エピソード

  • Reclaiming Life for Women After Prison with Samantha Garcia Pennell, Arouet Foundation
    2025/06/04

    For women exiting the US correctional system, support is limited while the hurdles set in front of them seem endless. The post-carceral ecosystem is changing, however, bolstered by nonprofits that elevate rather than penalize people for their time served.

    On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes Samantha Garcia Pennell, Manager of Workforce Partnerships at Arouet Foundation, in Phoenix, AZ, a nonprofit organization committed to empowering women impacted by the justice system, helping them lead successful lives and build stronger communities. Samatha shares her personal journey from traumatic childhood to challenging adulthood to prison with our audience, and the alternative path to reintegration that Arouet afforded her. The pair also explores Arouet's programs, including mentorship, job skills, and reentry simulation.

    About Samantha Garcia Pennell:

    Samantha Garcia Pennell is Manager of Workforce Partnerships at Arouet Foundation. She is dedicated to empowering others by sharing her journey and encouraging them to embrace their unique strengths. With more than a decade of experience in training, she specializes in helping individuals rebrand themselves through education and support. Samantha holds a bachelor's degree in Career and Technical Education from Northern Arizona University, which she applies to create strategic pathways for individuals transitioning from incarceration back into their communities. Her passion lies in nonprofit work, where she is committed to providing services that open doors for women impacted by the criminal justice system,fostering connections, and supporting their successful reintegration into society.

    Learn More:

    Arouet Foundation

    To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

    ***

    SPACE:

    SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

    The Complex Trauma Training Center:

    https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

    View upcoming trainings:

    https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

    The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

    CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

    The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

    We want to connect with you!

    Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

    Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

    LinkedIn

    YouTube

    続きを読む 一部表示
    44 分
  • Self-Discovery as a NARM Therapist with Alex White & Sabrena Ness
    2025/05/21
    While most clinicians are seeking effective clinical skills to bring back to their clients, NARM® therapists are often surprised to experience such profound personal transformation for themselves through training in NARM. In learning more about themselves and their own healing process, the result is a better understanding of their client’s healing process. Self-discovery can be a vehicle toward personal and relational change. On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth invites NARM Master Therapists Alex White and Sabrena Ness to share their professional experiences as members of the NARM training community and personal journeys of self-discovery. The trio also discusses the mentorship programs that support ongoing professional development and personal growth hosted by the Complex Trauma Training Center, as well as opportunities for stronger community engagement and support. About Sabrena Ness: Sabrena Ness is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC) in Utah and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado. She earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Wyoming. Sabrena is the Clinical Director at LifeStance Health in Utah and has been with LifeStance since 2021. She also serves as a Co-Chair for the Pacific Northwest region of LifeStance’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) chapter, where she focuses on fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture. Sabrena specializes in complex developmental trauma and complex PTSD, working with individuals and couples across the lifespan. She is particularly dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent populations, creating affirming and effective therapeutic spaces. She is a NARM Therapist and participates as a Training Assistant in NARM Trainings, reinforcing her commitment to advancing trauma-informed care. Her work emphasizes innovative leadership, continuous improvement, and a deep dedication to mental health advocacy. Learn More: Lifestance Health About Alex White: Alex White’s career spans more than 15 years in the mental health field, throughout which he has been continually inspired by the transformative power of the therapeutic process. A NARM Master Therapist, Alex first joined the NARM community in 2020 and has served as a Training Assistant in NARM Trainings since 2022. Alex has worked with diverse populations across various settings, with a particular focus on the unique complexities of trauma work with adults (18+). He currently runs a private practice in Salt Lake City, Utah, focusing on issues such as religious trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, compassion fatigue, burnout, shame, relationship difficulties, and masculinity. He is also an adjunct faculty in the MS Counseling Program at Westminster University. Learn More: Alex White Counseling & Consulting To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma SPACE: SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join. *** The Complex Trauma Training Center: https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com View upcoming trainings: https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/ *** The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care. We want to connect with you! Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter LinkedIn YouTube
    続きを読む 一部表示
    46 分
  • No Bad Parts and the Self in Healing with Dr. Richard Schwartz, Internal Family Systems
    2025/05/07

    Many of us hold the convenient belief that we possess a single identity. Dr. Richard Schwartz began challenging the flatness of that assumption in the early 1980s. His curiosity led to the creation of the Internal Family Systems Model (IFS), which recognizes the role of internal “parts” or subpersonalities that resemble a family structure.

    Forty years later, Dick continues to expand on the model, exploring its capacity to resolve interpersonal conflicts, address broader societal issues, and reconnect us to our innate humanity. On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth and Dr. Schwartz discuss how IFS helps clients reclaim their agency, restore inner harmony between their diverse parts, and strengthen their capacity to reveal their true self.

