Trauma, Tea, and Tangents

What if the parts of yourself you criticize the most are actually trying to protect you? Maybe there's a part of you that's constantly anxious, an inner critic that never lets you feel good enough, or a part that avoids difficult conversations at all costs. What if these aren't flaws in your personality, but protective responses that developed to help you survive? Welcome back to Trauma, Tea & Tangents! In this episode, host Hannah Guy, LCSW, sits down with Revive Therapy Services' own Karalyn Schmidt, LAPC, to talk about Internal Family Systems (IFS), also known as parts work, and how it can help us understand and heal trauma. IFS offers a different way of looking at the experiences, emotions, and behaviors we often judge ourselves for. Instead of saying "I'm just an anxious person" or "I'm too hard on myself," parts work helps us recognize that there may be a part of us experiencing anxiety or using self-criticism as a way to stay safe. Together, Hannah and Karalyn break down the different parts within the IFS framework, including wounded parts, protective parts, managers, firefighters, and the Self. They explore how these parts develop in response to trauma, why they sometimes stay stuck in survival mode, and how we can begin building a different relationship with them through curiosity, compassion, and therapy. They also discuss why trauma work needs to happen slowly, how corrective relational experiences can help rewire old beliefs, and what healing actually looks like in everyday life. In this episode, we discuss: What Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts work actually are How trauma shapes the different parts of our internal world The difference between your identity and the protective parts that developed to help you survive What exiles, managers, and firefighters are and how they function Why perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxiety, and the inner critic can be protective responses How to understand the intention behind the parts of ourselves we wish would just go away What the Self represents in IFS and how compassion, curiosity, and empathy help restore internal balance How therapy can provide corrective relational experiences that challenge old beliefs Why trauma healing needs to happen low and slow instead of rushing into painful experiences How to recognize progress in parts work, even when healing doesn't feel like one big breakthrough Why healing isn't about never getting triggered again, but building trust in your ability to navigate difficult emotions A reminder: You don't have to get rid of parts of yourself to heal. The goal isn't to silence your inner critic, eliminate every anxious response, or make every part of you behave perfectly. It's about understanding why those parts developed, recognizing what they're trying to protect, and helping them learn that there may be other ways to keep you safe. As Karalyn reminds us, there are no bad parts. And even if your brain and body have spent years operating in survival mode, new experiences and new neural pathways are possible. About our guest:  aralyn is one of the newer therapists at Revive Therapy Services. She works with clients experiencing trauma, complex trauma, attachment concerns, eating disorders and disordered eating, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. She offers a warm, compassionate approach to therapy and incorporates parts work to help clients better understand themselves and their experiences. Karalyn offers in-person therapy in West Philadelphia and virtual therapy in Pennsylvania. Colorado availability is anticipated as her licensure progresses. ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/?utm_source=Bio&utm_medium=Pod Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices Worksheets: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/store Chapters 00:57 – Meet Karalyn Schmidt and Introduction to IFS 01:31 – What Is Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Parts Work? 03:20 – Understanding the Different Parts of Yourself 04:17 – How Trauma Impacts Your Internal Parts 05:20 – Understanding Exiles: The Wounded Parts of Us 07:08 – Meet the Protectors: Managers and Firefighters 08:20 – Why Our Protective Parts Stay on High Alert 10:01 – Why Your Body Reacts Even When You Know You're Safe 11:17 – Understanding the Intention Behind Your Inner Critic 12:28 – Why Complex Trauma Can Create Overactive Protective Parts 13:02 – Corrective Relational Experiences and Healing 13:53 – Giving Your Protective Parts New Information 15:26 – How New Experiences Can Create New Neural Pathways 16:01 – Understanding Firefighters and Reactive Coping Mechanisms 17:29 – Building a Relationship With Your Inner Critic 18:11 – How Parts Work Helps You Understand Your Younger Self 19:28 – What Is the Self in Internal Family Systems? 20:33 – Why We Don't Need to Get Rid of Our Parts 21:06 – Offering Compassion to Your Protective Parts 22:29 – What Does Starting IFS Therapy Actually Look Like? 24:23 – Why Trauma Work Needs to Go Low and Slow 27:14 – How to Recognize Progress in Parts Work 28:55 – The Small, Everyday Signs of Healing 30:10 – Building Emotional Tolerance and Resilience 31:24 – Why Healing Isn't a Finish Line 33:09 – There Are No Bad Parts 33:41 – Meet Karalyn at Revive Therapy Services

