The Complex Trauma Podcast

Sarah Herstich

A podcast for anyone healing from complex PTSD, childhood emotional neglect, and the patterns you've been carrying without knowing what to call them. Hosted by EMDR and somatic trauma therapist Sarah Herstich, each episode gets into nervous system healing, trauma responses, and what it actually takes to stop living in survival mode. If you've spent years people-pleasing, apologizing for existing, or holding it together on the outside while unraveling on the inside, this is for you. We talk about the fawn response, toxic shame, hypervigilance, and why your body still doesn't feel safe even when nothing bad is happening. No bypassing, no Band-Aids, just honest conversation about healing from complex trauma and getting your life back. Whether you're just figuring out what CPTSD is or you've been in therapy for years, you'll find nervous system education, somatic practices, and someone who actually understands what you're going through. New episodes every Wednesday.

  1. 3 SEP

    Why Love Feels So Hard with CPTSD (And How to Change That)

    Does love feel overwhelming, triggering, or just plain scary? If you have Complex PTSD, your nervous system might be treating intimacy like a threat, even when you desperately want connection. In this episode, I break down why CPTSD makes love feel so complicated, what's actually happening in your nervous system when someone gets close, and the real (messy, non-linear) path to trusting love again. If you're wondering about Complex PTSD and relationship, this episode is for you. You'll learn: What CPTSD actually is and how it's different from PTSDWhy your body goes into alarm mode when someone shows you genuine loveHow childhood attachment wounds show up in adult relationshipsPractical steps to start rewiring your nervous system for safety in loveWhat to do when you get emotionally triggered by your partnerHow to support someone you love who has CPTSDThis episode is for you if: You pull away when someone gets too closeYou're constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop in relationshipsYou know you deserve love but your body doesn't feel safe receiving itYou love someone with trauma and want to understand how to helpWhether you're struggling to accept love yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers a bit of hope and concrete tools for healing. Resources mentioned: Original blog post: https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/blog/a-cptsd-therapist-shares-tips-to-accept-love-as-a-complex-ptsd-survivor PTSD vs CPTSD: https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/blog/ptsd-vs-cptsd-trauma-therapy Free Attachment Guide: https://www.subscribepage.com/attachment-style-guide Connect with the Reclaim Therapy Team: https://www.reclaimtherapy.org Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

    12 min
  2. 16 JUL · CONTENIDO EXTRA

    Mini Episode: What is Trauma Informed Yoga?

    In this solo episode, trauma and EMDR therapist Abby Albright breaks down what trauma-informed yoga actually is and why it can be such a powerful support for healing.  She explores how this gentle approach to movement creates space for choice, consent, and nervous system awareness, especially for those living with trauma. You’ll learn how trauma-informed yoga differs from traditional yoga classes, why it’s rooted in Polyvagal Theory, and how practices like grounding, breathwork, and mindful movement can help shift you out of survival states and into connection.  Abby also shares real-life examples of how she uses yoga to navigate hyperarousal, shutdown, and moments of presence in her own life and practice. Whether you’re a beginner, a trauma survivor, or a therapist curious about incorporating somatic practices into your work, this episode offers an accessible, embodied entry point into healing. Read this episode on the blog here: https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/blog/what-is-trauma-informed-yoga Learn more about yoga with Abby here: https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/trauma-informed-yoga-therapy Grab a FREE 30 minute Yoga Class here: https://www.subscribepage.com/abbys-yoga-newsletter Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

    9 min
  3. 3 JUL · CONTENIDO EXTRA

    Mini Episode: 5 Ways Yoga Can Support Healing

    In this mini episode, Abby gets personal, sharing how her journey from dance to yoga became a turning point in her own healing.  She opens up about what it meant to shift from performance to presence, and how yoga helped her slow down, reconnect with her body, and build a foundation rooted in awareness and self-trust. You’ll hear reflections on the lessons she’s learned on the mat (and off), the power of starting with the basics, and why community matters just as much as the poses. Whether you’re new to yoga or returning after a long break, this episode offers a gentle reminder: it’s not about doing it perfectly—it’s about doing it with care. Read the full blog at https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/blog/5-ways-yoga-has-supported-me-in-my-healing Learn more about Abby's Yoga offerings here: https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/trauma-informed-yoga-therapy Sign up for Abby's FREE 30 minute on demand yoga class at https://www.subscribepage.com/abbys-yoga-newsletter Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

    14 min
  4. 26 JUN

    Therapy Isn’t Working… or Is It? 3 Reasons You Might Feel Stuck

    You’ve been showing up to therapy. You’re naming your patterns, doing the work and still wondering: Why am I not feeling better? In this episode, Sarah is joined by trauma and EMDR therapist Ashley Fox to explore why therapy can feel stagnant, confusing, or even discouraging at times and how those exact moments might reflect slow, meaningful change beneath the surface. Together, they unpack three reasons therapy might feel like it’s not working, including: Why insight isn’t the same as nervous system readinessWhat it means when emotional discomfort increases in recoveryHow “nothing happened today” sessions are often signs of deepening trustThe role of relational healing, body awareness, and pacing in long-term changeIf you’re navigating trauma or eating disorder recovery and questioning your progress, this conversation will help you recognize the more nuanced signs of healing and reconnect with the work you’re doing. Be sure to:  → Subscribe to Reclaim You for more conversations on healing, embodiment, and recovery → Visit https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/ashley-fox-trauma-therapist-pennsylvania to learn more about Ashley’s clinical work and availability at Reclaim Therapy Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

