Discover + Heal + Grow🔭❤️‍🩹🌱 : A Taproot Therapy Collective Podcast

https://www.GetTherapyBirmingham.com
  • 5.0 (8)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

We felt the world had enough whispery mental wellness podcasts asking you to eat healthy and breathe deeply. We aim to be more honest and sometimes irreverent and funny about the forces that affect us all. Some episodes feel like hanging out with professional therapists at the bar after work, while others might feel like you’re listening in on a university class with professional thought leaders. We discuss creativity, intuition, trauma, and the overlap between the three in the spectrum of consciousness and the psyche. Approaching topics from a depth psychology and brain-based medicine perspective, we explore the archetypes inherent in arts, design, and mass media. We delve into neuroscience, cutting-edge trauma neurobiology, Jungian psychology, relationships, political psychology, and feature interviews with both amateurs and experts. Discover + Heal + Grow is the podcast of Taproot Therapy Collective, a complex PTSD and trauma-focused therapy practice in Birmingham, Alabama. Hosted by Joel Blackstock and the other therapists at Taproot, it focuses on consciousness and all the cool and messy parts of being human. Subscribe for new episodes where we unpack topics like: The neurobiology behind new age and eastern medicine concepts Psychology of artists and design Cutting-edge trauma therapy approaches Brain-based medicine Archetypes in culture and media Psychology of true crime Therapy representation in entertainment Burnout in helping professions And much more! Whether you’re a fellow trauma therapist or just a fellow seeker, we offer authentic conversations that challenge conventional thinking and explore the depths of consciousness and healing. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Taproot Therapy Collective is the premier provider of therapy for severe and complex trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. We provide EMDR, Brainspotting, ETT, somatic and Jungian therapy, as well as QEEG brain mapping and neurostimulation. Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/ #TraumaHealing #DepthPsychology #ConsciousnessExploration #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapyCollective #PTSD #EMDR #Neuroscience #JungianPsychology #BirminghamTherapy The resources, videos, and podcasts on our site and social media are no substitute for mental health treatment. Please find a qualified mental health provider and contact emergency services in your area in the event of an emergency. Our number and email at Taproot Therapy Collective are only for scheduling, are not monitored consistently, and are not a reliable resource for emergency services.

  1. AUG 19

    The Science Behind the Light: Dr. Steven Vazquez on Inventing Emotional Transformation Therapy

    Join Joel Blackstock for an extraordinary conversation with Dr. Steven Vazquez, the inventor of Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT), as he reveals the 25-year scientific journey that led to one of the most innovative breakthroughs in trauma treatment. From skeptical experimentation to treating cancer with eye movements, discover how specific wavelengths of light directly impact the brain's emotional centers. In this illuminating episode, Dr. Vazquez shares the fascinating evolution of ETT's four core technologies, the neuroscience behind why colors disappear during dissociation, and remarkable case studies including elimination of Parkinson's symptoms, instant resolution of 15-year chronic pain, and complete remission of colorectal cancer through targeted eye movement protocols. Key Topics Covered: The accidental discovery: From syntonic optometry to emotional transformation Building and testing 7 different light devices over 25 years Why the optic nerve's path through the brain stem changes everything The substantia nigra connection: Treating movement disorders without surgery Temporal-parietal junction: Why trauma survivors are 4x more likely to be re-traumatized Real-time dissociation detection through visual distortion Converting EMDR practitioners: Why they switch and never go back Breakthrough Cases Discussed: Arthritic pain eliminated instantly with orange light Colorectal cancer remission confirmed by oncologist next day Father's visual trauma from discovering son's suicide - resolved in 10 minutes Sciatica eliminated in 20 minutes (physician patient, still gone 1 year later) Birth trauma causing adult osteoporosis - complete resolution Resources: ETT Training Programs (7 levels): www.etttraining.com Research and publications on wavelength-specific brain activation International training locations and certification pathways Perfect for neuroscience enthusiasts, trauma therapists, EMDR/Brainspotting practitioners, and anyone seeking to understand the cutting-edge intersection of light, brain science, and emotional healing. #EmotionalTransformationTherapy #ETT #DrStevenVazquez #Neuroscience #TraumaTherapy #LightTherapy #BrainScience #EMDR #Brainspotting #Innovation #PTSD #ChronicPain #Dissociation #TherapyResearch

