Living a Life in Balance - PODCAST

Abdullah Boulad
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Living a Life in Balance with Abdullah Boulad Honest conversations about mental health, relationships, purpose, and being human. I’m Abdullah Boulad, founder and CEO of THE BALANCE and author of Be Human First. Together with my guests, I explore the experiences that shape us—from addiction and trauma to the search for connection and a more balanced life. We bring curiosity, care, and different perspectives to questions that don’t always have simple answers. My hope is that you leave each episode with a new perspective, a better understanding of yourself and others, or simply the feeling that you’re not alone. Thank you for being here. Explore THE BALANCE:https://thebalance.clinic

  1. 22h ago ·  Video

    Being Strong Isn’t the Same as Healing from Trauma | Dr. Wendy D’Andrea

    Send us Fan Mail What if being “strong” after trauma means you’ve learned to survive—but still need support to heal? In this episode of Living a Life in Balance, Abdullah Boulad is joined by Dr. Wendy D’Andrea for a thoughtful conversation on childhood trauma, emotional abuse, and the relationships that support healing. Wendy shares how family loss and substance abuse shaped her personal journey and inspired her work in trauma research. Together, they question the idea that suffering necessarily makes us stronger, explore the lasting impact of emotional abuse, and discuss why behaviours that seem difficult can be attempts to protect ourselves. The conversation moves from the biology of trauma to the everyday moments that help people feel safe, heard, and connected. Wendy also reflects on therapist training, emerging treatment approaches, parenting, and the importance of supporting the adults who care for children. Topics explored in this conversation include: • How childhood adversity and family loss shape our understanding of trauma  • Post-traumatic growth and the pressure to become stronger through suffering  • Emotional numbing, dissociation, and protective responses  • Why safe relationships and community matter in recovery  • The lasting impact of childhood emotional abuse  • Discrimination, chronic stress, and the cost of resilience  • Therapist presence and the limitations of treatment checklists  • Movement, social connection, and emerging trauma treatments  • Talking with children about trauma and substance use  • Building systems that support children, parents, and caregivers This conversation invites us to reconsider what resilience means, and how we can make healing more possible through the way we listen, care, and show up for one another About Wendy:  Dr. Wendy D’Andrea is a clinical psychologist, Associate Professor of Psychology at The New School, and Chief Science Officer at the Trauma Research Foundation. Her research explores how complex trauma affects emotional, cognitive, relational, and physiological processes, and how research can inform clinical care and community-based healing. 00:00:00 - Personal Loss, Family Substance Abuse & Trauma Healing 00:01:42 - How Childhood Experiences Inspired Her Trauma Research 00:03:13 - Does Trauma Make Us Stronger? Rethinking Resilience 00:06:03 - Childhood Adversity & the Power of Community Support 00:10:47 - Post-Traumatic Growth: Suffering & Resilience 00:15:06 - Emotional Numbing, Coping & Cultural Context 00:17:11 - Why One Safe Adult Can Make a Difference 00:20:40 - Understanding Difficult Behaviour & Listening to Feelings 00:25:31 - Why Good Therapy Requires More Than a Checklist 00:27:13 - From Sexual Assault Advocacy to Trauma Biology 00:35:27 - Attention, Awareness & Dissociation vs ADHD 00:40:09 - Trauma Adaptations & Community-Based Healing 00:42:56 - Emotional Abuse, Shame & the Limits of PTSD Diagnosis 00:47:49 - Discrimination, Chronic Stress & the Cost of Resilience 00:56:13 - Building Resilient Communities Through Connection 00:58:16 - Work Pressure, Parenthood & Being Present 01:03:11 - Talking With Children About Trauma & Substance Use 01:06:46 - Connecting Trauma Research With Practice & Emerging Treatments 01:19:40 - Finding Balance Through Family, Music & Dance 01:21:09 - Final Reflections: Relationships Matter & Help Is Available Follow Abdullah Boulad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/ https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/ Follow Wendy D’Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-d-andrea-1994863a/ You can order Abdullah’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BC9S5TCF?ccs_id=c64f2588-7eb1-4592-b4d1-647a0f379b51  Follow THE BALANCE Rehab Clinic: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebalancerehabclinic/ https://www.instagram.com/thebalancerehabclinic/ #LivingALifeInBalance #ChildhoodTrauma #EmotionalAbuse #TraumaHealing #Resilience #MentalHealth #TraumaInformed #Healing #Community #Connection #Parenting #Wellbeing #Podcast #WendyDAndrea

