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What does safety look and feel like when you didn’t grow up with it?

In this episode, we explore how childhood trauma can shape your inner world and nervous system—and what it takes to begin cultivating safety from the inside out. You’ll learn practical, trauma-informed strategies like grounding practices, self-assessment tools, and parts work to help you reconnect with your body, trust your intuition, and build supportive boundaries over time.

We also look at the bigger picture—how systemic and relational dynamics, including privilege, identity, and toxic relationships, affect your sense of emotional and psychological safety. Because safety isn’t just an internal state—it’s also shaped by the world around us.

Whether you’re just beginning your healing journey or deepening the work, this episode offers gentle reminders, reflection prompts, and practices to help you grow toward greater empowerment, safety, and connection.

Mentioned episodes and articles:

• Five Effective Trauma Counselling Strategies:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/five-effective-trauma-counselling-techniques/
• Polyvagal Theory and Trauma:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/understanding-polyvagal-theory-and-trauma/
• Understanding the Window of Tolerance: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/understanding-the-window-of-tolerance/
• Get your free copy of Toxic Relationships 101:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/unhealthy-relationships-guide/
• Assess your boundaries with the Healthy Boundaries Quiz:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/healthy-boundary-quiz/

Learn more about us: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brighthorizontherapies/
Message us: nat@brighthorizontherapies.com

Trauma Demystified is not intended to replace professional guidance, support, medical treatment, or therapy. Please feel free to consult your physician or a mental health professional for any questions about mental health symptoms.

Bright Horizon Therapies is located in the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda. This land is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. We acknowledge the traditional caregivers of the land and the importance of a commitment to the continued decolonization of our work.

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Complex trauma is a simple term for a profoundly layered experience—it involves emotional, psychological, and physiological responses to prolonged or repeated harm. Many people live with its symptoms without realizing it, but understanding what’s happening can be the first step toward healing.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

• Complex trauma happens in harmful and traumatizing environments. It affects the mind, emotions, and body, often showing up as emotional dysregulation, dissociation, and relationship struggles.
• Stigma and misconceptions about trauma can make seeking support harder, but recovery is possible with the right approach.
• Healing isn’t about “getting over it” but integrating experiences, creating safety, and reconnecting with yourself.
• Recovery from complex trauma is built on clear principles and practices.
• The most effective treatment for complex trauma is an integrative approach, combining parts work, EMDR, and somatic therapies.

If you’re curious about healing from complex trauma, this episode offers guidance, reassurance, and practical steps to move forward.

Other Episodes That Can Support Your Recovery

Parts Work Therapy: How It Can Help You Heal Trauma

Understanding Polyvagal Theory And Trauma

Five Effective Trauma Counselling Techniques

Understanding the Window Of Tolerance

What Are Best Practices For Trauma Treatment

Healthy Boundary Quiz

Subscribe, share, and reach out if you have questions—I’d love to hear from you! Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Email me at nat@brighthorizontherapies.com.

Learn more about us: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brighthorizontherapies/
Message us: nat@brighthorizontherapies.com

Trauma Demystified is not intended to replace professional guidance, support, medical treatment, or therapy. Please feel free to consult your physician or a mental health professional for any questions about mental health symptoms.

Bright Horizon Therapies is located in the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda. This land is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. We acknowledge the traditional caregivers of the land and the importance of a commitment to the continued decolonization of our work.

Send us a text

In this episode, we dive deep into trauma recovery and explore practical trauma counselling techniques to regain control and safety. I walk you through key strategies, including visualization practices, calming activated parts of yourself, and creating internal spaces for inner safety. You’ll also learn about the importance of building new neural pathways, as they form the foundation of trauma recovery.

With patience and consistency, we can balance the emotional weight of trauma and cultivate more peace and joy in our lives. Throughout the episode, I share my personal practices for emotional resilience, illustrating that healing is both dynamic and ongoing.

Whether you’re new to trauma recovery or looking for ways to deepen your healing, this episode offers tangible tools and insights that you can apply immediately.

Key Topics Covered:

• Four key principles that build the foundation of trauma recovery
• Imagination: the powerful neuroplastic agent within you
• Alternatives if imagination doesn’t work for you
• Practical techniques to increase inner safety and calm heightened emotions

Additional Episodes Mentioned:

• "Polyvagal Theory and Trauma" – Learn how understanding the science behind our nervous system can aid trauma recovery.
• "Understanding the Window of Tolerance" – A closer look at how we can regulate emotional intensity for better recovery.
• "Parts Work Therapy: How It Can Help You Heal From Trauma" – Explore how working with different parts of yourself aids in trauma healing.
• "EMDR: What to Expect" – Discover how EMDR therapy can help resolve trauma and bring about lasting change.

Guest Appearances: Here are some podcast guest appearances that can provide you with additional insights on your recovery journey:

• Trauma Talks Podcast: Unpacking Trauma: A conversation with Nat Jovanic on Healing, Resilience, and Transformation
• Connected Community Podcast: Unlocking the Power of EMDR Therapy

Learn more about us: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brighthorizontherapies/
Message us: nat@brighthorizontherapies.com

Trauma Demystified is not intended to replace professional guidance, support, medical treatment, or therapy. Please feel free to consult your physician or a mental health professional for any questions about mental health symptoms.

Bright Horizon Therapies is located in the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda. This land is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. We acknowledge the traditional caregivers of the land and the importance of a commitment to the continued decolonization of our work.