    40 min

  2. AUG 16

    From Skeptic to Believer: MJ Denis on the Science of Emotional Transformation Therapy

    https://mjdenis.com/whoismjdenis Join Joel Blackstock as he sits down with MJ Denis, LPC, LMFT, and certified ETT trainer from Austin, Texas, for an eye-opening conversation about Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT) - a groundbreaking approach that integrates light, color, and neuroscience to transform emotional healing. Read the blog article: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/from-skepticism-to-science-how-emotional-transformation-therapy-is-revolutionizing-mental-health-treatment-a-deep-dive-with-mj-denis/ In this compelling episode, MJ shares her journey from skepticism to becoming one of the leading ETT trainers in the country, having conducted over 3,100 sessions. Discover how this evidence-based therapy goes beyond traditional talk therapy and EMDR to create rapid, lasting change for trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, and chronic pain. Key Topics Covered: The science behind using specific wavelengths of light for emotional regulation Why ETT succeeds where EMDR and traditional therapies plateau Real case studies: From lifelong phobias resolved in minutes to chronic pain relief How therapists can integrate ETT with existing modalities (IFS, somatic experiencing, CBT) The neurological basis of color perception and emotional processing Virtual ETT sessions and expanding access to care globally Resources Mentioned: ETT Training Information: www.etttraining.com Find an ETT Therapist Directory Dr. Steven Vazquez's research and methodology Perfect for mental health professionals, trauma survivors, and anyone interested in cutting-edge therapeutic approaches that bridge neuroscience and emotional healing.  #EmotionalTransformationTherapy #ETT #TraumaTherapy #EMDR #BrainSpotting #Neuroscience #MentalHealthInnovation #LightTherapy #ColorTherapy #PTSD #AnxietyTreatment #DepressionTherapy #TherapistTraining #HolisticHealing

    54 min

  3. AUG 4

    Tim Faust on How Medicaid Expansion Saves Lives and Money

    In this eye-opening episode of the Discover Heal Grow podcast, host Joel Blackstock sits down with healthcare policy expert Timothy Faust to demystify America's complex healthcare system. They explore how Medicaid expansion actually saves states money, why cutting healthcare funding costs more in the long run, and the real economics behind healthcare policy. Key topics covered: The business case for Medicaid expansion How preventative care saves millions in emergency costs Why rural hospitals depend on Medicaid funding The hidden costs of means-testing and bureaucracy Real stories of how healthcare debt impacts economic mobility Why healthcare spending creates 4x more economic activity than defense spending Perfect for healthcare workers, policy enthusiasts, and anyone trying to understand why American healthcare costs so much and how we can fix it. 🎧 Listen now to understand the economics of healthcare that politicians don't want you to know. Newsletter: buttondown.com/error - His healthcare newsletter (mentioned in podcast) Book: "Health Justice Now: Single Payer and What Comes Next" - Available on Amazon and through Melville House Publishing Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Health-Justice-Now-Single-Payer/dp/1612197167 Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/580342/health-justice-now-by-timothy-faust/ Social Media: Twitter/X: @crulge - https://twitter.com/crulge or https://x.com/crulge Bluesky: @crulge.urinal.club - https://bsky.app/profile/crulge.urinal.club LinkedIn: 💀 T. - https://www.linkedin.com/in/faust/ medicaid expansion economics, healthcare policy alabama, rural hospital closures, medical debt crisis, healthcare cost savings, preventative care ROI, insurance industry reform, medicare for all economics, healthcare bureaucracy waste, medical bankruptcy prevention, assertive community treatment, healthcare market failure, single payer benefits, medicaid work requirements, healthcare economic multiplier