  2. Sep 30 ·  Video

    Do You Feel Heard in Therapy? Why Trust and Honesty Matter | Chantelle Thomas, PhD

    Send us Fan Mail What if the most healing thing a therapist can offer isn't expertise, but honesty about their own humanity? Chantelle Thomas, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma, addiction, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, joins Abdullah Boulad for an honest conversation. Dr. Thomas opens up about the family dynamics that shaped her path into this work, including growing up as her mother's unofficial therapist and living alongside intergenerational trauma that touched her whole family. She speaks candidly about the cultures that formed her, moving between South Africa, Canada, and California, and how that shaped her sense of identity. The conversation moves into what it actually takes to be a good therapist: examining personal bias and shame, knowing how to apologize with real accountability rather than justification, and choosing authenticity over a detached professional persona.  About Chantelle: Dr. Thomas is a clinical psychologist whose work centers on trauma, addiction, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Her path into the field began early, shaped by her own family's experience with intergenerational trauma, and has since grown into over a decade of research and clinical practice. Her approach is grounded in authenticity, humility, and a belief that true healing asks as much of the therapist as it does of the client.  00:00:00 - Meet Dr. Chantelle Thomas: Trauma, Addiction & Psychotherapy  00:01:34 - Early Life and the Making of a Therapist  00:05:13 - Intergenerational Trauma and Family History  00:08:52 - Cultural Identity Across South Africa, Canada, and California  00:12:27 - The Therapist's Shadow: Bias, Shame, and Humility in Psychedelic Work  00:16:23 - The Art of a Good Apology in the Therapeutic Relationship  00:20:26 - Why Authenticity Matters More Than Clinical Detachment  00:27:01 - Client Intuition and Heightened Awareness in Psychedelic States  00:32:18 - Training Clinical Teams to Hold Client Feedback Without Defensiveness  00:35:59 - From "Resistant" to Protected: Reframing Client Behavior  00:38:38 - A 13-Year Journey Into Psychedelic Research, Starting With Psilocybin  00:45:47 - Bringing Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Into Residential Treatment  00:50:05 - Inside the Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Process  00:56:45 - Witnessing Deep Healing in Psychedelic-Assisted Sessions  01:03:37 - The Future of Psilocybin and MDMA in Addiction Treatment  01:09:14 - Dr. Thomas's Own Healing With MDMA and Ketamine  01:13:20 - Life Outside the Clinic: Balance, Movement, and Music  01:15:11 - Closing Wisdom: Don't Be Afraid of Your Feelings Follow Abdullah Boulad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/ https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/ Follow Chantelle Thomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantelle-thomas-57a31795   You can order Abdullah's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BC9S5TCF?ccs_id=c64f2588-7eb1-4592-b4d1-647a0f379b51   Follow THE BALANCE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebalance.clinic/ https://www.instagram.com/thebalance.clinic/   #traumahealing #recoveryjourney #mentalhealth #trauma #therapyhelps