If a text that says “okay.” instead of “okay!” sends you into a spiral, this episode is for you.  Why do you analyze every text, reread every conversation, and wonder whether your partner is upset with you? What if it's not simply overthinking—but a nervous system that learned to watch other people closely to feel safe? Welcome back to Trauma, Tea & Tangents with Hannah Guy, LCSW, founder of Revive Therapy Services. In this episode, Hannah explores why we overanalyze our partners’ words, tone, texting habits, and body language—and how past experiences can shape the way we respond to uncertainty in relationships. When you've experienced attachment trauma, inconsistent caregiving, abandonment, or emotionally unpredictable relationships, even small changes in someone else's behavior can feel like a warning sign. You may find yourself searching for reassurance, replaying conversations, and trying to figure out what's wrong before anything has even happened. But understanding why you do this doesn't always change how your body responds when you're triggered. Hannah explains the connection between hypervigilance, attachment trauma, and your nervous system—and why healing involves more than thinking your way out of anxiety. In this episode, we discuss: Why overanalyzing your partner's texts, tone, and behavior can be a form of hypervigilance How childhood experiences and past relationships can shape your attachment patterns Why uncertainty can feel threatening and lead to reassurance-seeking Why understanding your trauma isn't always enough to change your emotional responses How EMDR and other bottom-up approaches can help address underlying trauma responses What it looks like to build self-trust and tolerate uncertainty in relationships How to distinguish a trauma trigger from a genuine relationship concern What to ask a trauma therapist before beginning trauma reprocessing Why effective trauma therapy should move at a manageable pace How to start building your window of tolerance with practical worksheets, even if therapy isn't accessible right now A reminder: Healing doesn't mean you'll never feel anxious or triggered again. It means learning to pause, make room for other possibilities, and respond to the present instead of automatically expecting the past to repeat itself. ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/?utm_source=Bio&utm_medium=Pod Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices Worksheets: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/store Follow Trauma, Tea & Tangents for more honest conversations about trauma, relationships, nervous system healing, and mental health.

What if some of the biggest misconceptions about trauma healing are actually getting in the way of it?  In this episode of Trauma, Tea & Tangents, Hannah Guy, owner and clinical director of Revive Therapy Services, sits down with Chris Morrison, LPC, owner of Minds and Melody Therapy Services, to talk about the hills they’re willing to die on as trauma therapists. From the importance of the therapeutic relationship to why insight alone isn’t enough to heal, this conversation challenges common assumptions about what healing is supposed to look like. They explore why creating a “brave space” may be more helpful than insisting therapy is a safe space, how grief and loss are often overlooked in trauma treatment, and why healing complex trauma takes time. They also discuss something many people need to hear: having a trauma response or getting triggered doesn't erase the progress you've made. Whether you're a therapist, someone navigating your own healing, or simply curious about how trauma affects the mind and body, this episode offers a compassionate reminder that healing isn't about perfection. It's about building self-trust, recognizing your progress, and learning to meet yourself where you are. In this episode, we discuss: Why the therapeutic relationship matters just as much as the therapy approach How power dynamics and identity can shape the therapy experience Why a “brave space” may be more helpful than insisting on a “safe space” How complex trauma can affect your understanding of safety Why grief and loss deserve more attention in trauma therapy Why understanding your trauma doesn't automatically mean you've healed it Why healing takes time, especially when working through complex trauma How rushing the healing process can overwhelm your nervous system Why getting triggered doesn't mean you've lost your progress How to recognize the small signs that you're healing, even when things feel hard About our guest, Chris Morrison, LPC Chris is a therapist and the owner of Minds and Melody Therapy Services. He integrates trauma therapy and music therapy into his work and offers virtual services in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, as well as in-person services in western Massachusetts and the Berkshires. Chapters 00:57 – Meet Chris Morrison and Minds and Melody Therapy Services 02:33 – The Hills We'd Die On as Trauma Therapists 02:47 – Why the Therapeutic Relationship Comes First 04:22 – Complex Trauma, Attachment, and the Therapy Relationship 05:08 – Addressing Power Dynamics in Therapy 07:27 – Hill #2: Creating a Brave Space Instead of a Safe Space 09:23 – Why the Word “Safe” Can Be Triggering 10:41 – Understanding What Safety Feels Like in Your Body 12:08 – Hill #3: Grief and Loss in Trauma Healing 13:28 – Learning to Grieve What You Didn't Receive 15:31 – Hannah's Three Hills as a Trauma Therapist 15:38 – Why Insight Alone Isn't Enough to Heal Trauma 17:50 – Why Healing Takes Longer Than You Think 19:21 – Why Slowing Down Matters in Trauma Therapy 20:46 – Working With the Parts of You That Want to Rush Healing 21:13 – Getting Triggered Doesn't Erase Your Progress 23:27 – Recognizing the Small Signs of Healing 24:57 – Healing Is a Lifelong Journey 25:08 – Where to Find Chris and Minds and Melody Therapy Services 25:56 – Nervous System Resources From Revive Therapy Services ✨ Connect with Chris Morrison: Instagram: @christophermorrisonlpc ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/?utm_source=Bio&utm_medium=Pod Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices Worksheets: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/store