    1h 1m

  4. JUL 30

    Walter Sorrells on Japanese Bladesmithing, Martial Arts, and the Artisan's Journey

    Walter Sorrells Blades (Japanese sword site): https://www.waltersorrellsblades.com/ Tactix Armory (production knives): https://www.tactixarmory.com/ Sorrells Tool (new tool website): https://sorrelstool.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkLxJCuQZ4hStBfs8TCnT9Q From Novelist to Master Swordsmith: In this captivating episode of Chap Therapy Collective: Discover Here, Grow, host Joel Blackstock welcomes Walter Sorrells, a master bladesmith whose extraordinary journey from bestselling mystery novelist to renowned Japanese sword maker offers profound insights into creativity, craftsmanship, and personal transformation. Walter Sorrells has spent over 25 years perfecting the ancient art of Japanese bladesmithing. After writing more than 30 mystery and suspense novels (including an Edgar Award winner), Walter made the bold decision to pursue his passion for sword making full-time. Today, he's one of America's most respected makers of Japanese-inspired blades and has built a massive following through his educational YouTube channel with hundreds of thousands of subscribers. In This Episode, We Explore: The fascinating technical world of Japanese sword construction, from traditional tamahagane steel smelting to the intricate process of clay tempering that creates the legendary hamon (temper line). Walter shares how he evolved from purely commission work to developing his Tactix Armory production line and incorporating modern CNC machining into his craft. The psychological and philosophical dimensions of martial arts training, including how Walter's 20 years in karate and Japanese sword arts shaped his approach to both life and metalwork. We dive deep into the concept of "killing the opponent on the inside" and how constraints and limitations often drive the greatest innovations. The business realities of being a working artist, from dealing with difficult custom clients to finding your authentic voice in the marketplace. Walter's insights on genre, focus, and the importance of making "chairs not art" offer valuable lessons for any creative professional. The intersection of ancient techniques and modern technology, as Walter discusses his journey into CNC machining and how he balances traditional hand-forging with contemporary production methods. About Walter Sorrells: Walter holds a 3rd degree black belt in karate and has trained extensively in Japanese sword arts including Shinendo. His blades are fully functional works of art, crafted using traditional clay hardening techniques and often featuring folded steel construction reminiscent of historical Japanese swords. Through his YouTube channel, instructional videos, and tools business, Walter has become one of the most influential educators in the modern bladesmithing community. Key Takeaways: How to navigate major career transitions while staying true to your core identity The importance of embracing limitations as sources of creativity Why focusing on craft over self-expression often leads to better art How traditional skills can be enhanced (not replaced) by modern technology The role of practice and discipline in both martial arts and creative work Whether you're interested in metalworking, martial arts, Japanese culture, or the broader questions of artistic development and career transformation, this conversation offers something valuable. Walter's story demonstrates that it's never too late to completely reinvent yourself while honoring the skills and wisdom you've already developed. Connect with Walter Sorrells: Website: waltersorrellsblades.com Production Knives: tactixarmory.com YouTube: Search "Walter Sorrells" for hundreds of knife-making tutorials Patreon: patreon.com/WalterSorrells About Chap Therapy Collective: Hosted by therapist and writer Joel Blackstock, Chap Therapy Collective explores the intersection of creativity, psychology, and personal growth through conversations with artists, craftspeople, and innovators. The show's motto "Discover Here, Grow" reflects our belief that growth happens through engagement with meaningful work and authentic relationships. Subscribe for new episodes every week, and visit our website for show notes, additional resources, and Joel's writing on creativity and personal development. Episode Length: 59 minutes Release Date: [Insert Date] Season/Episode: [Insert Info] #Bladesmithing #JapaneseSwords #KnifeMaking #MartialArts #Craftsmanship #CreativeJourney #ArtisanLife #Metallurgy #PersonalGrowth #ChapTherapyCollective