  3. Sep 16 ·  Video

    Why Trauma Healing Starts With Safety, Not the Story | Dr. Janina Fisher, PhD

    Send us Fan Mail What if healing from trauma isn't about revisiting the worst moments of your past, but learning to befriend the parts of yourself still carrying them? Dr. Janina Fisher joins Abdullah Boulad to explore trauma, stabilization, and the parts of us shaped by difficult experiences. Janina shares what first drew her into trauma work, including her father's traumatic childhood and his journey through alcoholism and sobriety. She talks about why the word "trauma" has become overused today, and walks through her evolution as a clinician, from EMDR to somatic work, Internal Family Systems, and clinical hypnosis.  The conversation also covers what trauma therapy often gets wrong, why TIST starts with stabilization rather than history-taking, how old wounds get triggered within family relationships, and the role of co-regulation in healing. Janina closes with her hope for a more integrated future in mental health care, and one piece of advice: get curious about the parts of you that you like the least. About Janina: Janina Fisher is a licensed clinical psychologist and former instructor at Harvard Medical School. An international expert on the treatment of trauma, she serves on the Executive Board of the Trauma Research Foundation. She is best known for integrating mindfulness-based and somatic interventions into trauma treatment, and her model, Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST), is now taught around the world. 00:00:00 - Introduction: Dr. Janina Fisher on Trauma and Recovery 00:01:38 - What Inspired Dr. Fisher's Path Into Trauma Therapy 00:05:29 - Growing Up With a Father's Trauma and Alcoholism 00:11:53 - Why the Word "Trauma" Is Overused Today 00:14:31 - From EMDR to Somatic Work and Internal Family Systems (IFS) 00:17:51 - What Is TIST? Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment Explained 00:22:28 - Using TIST in Therapy: Individual, Group & VA Settings 00:28:31 - The Biggest Mistake in Trauma Therapy Today 00:30:55 - Stabilizing Trauma Survivors Through Mindful Noticing 00:38:43 - How Mindfulness Calms the Amygdala and Regulates Emotion 00:45:43 - How Trauma Shows Up in Family Relationships 00:49:50 - US vs. Europe: Different Approaches to Trauma Treatment 00:52:15 - What Is Co-Regulation and Why It Matters in Healing 00:55:42 - Breaking Down Silos Between Addiction and Mental Health Care 00:58:52 - How Dr. Fisher Stays Balanced Doing Trauma Work 01:00:33 - Dr. Fisher's Advice: Befriend the Parts of Yourself You Dislike Most Follow Abdullah Boulad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/ https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/ Follow Janina Fisher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janina-fisher-aa840a16/  You can order Abdullah's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BC9S5TCF?ccs_id=c64f2588-7eb1-4592-b4d1-647a0f379b51 Follow THE BALANCE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebalance.clinic/ https://www.instagram.com/thebalance.clinic/ #traumahealing #recoveryjourney #mentalhealth #trauma #therapyhelps

  4. Sep 2 ·  Video

    Trauma Lives in the Body: Healing Beyond the Mind | Frank Anderson, MD

    Send us Fan Mail What if the parts of you that feel most damaged by trauma are also the parts capable of leading you toward healing? Dr. Frank Anderson joins Abdullah Boulad on Living a Life in Balance to explore trauma, dissociation, and the body's role in healing, drawing on decades of work as a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and psychotherapist. In this conversation, Frank explains how his own traumatic childhood, including six years of conversion therapy, shaped both his personal understanding of pain and his professional path into psychiatry. Together, Abdullah and Frank explore where trauma is actually stored in the body and brain, why a therapist's presence matters as much as any technique, and why healing depends on giving agency back to the client rather than keeping it inside the therapy room. Frank walks through the different forms trauma can take, from relational and cultural to systemic and institutional, and introduces the concept of passive abuse, how the inaction of a "safe" parent can be as damaging as direct harm. The conversation goes further into what actually helps people heal, including EMDR, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and Internal Family Systems, and why an integrated approach across body and mind matters more than any single method. Frank also shares what led him to co-found a production company dedicated to trauma-informed storytelling, exploring how media, from Inside Out to social platforms, can either support or undermine mental health at scale. Frank also shares his vision for healing beyond the therapy room, including the role of community in recovery, and the personal practices he relies on to stay balanced between his professional purpose and family life. About Frank: Dr. Frank Anderson is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and world-renowned trauma treatment expert. He is the acclaimed author of Transcending Trauma and the memoir To Be Loved: A Story of Truth, Trauma, and Transformation, and co-author of the Internal Family Systems Skills Training Manual. He is a lead trainer at the IFS Institute alongside Richard Schwartz and co-founder of Trauma-Informed Media, an organization dedicated to bringing trauma awareness and healing to a global audience. Frank believes that addressing traumatic events, rather than avoiding them, is what leads people toward genuine healing and forgiveness. 00:00:00 - Dr. Frank Anderson's Journey Into Trauma and Psychiatry 00:06:50 - Childhood Conversion Therapy and Its Lasting Impact 00:09:18 - Understanding Personal Trauma: Physical & Verbal Abuse 00:10:03 - Healing From Trauma: What Works (EMDR, IFS..) 00:13:21 - Where Trauma Lives in the Body and Brain 00:18:24 - Why Therapist Presence Is Essential to Trauma Healing 00:22:26 - Client Empowerment: Healing Happens Outside Therapy 00:27:47 - Different Types of Trauma: Relational, Cultural, Systemic 00:31:12 - The Power of Community-Based Trauma Healing 00:35:29 - Passive Abuse: How a "Safe" Parent Can Still Cause Harm 00:38:34 - Bringing Trauma-Informed Storytelling to Media and Film 00:43:50 - Movies Like "Inside Out" Shape Mental Health Awareness 00:51:03 - Social Media, Attention Spans, and Mental Health Content 01:00:02 - Balancing Career Purpose With Family and Well-Being 01:01:05 - What Drove Dr. Frank Anderson to Become a Psychiatrist 01:08:45 - Healing From Trauma Is Possible: A Message of Hope Follow Abdullah Boulad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/    https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/      Follow Frank Anderson: https://www.instagram.com/frank_andersonmd/?hl=en   You can order Abdullah’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BC9S5TCF?ccs_id=c64f2588-7eb1-4592-b4d1-647a0f379b51   Follow THE BALANCE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebalance.clinic/ https://www.instagram.com/thebalance.clinic/ #traumahealing #recoveryjourney #mentalhealth #love #trauma #therapy