What if being single doesn't mean something is missing from your life? What if you could want a relationship and still feel fulfilled, secure, and happy exactly where you are? In this episode of Trauma, Tea & Tangents, Hannah Guy sits down with Michael McQueary, creator of the Solo Circle app and community, to unpack society's pressure to be in a relationship and how it can affect our self-worth, attachment, and sense of fulfillment. From family members asking when you'll find someone to the subtle ways society rewards couples, being single can sometimes feel like something you need to explain or fix. Michael shares how his own experience of being single inspired him to create a community where people can connect, support one another, and embrace this season of life rather than treating it like a waiting room for their next relationship. Hannah brings a trauma-informed perspective to the conversation, exploring why some people feel that they aren't truly enough, safe, or fulfilled unless they're partnered. Together, they discuss how we can learn to tolerate loneliness, build self-trust, and identify what we're actually longing for when we say we want a relationship. Because sometimes, what we're searching for isn't necessarily a partner. It's the feeling of being safe, confident, secure, or enough. And while relationships can absolutely add meaningful things to our lives, putting all our hopes for happiness onto another person can create unrealistic expectations and leave us feeling disappointed. They also explore how attachment wounds and trauma can influence our relationship patterns, why some people repeatedly find themselves in similar dating situations, and how therapy can help us understand the beliefs and behaviors that may be getting in the way of the connection we want. Whether you're happily single, tired of dating, healing after a breakup, or hoping to find a relationship without feeling like your life is on hold, this conversation is a reminder that you can want love without believing you need a relationship to be whole. In this episode, we discuss: Society's pressure to date, get married, and have children The “singles tax” and the ways society favors couples How relationship status can become tied to self-worth Learning to embrace being single without giving up on love Why we sometimes expect a partner to make us feel safe, secure, or enough Building self-trust and learning to sit with loneliness How attachment trauma can shape dating patterns and relationship beliefs Why a relationship ending doesn't mean it was a failure When community support may be helpful and when therapy might be worth exploring Using your time single to grow, learn, and build a relationship with yourself About our guest Michael McQueary is the creator of Solo Circle, an app and community designed to help singles connect and navigate life outside of a romantic relationship. You can find him on Instagram at @solo_experiences or learn more about the community at solocircleapp.com. Chapters 00:58 – Meet Michael McQueary and Solo Circle 01:31 – Why Society Pressures Us to Be in Relationships 02:59 – “You'll Find Someone”: The Pressure After a Breakup 03:35 – How Society Caters to Couples 04:26 – The “Singles Tax” 05:05 – The Traditional Relationship Timeline 05:51 – The Pressure to Find Your Person 06:44 – The Benefits of Being Single 07:24 – When Self-Worth Depends on Relationship Status 08:40 – Can a Relationship Really Make You Feel Fulfilled? 09:34 – Embracing Being Single as a Time for Growth 10:12 – Wanting Love While Accepting Where You Are 10:32 – What Are You Really Looking for in a Relationship? 11:35 – Finding Safety and Fulfillment Within Yourself 11:58 – Getting Out of Your Own Way in Relationships 13:20 – Why a Relationship Ending Isn't a Failure 14:36 – Pressure Within the Single Community 15:55 – Challenging the Belief That Something Is Wrong With You 16:56 – Dating, Effort, and the Role of Luck 17:40 – Why Community Matters When You're Single 18:13 – “We're Not Alone in Being Alone” 18:40 – Community Support vs. Therapy 20:21 – When Relationship Beliefs Go Deeper Than Dating 21:56 – Recognizing Patterns in Relationships 22:43 – Normalizing Being Single 23:30 – How to Connect With Solo Circle 24:38 – Nervous System Resources From Revive Therapy Services   ✨ Connect with Michael McQueary: Instagram: @solo_experiences  ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/?utm_source=Bio&utm_medium=Pod Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices Worksheets: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/store