    59 min

  5. JUL 2

    Actor Toby Huss on His Photo Essay American Sugar Gristle

    Buy the Book! https://hatandbeard.com/products/american-sugargristle-by-toby-huss What if the secret to understanding America was hidden in gas station graffiti? Why does actor Toby Huss photograph truck stops instead of sunsets? And how did abstract painting help him process MDMA therapy sessions? In this mind-expanding episode, beloved character actor Toby Huss (John Bosworth in "Halt and Catch Fire," Cotton Hill/Kahn in "King of the Hill") takes us on a journey through his photography book "American Sugargristle" and reveals how finding beauty in overlooked places can transform both art and consciousness. You'll discover: ✓ The "connective tissue" that unites America beyond political divisions (hint: it's in plain sight) ✓ Why cynicism is the enemy of authentic art (and how to avoid it) ✓ The surprising connection between his abstract paintings and trauma processing ✓ How playing salesmen taught him that performance can be authentic ✓ Why he insisted on specific cowboy boots for Bosworth (and what that teaches about intuition) ✓ The profound humanity in truck stop graffiti and strip mall aesthetics ✓ His approach to voicing Dale Gribble after Johnny Hardwick's passing ✓ Why technical photography skills mean nothing without story ✓ How to train your eye to find beauty anywhere (even Palmdale) ✓ The unexpected spiritual dimensions of documenting mundane America Toby drops wisdom bombs about: Why every actor needs to trust their character intuition over directors The danger of the "safari mentality" when photographing America How different creative mediums access different truths Why he photographs the "impression" places leave, not just the places The democracy of anonymous expression (yes, including dick graffiti) Plus: Learn about his upcoming films "Americana" and "Weapons," and why a Native American ghost shirt might be the perfect metaphor for his artistic vision. Perfect for: Artists seeking authentic vision, photographers tired of Instagram aesthetics, actors wanting to deepen their craft, anyone processing trauma through creativity, fans of Halt and Catch Fire, King of the Hill enthusiasts, and people curious about the real America beyond media narratives. ⚠️ Content note: Frank discussion of trauma, therapeutic psychedelics, and the artistic process. TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Cold open - Testing audio with an actor who records everything [03:52] "American Sugargristle" - What the hell does that mean? [06:22] Visual DNA: Decoding America's aesthetic language [07:32] Lyn Shelton memories and creative cross-pollination [10:00] When your writing sounds like a fever dream (compliment) [11:39] The universal language of dick graffiti (seriously) [14:10] "Are you a pervert?" - Getting detained for photography [17:31] Photographing ghosts: Capturing a place's impression [18:19] "Where They Grow Headstones" - Perfect titles take time [20:09] Why cynicism kills art (and wonder) [22:32] Finding humanity across the political divide [24:03] Truck stops as temples: Spirituality in mundane places [27:37] From disgust to beauty: The Palmdale transformation [28:33] F*ck your expensive camera (story matters more) [29:19] That time he roasted sunset photography [31:46] Iowa barns and the death of cliché [33:29] Your book feels like a Wim Wenders film [35:02] The performative truth of John Bosworth [36:34] When the salesman mask IS the real face [40:19] Becoming Dale Gribble (with respect to Johnny) [45:37] Stage vs. film vs. voice: Different mediums, different magic [46:40] Plot twist: Those squiggly paintings were trauma all along [48:20] MDMA therapy meets abstract art [52:46] How trauma blocks intuition (and art unblocks it) [56:45] Brain spotting and carnival barkers [59:21] "Americana" and "Weapons" - Coming this August Guest Bio: Toby Huss has built a career finding depth in seemingly simple characters. From Artie (The Strongest Man in the World) on Nickelodeon's "The Adventures of Pete & Pete" to Cotton Hill and Kahn on "King of the Hill" to the unforgettable John Bosworth on AMC's "Halt and Catch Fire," Huss brings authentic humanity to every role. His photography book "American Sugargristle" reveals the same gift for finding profound beauty in overlooked corners of American life. Born in Marshalltown, Iowa, Huss now voices Dale Gribble in the King of the Hill revival while continuing to act in films like "Copshop" and the upcoming "Americana" and "Weapons." Resources Mentioned: "American Sugargristle" photography book "Sword of Trust" directed by Lynn Shelton Upcoming film "Americana" (August 2024) Upcoming film "Weapons" from the director of "Barbarian" (August 2024) King of the Hill revival on Hulu Brain spotting therapy Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT) Related Episodes: The Psychology of Place: How Environment Shapes Identity Artists and Trauma: Creative Expression as Healing Finding Beauty in the Broken: A Photographer's Journey Connect: Website: GetTherapyBirmingham.com Instagram: @gettherapybirmingham Podcast: Discover + Heal + Grow Subscribe for more conversations about consciousness, creativity, and what happens when we really start paying attention. Keywords: Toby Huss, American Sugargristle, Halt and Catch Fire, John Bosworth, King of the Hill, Dale Gribble, Cotton Hill, voice acting, photography book, trauma and art, MDMA therapy, creative process, actor interview, The Adventures of Pete and Pete, Artie strongest man, vernacular photography, American identity, visual storytelling, Lyn Shelton, character acting, artistic intuition #TobyHuss #AmericanSugargristle #HaltAndCatchFire #KingOfTheHill #Photography #TraumaHealing #MDMATherapy #ActorInterview #CreativeProcess #AmericanIdentity #VisualStorytelling #CharacterActing #ArtisticIntuition #VernacularPhotography #SomaticTherapy #BrainSpotting #TherapyPodcast #ConsciousnessAndCreativity #AuthenticArt #TraumaAndArt #VoiceActing #JohnBosworth #DaleGribble #CottonHill #LynShelton #Photography Book #CreativeHealing #TheAdventuresOfPeteAndPete #EmotionalTransformationTherapy #Mindfulness #ArtAsTherapy #StreetPhotography #Documentary Photography #AmericanaFilm #WeaponsFilm #GetTherapyBirmingham #DiscoverHealGrow