  5. Aug 19 ·  Video

    Internal Family Systems (IFS) Explained: How Our Parts Help Us Heal | Richard Schwartz, PhD

    Send us Fan Mail What if the different voices, emotions, and reactions inside you are not signs that something is wrong with you, but parts of you trying to protect you? Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D., joins Abdullah Boulad on Living a Life in Balance to explore Internal Family Systems (IFS), the therapeutic model he developed to help people understand and work with the different parts of themselves. In this conversation, Richard explains how his early work with people struggling with eating disorders led him to discover the concept of parts, and how his own childhood experiences shaped his understanding of protection, fear, and emotional pain. Together, Abdullah and Richard explore what IFS can teach us about protectors, exiles, and the Self, including why Richard believes there are “no bad parts” and how even the most difficult thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can have a protective intention. Richard also guides Abdullah through a live IFS exercise, offering a practical glimpse into how the approach can help us connect with parts of ourselves that may have been carrying pain for years. The conversation goes further into how IFS works in therapy, whether it can be practiced safely as a form of self-help, how it can be adapted for people who struggle to access their emotions, and the potential relationship between IFS and psychedelics such as MDMA and ketamine. Richard also shares his vision for the future of IFS, including its potential applications in trauma recovery, prisons, and collective healing, as well as the personal practices he uses to stay balanced. About Richard: Dr. Schwartz is an American systemic family therapist, academic, author, and creator of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) branch of therapy. He developed his foundational work with IFS in the 1980s after theorizing that his clients were made up of many different parts of their “Self.” He teaches that “Our inner parts contain valuable qualities, and our core Self knows how to heal, allowing us to become integrated and whole.” In IFS, all parts are welcome. 00:00:00 - Podcast Introduction: Dr. Richard Schwartz & Internal Family Systems (IFS) 00:01:37 - Dr. Richard Schwartz’s Childhood, Family & Path to Psychotherapy 00:05:19 - How Internal Family Systems (IFS) Was Discovered 00:07:07 - Childhood Loneliness, Family Dynamics & Emotional Pain 00:09:17 - How Protective Parts Develop to Cope With Fear & Criticism 00:11:18 - Using IFS to Understand Our Own Family Dynamics 00:13:35 - Discovering the “Parts” Within Us 00:16:10 - IFS Explained: Protectors, Exiles & the Inner World 00:18:01 - “No Bad Parts”: Do All Parts Have a Positive Intention? 00:22:36 - Can Internal Family Systems Change Psychotherapy & Heal Conflict? 00:25:25 - LIVE IFS Demonstration: Connecting With a Part 00:33:10 - Managers vs. Firefighters: The Two Types of Protective Parts 00:38:58 - How IFS Therapy Works: Accessing & Healing Exiled Parts 00:41:41 - IFS, Rational Minds & Narcissistic Traits: Building Trust in Therapy 00:45:17 - Can You Practice IFS Without a Therapist? 00:49:32 - IFS & Psychedelics: MDMA, Ketamine & Accessing the Self 00:54:24 - The Future of IFS: Trauma, Prisons & Collective Healing 00:57:05 - How Dr. Schwartz Uses IFS to Stay Balanced 01:00:05 - A Message of Hope: No Bad Parts & the Healing Self Follow Abdullah Boulad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/    https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/      Follow Richard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-schwartz-0a9a1b203   You can order Abdullah’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BC9S5TCF?ccs_id=c64f2588-7eb1-4592-b4d1-647a0f379b51   Follow THE BALANCE: https://ch.linkedin.com/company/thebalance.clinic/ https://www.instagram.com/thebalance.clinic/

