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The Complex Trauma Podcast

Sarah Herstich
Mental Health
Trauma
Complex Trauma
Complex PTSD
Disordered Eating
Body Image
Trauma Recovery
Self-Care
EMDR
Nervous System
Nervous System Healing
EMDR Therapy
Emotional Neglect
Trauma Therapy
Eating Disorders
Dissociation
Eating Disorder Recovery
Therapy
Childhood Emotional Neglect
Depression

A podcast for anyone healing from complex PTSD, childhood emotional neglect, and the patterns you've been carrying without knowing what to call them.

Hosted by EMDR and somatic trauma therapist Sarah Herstich, each episode gets into nervous system healing, trauma responses, and what it actually takes to stop living in survival mode.

If you've spent years people-pleasing, apologizing for existing... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes147Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthEducationHealth & FitnessSelf-Improvement

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Artwork for The Complex Trauma Podcast

Latest Episodes

What happens when you grow up learning that someone else’s needs, emotions, or version of reality matter more than your own?

In this episode, I’m joined by Amy Marlow-MaCoy, MEd, LPC, to talk about narcissistic abuse and its relationship to complex ... more

You’re functioning. You may even be the person everyone relies on. But inside, you feel stuck, distant, or like you aren’t fully there for your own life.

In this episode, I'm answering a listener’s question: Is functional freeze actually real, or is... more

You finally understand something about yourself. Something that took months of therapy to even name. And now you need someone else to get it too.

This week we're talking about that longing, where it comes from, why it can feel so urgent with certain... more

Why can you handle a crisis without blinking but completely blank when someone asks what you want for dinner?

Brain fog, forgetfulness, trouble focusing, difficulty starting tasks, and executive dysfunction can all show up alongside complex trauma. ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Katie Fries
Licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist
All of You Therapy, Center City, Philadelphia
Episode: When Being Seen Can Feel Unsafe in Therapy for CPTSD with Katie Fries
Emily Pagone
Licensed clinical professional counselor; founder and CEO of Authentic Growth Wellness Group; host of The Inner Critic Podcast
Authentic Growth Wellness Group
Episode: The Inner Critic, IFS, and Complex Trauma with Emily Pagone
Libby Ward
Creator, speaker, advocate for women and mothers
BBC/GMA features; Hello Sunshine Collective member
Episode: Complex Trauma, Motherhood, and Cycle Breaking with Libby Ward
Rachael Garner
Licensed Professional Counselor, EMDR-certified therapist, and certified sex therapist; specializes in complex trauma
Independent practice in Jackson, Mississippi; EMDR consultant in training
Episode: How Complex Trauma Shows Up in Your Sex Life— with Rachael Garner
Dr. Danica Harris
Somatic-experiencing practitioner, counseling psychologist, and complex trauma expert.
Empowered Healing Dallas
Episode: Childhood Emotional Neglect with Dr. Danica Harris
Joe Sanok
Host of the Practice of the Practice podcast and author of the book 'Thursday is the New Friday', which explores how to work smarter, not longer.
Practice of the Practice
Episode: Betrayal Trauma and Learning to Trust Again with Joe Sanok
Dr. Janina Fisher
Licensed Clinical Psychologist and International Expert on Trauma Treatment
Former Instructor at Harvard Medical School
Episode: Understanding Dissociative Parts with Dr. Janina Fisher
Cassidy DuHadway
Trauma therapist, EMDR approved trainer, and author of "Becoming Me, Unraveling and Healing the Sacred Wounds of Religious Trauma"
Purple Sky Counseling
Episode: Religious Trauma is Complex Trauma with Cassidy DuHadway
Thomas Zimmerman
Mental health therapist and consultant specializing in EMDR therapy for complex trauma
Reclaim Therapy
Episode: The Beauty and the Work of Complex Trauma Recovery with Thomas Zimmerman

Host

Sarah Herstich
Host of The Complex Trauma Podcast with clinical expertise in EMDR and somatic trauma therapy; focuses on nervous system regulation and practical healing strategies.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 166 ratings
  • So spot on