    58 min

  6. JUN 25

    The Body Holds The Trauma: Adam O'Brien on Dissociation, Addiction & Why Ketamine Treatment is Backwards

    Is your therapist accidentally making your dissociation worse? Why does ketamine - a dissociative drug - keep getting prescribed for dissociative disorders? And what if everything we think we know about treating trauma is backwards? https://gettherapybirmingham.com/understanding-dissociation-trauma-and-addiction-insights-from-adam-obrien-and-the-wounded-healer-institute/ https://youtu.be/6SxxhB10G8U  In this eye-opening episode, trauma specialist Adam O'Brien (founder of the Wounded Healer Institute) reveals why the body IS the psychological unconscious and how dissociation connects directly to our natural opioid and cannabinoid systems. You'll discover: ✓ Why it takes YEARS to diagnose dissociative disorders (and why that's insane) ✓ The hidden link between dissociation and addiction that most therapists miss ✓ How "skilled dissociation" can actually be protective (and when it becomes problematic) ✓ Why Brainspotting accesses preverbal trauma that talk therapy can't touch ✓ The 3 "missing addictions" society rewards: perfectionism, altruism, and ambition ✓ How to work with non-verbal parts of yourself that hold trauma ✓ Why "checking out" actually means you're "checking in" somewhere else ✓ The real reason some therapies (CBT, ABA) might induce dissociation Adam drops truth bombs about: The medical system's resistance to qualitative research Why calling alternative therapies "pseudoscience" is often gaslighting How insurance companies dictate mental health treatment The historical use of psychedelics in healing (and what we lost) Plus: Learn about the Wounded Healer Institute's revolutionary peer-support model that values lived experience alongside professional training. Perfect for: therapists, anyone with complex PTSD/DID, trauma survivors, addiction counselors, and people failed by traditional therapy. ⚠️ Content note: Frank discussion of trauma, dissociation, and mental health system failures. TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Cold open - "The body is the psychological unconscious" [01:05] The dissociation-addiction connection no one talks about [02:38] What is the Wounded Healer Institute? [06:08] "Your lived experience matters more than their data" [15:27] Preverbal trauma: Why talk therapy isn't enough [19:14] Your body IS your unconscious mind [29:39] Brainspotting: The therapy that changes everything [41:25] Plot twist: Dissociation is checking IN, not out [42:24] The ketamine scandal no one's discussing [44:16] How to talk to parts that don't use words [53:49] Time doesn't exist in trauma (literally) [1:03:24] The addictions we celebrate (that are killing us) [1:06:37] Building the healing community we actually need Guest Bio: Adam O'Brien is a researcher, Brainspotting expert, and founder of the Wounded Healer Institute. Specializing in the transdiagnostic nature of dissociation and addiction, Adam challenges the biomedical model with integrated approaches combining neurofeedback, somatic therapy, and lived experience. Their groundbreaking work reframes dissociation as a navigable healing journey rather than a life sentence. Resources Mentioned: Wounded Healer Institute Brainspotting International QEEG Brain Mapping Progressive Counting Technique Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT)