    30 min
  5. 11 JUN

    Why Self-Compassion Feels So Cringey

    If the words “be kind to yourself” make you want to roll your eyes (or run) you’re not alone. For many trauma survivors, self-compassion doesn’t feel good. It feels awkward. Threatening. Even fake. In this episode, Sarah is joined by trauma therapist Erin Witmer for an honest conversation about what makes self-compassion so hard to access, and why the resistance itself is often a form of protection.  Erin shares her personal and professional journey with softening toward herself, the early life messages that shape people's inner voice, and what it looks like to meet shame and perfectionism with something gentler. They explore:  → What self-compassion actually is (and isn’t) → Why it can feel so cringey—even in recovery → The inner critic’s role in survival → Tiny ways to begin practicing self-kindness without forcing it Looking for a trauma therapist or an EMDR therapist? Learn more about Erin here:  https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/erin-witmer-trauma-therapist-horsham-pa And, be sure to grab the FREE Self-Compassion Myth-Buster PDF here: https://www.subscribepage.com/self-compassion-myth-buster Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

    23 min
  6. 28 MAY

    Hyper-Independent and Burnt Out? It’s Not Your Fault

    If asking for help feels like a risk… If you pride yourself on being “the strong one”… If burnout sneaks up on you even when you're doing everything right,  this episode is for you. Sarah and Abby are talking about the hidden costs of hyper-independence. They unpack how this survival strategy gets wired into your nervous system, why it often stems from trauma or emotional neglect, and how it can quietly erode your capacity for rest, trust, and connection. They explore:  → Why over-functioning is often a form of self-protection  → How hyper-independence shows up in recovery from CPTSD and eating disorders  → What it takes to unlearn “I’m fine” conditioning  → The power of nervous system safety and relational healing As always, this one’s not about blame, it’s about awareness, self-compassion, and tiny ways to soften.  Download the FREE Hyper-Independence Self-Inventory A reflection tool to help you name where over-functioning is showing up, and what it might be protecting. 👉 https://www.subscribepage.com/hyper-independence-self-inventory Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

    29 min
  7. 21 MAY

    What Safety Might Feel Like in Recovery (It’s Not What You Think)

    What if the biggest signs of healing aren’t big at all? In this episode, Sarah is joined by Laura for a conversation about the micro-moments that might mark recovery from trauma and disordered eating. Together, they unpack five powerful cues that your nervous system is shifting toward safety: like noticing your body, making a small choice, or feeling a flicker of joy without shutting it down. You’ll hear: Why awareness is a milestone, not a “first step”How setting the tiniest limit can signal huge changeWhy pleasure often feels threatening before it feels goodWhat reconnection really looks like after bingeing, freezing, or shutting downThis is your permission to stop waiting for the “aha” moment—and start honoring the quiet ones. 🎧 Plus: Grab our free Micro-Moments Tracker to help you notice what’s already healing. https://www.subscribepage.com/tiny-moments-tracker ✍🏼 Check Out This Week's Blog: Signs of Safety to Look for in Trauma Recovery: https://www.sarahherstichlcsw.com/blog/signs-of-safety-to-look-for-in-trauma-recovery Thanks for listening to Reclaim You with Reclaim Therapy! To learn more about Reclaim Therapy and how to work with a therapist on the team, head to https://www.reclaimtherapy.org. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with the host or any guest. If you are struggling with your mental health, or trauma-related symptoms, please seek the support of a licensed mental health provider in your area. If you are in the United States and experiencing a crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger. If you are outside the U.S., please reach out to your local emergency number or crisis hotline available in your country. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

    39 min
  8. 14 MAY

    You Don't Need to Be Calm to Be Healing (and Other Nervous System Truths)

    What if your anxiety, shutdown, or overwhelm aren’t signs of failure—but signs your body is finally healing? In this episode of Reclaim You, Sarah breaks down one of the most misunderstood ideas in trauma recovery: that nervous system regulation = being calm. (Spoiler: it doesn’t.) You’ll learn: Why calm isn’t always regulation—and why stillness can be a shutdown in disguiseWhat dysregulation actually means in a trauma-informed frameworkHow real healing builds nervous system flexibility, not perfectionThe truth about survival states, and how your body completes what it never got to finishIf you’ve been doing the work and still feel overwhelmed, this conversation will reframe how you see your nervous system—and help you stop judging what’s actually progress. 🔗 Free downloads: [Regulation Isn’t the Goal Worksheet] https://www.subscribepage.com/nervous-system-regulation [Window of Tolerance Worksheet] https://www.subscribepage.com/windowoftolerance Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast! Be sure to follow and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

    11 min
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A podcast for anyone healing from complex PTSD, childhood emotional neglect, and the patterns you've been carrying without knowing what to call them. Hosted by EMDR and somatic trauma therapist Sarah Herstich, each episode gets into nervous system healing, trauma responses, and what it actually takes to stop living in survival mode. If you've spent years people-pleasing, apologizing for existing, or holding it together on the outside while unraveling on the inside, this is for you. We talk about the fawn response, toxic shame, hypervigilance, and why your body still doesn't feel safe even when nothing bad is happening. No bypassing, no Band-Aids, just honest conversation about healing from complex trauma and getting your life back. Whether you're just figuring out what CPTSD is or you've been in therapy for years, you'll find nervous system education, somatic practices, and someone who actually understands what you're going through. New episodes every Wednesday.