommended Resources:

    • "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk
    • "Boundary Boss" by Terri Cole
    • "Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving" by Pete Walker
    • "Attached" by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
    • "Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents" by Lindsay Gibson

    Coming Up Next

    Next week, we'll explore how to maintain these new boundary practices during triggering situations and high-stress periods. You'll learn specific strategies for staying grounded while protecting your newfound limits.

    📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at cptsd@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛 Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/c-ptsd-let-s-make-sense-of-this-sh-t--6331440/support

    This episode includes AI-generated content.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    31 Min.
  • CPTSD Foundations: Building a Life After Trauma

    CPTSD Foundations: Building a Life After Trauma
    Feb 2 2026
    In this episode, we embark on a crucial journey to understand Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and lay the groundwork for reclaiming your life. If you've experienced prolonged or repeated trauma, this introduction is your first step towards a future defined by resilience, not just survival.

    What You'll Learn:
    • Define CPTSD and its core differences from PTSD.
    • Identify common symptoms and their origins.
    • Understand the impact of trauma on the brain and body.
    • Explore initial strategies for self-awareness and grounding.
    • Discover the possibility of a fulfilling life post-trauma.

    Key Insights:
    • CPTSD is a response to overwhelming, ongoing trauma.
    • Early childhood experiences profoundly shape CPTSD.
    • Trauma creates lasting changes in emotional regulation.
    • Healing is a process, not a destination.
    • Building a life after trauma is achievable with the right support.

    Recommended Resources:
    • "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk
    • "Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving" by Pete Walker
    • EMDR therapy

    📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at cptsd@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛 Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    15 Min.
  • Crisis Calm: Your Introduction to Staying Grounded

    Crisis Calm: Your Introduction to Staying Grounded
    Jan 30 2026
    In this episode, navigate the chaos and discover practical strategies to anchor yourself when the world feels overwhelming. This introduction is your first step to building resilience during challenging times.

    What You'll Learn:
    • Understanding the impact of crisis on your nervous system.
    • Simple techniques to re-regulate during intense moments.
    • Identifying personal triggers and warning signs.
    • Cultivating a sense of present moment awareness.
    • Building a personal crisis toolkit.

    Key Insights:
    • Grounding is an active, skill-based practice.
    • The body remembers and responds to stress.
    • Small, consistent efforts build significant resilience.
    • Self-compassion is crucial in difficult periods.
    • External support amplifies internal strength.

    Recommended Resources:
    • "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk
    • EMDR therapy
    • "Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving" by Pete Walker

    📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at cptsd@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛 Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    40 Min.
  • CPTSD Recovery: Navigating the Ups and Downs

    CPTSD Recovery: Navigating the Ups and Downs
    Jan 25 2026
    In this episode, we're diving into the foundational understanding of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and equipping you with essential strategies to navigate its inherent ups and downs. If you're on the path to recovery, this is your essential guide to recognizing the patterns and building resilience.

    What You'll Learn:
    • Define CPTSD and its core characteristics.
    • Understand the cyclical nature of CPTSD recovery.
    • Identify common triggers and emotional shifts.
    • Develop coping mechanisms for difficult moments.
    • Build a sustainable recovery roadmap.

    Key Insights:
    • CPTSD impacts emotional regulation and self-perception.
    • 'Ups' in recovery are often followed by 'downs' – this is normal.
    • Self-compassion is a critical tool for managing setbacks.
    • Building a strong support system is vital for long-term progress.
    • Understanding your trauma response empowers your healing journey.

    Recommended Resources:
    • "Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving" by Pete Walker
    • EMDR therapy
    • IFS (Internal Family Systems)

    📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at cptsd@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛 Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    15 Min.
  • Kindness for Yourself: Your Introduction to Gentle Healing

    Kindness for Yourself: Your Introduction to Gentle Healing
    Jan 22 2026
    In this episode, we're diving into the foundational principles of genuine self-compassion. Discover how to cultivate a kinder inner dialogue and begin the transformative journey of healing through gentle self-treatment.

    What You'll Learn:
    • Understanding the core of self-kindness practices
    • Practical steps for a gentler inner voice
    • Identifying patterns of self-criticism
    • Building resilience through self-compassion
    • The link between kindness and trauma recovery

    Key Insights:
    • Self-kindness is an active skill, not just a feeling
    • Gentleness is essential for processing difficult emotions
    • We can learn to be our own safe haven
    • The impact of early experiences on self-treatment
    • Small acts of kindness build lasting change

    Recommended Resources:
    • "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk
    • "Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving" by Pete Walker
    • IFS (Internal Family Systems)

    📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at cptsd@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛 Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    40 Min.
  • Beat Burnout: Your Intro to Managing Emotional Exhaustion in Trauma Recovery

    Beat Burnout: Your Intro to Managing Emotional Exhaustion in Trauma Recovery
    Jan 18 2026
    In this episode, discover the essential first steps to reclaiming your energy and navigating the overwhelming feeling of emotional exhaustion that often accompanies trauma recovery. We're diving deep into practical strategies to replenish your reserves and build resilience.

