Medical Trauma Support

Sarah Stasica
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Mental Health
  • Fortnightly

The Medical Trauma Support Podcast explores the human impact of medical experiences for patients, parents, and healthcare professionals. Through human-centered, nervous-system-informed conversations, the podcast examines how medical care can impact the body, trust, and sense of safety. Episodes explore medical trauma, fear, shutdown, compassion in care, provider wellbeing, and the changes needed within healthcare systems to better support everyone involved. This podcast offers education, reflection, and hope — honoring our shared humanity and the body’s responses to medical experiences.

  1. 2 days ago

    Life After the ICU: Health Anxiety, ICU Nightmares & Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) with Dr. Brian Peach

    Struggling with health anxiety, brain fog, insomnia, or terrifying memories after a hospital stay? In this episode, Dr. Brian Peach, a UCF nursing professor and former ICU nurse of nearly 20 years, breaks down Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS), a condition that affects 50% to 80% of ICU survivors with lasting physical, cognitive, and mental health symptoms. In this episode, we cover: What PICS is and why so many survivors feel blindsided and isolated when they get home. ICU delirium, sedation nightmares, and why doctors often miss or dismiss post ICU PTSD and anxiety. Why life feels dangerous after a medical crisis, from fear of germs to unexpected nervous system triggers. How Dr. Peach is advocating for an official CDC diagnostic code (ICD 10) and building community through Walk for PICS. Chapters: 00:00 Intro & What is Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS)? 04:26 Walk for PICS & Why 50% to 80% of ICU Survivors Struggle 10:29 ICU Sedation Nightmares & Seeking Care Early 13:38 Fighting for a CDC ICD 10 Diagnostic Code 19:31 Brain Fog, Anxiety, PTSD & Medical Dismissal 27:40 Fear of Getting Sick, Avoidance & Everyday Triggers 36:40 Resources & How to Connect with Dr. Peach Connect with Dr. Brian Peach & Resources: UCF Page: Google "Brian Peach UCF" Facebook: "Dr. Brian Peach" & "PICS Advocacy Network" X (Twitter): @DrBrianCPeach Reddit: Post Intensive Care Syndrome community Resources: walkforpics.com, The PICS Coalition, & Medical Trauma Recovery Alliance Join the Medical Trauma Support Circle:https://www.medicaltraumasupport.org/befriend-your-body-community #HealthAnxiety #MedicalGaslighting #ICUSurvivor #PostIntensiveCareSyndrome #MedicalTrauma #FearOfDoctors #ICUDelirium #PTSDRecovery

  2. 13 Oct

    Healing Medical Trauma Together: The Power of Group Work with Colette Hart

    How can group work help you heal from medical trauma? Psychotherapist Colette Hart shares why connecting with others who truly understand can be so powerful, and why your medical appointment is your time. Colette is a psychotherapist based in Wales who specializes in medical trauma. In this conversation, she shares how her own health experiences led her to this work as a “wounded healer.” We explore the unique magic and safety of group work, and her advocacy to bring trauma-informed, compassionate care training to healthcare professionals and hospitals to help change the culture of care. This episode is for anyone living with medical trauma, and for the clinicians who support them. ⏱️ Chapters00:00 Welcome and Colette’s path into medical trauma work02:27 Lived experience and the “wounded healer”04:26 Regulation, empathy, and creating a sense of safety06:21 How supportive therapy groups help people heal11:46 Community, shared experience, and feeling less alone14:13 You can join a group without sharing17:17 Medical trauma’s impact on identity19:21 Why facilitated groups can feel different from online forums23:02 Connection in online and in-person groups25:36 Developing trauma-informed training for hospitals26:00 Colette’s father’s hospital experience and patient advocacy29:13 Compassionate care—and supporting healthcare professionals32:07 Holding the nuance: harmful experiences and compassionate providers36:08 Complaints, self-doubt, and DARVO39:02 Rebuilding strength, wisdom, and courage40:00 Changing systems and workplace culture44:38 A practical reminder for medical appointments46:52 How to contact Colette47:55 Closing thoughts 🔗 Connect with Colette and access her free resources: https://heart2hartsolutions.co.uk 💛 Looking for community with people who understand medical trauma? Join the Medical Trauma Support Circle: https://www.medicaltraumasupport.org/befriend-your-body-community Follow for more conversations on healing after medical trauma. #MedicalTrauma #TraumaInformedCare #GroupTherapy #PatientAdvocacy #MedicalTraumaSupport

  3. 29 Sept

    Navigating Medical Trauma with Dr. Michelle Flaum and Dr. Sacha McBain

    I am really excited to share this conversation with Dr. Michelle Flaum and Dr. Sacha McBain. They are two of the original researchers and advocates in the field of medical trauma. Michelle shares her personal experience as a patient and how it led her to this work. Sacha explains the concept of "pre-sourcing" and how it helps prepare us for medical events. We talk about their new book, which is written to support both patients and clinicians, and discuss how giving a name to your experience can bring a sense of relief. Having a name for your experience allows you to view your body's natural reactions with compassion. Remember that you are not alone, and your experience is completely valid. You can request their new book about medical trauma at your local independent bookstore as well as find it on their websites. https://www.sachamcbain.com/ https://www.drmichelleflaum.com/ If you are looking for community who understands medical trauma, please join us in the Medical Trauma Support Circle: https://www.medicaltraumasupport.org/befriend-your-body-community  #MedicalTraumaSupport #MedicalTrauma #TraumaRecovery #PatientAdvocacy #Therapy

