CatharSIS: a Podcast about the Meaning of Life - #8 Understanding How Trauma Manifests in the Body with Polyvagal Theory Expert Justin Sunseri LMFT

#8 Understanding How Trauma Manifests in the Body with Polyvagal Theory Expert Justin Sunseri LMFT

11/12/20 • 61 min

CatharSIS: a Podcast about the Meaning of Life

You may be stuck, but you're not broken. This is what Justin Sunseri, LMFT and host of the podcast Stuck, Not Broken, wants you to know. He doesn't subscribe to the narrative that you are broken and need healing, but rather, your body is in a defensive autonomic state: flight, fight, shut down or freeze.
Better known as the "fight or flight" response, it is our body's natural physiological response to perceived danger. It's what makes your palms sweat or makes you want to run away and hide when your boss is demanding that finished assignment in two hours.
Polyvagal Theory is a tool clinical practitioners like Justin use to help their clients understand how trauma manifests in the body. Clients can learn to re-access their safety state so they can respond appropriately.
In this episode, Justin will dive deeper into what Polyvagal Theory is and how he uses it with his clients. We hope this episode opens up a whole new world for you on your journey of grieving, personal growth, and trauma recovery.
Resources Mentioned:
Deb Dana Polyvagal Theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXGy7M4kvaY&ab_channel=NortonMentalHealth
Dr. Peter Levine, Somatic Experiencing: https://traumahealing.org/
Get in touch with Justin Sunseri LMFT:
Website: https://www.justinlmft.com/home
Podcast: https://www.justinlmft.com/podcast
Get in touch with Michal and Maayan:
Website: https://www.sistersinpsychology.com
Instagram: @sistersinpsychology
Email: [email protected]

Previous Episode

#7 Finding the Joy Through the Pain with Cancer Survivor Merhawit and her Husband Aron

When couples say their vows at the altar, "through sickness and in health," you never really imagine that the sickness would come so soon.

Married couple Aron and Merhawit were caught completely off guard when Merhawit was given a cancer diagnosis while she was pregnant, and while Aron was in medical school.

Despite the heart-breaking, earth-shattering news, painful treatments, and hidden tears, this couple managed to find the silver lining in their adversity. In fact, they believe experiencing adversity in life is crucial to our growth and development as humans...just like it is for lobsters! (Tune in to hear the lobster analogy!)

Aron and Merhawit have a heartwarming perspective on the meaning of life after all that they've gone through.

If you have any questions for Aron & Merhawit, you can contact them at: [email protected]

Get in touch with Michal and Maayan:
Website: https://www.sistersinpsychology.com
Instagram: @sistersinpsychology
Email: [email protected]

References:

Leukemia Lymphoma Society: https://www.lls.org/
Be the Match: https://bethematch.org/
The American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/

Next Episode

#9 Finding Meaning While Healing From Alcohol Addiction with Justine Wu, M.A.

"You could have everyone love you, but if you don't love yourself, you'll never be happy."
These were the words Justine heard while in rehab after an alcohol addiction relapse. It was after hearing these words that Justine realized she couldn't keep doing things, like quitting drinking, just to please others...she actually had to want them for herself as well.
With over six years of sobriety under her belt, Justine Wu vulnerably shares with us her journey of learning to live without being dependent on a substance, and all the life lessons she's learned about self love, communication, relationships, and managing conflict along the way.
Connect with Justine:
Instagram: @existential.world.problems
Get in touch with Michal and Maayan:
Website: https://www.sistersinpsychology.com
Instagram: @sistersinpsychology
Email: [email protected]