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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.

Send us a text

Healing from childhood abuse can feel overwhelming, but it’s a journey worth taking—and you don’t have to face it alone. In this episode, we explore the foundational steps in the healing process, offering guidance and encouragement to help you move forward.

Key Takeaways:

1. Acknowledging the Past: Healing begins by validating your experiences and understanding how they’ve shaped your life.
2. Tools for Healing: Learn about effective approaches like parts work therapy, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation.
3. Breaking the Cycle: Discover how healing can empower you to set boundaries, overcome self-blame, and break patterns of intergenerational trauma.
4. Post-Traumatic Growth: Healing isn’t just about recovery—it’s an opportunity to build resilience, develop greater self-awareness, and thrive.

Whether you’re beginning your healing journey or supporting someone else, this episode offers hope, practical tips, and a reminder that healing happens at your own pace.

Additional Resources:
For further support, check out the resources linked below:

• Partswork Therapy:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/parts-work-therapy-benefits-healing-trauma/
• EMDR: What to Expect:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/emdr-what-to-expect/
• Polyvagal Theory:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/understanding-polyvagal-theory-and-trauma/
• Free eBook "Toxic Relationships 101":
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/unhealthy-relationships-guide/
• Smart Goals for Trauma Recovery:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/smart-goals-for-trauma-treatment/

Subscribe now, and remember to share this episode with someone who might benefit. Together, we can create a path toward healing and growth.

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 of Trauma Demystified, we dive into the transformative power of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy with trauma counsellor and trauma recovery coach Natalie Jovanic. We explore how EMDR helps individuals safely process and heal deep emotional wounds, particularly when integrated with parts work and somatic approaches. Natalie also shares insights from their personal and professional experience with EMDR, offering listeners a clear understanding of its benefits and possible limitations.

Key Takeaways:

1. Tailored Healing: EMDR is most effective when tailored to the client's needs. These episodes help you understand how the EMDR process works and when it might be helpful to combine EMDR with other trauma treatment approaches like parts work therapy.
2. Safe Processing: Healing is not about rushing into memory processing but respecting your pacing, building skills before processing and creating a safe, supportive environment.
3. Empowerment Through EMDR: Beyond symptom relief, EMDR fosters long-term empowerment, helping individuals develop resilience and emotional regulation skills.
4. Post-Traumatic Growth: EMDR can promote post-traumatic growth, enabling individuals to not only recover from trauma but also experience positive transformation in their lives

Tune in to learn how EMDR can guide you toward emotional healing, growth, and long-term empowerment.

Here are other episodes that might help explore more about trauma recovery and related topics:
Episode 3: Thriving after trauma: Smart goals for trauma recovery
Episode 5: What are best practices for trauma treatment?
Episode 6: Parts work therapy: How it can help you heal trauma

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 explore the transformative power of Polyvagal Theory and how it illuminates how trauma affects our nervous system. You'll discover practical techniques for regulating your autonomic nervous system and learn to re-establish a sense of safety and connection.

Whether you're on a personal healing journey or supporting others through trauma recovery, this episode offers valuable insights and tools to help you navigate the complexities of trauma with compassion and understanding. I'd like you to tune in to explore how Polyvagal Theory can guide you or your clients toward a more resilient and connected life.

If you are interested in listening to more episodes, here are some ideas:
Podcast Episode about the Window of Tolerance
Best practices for trauma treatment
Parts work therapy for trauma recovery

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 today's episode, we delve into the transformative world of parts-work therapy and its profound impact on trauma recovery. Join us for an enlightening conversation about how understanding and healing our inner parts can pave the way for transformational trauma recovery. Discover the insightful theory of structural dissociation and learn how to embark on your journey toward wholeness and healing.

Here is a link to the episodes mentioned in the podcast:
Smart goals for trauma recovery: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/smart-goals-for-trauma-treatment/
Practices to get back to the window of tolerance: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/manage-emotions-strategies-to-widen-the-window-of-tolerance/

Guest appearances:
Conversation about breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma: https://accordingtodes.com/161-2/
Conversation about healing from childhood abuse: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bff-elephant/episodes/08---Natalie-Jovanic-e2j0ag1

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 explore the best practices for trauma treatment. Building upon our previous discussion, we delve into the intricacies of trauma recovery, exploring various therapeutic modalities. From Somatic Experiencing to EMDR and parts work, we discuss the importance of an integrative approach, combining top-down and bottom-up methods.

Join us as we navigate the multifaceted journey of trauma recovery and learn how integrating different modalities can provide a more tailored and effective treatment.

Stay tuned to discover the significance of structural dissociations and how to navigate trauma treatment more effectively. If you're ready to begin your journey toward healing, this episode is for you.

Discover the definition of trauma in our first episode.
Explore the concept of the window of tolerance in our second episode.
Embark on a journey to recovery from trauma in our third episode.

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.