  4. 15 Sept

    Understanding Our Nervous Systems: A Conversation with Christina Kantzavelos, LCSW

    In this episode of the Medical Trauma Support Podcast, Sarah Stasica sits down with Christina Kantzavelos, a licensed clinical social worker, to delve into the intricate relationship between our nervous systems and our health, especially in the context of chronic illness. We talk about the importance of understanding your Nervous System and how it plays a part in everything you do, essentially, everything you are, because it's part of your whole body's system.We also talk about chronic stress and its effect as well as the Four F's: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn and how knowing this information is a way to empower yourself. To learn more about Christina's work you can find her at BeginWithinToday.com If you would like to join the Medical Trauma Support Circle community, you can Join Here.

  5. 1 Sept

    How Self-Compassion Helps Healthcare Professionals with Dr. Sharon Chang

    Are you a healthcare professional dealing with stress and burnout? Or a patient who has experienced care from a provider who didn't treat you with the compassion and care that you needed? In this episode of the Medical Trauma Support Podcast, Sarah Stasica speaks with Dr. Sharon Chang, a retired surgical oncologist and current mental fitness coach. They discuss the signs of physician burnout, the reality of working as a cancer surgeon, and how building a daily mental fitness routine helps doctors provide better care. Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to the Medical Trauma Support Podcast 02:24 - Why Dr. Chang became a surgical oncologist 08:24 - How a doctor's emotional support impacts patients 16:56 - The daily stress and reality of being a surgeon 22:47 - Dr. Chang shares her personal experience with burnout 28:22 - Working with a coach to find career clarity 33:44 - Using self-compassion to improve patient care 42:49 - What is mental fitness and how to practice it daily Connect with Dr. Sharon B Chang on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-b-chang-md/ Listen to more from Medical Trauma Support: Subscribe to the channel for more episodes on healthcare recovery and patient advocacy. #PhysicianBurnout #MentalFitness #HealthcareProfessionals #MedicalTraumaSupport #DrSharonChang

  6. 3 Jul

    How to Avoid Medical Mistakes: A Critical Care Doctor’s Patient Safety Guide

    Medical mistakes are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and many are preventable. In this episode, critical care physician and pulmonologist Dr. Gerardo Garza shares how to protect yourself and your loved ones, from finding the right doctor to preparing for appointments, asking better questions, and navigating a safe hospital discharge. We also talk about post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), why how you’re treated can matter as much as what happens to you, and what it really means to feel safe in medical care. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or a clinician, this conversation is full of practical, nervous-system-aware tools you can use right away. Dr. Garza's Book Link Follow Dr. Garza 🔗 Free guide — https://www.medicaltraumasupport.org/free-guides     Befriending Your Body After Medical Trauma (course) — https://your-bc-befriend.mn.co/plans/1948719

  7. 19 Jun

    What Is EMDR? A Body-Based Approach to Healing Medical Trauma with Ingrid Nishimoto, LCSW

    In this episode of the Medical Trauma Support Podcast, Sarah Stasica sits down with Ingrid Nishimoto, LCSW a certified EMDR therapist who also lives with a genetic cancer condition diagnosed at 17. Together they explore what EMDR actually is, how it helps shift the felt sense of powerlessness after a frightening medical experience, and why grief, collapse, and the long “in-between” after treatment deserve so much more compassion than they usually get. Ingrid shares how she helps clients feel safe in their bodies again, reconnect with their own wisdom, and move from “I’m powerless” toward “I have agency.” A warm, nervous-system-informed conversation for anyone healing after a hard diagnosis and for the clinicians who walk alongside them. To connect with Ingrid: https://www.ingridnishimototherapy.com To find support: https://www.medicaltraumasupport.org

  8. 5 Jun

    Post-ICU Syndrome: Why ICU Survivors Struggle Long After They Leave the Hospital

    Most ICU survivors are sent home and told they're lucky to be alive. But for millions of people, that's where the real struggle begins. Kali Dayton, nurse practitioner and ICU consultant, joins me to talk about Post-ICU Syndrome (PICS): the physical, cognitive, and psychological aftermath of critical illness that almost no one is warned about. We talk about why medically induced comas cause more harm than most clinicians realize, what ICU delirium actually feels like for survivors, and why the "awake and walking ICU" model is changing outcomes and saving lives. We also talk about the deep power of peer support, of having a name for what you've been through, and of knowing you are not alone in your recovery. This one is for survivors, for families, and for anyone who has ever felt like something was terribly wrong after a hospital stay that everyone else called a success. Find more about Kali's work and podcast here. If you are looking for a peer support community who gets it, join us in the Medical Trauma Support Circle.

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About

The Medical Trauma Support Podcast explores the human impact of medical experiences for patients, parents, and healthcare professionals. Through human-centered, nervous-system-informed conversations, the podcast examines how medical care can impact the body, trust, and sense of safety. Episodes explore medical trauma, fear, shutdown, compassion in care, provider wellbeing, and the changes needed within healthcare systems to better support everyone involved. This podcast offers education, reflection, and hope — honoring our shared humanity and the body’s responses to medical experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Stasica
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sarah Stasica
  • Show Website
    Medical Trauma Support

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