If you've ever started therapy thinking, “Okay, I'm ready. Let's just get rid of this trauma already,” this episode is for you. In this episode of Trauma, Tea & Tangents, Hannah sits down with Katie Miller, LPC, owner of Inner Light Holistic Healing, EMDR-certified therapist, and EMDR consultant, to talk about something that doesn't always get enough attention when it comes to trauma therapy: preparation. A lot of people hear “EMDR” and immediately think of eye movements and trauma reprocessing. But EMDR is an eight-phase process, and the preparation phase is a huge part of the work. Katie explains why therapists shouldn't rush clients into reprocessing and why building nervous system capacity, learning coping skills, understanding your history, and developing resources can be just as important as the actual processing itself. Hannah and Katie also talk about why the desperation to “just get it over with” can sometimes be part of a trauma response itself. When you're exhausted by your symptoms, it can be tempting to want to jump straight into the hardest part—but trauma healing isn't about going in “guns blazing.” Sometimes you have to slow down in order to eventually go faster. The conversation also dives into titration, the window of tolerance, dissociation, and nervous system responses. Katie explains why trauma processing should happen in manageable pieces rather than trying to tackle everything at once, and why being “not ready” for reprocessing doesn't mean you're not ready for trauma therapy. Hannah and Katie also challenge the idea that trauma responses make you broken or defective. Panic, dissociation, anxiety, fight, flight, freeze, and fawning are all nervous system responses that developed for a reason. The goal isn't to get rid of your nervous system—it's to help recalibrate it so it can better distinguish between actual danger and situations that only feel dangerous because of past experiences. They also talk about what progress can actually look like, why healing shouldn't be measured by whether you ever get triggered again, and what it means to recognize that your nervous system is responding differently than it did years ago. And, because this is Trauma, Tea & Tangents, they take a tangent into ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, EMDR, neuroplasticity, and the importance of integration—including how creating experiences of safety, calm, joy, and hope can be an important part of trauma healing. In this episode, we discuss: Why EMDR has eight phases—and why each phase matters Why preparation is not a checkbox before trauma processing Why you can't “ramrod” your way through trauma What it actually means to be ready for EMDR The difference between being ready for EMDR and being ready for reprocessing Why some people may spend months or even years in preparation Building nervous system capacity and expanding your window of tolerance What titration means in trauma therapy Why trauma processing should happen in manageable pieces Dissociation and why it can be a survival response Understanding fight, flight, freeze, and fawning through a strength-based lens The “smoke detector” metaphor for trauma responses Why feeling broken doesn't mean you're actually broken How to recognize progress through changes in intensity, duration, and frequency What intrinsic motivation and curiosity have to do with starting trauma therapy Why you don't have to feel 100% ready to begin therapy How EMDR can be adapted for complex trauma and dissociation Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and the importance of integration Building experiences of safety, calm, joy, and hope Ways to build nervous system capacity outside of therapy Chapters 00:58 – Meet Katie Miller, LPC 01:35 – The “Order of Operations” in Trauma Healing 02:00 – Why You Can't Rush Trauma Processing 02:40 – The Importance of EMDR Preparation 03:10 – EMDR Is More Than Eye Movements 04:11 – Why Rushing Trauma Processing Can Backfire 04:34 – “Your Nervous System Isn't Ready” 05:16 – Preparation Is Part of the Work 06:09 – Building Capacity Before Processing Trauma 06:23 – Why Trauma Therapy Isn't a 60-Foot Cliff 07:02 – What Is Titration? 08:40 – How Do You Know If You're Ready for EMDR? 09:30 – EMDR and Complex Trauma 10:44 – When Preparation Takes Months or Years 11:18 – Desensitization Before Processing 12:50 – Understanding Dissociation as a Survival Response 13:47 – The Smoke Detector Metaphor 14:54 – “I'm Broken”: Why Trauma Responses Don't Mean You're Defective 16:25 – Measuring Progress in Trauma Healing 18:12 – Are You Ready for Trauma Therapy? 19:14 – Motivation, Curiosity & Starting EMDR 20:45 – Why Preparation Matters Before Reprocessing 21:13 – Being Open to the Process 22:40 – Katie's Practice & EMDR Consultation 24:58 – EMDR & Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy 26:21 – Why Integration Matters 27:05 – Using Ketamine to Experience Safety & Joy 27:49 – Final Thoughts & Nervous System Resources You don't have to attack your trauma all at once. Sometimes the most important part of trauma healing is learning that you can safely be with what you're experiencing before you're asked to process the deepest parts of it. If you're considering EMDR or trauma therapy, this conversation is a helpful reminder that moving slowly doesn't mean you're failing—and taking time to prepare isn't wasted time. Preparation is part of the healing. ✨ Connect with Katie Miller: Instagram: @inner_light_holistic_healing TikTok: @inner_light_holistic ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/?utm_source=Bio&utm_medium=Pod Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices Worksheets: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/store

