Trauma, Tea, and Tangents

Hannah Guy
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

For when therapy didn’t click...or just straight-up sucked. Trauma, Tea, & Tangents is your weekly dose of unfiltered, unapologetic, and unexpectedly healing conversation. Hosted by Hannah Guy, LCSW—a trauma therapist who knows firsthand that healing isn’t linear, self-growth is messy, and sometimes you just need to laugh at the chaos—this podcast dives into all things trauma, nervous system, and the wild ride of being human. Expect a blend of real talk, solid science, and compassionate hot takes, sprinkled with plenty of tangents (because who actually stays on track when they’re talking about trauma?). So grab your tea, get comfy, and let’s spill, sip, and sort through it all—one tangent at a time.

  1. 5d ago

    EMDR & Trauma Healing: Why Preparation Comes Before Processing

    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

  2. Oct 2

    Why Healing Feels So Slow: 5 Reasons You're Not Broken

    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

  3. Sep 25

    Hidden Grief in Healing: Why Growth Can Bring Up Unexpected Loss

    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

  4. Sep 18

    GLP-1s, Body Image & Self-Trust: Can They Heal Your Relationship With Food?

    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

  5. Sep 11

    Music Therapy & Trauma: Why Stabilization Comes First

    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

  6. Sep 4

    The Lie That Keeps You Hating Your Body

    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

  7. Aug 28

    Therapists & Money: Why You Deserve to Make More

    What if wanting to make more money as a therapist doesn't make you greedy, selfish, or less compassionate? In this episode of Trauma, Tea & Tangents, Hannah Guy, LCSW, sits down with fellow therapist and group practice owner Jen Nobo, LCSW, to have an honest conversation about the complicated relationship therapists have with money, charging their worth, and building a financially sustainable private practice. Together, they unpack the message so many therapists—especially social workers—hear throughout their education and careers: "We didn't get into this work to make money." But what happens when that mindset becomes a belief that therapists shouldn't want financial stability, abundance, or a better quality of life? Hannah and Jen explore therapist money mindset, the pressure to keep therapy affordable, low wages in mental health, the financial investment required to become a therapist, and why therapists shouldn't have to sacrifice their own financial well-being to care deeply about their clients. Whether you're a therapist considering private practice, a newer clinician figuring out what to charge, or an established practice owner struggling with pricing and limiting beliefs around money, this conversation will challenge the idea that making a good living and being a compassionate therapist are mutually exclusive. You'll learn why charging what you're worth can actually support better client care, how therapist burnout is connected to unsustainable workloads, and why building a financially sustainable practice can give therapists more capacity to specialize, seek consultation, continue their education, and show up more fully for their clients. In this episode, we discuss: Why therapists are taught that they shouldn't get into the field for the money How therapist money mindset can impact pricing and private practice decisions Why wanting financial abundance doesn't make you a bad therapist The financial investment involved in becoming a licensed therapist Why therapists often undervalue their education, training, and clinical expertise The pressure to offer low-cost or sliding-scale therapy How charging sustainable rates can support therapist well-being The connection between therapist burnout and excessive caseloads Why seeing 30–40 clients a week isn't sustainable for everyone How therapist capacity impacts the quality of mental health care Why newer therapists don't necessarily need to discount their services Challenging limiting beliefs around what clients can and cannot afford Why specialization and advanced training require financial investment How private practice can create more freedom and flexibility for therapists The return on investment of therapy for clients Why therapy is a long-term investment rather than a quick fix Why therapists can care deeply about their clients and still want to make money Creating a sustainable therapy practice without sacrificing your values Whether you're a therapist in community mental health, considering private practice, building a group practice, or simply questioning your relationship with money, this episode is a reminder that financial sustainability and compassionate care can coexist. Therapists deserve to be paid fairly for the education, emotional labor, expertise, and responsibility they bring to their work. Caring about people and wanting a financially stable life aren't mutually exclusive. Chapters 00:57 – Welcome & Meet Jen Nobo 01:22 – Why Therapists Have Complicated Relationships With Money 01:46 – “We Didn't Get Into This to Make Money” 02:04 – Can Therapists Have an Abundance Mindset? 02:34 – Is Affordable Therapy the Therapist's Responsibility? 03:39 – Why Therapists Are Expected to Sacrifice Financially 04:37 – The Financial Investment of Becoming a Therapist 05:47 – How Long Does It Take to Become a Licensed Therapist? 06:20 – The Emotional Labor of Being a Therapist 07:43 – Low Pay & the Cost of Mental Health Work 08:27 – Unrealistic Caseloads & Therapist Burnout 09:08 – Why Therapists Normalize Being Underpaid 10:09 – The “Earn Your Keep” Mentality in Private Practice 10:48 – Should New Therapists Charge Less? 11:50 – Challenging Limiting Beliefs Around Therapist Rates 12:37 – Are We Underestimating What Clients Can Afford? 13:54 – Low Rates, High Caseloads & Unsustainable Practices 14:36 – How Caseload Size Impacts Quality of Therapy 15:38 – Why Therapists Need Financial Freedom to Specialize 16:35 – Generalists vs. Specialists in Mental Health 16:55 – Therapist Capacity, Self-Care & Quality of Care 18:21 – The Client Perspective: Is Therapy Worth the Investment? 19:12 – Therapy as a Long-Term Investment 20:26 – Why Making Money Doesn't Make You a Bad Therapist 21:10 – Final Thoughts & Resources   ✨ Connect with Jennifer Nobo: Instagram & TikTok: @jen.nobo Website: reimaginementalhealthcollective.com ✨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