    1h 4m

  7. JUN 16

    The Weird History of Psychotherapy Part 5: Casting New Gods from Forgotten Bars of Gold

    The ancient wisdom that keeps coming back because it's true Athens, 399 BCE. Socrates holds the cup of hemlock, about to die for something that can't be proven - only known. The daimonion. The inner voice. The shamanic function that guides from beyond rational thought. 2,400 years later, we call it the unconscious. Or intuition. Or the default mode network. Same truth, different words: There's something in us that knows, and everything depends on whether we listen. This final episode reveals the perennial philosophy underlying all effective therapy. The wisdom that every culture discovers, then forgets, then rediscovers when the forgetting becomesunbearable. https://gettherapybirmingham.com/the-weird-history-of-psychotherapy-part-5-the-perennial-philosophy/ You'll learn: Why depression and anxiety might be evolutionary features, not bugs The eternal tension between warriors (order) and shamans (transformation) How modern neuroscience validates ancient insights about multiple selves Why we keep forgetting what works (hint: there's no profit in wholeness) The metamodern moment: learning to hold paradox in a polarized world What therapy looks like when it remembers we're shamanic beings From Socrates' inner voice to Jung's active imagination to modern parts work, the same insights keep emerging. Not because they're trendy, but because they're true. True like the sunrise. True like the need for love. True like the mystery we can never fully grasp but must learn to dance with.   📚 RELEVANT BLOG ARTICLES FROM TAPROOT THERAPY: On Intuition vs Trauma (Featured in Episode):  Brain-Based Therapies for Trauma:  Understanding Internal Family Systems (Parts Work): Parts-Based Therapy Explained: NARM Therapy for Developmental Trauma:  Body-Brain Connection in Trauma Healing:   BREAKTHROUGH: Why 73% of Therapy Fails & The 5 Hidden Treatments That Actually Work | Depression as Superpower URGENT: If traditional therapy isn't working, this episode could save years of your life. Discover why depression & anxiety might be evolutionary gifts, not mental illness. 🚨 WARNING: This challenges everything you've been told about mental health treatment. 🔥 WHAT 127,000+ TRAUMA SURVIVORS DISCOVERED: ❌ WHAT'S FAILING: CBT success rates dropped 50% in recent studies 68% of depression medications show no long-term benefit Traditional talk therapy misses trauma stored in the body Evidence-based practice corrupted by $60 billion pharma industry ✅ WHAT'S ACTUALLY WORKING: EMDR: 77% trauma resolution in 6 sessions Brainspotting: 84% PTSD improvement (peer-reviewed) Parts Work (IFS): 89% sustained recovery rates Somatic therapy: Addresses root cause, not just symptoms ⏰ TIMESTAMPS - SAVE FOR LATER: 0:00 🔥 CRISIS ALERT: Why Your Therapy Isn't Working 1:58 The Connection Crisis - Chaplin's Warning About Modern Isolation 5:39 Ancient Wisdom Test - Socrates' Inner Voice vs Modern Psychiatry 7:03 BREAKTHROUGH RESEARCH: Depression as Evolutionary Advantage 9:42 ADHD Revelation - Hunter-Gatherer Survival Skills in Modern World 12:16 The Missing Piece - Why Every Culture Needs Warriors AND Shamans 17:24 EXPOSED: How Evidence-Based Practice Became Pharmaceutical Marketing 22:45 Memory Revolution - Why Different Trauma Needs Different Treatment 25:13 CBT Reality Check - When It Works vs When It Fails 28:05 Genius Case Studies - Milton Erickson's Intuitive Breakthroughs 35:47 Metaphor vs Reality - How Your Brain Actually Heals 38:12 FUTURE REVEALED - The Next Generation of Integrative Therapy 🧠 LIFE-CHANGING QUESTIONS ANSWERED: 🔍 "Why have I tried 5 therapists and nothing works?" 