If you've been in therapy for months—or even years—and still find yourself wondering, “Why am I still like this?”, this episode is for you. In this solo episode of Trauma, Tea & Tangents, Hannah breaks down five reasons healing might feel slower than you expected. And no, the answer isn't that you're broken, bad at therapy, or “too complicated.” Sometimes you can understand your trauma intellectually, know your attachment style, recognize your triggers, and have read every self-help book out there—but still find yourself completely activated when something hits a familiar wound. That's because understanding your trauma and changing the way your nervous system responds are not always the same thing. Hannah explores what happens when your thinking brain knows you're safe but your body is responding as if you're in danger, and why approaches that involve the body—such as EMDR, somatic work, and Internal Family Systems—can be helpful for some people alongside traditional talk therapy. She also talks about what happens outside the therapy hour, why practicing nervous system skills when you're not triggered matters, and how small moments of present-moment awareness can help your body become more familiar with what safety feels like. Another major theme is how we measure progress. Healing doesn't mean never getting triggered again. Instead, Hannah encourages looking at things like intensity, duration, frequency, and your ability to pause or respond differently when something difficult happens. Finally, Hannah talks about unrealistic healing timelines, the pressure created by social media “before and after” stories, and why expecting your nervous system to completely change after a few months of therapy isn't necessarily a realistic expectation. In this episode, we discuss: Why understanding your trauma isn't always the same as processing it The difference between intellectual insight and nervous system responses Why your body can react to a trigger even when you logically know you're safe Top-down vs. bottom-up approaches to therapy EMDR, somatic work, and Internal Family Systems Why healing doesn't only happen during your therapy session Simple ways to practice present-moment awareness throughout your day Why you should practice regulation skills before you're at a 10/10 How to recognize progress even when you're still getting triggered Measuring healing through intensity, duration, and frequency When a different type of therapy may be worth exploring Why healing timelines are often much less linear than social media makes them look How unrealistic expectations can make you feel like you're failing Finding realistic milestones that show you're actually making progress A simple nervous-system practice Hannah challenges listeners to try this week Chapters 00:57 – Welcome to Trauma, Tea & Tangents 01:08 – Why Does Healing Feel So Slow? 02:08 – Knowing Your Trauma vs. Actually Processing It 03:12 – What Happens in Your Brain When You're Triggered 04:16 – Why Your Body Doesn't Always Believe You're Safe 05:42 – Why Healing Requires More Than Talking About It 06:18 – Reason #2: Therapy Is One Hour of Your Week 07:26 – What You Can Do Outside of Therapy 08:42 – Using Your Five Senses to Practice Safety 09:35 – Why You Should Practice Before You're Triggered 10:48 – Reason #3: Triggers Don't Mean Therapy Isn't Working 11:58 – Measuring Progress Differently 13:03 – A Personal Example of Healing Progress 14:25 – Intensity, Duration & Frequency 15:18 – Reason #4: Are You Doing the Right Type of Therapy? 16:12 – Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Therapy 17:22 – How Bottom-Up Approaches Work 18:03 – Finding the Right Approach for Your Nervous System 18:20 – Reason #5: Your Healing Timeline May Be Unrealistic 19:10 – Why Healing Doesn't Always Look Like Social Media 20:05 – Trauma Takes Time to Rewire 20:45 – What You Can Actually Control 21:05 – Hannah's Nervous System Challenge 22:04 – Revive Therapy Services & Current Openings 22:25 – Nervous System Worksheets & Resources 23:10 – Final Thoughts Healing isn't about never being triggered again. It's about learning to respond differently, building your capacity for safety, and recognizing progress that you might otherwise overlook. ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/?utm_source=Bio&utm_medium=Pod Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices Worksheets: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/store

What if healing doesn't just bring relief — what if it also brings grief? In this episode of Trauma, Tea & Tangents, Hannah Guy, LCSW, sits down with Marisa Ronquillo, LMFT, owner of Insightful Roots Therapy in California, to talk about a part of the healing process that often doesn't get enough attention: hidden grief. When we begin healing from trauma, we can develop a new understanding of our childhood, our relationships, our bodies, and even ourselves. And sometimes that awareness comes with a painful realization: there were things we needed that we didn't receive, experiences we should have had that we didn't, or versions of ourselves that never got the chance to feel safe, express themselves, or take up space. Marisa shares a personal example of unexpectedly connecting with a younger version of herself through something as simple as a song and a familiar childhood lip balm. That moment brought up both pride for who she has become and grief for the younger versions of herself who were afraid to take up space and didn't know how to express or process their emotions. Hannah and Marisa also explore what can happen when we begin to recognize that experiences we considered “normal” growing up may not actually have been healthy or supportive. This can be especially powerful when working through attachment trauma and early childhood experiences. Realizing that you weren't responsible for regulating yourself as a young child can bring liberation — but it can also bring grief for the care and support