  8. Aug 22

    Why Trauma Therapy Feels So Slow: EMDR, Intensives & Healing

    Ever wondered why therapy feels so slow or why you aren't "better" yet? What if slow doesn't mean therapy isn't working? In this episode of Trauma, Tea & Tangents, Hannah Guy, LCSW, is joined by Hannah Ciampini, LCSW, owner of Hello Calm Therapy, to talk about why trauma therapy can feel frustratingly slow and why building the capacity to heal often requires more time and preparation than we expect. Together, they explore the differences between weekly therapy and EMDR intensives, why some clients seek intensive therapy when they feel stuck, and how nervous system capacity plays a major role in trauma recovery. They also discuss why healing from complex trauma can't always be rushed and why sometimes the most important work happening in therapy may not feel like you're making progress at all. Whether you're considering EMDR therapy, trauma therapy, an EMDR intensive, or you've been in therapy for months and are wondering when you're finally going to feel better, this conversation offers an honest look at what trauma healing can actually look like. You'll learn why consistency matters, how your nervous system's capacity affects trauma processing, why EMDR has multiple phases for a reason, and how going too fast in trauma therapy can actually make the healing process more difficult. In this episode, we discuss: Why trauma therapy can feel slow even when you're making progress The difference between weekly therapy and EMDR intensives How EMDR intensives can help clients who feel stuck in weekly therapy Why consistency matters in trauma recovery How the nervous system responds to stress and trauma What "nervous system capacity" actually means Why trauma healing requires building your capacity slowly The relationship between complex trauma and consistent therapeutic relationships Why EMDR preparation is just as important as reprocessing The eight phases of EMDR and why therapists shouldn't skip the preparation stages How rushing trauma therapy can lead to overwhelm or retraumatization Why your therapist should be able to explain what you're working on and why How to ask your therapist questions about your treatment plan Why therapy isn't one-size-fits-all How clients can continue building nervous system capacity outside of therapy Whether you're frustrated that therapy isn't moving quickly enough, wondering if EMDR is right for you, or simply trying to understand why trauma healing takes time, this episode is a reminder that slow doesn't necessarily mean stuck. Trauma therapy isn't about jumping off the highest cliff and hoping you'll somehow land safely. It's about building enough safety, coping skills, and nervous system capacity that you can eventually face what once felt impossible—and know that you can handle it. Chapters 00:58 – Welcome & Meet Hannah Ciampini 01:28 – Why Does Therapy Feel So Slow? 01:44 – What Is an EMDR Intensive? 02:32 – Weekly Therapy vs. Intensive Therapy 03:19 – Why We Want Healing to Happen Faster 03:46 – The Value of Consistent Weekly Therapy 04:37 – How the Therapeutic Relationship Can Be Healing 05:32 – Using Intensives to Get Unstuck 05:47 – What Is Nervous System Capacity? 06:57 – Building Your Nervous System "Response Team" 07:54 – Why Trauma Healing Takes Time 08:23 – Why Healing Requires Going Slowly 09:09 – Who Is a Good Fit for an EMDR Intensive? 10:30 – You Don't Have to Jump Off the 60-Foot Cliff 11:15 – The Importance of EMDR Preparation 11:58 – Why EMDR Has Eight Phases 12:44 – Why You Shouldn't Rush Trauma Work 13:31 – When Urgency Is a Sign to Slow Down 14:04 – Can EMDR Be Re-Traumatic? 14:41 – Why the "Slow" Work Matters 15:16 – How to Ask Your Therapist About Your Progress 15:58 – Advocating for Yourself in Therapy 16:49 – What a Healthy Therapeutic Relationship Looks Like 17:44 – Understanding Your EMDR Treatment Plan 17:56 – EMDR Intensives & Coaching for Therapists 18:11 – Resources for Building Nervous System Capacity 19:02 – Final Thoughts & Closing   ✨ Connect with Hannah Ciampini: Instagram: @blueprintandbloomlab Website: www.Hellocalmtherapy.com  ✨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: www.revivetherapyservices.com Instagram & TikTok: @revivetherapyservices Worksheets: https://www.revivetherapyservices.com/store

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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

For when therapy didn’t click...or just straight-up sucked. Trauma, Tea, & Tangents is your weekly dose of unfiltered, unapologetic, and unexpectedly healing conversation. Hosted by Hannah Guy, LCSW—a trauma therapist who knows firsthand that healing isn’t linear, self-growth is messy, and sometimes you just need to laugh at the chaos—this podcast dives into all things trauma, nervous system, and the wild ride of being human. Expect a blend of real talk, solid science, and compassionate hot takes, sprinkled with plenty of tangents (because who actually stays on track when they’re talking about trauma?). So grab your tea, get comfy, and let’s spill, sip, and sort through it all—one tangent at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Hannah Guy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Trauma, Tea, and Tangents

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