    What You'll Learn:
    • Identify the signs of emotional exhaustion.
    • Understand its link to trauma recovery.
    • Learn immediate coping mechanisms.
    • Develop sustainable energy management habits.
    • Build a foundation for long-term well-being.

    Key Insights:
    • Emotional exhaustion is a common recovery hurdle.
    • Small, consistent actions make a big difference.
    • Self-compassion is a vital recovery tool.
    • Prioritizing rest is not a luxury, but a necessity.
    • Understanding your triggers empowers you.

    Recommended Resources:
    • "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk
    • "Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving" by Pete Walker
    • EMDR therapy

    📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at cptsd@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛 Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    15 Min.
  • CPTSD Breakthroughs: Your Intro to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    CPTSD Breakthroughs: Your Intro to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
    Jan 15 2026
    In this episode, dive into the foundational principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a powerful tool for understanding and navigating the complexities of CPTSD. Discover how CBT can help you reframe distressing thoughts and behaviors, offering a structured path toward emotional regulation and resilience.

    What You'll Learn:
    • Understand the core concepts of CBT for CPTSD.
    • Identify how thoughts impact trauma responses.
    • Learn techniques to challenge negative self-talk.
    • Explore behavioral strategies for managing triggers.
    • Grasp the role of CBT in trauma processing.

    Key Insights:
    • CBT offers a practical framework for CPTSD.
    • Your thoughts are not your reality.
    • Small behavioral shifts create significant change.
    • Understanding patterns is the first step to breaking them.
    • CBT empowers active participation in recovery.

    Recommended Resources:
    • "Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving" by Pete Walker
    • EMDR therapy
    • "Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors" by Janina Fisher

    📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at cptsd@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛 Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    48 Min.
  • Emotional Flashbacks: How to Recognize When Your Past Hijacks Now

    Emotional Flashbacks: How to Recognize When Your Past Hijacks Now
    Jan 13 2026
    In this episode, we explore emotional flashbacks, one of the most confusing aspects of complex trauma that leaves people feeling blindsided by overwhelming emotions that seem to come from nowhere. Unlike the flashbacks portrayed in movies, emotional flashbacks hit you with intense feelings, shame, terror, or worthlessness without any visual memories or clear triggers, making you believe these emotions reflect your current reality when they actually belong to your past. Gregory shares his personal experience of being floored by inexplicable shame and despair, only to later discover it was triggered by something as simple as a familiar scent in a grocery store. This episode breaks down the mechanics of emotional flashbacks, why they happen, and how to recognize when your nervous system is responding to ghosts from childhood rather than present circumstances.


    What You'll Learn:

    • How to distinguish emotional flashbacks from regular emotions and recognize when past trauma is intruding on present moments
    • Why emotional flashbacks lack visual memories and instead flood you with pure emotional content from childhood experiences
    • Common triggers including interpersonal dynamics, authority figures, situational cues, and even feeling good or relaxed
    • Physical and mental signs that indicate you're in a flashback rather than responding to current reality
    • Practical tools to use when caught in an emotional flashback to regain perspective and ground yourself


    Key Insights

    • Emotional flashbacks feel completely real and present-focused, making your brain attach overwhelming feelings to current circumstances incorrectly
    • The worse your childhood trauma, the harder flashbacks are to recognize because those terrible feelings were your baseline
    • Triggers can be incredibly subtle like scents, tones of voice, or lighting that your conscious mind doesn't register
    • Recognizing a flashback creates separation between then and now, transforming "I am worthless" into "I'm having feelings from the past"
    • Shame about having flashbacks is often part of the flashback itself, echoing voices from those who originally hurt you


    Recommended Resources:

    • "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk - comprehensive research on trauma's effects on brain and body
    • "Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving" by Pete Walker - foundational work on emotional flashbacks and complex trauma recovery
    • "What Happened to You?" by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey - accessible exploration of trauma's impact on development
    • NICABM (National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine) - free trauma resources and webinars
    • Psychology Today's "Find a Therapist" directory with trauma specialization filters - practical tool for locating qualified support


    Coming Up Next

    We'll explore grounding techniques specifically designed for emotional flashbacks, giving you a toolkit of strategies to use when you're in the thick of overwhelming emotions and need to find your way back to the present moment.


    📩 Have questions or want to share your experience? Reach out at cptsd@senseofthisshit.com.

    💛 Join Our Supporters Club 💛 Help keep these vital conversations alive—Click Here: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/c-ptsd-let-s-make-sense-of-this-sh-t--6331440/support

    This episode includes AI-generated content.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    46 Min.