you deserved. And grief isn't always sadness. It can look like anger, confusion, acceptance, longing, frustration, or all of those things at once. Healing may involve grieving the parent you wished you had, the childhood you didn't get, friendships that no longer feel healthy, or relationships that change as you begin to understand yourself differently. The conversation also explores what happens when healing changes the way we see the people around us. Sometimes growth makes it clearer which relationships are supportive and which ones no longer work for us. Creating distance doesn't always mean completely cutting someone off — sometimes it means allowing a relationship to become something different. And even when that change is healthy, there can still be grief in it. Most importantly, Hannah and Marisa talk about why you don't need to know exactly where your healing journey is going. You don't need to know the ending or have every emotion figured out. Sometimes the work is simply being present with what comes up, holding space for it, and remembering why you started healing in the first place. 🎙️ Listen to Trauma, Tea & Tangents on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:58 – Welcome & Meet Marisa Ronquillo, LMFT 01:23 – What Is Hidden Grief in Healing? 01:40 – How Grief Became Part of Marisa's Understanding of Healing 02:42 – Why Trauma Education Isn't Always Taught in Grad School 03:12 – A Personal Example of Unexpected Grief 04:45 – Grieving Younger Versions of Yourself 05:12 – Recognizing What Wasn't Healthy in Childhood 06:54 – The Sadness That Comes With Awareness 07:18 – Why Grief Is Messy and Complicated 07:24 – Grieving the Parent You Wished You Had 08:18 – When You Realize Your Childhood Wasn't “Fine” 09:25 – The Anger of Realizing “It's Not Fair” 09:57 – Becoming a Parent & Grieving Your Own Childhood 10:51 – When Your Relationship With Your Parents Is “Okay” 11:20 – Why We Blame Ourselves as Children 11:44 – The Grief of Seeing Things Differently 11:59 – Finding Hope in the Healing Process 13:01 – You Don't Have to Know the Ending 13:49 – How Healing Can Change Your Relationships 14:45 – When Long-Term Friendships No Longer Fit 15:26 – There Is Grief Everywhere 15:41 – Why We Avoid Grief 16:06 – Finding Beauty Within Grief 16:27 – The Importance of Emotional Literacy 17:08 – The Tangent: What Should We Actually Learn in School? 18:04 – Where to Find Marisa & Her Practice 18:16 – Revive Therapy Services & Healing Resources 19:01 – Final Thoughts & Closing   ✨ Connect with Marisa Ronquillo: Instagram: @therapywith.marisa ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/?utm_source=Bio&utm_medium=Pod Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices Worksheets: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/store

If you’ve ever wondered whether GLP-1 medications can actually help heal your relationship with food and your body — or whether they might make things more complicated — this episode is for you. In this episode of Trauma, Tea & Tangents, Hannah Guy, LCSW, sits down with Lizzie Fischer, a certified intuitive eating counselor and certified therapeutic recreational therapist, to have a nuanced conversation about GLP-1 medications, body image, eating disorders, diet culture, and self-trust. GLP-1s have become nearly impossible to avoid talking about. But the conversation around them is often incredibly black and white: you’re either completely for them or completely against them. Hannah and Lizzie take a different approach. Instead of telling people what they should or shouldn’t do, they explore the bigger questions underneath the decision — What is motivating you to take a GLP-1? How does seeing your body become smaller affect your confidence? Can you still trust your hunger cues? And what happens when weight loss becomes tied to feeling worthy, lovable, healthy, or “enough”? For people with a history of eating disorders or disordered eating, weight loss and appetite suppression can bring up complicated feelings and behaviors. Lizzie and Hannah talk about how GLP-1s can intersect with restriction, food rules, cognitive rigidity, body image, and the desire to finally feel comfortable in your body. They also discuss why choosing to use a GLP-1 doesn't automatically mean someone is doing something wrong — and why having an open, nonjudgmental conversation about the decision can be more helpful than shame. At the center of the conversation is self-trust. Healing your relationship with food and your body isn't about finding the perfect rule or making the perfect decision. It's about developing the ability to stay curious, pay attention to what your body is telling you, and trust yourself to make decisions that support you. Lizzie also shares practical ways to begin building body trust, including eating consistently, paying attention to how food feels physically and mentally, approaching your body's responses with curiosity instead of judgment, and finding movement that you genuinely enjoy. In this episode, we discuss: GLP-1 medications and the current conversation around them Why the conversation about GLP-1s is often so black and white Intuitive eating, body acceptance, and Health at Every Size The difference between body respect and body size GLP-1s, weight loss, and body image How GLP-1s may affect people with a history of eating disorders or disordered eating Food rules, restriction, and cognitive rigidity Why weight loss doesn't automatically heal body image The connection between trauma healing and self-trust Building trust with your hunger and fullness cues Curiosity instead of judgment when noticing how your body responds Moving your body for enjoyment rather than changing its appearance Practical ways to start building body trust This conversation isn't about deciding whether GLP-1s are “good” or “bad.” It's about making room for nuance, curiosity, autonomy, and a more compassionate relationship with your body and food. Chapters: 00:57 – Welcome & Meet Lizzie Fischer 01:33 – The Conversation Around GLP-1s 01:47 – GLP-1s & Intuitive Eating 02:33 – Why GLP-1s Aren’t a Black-and-White Issue 03:06 – Body Acceptance vs. Demonizing Thinness 03:53 – Creating Open Conversations About GLP-1s 04:51 – Are GLP-1s Just Another Diet Trend? 