Choosing Help with Tracy Stecker, PhD

Hatherleigh Behavioral Health
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health

Hosted by Dr. Tracy Stecker, Choosing Help is a conversation about courage, connection, and the transformative power of asking for support. With each episode, Dr. Stecker invites listeners into a space where vulnerability becomes strength and where seeking help is celebrated as a vital step toward living fully. Through candid discussions, expert insights, and real-world stories, this podcast breaks down stigma and opens doors to understanding. Join a community committed to compassion and courage. Because when we choose help, we choose life.

  1. 2d ago

    The Navy SEAL Mindset: How Discomfort Builds Strength | Don Mann, USN SEAL (Ret.)

    What does it take to develop the mindset of a Navy SEAL—and how can those lessons help us in everyday life? In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with retired Navy SEAL Don Mann about the principles behind elite performance, resilience, and mental strength. They explore topics like commitment, accountability, growth through discomfort, and the importance of connection in overcoming mental health challenges. Don shares powerful stories from his experience and offers practical guidance for building strength, clarity, and purpose. This conversation is a reminder that growth often lies on the other side of discomfort—and that asking for help is a form of strength.

    40 min

  2. Jun 5

    Bonus: 7-Minute Guided Mindfulness for Trauma Healing and Nervous System Regulation

    Take a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect. In this bonus episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Autumn Gallegos leads a short, guided mindfulness exercise designed to help you settle your nervous system and return to the present moment. This simple practice invites you to notice your breath, become aware of your body, and gently observe your thoughts without judgment. Whether you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just need a reset, this exercise offers a calming, accessible way to ground yourself. You can return to this practice anytime—to build awareness, cultivate self-compassion, and remind yourself: in this moment, you are safe.

    8 min

  3. Jun 5

    Mindfulness & Trauma: Rebuilding Safety in Mind and Body

    What happens to us after trauma—and how do we begin to feel safe again? In this episode, Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with Dr. Autumn Gallegos, a psychologist specializing in trauma and mind-body interventions. Together, they unpack how trauma reshapes our nervous system, why self-blame is so common, and how mindfulness can help restore a sense of safety. You’ll learn: How trauma affects both body and mindThe difference between “bottom-up” and “top-down” healingWhy mindfulness works (and what the research shows)Simple, accessible ways to begin practicing This conversation is both practical and deeply compassionate—an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and be kinder to yourself.

    38 min

  4. May 21

    The Hidden Health Cost of Loneliness (and How Connection Heals)

    Loneliness isn’t just a feeling—it’s a biological condition that can impact everything from your immune system to your ability to heal. In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker and Dr. Teresa Kelechi explore groundbreaking findings linking loneliness to gene expression, inflammation, and chronic illness. You’ll learn why some people don’t heal despite receiving the best medical care—and how connection can literally change the body. This conversation offers both science and hope, with practical insights on how small, meaningful connections can transform health outcomes.

    40 min

  5. May 15

    The Healing Power of Laughter: Why Humor Is Essential for Mental Health

    Laughter isn’t just a reaction—it’s a powerful tool for healing. In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker explores the science and soul of laughter with storyteller and former comedian Dee Kennedy. Together, they dive into how humor lowers stress, strengthens connection, and helps us navigate even the most difficult experiences. Through candid stories about family dynamics, recovery, caregiving, and grief, Dee shares how laughter became both a coping mechanism and a gift she offers others. This conversation reminds us that while life can be heavy, we still have the ability to shift perspective, find connection, and experience joy. Because sometimes, choosing help starts with choosing to laugh.

    34 min

  6. May 7

    PTSD, Addiction, and Healing: How Treatment Really Works (with Dr. Sudie Back)

    Trauma and addiction often go hand in hand—but recovery is possible. In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker speaks with Dr. Sudie Back, a leading expert in PTSD and substance use disorders, about how trauma affects the brain, why people turn to substances, and what real, effective treatment looks like. They explore: The difference between trauma and PTSDWhy avoidance keeps people stuckHow substance use becomes a coping toolThe power of integrated treatment like COPEHow therapy helps people regain control, connection, and meaning This is an honest, compassionate conversation about healing—and why choosing help can change everything.

    47 min

  7. May 1

    Overcoming Stigma: Why Choosing Help for Mental Health & PTSD Can Save Lives

    Stigma keeps too many people from getting the mental health support they need. In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stacker breaks down why stigma is one of the most powerful barriers to treatment—especially for veterans, families, and those living with PTSD or substance use challenges. Through real stories, cultural examples, and practical guidance, this episode offers hope and tools for anyone trying to support a loved one who says, “I don’t want anyone to know.” Because when we choose help, we choose life.

    13 min

  8. Apr 24

    Cultural Betrayal Trauma with Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez

    In this episode of Choosing Help, Dr. Tracy Stecker is joined by psychologist and researcher Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez for a profound conversation about Cultural Betrayal Trauma—a form of trauma that occurs when harm is committed within one’s own marginalized community under conditions of systemic inequality. Dr. Gómez shares how cultural betrayal adds layers of silence, identity conflict, and fear to already devastating experiences, and why many survivors struggle to seek help when systems don’t feel safe. Together, they explore symptoms such as dissociation, depression, and shame, as well as pathways to healing that include—but are not limited to—therapy. From radical healing frameworks and creative expression to boundary‑setting within families and cultivating hope, this episode offers permission, validation, and possibility for anyone navigating trauma. Choosing Help is about breaking stigma and opening doors to understanding—because when we choose help, we choose life. 📖 Learn more about Dr. Gómez’s work and book: 🌐Website: https://jmgomez.org/cultural-betrayal-trauma-theory/ 📁 Article: https://theconversation.com/the-unique-harm-of-sexual-abuse-in-the-black-community-114948 📹Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zemMIJuv0Uo

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hosted by Dr. Tracy Stecker, Choosing Help is a conversation about courage, connection, and the transformative power of asking for support. With each episode, Dr. Stecker invites listeners into a space where vulnerability becomes strength and where seeking help is celebrated as a vital step toward living fully. Through candid discussions, expert insights, and real-world stories, this podcast breaks down stigma and opens doors to understanding. Join a community committed to compassion and courage. Because when we choose help, we choose life.

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