In this episode of NeuroAlchemy, Dr. Sarah Young sits down with psychologist Dr. Gloria K. Vanderhorst for a thoughtful conversation exploring emotional healing, Internal Family Systems, Emotion Focused Therapy, and the lifelong process of reconnecting with parts of ourselves that may have been suppressed or disconnected over time.

Drawing from nearly five decades of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, Dr. Vanderhorst shares insights into emotional development, childhood conditioning, emotional intelligence, and the ways early experiences shape identity, relationships, and emotional regulation later in life.

Together, Sarah and Gloria explore what happens when people lose access to important feeling states, why emotional awareness matters, and how reflection, compassion, and curiosity can help people reconnect with themselves in healthier and more authentic ways.

Topics explored include:

• Emotion Focused Therapy in everyday language • Internal Family Systems and “parts” work • emotional suppression and disconnection • childhood experiences and adult relationships • raising emotionally intelligent boys • reclaiming lost feeling states • self-reflection as a catalyst for healing • emotional awareness and personal growth

At the heart of this conversation is a reminder:

Emotional awareness is not weakness. It is part of being fully human. And healing often begins by reconnecting with the parts of ourselves we learned to silence.

🌿 Micro Practice Invitation Spend 10 to 15 minutes each day sharing experiences, observations, or thoughts with someone you trust.

Talk about: • something you noticed today • an experience you had • a thought you are still processing

Small moments of emotional connection help strengthen awareness, communication, and relational safety over time.

🧠 Connect with Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst Website: https://www.drvanderhorst.com Email: gkvanderhorst@gmail.com

Facebook: gloria.vanderhorst.7 Instagram: @gkvanderhorst YouTube: @gloriakvanderhorst LinkedIn: gloria-vanderhorst-ph-d-730826b/

🌿 Connect with Dr. Sarah Young https://home.neurosynergyhealth.com/home-6935 https://youtube.com/@neurosynergyhealth

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You are not broken. You are becoming.