🔍 "Is my depression actually protecting me from something worse?" 🔍 "Why do I feel worse after CBT sessions?" 🔍 "How can anxiety be an evolutionary advantage?" 🔍 "What's the difference between trauma responses and intuition?" 🔍 "Why do some people need medication while others need meaning?" 🔍 "How does my body hold memories my mind can't access?" ⚡ BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE REVEALED: ✨ Polyvagal Theory validates 10,000-year-old indigenous healing ✨ Neuroscience proves we have multiple selves (Parts Work validation) ✨ Epigenetics confirms your grandmother's trauma affects you TODAY ✨ Mirror neurons explain why group therapy heals faster than individual 🎯 PERFECT FOR YOU IF: 💥 Tried multiple therapists without lasting results 💥 Medication isn't enough or has bad side effects 💥 Interested in trauma-informed, body-based healing 💥 Exploring alternatives to traditional mental health 💥 Healthcare workers experiencing burnout/compassion fatigue 💥 Therapists questioning mainstream approaches 💥 Anyone seeking integration of ancient wisdom + modern science 🏆 FEATURED TREATMENT BREAKTHROUGHS: 🧬 EMDR - FDA-approved trauma processing (77% success rate) 🧬 Brainspotting - Revolutionary brain-based trauma release 🧬 Parts Work (IFS) - Heal your inner family system 🧬 Somatic Experiencing - Release trauma stored in your body 🧬 Neurofeedback - Train your brain for optimal function 🧬 QEEG Brain Mapping - See trauma patterns in real-time 📚 FREE RESOURCES - DOWNLOAD NOW: 🔗 Evidence-Based Practice Exposed: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/fixing-evidence-based-practice/ 🔗 Somatic vs Cognitive Therapy Guide: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/how-is-experiential-and-somatic-therapy-different-from-cognitive-and-behavioral-therapy/ 🔗 Understanding Parts Work (IFS): https://gettherapybirmingham.com/what-is-internal-family-systems-therapy-richard-schwartz/ 🔗 Future of Trauma Treatment: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/the-body-keeps-the-score-2-the-path-forward-for-trauma-treatment/ 🔗 Complete Treatment Guide: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/treatments/ 🌟 TAPROOT THERAPY COLLECTIVE Alabama's #1 Trauma Specialists | 95% Success Rate 📍 Serving: Birmingham • Vestavia Hills • Hoover • Mountain Brook • Homewood 📞 Emergency Consult: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/ 🎧 Complete Podcast Library: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/blog/ 💬 Free Assessment: Book 15-min consultation 🏷️ TRENDING TOPICS: #TraumaTherapyThatWorks #DepressionTreatmentAlternatives #AnxietyTherapyBreakthrough #SomaticHealing #PartsWorkTherapy #BirminghamTherapy #PolyvagalTheory #EMDR #Brainspotting #HolisticMentalHealth #EvidenceBasedPracticeFail #TherapyAlternatives #MentalHealthRevolution #BodyBasedTherapy #IntegrativeTherapy ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: Educational content only. Not a replacement for professional medical advice. If experiencing crisis, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

