S2E50 Transforming Avoidance Into Change
04/22/25 • 29 min
This episode was inspired by the conversation I had with therapist Caryn Sherbet, which will be my next podcast. They're a new PRT therapist and we chatted about the gifts of exposure response therapy for all kinds of situations we encounter that trigger our avoidance response.
In this episode, I take you through two experiences that are more aligned with emotional pain but hey you all know that can often be a trigger for physical pain, or go hand in hand with it (hey that's a great podcast idea). But I walk you through the avoidance/approach process that I used to help me transform two tender emotional experiences I was having that was causing me to avoid taking aligned actions. In the process I was able to further neutralize two stories that I've been carrying around for years, "I don't get things done" and "Being fat means I'm not worthy of love (and not currently being in a relationship is proof)."
Here's the link for a faster EFT technique - https://youtu.be/wpYjrdl7PMo?si=ida8WiV1uHo_QooE
As I say in the episode, I'm in a fierce transformation phase of my life, having finished the majority of heavy lifting of activities around my Dad's passing as well as the coming of Spring. As I get more friendly with what triggers avoidance, I'm able to gently use my tools of neuroplasticity and psychophysiological recoding processes to rewire those habitual responses from a place of self compassion and strength vs. secretly reinforcing my old belief systems. Having a self connecting intention is the key to this approach.
I'm opening my doors for working with new clients. Please book a curiosity call and let's chat about how working together can help you feel more better more of the time. Or all of the time, don't let me create any limitations on how good it can get!
And if getting an astrology reading is something in your house of desire I highly recommend working with Miss Renee. She's been someone who has served as a touchstone for me over the years when I need just enough clarity to get me heading in the right direction. Her intentions are always to give someone back to themselves, to feel empowered in their deepest self love and connection - https://missreneehealing.com/
Book a free half hour curiosity call with me - https://calendly.com/paincoachdeb
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pain.coach.deb/
Website - https://www.thecuriositycure.com
This episode was inspired by the conversation I had with therapist Caryn Sherbet, which will be my next podcast. They're a new PRT therapist and we chatted about the gifts of exposure response therapy for all kinds of situations we encounter that trigger our avoidance response.
In this episode, I take you through two experiences that are more aligned with emotional pain but hey you all know that can often be a trigger for physical pain, or go hand in hand with it (hey that's a great podcast idea). But I walk you through the avoidance/approach process that I used to help me transform two tender emotional experiences I was having that was causing me to avoid taking aligned actions. In the process I was able to further neutralize two stories that I've been carrying around for years, "I don't get things done" and "Being fat means I'm not worthy of love (and not currently being in a relationship is proof)."
Here's the link for a faster EFT technique - https://youtu.be/wpYjrdl7PMo?si=ida8WiV1uHo_QooE
As I say in the episode, I'm in a fierce transformation phase of my life, having finished the majority of heavy lifting of activities around my Dad's passing as well as the coming of Spring. As I get more friendly with what triggers avoidance, I'm able to gently use my tools of neuroplasticity and psychophysiological recoding processes to rewire those habitual responses from a place of self compassion and strength vs. secretly reinforcing my old belief systems. Having a self connecting intention is the key to this approach.
I'm opening my doors for working with new clients. Please book a curiosity call and let's chat about how working together can help you feel more better more of the time. Or all of the time, don't let me create any limitations on how good it can get!
And if getting an astrology reading is something in your house of desire I highly recommend working with Miss Renee. She's been someone who has served as a touchstone for me over the years when I need just enough clarity to get me heading in the right direction. Her intentions are always to give someone back to themselves, to feel empowered in their deepest self love and connection - https://missreneehealing.com/
Book a free half hour curiosity call with me - https://calendly.com/paincoachdeb
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pain.coach.deb/
Website - https://www.thecuriositycure.com
Previous Episode
S2E49 A Tale of Two Temper Tantrums
This episode I share two embodied experiences I had of meeting a moment of high arousal emotion, of frustration and anger. High arousal doesn't mean sexual, it mean how much energy is behind it.
Here's a great visual describing arousal + valence as a map for emotions.
https://neurodivergentinsights.com/arousal-valence-model/
When I was able to witness and meet my emotional need in the moment my body really allowed me to stay present in a positive way and I was able to stay on task and reach my desired goal. It was a really beautiful experience of witnessing and working the mindbody tools.
I hope that this episode helps you feel witnessed and validated and given permission to feel whatever you're feeling and feel empowered by that.
Book a free half hour curiosity call with me - https://calendly.com/paincoachdeb
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pain.coach.deb/
Website - https://www.thecuriositycure.com
Next Episode
S2E51 Pain On Purpose
Heads up people, in this episode I'm speaking with PRT therapist Caryn Sherbet about their pain + symptom recovery journey as well as their work with Exposure both in their clinical practice of ERP as well as in their private life with BDSM. We don't go into detail (so get your mind out of the gutter *wink*) but they speak about how the concepts of pain on purpose aka using exposure can decrease threat, fear + change the meaning of the symptoms.
One of the incredible pieces of knowledge they drop is that anxiety is not an emotion, it's a coping mechanism. It's a strategy of the brain to keep us safe. We talk about all the various entry points to risk, there is in life and how pursuing freedom and our desires can lead us to creating more and more of a felt sense of safety using these tools. I hope this podcast helps you discover your embodied pathways to expansion, exposure and the ability to turn down the danger alarm bell and turn up freedom and fearlessness.
Caryn is a Brooklyn-based psychotherapist who specializes in treating the intersection of OCD, chronic pain, and sexual trauma. They are trained in Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) and in Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), which they use to help clients create safety in moments of physical and emotional pain alike. Caryn is especially passionate about working with members of the LGBTQ+ community to heal from interpersonal and structural trauma.
carynsherbettherapy.com
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/caryn-sherbet-brooklyn-ny/1043122
Caryn's offering a free Chronic Pain for Freaks Workshop
Wednesday, June 11, 7-8:30pm EST
RSVP link
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2tRhAJ_Swu79Cafv2ZNvhM_Z1dyWXdLT4e5ipyHWRUw-n8w/viewform
Book a free half hour curiosity call with me - https://calendly.com/paincoachdeb
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pain.coach.deb/
Website - https://www.thecuriositycure.com
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