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Artwork for The Complex Trauma Podcast

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
Trauma Therapy
Emotional Neglect
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes144Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthEducationHealth & FitnessSelf-Improvement

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Complex Trauma Podcast

Latest Episodes

Maybe you barely remember your childhood. Maybe you've done years of trauma work, you're finally feeling better, and now you're wondering, was it really that bad? Did I make it all up?

This episode is about trauma, memory, and self-trust. 

Why memo... more

This week's episode is  a little different. Instead of something super polished, I'm giving you the real time version of my own messy middle. What dysregulation actually feels like in my body right now, why regulation isn't the absence of activation,... more

Why does connection feel so hard after complex trauma?

You want closeness, but when someone gets too close, you pull away.

You want support, but "I'm fine" comes out before you've even thought about it.

You want to trust people, yet asking for hel... more

What is the real impact of growing up with emotionally immature parents? Dr. Lindsay Gibson, author of the bestselling Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, joins the show to explain what it costs a child over decades, and how to parent dif... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Trauma Rewired
Trauma RewiredElisabeth Kristof & Jennifer Wallace
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Adult ChildAndrea Ashley
Therapist Uncensored Podcast
Therapist Uncensored PodcastSue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD
Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson
Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick HansonRick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

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 program, trauma and EMDR-focused therapist

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 147 ratings
  • 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 States24 days 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 Statesa month ago
  • Support

    I look forward to a weekly episode and I often will go back to listen when I am struggling. The best support podcast that helps when I am stuck or in a shame cycle. Very healing, thank you ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Megalyssa
    Canadaa month ago
  • OMG

    What can I say, I was pointed towards Sarah’s podcast by a therapist and the amount of OMG moments have been many. So much of what Sarah talks about resonates and just makes so much sense. The pod has been revolutionary for my own understanding of my CPTSD.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    zyxw43210
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Grateful

    I find this therapist Sarah Herstich weekly insights very enlightening and helpful. I appreciate the thoughtful, balanced, objective, and respectful way the topics are explored. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Minix_GNU
    Belgium2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are viewed as credible, with real-world application for healing from trauma.
The show is praised for warmth and accessibility, especially for clients and clinicians alike.
Many note the content is practical and actionable, not just theoretical.
Listeners describe the host as compassionate and knowledgeable, with clear expertise in trauma.

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.

Listeners per Episode
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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?

A practical, trauma-focused show that centers nervous-system regulation, attachment, and healing from CPTSD and childhood emotional neglect. Across episodes, the host and guests explore how early environments shape parts of the self, the role of somatic and EMDR approaches, and relational safety as a foundation for recovery. Topics span inner critic work, dissociation, sex and intimacy after trauma, parenting, and healing within therapy relationships. Notable strengths include a clear emphasis on slow, body-based healing, concrete practical steps, and a compassionate, non-judgmental tone that supports listeners in carving safer, more connected lives. This program is likely to appeal to clinicians seeking applied perspectives and to individu... 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. Therapist Uncensored Podcast
4. The Healing Trauma Podcast
5. Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

How many episodes of The Complex Trauma Podcast are there?

The Complex Trauma Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 144 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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