05:59 – Understanding the Motivation Behind Taking a GLP-1 06:51 – GLP-1s, Body Image & Eating Disorder History 08:12 – Can You Build Body Trust While Taking a GLP-1? 08:34 – Self-Inquiry & Understanding Confidence 09:25 – Self-Trust as Part of Healing 10:19 – What Does Body Trust Actually Mean? 11:16 – Food, Fear & Letting Go of Rigid Rules 11:25 – “One Food Won’t Change Your Body” 12:32 – Food Moralization & Wellness Culture 13:18 – Why GLP-1s Can Feel Like the “Last Option” 13:40 – Shame, Secrecy & the “Cheating” Narrative 14:36 – Diet Culture, Body Modification & “Never Enough” 16:00 – Privilege, Effort & Weight Loss 17:11 – Challenging Our Own Internalized Fatphobia 18:15 – Finding the Nuance in GLP-1 Conversations 19:03 – Self-Trust Over “Should I or Shouldn’t I?” 19:38 – Practical Ways to Build Self-Trust 20:19 – Curiosity Instead of Judgment 21:30 – Movement, Body Trust & Enjoyment 22:23 – Lizzie’s Coaching & Upcoming Yoga Series 22:53 – Revive Therapy Services & Eating Disorder Therapy 24:03 – Final Thoughts   ✨ Connect with Lizzie Fischer: Instagram: @lizziefischer.coaching Website: Lizziefischercoaching.com/services ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/?utm_source=Bio&utm_medium=Pod Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices Worksheets: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/store

What if healing from trauma doesn't always start by talking about the trauma itself? In this episode of Trauma, Tea & Tangents, Hannah Guy, LCSW, is joined by Chris Morrison, LPC, owner of Minds and Melody Therapy Services, to explore the role of music therapy in trauma healing, nervous system regulation, and building a sense of safety before deeper trauma processing begins. Together, they unpack what music therapy actually is, what a music therapy session can look like, and how music can be used as a therapeutic tool to support emotional, cognitive, and social goals. Chris explains how interventions like active music listening, guided imagery, songwriting, and instrument playing can create opportunities for healing that may feel different from traditional talk therapy. They also dive into the importance of stabilization before trauma reprocessing. Because trauma therapy isn't about forcing yourself to relive everything that happened or jumping straight into the most painful memories before your nervous system is ready. Whether you're navigating PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, dissociation, emotional overwhelm, or simply curious about music therapy, this conversation offers a deeper look at how we can build capacity, expand our window of tolerance, and create experiences of safety in the body. You'll learn how music can become an anchor during difficult moments, how predictable and repetitive sounds can support nervous system regulation, and how gradually introducing discomfort in a safe environment can help build distress tolerance without overwhelming your system. Whether you're interested in music therapy, currently doing trauma work, or wondering why your therapist keeps focusing on coping skills before getting into the “real” work, this episode is a reminder that stabilization is not avoiding healing. Sometimes, stabilization is the healing. Before we ask the nervous system to revisit what once felt unbearable, we may first need to help it learn something new: that discomfort can come and go, that activation doesn't have to mean danger, and that you can return to safety again. Chapters 00:59 – Welcome & Meet Chris Morrison 01:49 – Chris's Experience as a Music Therapist 02:10 – What Is Music Therapy? 03:16 – What Does Music Therapy Look Like in Session? 04:00 – Why Music Can Access Experiences Beyond Words 05:12 – Music, Memory & Emotional Expression 06:31 – Using Music as a Therapeutic Intervention 08:04 – Why Stabilization Comes Before Trauma Reprocessing 09:18 – Understanding the Window of Tolerance 10:42 – Building Capacity for Trauma Healing 12:05 – When Trauma Therapy Moves Too Fast 13:30 – Why You Don't Have to “Rip Off the Band-Aid” 15:02 – Safety, Readiness & Collaborative Trauma Work 16:24 – Why Going Outside Your Window of Tolerance Can Be Harmful 17:21 – The “Jumping Off the Cliff” Myth of Trauma Therapy 18:03 – Using Music Therapy to Build Capacity 18:26 – Combining Breathwork & Music 19:46 – Music as a Tool for Distress Tolerance 20:14 – Using Breath as an Anchor During Discomfort 21:30 – Gradually Building Nervous System Capacity 22:40 – How Music Can Support Emotional Regulation 23:50 – Bringing Stabilization Skills Into Everyday Life 25:02 – Chris's Work & Resources 26:00 – Final Thoughts & Closing ✨ Connect with Chris Morrison: Instagram: @christophermorrisonlpc ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/?utm_source=Bio&utm_medium=Pod Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices Worksheets: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/store