  6. Aug 5 ·  Video

    From Struggle and Addiction to Shaping the Trauma Industry | Araminta Jonsson

    Send us Fan Mail How do trauma, addiction, and neurodivergence shape the course of a life, and what does real healing actually look like? Araminta Jonsson, Founder and CEO of Masters Events and organiser of Europe's largest trauma conference at the University of Oxford, joins Abdullah Boulad for a deeply personal conversation about trauma, addiction recovery, autism, ADHD, resilience, and finding purpose after adversity. Together, they explore Araminta's extraordinary journey, from being thrown out of home at 15, living homeless on the streets of Miami, and battling cocaine addiction, to receiving a late autism and ADHD diagnosis and becoming one of the leading voices bringing together the world's foremost trauma experts. She shares how addiction became a way of coping with undiagnosed neurodivergence and unresolved trauma, why recovery is about addressing the root cause rather than the symptom, and the lessons that transformed her life. The conversation also explores the science of trauma healing, nervous system regulation, community, creative expression, and the importance of feeling safe to recover. Drawing on insights from leading experts including Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and years of experience organising global trauma conferences, Araminta discusses the practices that support lasting healing, the power of connection, and why purpose plays such a vital role in recovery. Whether you're navigating addiction, trauma, autism, ADHD, mental health challenges, or simply looking for a deeper understanding of healing and personal transformation, this episode offers honest insights into resilience, recovery, and what it truly means to build a life in balance. About Araminta Jonsson: Araminta is the Founder and CEO of Masters Events, the organisation behind Europe's largest trauma conference, Transforming Trauma, held at the University of Oxford. Through her work, she brings together many of the world's leading experts in trauma, addiction, neuroscience, and mental health to advance education, collaboration, and recovery. Drawing from her own lived experience of addiction, neurodivergence, and healing, Araminta is passionate about creating spaces where science, lived experience, and community come together to help people heal. 00:01:44 - Growing Up with Undiagnosed Autism & ADHD 00:03:19 - Homeless at 16: Living on the Streets of Miami 00:07:14 - Returning Home and Rebuilding Through Education 00:10:25 - The Journey to an Adult Autism & ADHD Diagnosis 00:12:32 - How a Late Neurodivergence Diagnosis Changed Everything 00:14:41 - Food, Cocaine & Relationship Addiction Explained 00:17:08 - Cocaine Addiction in Colombia: Hitting Rock Bottom 00:20:43 - Asking for Help and Beginning Addiction Recovery 00:23:45 - Pregnancy, Sobriety & Finding Hope Again 00:26:18 - Relapse, Rehab & Surviving an Abusive Relationship 00:29:35 - Teaching Creative Writing in Prisons After Addiction 00:34:25 - How Recovery Led to a Career in Mental Health Events 00:36:49 - From Addiction Conferences to Trauma Education 00:41:05 - Building One of the World's Biggest Trauma Events 00:42:10 - Launching the Transforming Trauma Conference at Oxford 00:49:29 - What the World's Leading Trauma Experts Teach 00:51:15 - Finding Purpose After Addiction and Trauma 00:53:25 - The Future of Trauma Education & Global Collaboration 00:56:00 - Daily Habits That Support Mental Health & Recovery 00:57:24 - Simple Wellbeing Tips Everyone Can Start Today Follow Abdullah Boulad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/    https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/      Follow Araminta: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/araminta-jonsson-259b6546   You can order Abdullah’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BC9S5TCF?ccs_id=c64f2588-7eb1-4592-b4d1-647a0f379b51   Follow THE BALANCE: https://ch.linkedin.com/company/thebalance.clinic/ https://www.instagram.com/thebalance.clinic/