    I am excited to listen to episode 146 - its like you wrote the description for it about me. Wow. We certainly are not alone after all. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mental pod
    United States19 days ago
  • Very informative podcast

    It covers a lot of the same flavors of chronic childhood trauma some children experience in plain site. It helps me feel less broken, less alone, alongside therapy this is a good tool.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Awesome12384995
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great info

    My only suggestion is talk slower please. This information is important and needed so thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Leener2026
    United Statesa month ago
  • I feel so seen

    Sarah does such a good job addressing subjects that hit so close for people with C-PTDS. She explains things in easy to understand ways, repeats things or summarizes after so you rarely need to rewind, and brings in guest that are well educated in the subjects. I’m so glad I found this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Madam Holland
    United States2 months ago
  • Must Listen for Trauma Survivors

    Sarah - you are such an invaluable addition to my trauma therapy. You’re right in line with my therapist and your podcasts allow me to explore ideas and concepts that are discussed in my sessions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sydney D SLT
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the depth of guidance and the grounding, body-centered approach.
Insightful, compassionate, and practical for healing CPTSD and attachment injuries.
Therapists suggest this as a credible, therapy-aligned resource.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why You Freeze or Shut Down When Things Get Hard
Q: Why do I go blank instead of getting upset?
The host explains that blanking can be a dorsal vagal shutdown response, a protective strategy that reduces pain and energy use when threat feels inescapable. Grounding alone may not help during shutdown because the thinking brain is offline; instead, very small, safe activations can help nudge the system back toward regulation, and understanding that this is a learned, adaptive response reduces shame.
How Complex Trauma Shows Up in Your Sex Life— with Rachael Garner
Q: What keeps coming up for clients around sexual desire, and how do you help them disentangle trauma from biological arousal and interest?
She explains the distinction between subjective arousal and physiological arousal, the role of external and internal cues, and the need to slow things down, reframe beliefs about sex, and gradually reintroduce safe, non-demanding experiences to rebuild desire.
How Complex Trauma Shows Up in Your Sex Life— with Rachael Garner
Q: To start, could you share how you got into sex therapy and complex trauma work, and what drew you to this niche?
Rachael describes starting as a sex therapist right after grad school, her cultural upbringing around sex, and how EMDR training led her to focus on complex trauma rather than single-incident cases, seeking specialized training to better support clients with intricate trauma histories.
3 Dissociation Questions Everyone's Asking (Answered)
Q: Why do I feel nothing when I talk about my trauma?
The absence of emotion during trauma narratives is common and is a sign that the nervous system is still processing the traumatic experience behind a protective wall.
3 Dissociation Questions Everyone's Asking (Answered)
Q: How do I know if it's dissociation or I'm just zoning out?
Zoning out is passive and can be easily returned from, while dissociation is triggered by an activation in the nervous system causing a protective distance from the experience.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Complex Trauma Podcast

What is The Complex Trauma Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series centers on healing from complex PTSD, childhood emotional neglect, and relational injury through nervous-system regulation, somatic practices, and attachment-informed frameworks. Episodes explore emotional flashbacks, reparenting, inner parts, sleep, sex and intimacy, and the ways trauma reshapes perception, embodiment, and everyday functioning. The host tends toward clinically grounded, compassionate guidance, often weaving EMDR, polyvagal theory, and somatic approaches into practical steps listeners can try at home. Notably, the show emphasizes slow, body-centered progress over quick fixes, and frequently invites guest experts to broaden perspectives on healing, attachment repair, and earned secure living. The range of topics ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Complex Trauma Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Complex Trauma Podcast:

1. Trauma Rewired
2. Adult Child
3. Therapy Chat
4. The Healing Trauma Podcast
5. Therapy in a Nutshell

How many episodes of The Complex Trauma Podcast are there?

The Complex Trauma Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 147 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Complex Trauma Podcast?

Recent guests on The Complex Trauma Podcast include:

1. Katie Fries
2. Emily Pagone
3. Libby Ward
4. Rachael Garner
5. Dr. Danica Harris
6. Joe Sanok
7. Dr. Janina Fisher
8. Cassidy DuHadway

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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