What if losing weight, following the “perfect” diet, or finally changing your body doesn't actually make you feel confident? In this episode of Trauma, Tea & Tangents, Hannah Guy, LCSW, is joined by certified intuitive eating coach and therapeutic recreation therapist Lizzie Fischer to unpack one of the biggest lies behind body image struggles: the belief that happiness, confidence, and self-worth are waiting for us on the other side of a smaller body. Together, they explore diet culture, disordered eating, intuitive eating, eating disorder recovery, food freedom, and the complicated relationship between trauma, the nervous system, and our relationship with food and our bodies. Lizzie shares her own journey from dieting and body dissatisfaction to bulimia, orthorexic behaviors, and eventually finding a more compassionate and trusting relationship with food through intuitive eating and body awareness. Hannah and Lizzie also discuss why eating disorders and disordered eating can become coping mechanisms, how food and body image can act as a distraction from deeper emotional pain, and why healing often requires more than simply changing your eating habits. Whether you're struggling with body image, chronic dieting, binge eating, disordered eating, or constantly feeling like you'll finally be happy once you lose “just a few more pounds,” this conversation offers a different perspective. You'll learn why the goalposts around body image often continue to move, why unconditional permission to eat can feel so scary, how rebuilding trust with your body takes time, and why healing your relationship with food doesn't have to mean achieving a particular body size. In this episode, we discuss: Why losing weight doesn't automatically create body confidence The lie that the “perfect” body or diet will finally make you happy Growing up in diet culture and learning body dissatisfaction Lizzie's experience with bulimia, orthorexic behaviors, and recovery How intuitive eating can help rebuild trust with food and your body Why disordered eating can become a coping mechanism The connection between trauma, dissociation, and eating disorders Why food and body image can distract us from deeper emotional pain How the nervous system influences eating patterns and behavior Interrupting binge eating patterns with curiosity and mindfulness Why healing your relationship with food takes time Making small changes that feel safe for your nervous system Why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to eating disorder recovery What unconditional permission to eat actually means Letting go of rigid food rules and the fear of losing control How to rebuild self-trust around food and eating Body awareness, interoception, and learning what your body is communicating Why your body can be resilient—even when you don't make the “perfect” choice The pressure to believe healing will automatically lead to weight loss Why your healing, self-worth, and progress cannot be measured by the number on a scale Whether you're in eating disorder recovery, exploring intuitive eating, or simply exhausted from constantly thinking about food and your body, this episode is a reminder that healing isn't about finally finding the perfect set of rules. It's about learning to step outside of them. Your relationship with food and your body may take time to heal, and that healing might look different than you expected. You may lose weight, gain weight, or stay the same—but none of those outcomes determine whether you've healed. Because your worth was never supposed to depend on the size of your body in the first place. Chapters 00:57 – Welcome & Meet Lizzie Fischer 01:58 – Lizzie's Journey With Diet Culture & Body Image 03:00 – When Dieting Turned Into an Eating Disorder 04:00 – Bulimia, Recovery & Asking for Support 05:27 – Discovering Intuitive Eating & Food Freedom 06:17 – How Diet Culture and Disordered Eating Become Normalized 07:27 – The Lie of the “Perfect” Body 08:07 – Food Freedom & Letting Go of the Pressure to Be Smaller 08:41 – Trauma, Dissociation & Eating Disorders 10:02 – Using Food and Body Image as a Coping Mechanism 10:46 – Why Reaching Your Goal Weight Is Never Enough 12:34 – Rewiring Patterns & Creating New Coping Strategies 14:28 – Healing Slowly and Safely 16:00 – Why Recovery Looks Different for Everyone 16:58 – Intuitive Eating vs. Using Food to Cope 18:24 – What Does Unconditional Permission to Eat Mean? 19:26 – Learning to Trust Your Body Around Food 20:08 – Letting Go of Perfection Around Eating 21:07 – Body Awareness, Interoception & Rebuilding Self-Trust 22:29 – Does Healing Your Relationship With Food Lead to Weight Loss? 23:32 – Why You Can't Measure Healing by the Scale 24:18 – Lizzie's Yoga Practice & Reconnecting With Your Body 25:22 – Eating Disorder Therapy & Resources 26:12 – Final Thoughts & Closing   ✨ Connect with Lizzie Fischer: Instagram: @lizziefischer.coaching Website: lizziefischercoaching.com/services ✨Looking for trauma therapy in Pennsylvania or Colorado? Revive Therapy Services specializes in trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, eating disorder treatment, body image concerns, PTSD, complex trauma, and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). We offer virtual and in person therapy throughout Pennsylvania and Colorado. Learn more: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/?utm_source=Bio&utm_medium=Pod Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices Worksheets: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/store