  7. Jul 22 ·  Video

    Understanding Gender Dysphoria and Identity: The Autism Connection | Dr. Az Hakeem

    Send us Fan Mail Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on Living A Life In Balance are their own and do not reflect the views of THE BALANCE or Abdullah Boulad. This content is for general information only and is not medical, psychological, or legal advice. Views shared reflect the guest's individual clinical experience and may differ from mainstream clinical consensus. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your own circumstances. Can we explore difficult mental health topics without shutting down the conversation? Dr. Az Hakeem, Consultant Psychiatrist, Forensic Psychotherapist, and Group Analyst, joins Abdullah Boulad for a thought-provoking conversation about psychiatry, gender dysphoria, identity, trauma, psychotherapy, autism, burnout, and the importance of critical thinking in mental healthcare. Drawing on decades of experience in both the NHS and private practice, Dr. Hakeem reflects on his work in forensic psychotherapy before discussing the gender dysphoria psychotherapy service he established in the UK. He shares his clinical approach to understanding gender distress, why he believes psychotherapy should play a central role before irreversible medical interventions, and how his views evolved through years of working closely with patients. The conversation explores the relationship between biological sex and gender, the complexity of identity development, the role of autism and trauma in some patients presenting with gender dysphoria, and why Dr. Hakeem believes curiosity, careful assessment, and open dialogue remain essential in mental health practice. Abdullah and Dr. Hakeem also discuss parenting, supporting gender-questioning children, and the importance of creating space for conversations rather than rushing toward conclusions. Beyond gender, the discussion examines forensic psychotherapy, the lasting psychological impact of trauma, sexual behavior, emotional development, and the realities of treating anxiety, depression, OCD, and burnout among high-performing professionals. Dr. Hakeem also shares practical advice on maintaining balance, protecting mental wellbeing, and avoiding the gradual path toward burnout. Whether you are interested in psychiatry, psychotherapy, mental health, trauma, gender identity, parenting, emotional wellbeing, or psychological resilience, this episode offers an in-depth conversation on some of today's most challenging and widely debated topics through the lens of one clinician's decades of experience. About Dr Az: Dr. Hakeem is a highly qualified Consultant Psychiatrist, Medical Psychotherapist, Group Analyst, and published author with over 25 years of experience. He completed his specialist training in Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy at the Royal Free Hospital and the Portman Clinic (Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust). He also holds an MSc in Group Analysis (Distinction) from Birkbeck, University of London and is a qualified Group Analyst. 00:00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Az Hakeem 00:01:52 - From Art and Literature to Psychiatry 00:03:30 - Inside the World of Forensic Psychotherapy 00:06:24 - Childhood, Identity and Growing Up Different 00:08:13 - The Story Behind the Goth Aesthetic 00:18:08 - Understanding Biological Sex, Gender and Gender Identity 00:24:13 - Regret After Gender Transition: A Psychiatrist's Perspective 00:27:04 - Autism and Gender Dysphoria: Exploring the Connection 00:29:36 - The Tavistock Clinic Debate and Gender Care 00:34:05 - Group Therapy for Gender Dysphoria: An Alternative Approach 00:42:04 - Gender Medicine and the Debate Around Children 00:44:24 - Supporting Gender-Questioning Children: Advice for Parents 00:46:39 - Trauma, Sexual Development and Human Behavior 00:53:18 - The Role of Curiosity in Mental Health Treatment 00:56:42 - Why Every Story Deserves to Be Heard 01:00:45 - Parenting Without Labels or Judgment 01:06:14 - Burnout, Anxiety and Depression in High Performers 01:08:47 - Why 'Mindless TV' Can Help Mental Recovery 01:10:06 - Dr. Az Hakeem's Daily Habits for Balance 01:12:30 - Final Reflections on Mental Health and Human Behaviour Follow Abdullah Boulad:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/     https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/    Follow Dr Az: https://thebalance.clinic/about/team/psychiatrists/az-hakeem/  You can order Abdullah’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BC9S5TCF?ccs_id=c64f2588-7eb1-4592-b4d1-647a0f379b51  Follow THE BALANCE:  https://ch.linkedin.com/company/thebalance.clinic/     https://www.instagram.com/thebalance.clinic/