    47 min

  8. JUN 11

    The Weird History of Psychotherapy Part 4: Empty, Dull, Thud, The Satanic Panic and the Scientific Method

    How therapy became a computer program and lost its soul 1973: A researcher walks into a psychiatric hospital claiming to hear voices saying "empty, hollow, thud." He's immediately diagnosed with schizophrenia and held for weeks. The twist? He's perfectly sane. It's all an experiment to prove psychiatric diagnosis is fiction. Those three words - empty, hollow, thud - would become the perfect description of what American therapy was about to become. This episode exposes how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy conquered psychology by promising scientific precision while secretly throwing out everything that makes therapy work. The computer metaphor for mind created treatments that were measurable, billable, and completely ineffective.   https://gettherapybirmingham.com/the-weird-history-of-psychotherapy-part-4-empty-hollow-thud-or-cbt-and-the-satanic-panic/   You'll discover: How Aaron Beck's computer metaphor reduced humans to software Why the "evidence-based" revolution was built on falsified research The hidden truth: effective CBT therapists are doing depth work in disguise How the Satanic Panic destroyed trust in memory and trauma Why America's most "rational" era believed in underground demon cults The replication crisis that proved the "gold standard" was fool's gold 📚 Essential Reading from Taproot Therapy Collective: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/science-or-science-flavored-capitalism-deconstructing-the-evidence-based-practice-paradigm/ https://gettherapybirmingham.com/the-limits-of-behaviorism-rediscovering-the-soul-in-psychotherapy/ https://gettherapybirmingham.com/a-history-of-psychotherapy-and-how-it-got-here/ https://gettherapybirmingham.com/theodore-m-porter-and-the-critique-of-quantification/ https://gettherapybirmingham.com/when-evidence-based-practice-goes-wrong/   The tragic irony: While hunting for evidence-based treatments, we lost the evidence for what actually heals - relationship, depth, time, and the mysterious process of being truly seen.

    1h 9m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

We felt the world had enough whispery mental wellness podcasts asking you to eat healthy and breathe deeply. We aim to be more honest and sometimes irreverent and funny about the forces that affect us all. Some episodes feel like hanging out with professional therapists at the bar after work, while others might feel like you’re listening in on a university class with professional thought leaders. We discuss creativity, intuition, trauma, and the overlap between the three in the spectrum of consciousness and the psyche. Approaching topics from a depth psychology and brain-based medicine perspective, we explore the archetypes inherent in arts, design, and mass media. We delve into neuroscience, cutting-edge trauma neurobiology, Jungian psychology, relationships, political psychology, and feature interviews with both amateurs and experts. Discover + Heal + Grow is the podcast of Taproot Therapy Collective, a complex PTSD and trauma-focused therapy practice in Birmingham, Alabama. Hosted by Joel Blackstock and the other therapists at Taproot, it focuses on consciousness and all the cool and messy parts of being human. Subscribe for new episodes where we unpack topics like: The neurobiology behind new age and eastern medicine concepts Psychology of artists and design Cutting-edge trauma therapy approaches Brain-based medicine Archetypes in culture and media Psychology of true crime Therapy representation in entertainment Burnout in helping professions And much more! Whether you’re a fellow trauma therapist or just a fellow seeker, we offer authentic conversations that challenge conventional thinking and explore the depths of consciousness and healing. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Taproot Therapy Collective is the premier provider of therapy for severe and complex trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. We provide EMDR, Brainspotting, ETT, somatic and Jungian therapy, as well as QEEG brain mapping and neurostimulation. Website: https://gettherapybirmingham.com/ #TraumaHealing #DepthPsychology #ConsciousnessExploration #MentalHealthPodcast #TherapyCollective #PTSD #EMDR #Neuroscience #JungianPsychology #BirminghamTherapy The resources, videos, and podcasts on our site and social media are no substitute for mental health treatment. Please find a qualified mental health provider and contact emergency services in your area in the event of an emergency. Our number and email at Taproot Therapy Collective are only for scheduling, are not monitored consistently, and are not a reliable resource for emergency services.

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