Holding Space, Healing, Treatment & What Comes Next

Episode 4 explores the healing potential of trauma work through neuroscience, community connection, and compassionate practice. The hosts emphasize that healing is possible but not quick—it requires sustained effort, self-awareness, and supportive relationships. This episode moves beyond understanding trauma to exploring practical pathways for recovery and growth.

Content Warning: This episode discusses trauma, PTSD, and C-PTSD. Please practice self-care while listening.

Sarah Furuya - Coach & Facilitator

Paula Esguerra - Meditation & yoga teacher

María Paula Farfán - Prison Compassion Project trauma-informed facilitator

Mary Stanley - Human Services student & former hairstylist

The Science of Healing

• Neuroplasticity - How the brain rewires itself through practice
• Epigenetics - How genes "switch on or off" based on environment
• Why long-term meditation creates measurable brain changes
• The body's dual capacity to protect AND heal

Freedom to Change

• Recognizing survival patterns that no longer serve you
• Understanding you're not determined by childhood trauma
• The journey from survival mode to self-awareness
• Building relationship with yourself for the first time

Healing Practices That Work

• Breath awareness and meditation techniques
• Journaling to map trauma patterns
• Community as medicine
• Nature and grounding practices
• Non-violent communication for emotional vocabulary

"We Can Choose Who to Be" - Survival behaviors from childhood don't have to define us forever. We have the power to consciously change our patterns.

"Trauma Isolates Us, But Talking About Trauma Reunites Us" - The power of sharing stories and feeling heard creates transformation.

Kizuna (絆) - Japanese concept meaning "the bonds that connect us." After the 2011 earthquake/tsunami, this was chosen as the kanji of the year, emphasizing strength of human connection over disaster.

One Degree Shifts - Small, consistent changes accumulate over time to take you to entirely different destinations. Healing isn't linear but cumulative.

Trauma-Informed Friend - What does it mean to hold space for others? How can we embody compassion in our relationships?

Episode Length: 20 minutes

Connect with Sarah

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-everitt-furuya-3727a74/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahfuruyacoaching

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahfuruyacoaching

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXsuS_yVT9fMHjhAylVy8-w