  8. Jul 8 ·  Video

    When Love Becomes Abuse: The Healing Journey to Self-Worth & Growth | Jil Moore

    Send us Fan Mail Can childhood experiences shape the way we love, heal, and see ourselves as adults? Jill Moore, Client Relations Director at THE BALANCE and Yoga Practitioner, joins Abdullah Boulad for an honest conversation about childhood trauma, emotional healing, mental health, yoga, healthy relationships, and personal transformation. Together, they explore how early family experiences, emotional suppression, and the search for validation can influence self-worth and relationship patterns later in life. Jill opens up about surviving an abusive relationship, rebuilding her confidence, and how yoga, therapy, and somatic healing became essential parts of her recovery journey. The conversation also examines the importance of healthy boundaries, vulnerability, family healing, and the realities of working in mental health. Jill shares what she has learned from supporting clients through recovery, why compassion and authenticity matter in healing, and how these experiences inspired her mission to help children and teenagers build emotional resilience through mindfulness and yoga. Whether you're navigating trauma, healing from difficult relationships, interested in mental health, or simply looking for a deeper understanding of personal growth, this episode offers thoughtful insights into resilience, self-awareness, and what it truly means to create a life in balance. About Jill Moore: Jill is a Yoga Practitioner and Director of Experience & Admissions at THE BALANCE. Passionate about the connection between yoga, mindfulness, and mental health, she helps individuals develop greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and balance. Inspired by her own healing journey, Jill advocates for a holistic approach to wellbeing and is dedicated to supporting people on their path toward recovery and personal growth.   00:00:00 - Introduction to Jill Moore's Journey 00:02:04 - The Childhood Trauma That Changed Everything 00:04:29 - Growing Up Without Emotional Safety 00:05:51 - Self-Worth, Family Expectations & Seeking Validation 00:10:46 - How Low Self-Esteem Led to a Toxic Relationship 00:12:19 - Surviving an Abusive Relationship 00:17:05 - The Life Lessons Hidden in Trauma 00:20:15 - Why We Try to Heal Other People 00:22:02 - How Yoga Became a Path to Healing 00:23:40 - Leaving Everything Behind to Become a Yoga Teacher 00:26:47 - Why Yoga Is More Than Physical Exercise 00:28:08 - Working in Mental Health at THE BALANCE 00:31:00 - Somatic Therapy and Releasing Stored Trauma 00:34:26 - Healing Family Relationships Through Honest Conversations 00:37:01 - Why Children Need Emotionally Available Parents 00:40:31 - The Challenges and Rewards of Helping Others Heal 00:44:52 - Jill's Mission to Help Children Build Emotional Resilience 00:48:22 - Daily Habits for Better Mental Health and Balance 00:50:01 - Why Animals Can Be Powerful for Emotional Healing 00:50:31 - Final Reflections on Healing, Purpose & Living in Balance   Follow Abdullah Boulad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/    https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/      Follow Jil: https://www.instagram.com/moorechill.byjilmoore/   You can order Abdullah’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BC9S5TCF?ccs_id=c64f2588-7eb1-4592-b4d1-647a0f379b51   Follow THE BALANCE: https://ch.linkedin.com/company/thebalance.clinic/  https://www.instagram.com/thebalance.clinic/

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Living a Life in Balance with Abdullah Boulad Honest conversations about mental health, relationships, purpose, and being human. I’m Abdullah Boulad, founder and CEO of THE BALANCE and author of Be Human First. Together with my guests, I explore the experiences that shape us—from addiction and trauma to the search for connection and a more balanced life. We bring curiosity, care, and different perspectives to questions that don’t always have simple answers. My hope is that you leave each episode with a new perspective, a better understanding of yourself and others, or simply the feeling that you’re not alone. Thank you for being here. Explore THE BALANCE:https://thebalance.clinic

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