    About Dr. Richard Schwartz:

    Richard C. Schwartz, PhD, is the creator of Internal Family Systems, a highly effective, evidence-based therapeutic model that de-pathologizes the multi-part personality. His IFS Institute offers training for professionals and the general public. He is currently on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, and has published five books, including No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model. Dick lives with his wife Jeanne near Chicago, close to his three daughters and his growing number of grandchildren.

    Learn More:

    IFS Institute

    LinkedIn

    ***

    To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

    SPACE:

    SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

    ***

    The Complex Trauma Training Center:

    https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

    View upcoming trainings:

    https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

    ***

    The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

    CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

    The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

    We want to connect with you!

    Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

    Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

    LinkedIn

    YouTube

    続きを読む 一部表示
    49 分
  • From the Cult of NXIVM to "The Narcissist’s Playbook" with Filmmaker Mark Vicente
    2025/04/23
    Narcissists have a canny ability to repackage traits like arrogance, self-importance, and a lack of empathy and sell them as charm, intelligence, or sensitivity. This “playbook” of calculated behaviors allows them to avoid detection and continue manipulating close relations or entire groups. On this episode of Transforming Trauma, CTTC Director and NARM® Senior Trainer Brad Kammer welcomes Mark Vicente, the award-winning writer, director, podcaster, and producer, to discuss the personal awakening that eventually prompted him to leave the NXIVM cult and contribute to HBO’s documentary series The Vow and create the feature-length documentary The Narcissist's Playbook (currently in production). The pair delve into the role that narcissism plays in constructing cults and other high-control groups, as well as explore common narcissistic traits that impact individuals, groups, and societies. About Mark Vicente: Mark Vicente is an author, speaker, and award-winning writer/director/producer from Johannesburg, South Africa. Growing up amid the atrocities in South Africa, he began questioning fundamental beliefs about human behavior, morality, cosmology, existentialism and mysticism at an early age. Unifying his love for science, philosophy, and film, Mark’s vision took shape with “What the BLEEP Do We Know!?”. He later released “Encender el Corazón”, a powerful film about Mexico’s kidnapping crisis. While the film touched many people deeply, it was by association supporting the criminal enterprise NXIVM. Mark withdrew the film and, alongside fellow whistleblowers, exposed the group, resulting in multiple arrests and prosecutions. His journey is chronicled in HBO’s 15-part documentary series “The Vow”. Mark has since focused on exposing the manipulative dynamics of high-control groups. He’s currently finishing “The Narcissist’s Playbook”, a feature documentary on narcissism, told through the unflinching accounts of four self-aware malignant narcissists, alongside insights from survivors, scientists, and mental health experts, filmed across seven countries. Learn More: Website Instagram Podcast To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma SPACE: SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join. *** The Complex Trauma Training Center: https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com View upcoming trainings: https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/ The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care. We want to connect with you! Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter LinkedIn YouTube
    続きを読む 一部表示
    52 分
  • Letting Go of Shame That Isn’t Yours with Dr. Laurence Heller
    2025/04/09

    For all its popularity as a talking point, shame remains one of the least-documented human emotions.

    On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth is pleased to welcome back Dr. Laurence Heller, Ph.D., author, international trainer, and creator of the NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®). The pair discuss the psychology of shame and its significant role in protecting attachments (or relationships) starting at a young age. This conversation also explores the benefits of a NARM-focused approach to shame and its impact on patients' personal agency, relationships, and quality of life. They also examine how shame, the emotion, informs behavioral patterns and how accessing anger can ultimately diffuse shame-based orientations.

    About Dr. Laurence Heller:

    Dr. Laurence Heller is the creator of the NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®), international trainer, and co-author of Healing Developmental Trauma: How Early Trauma Affects Self-Regulation, Self-Image and the Capacity for Relationship and Crash Course: A Self-Healing Guide to Auto Accident Trauma and Recovery. Dr. Heller co-authored, with CTTC Training Director Brad Kammer, The Practical Guide for Healing Developmental Trauma: Using the NeuroAffective Relational Model to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resolve Complex Trauma which presents one of the first comprehensive therapeutic models for addressing complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), introducing an integrated mind-body approach for treating attachment, relational, cultural and intergenerational trauma. Dr. Heller's forthcoming book, co-authored with Stephan Konrad Niederwieser, is untitled at the time of this podcast’s release.

    Dr. Heller is the Founder & Director of the NARM Training Institute and teaches regularly in the US and Europe.

    Learn More:

    NARM Training Institute

    Facebook

    To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

    SPACE:

    SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

    ***

    The Complex Trauma Training Center:

    https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

    View upcoming trainings:

    https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

    The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

    CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

    The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

    We want to connect with you!

    Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

    Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

    LinkedIn

    YouTube

    続きを読む 一部表示
    54 分
  • The Benefits of Integrating Spirituality and Mental Health with Dr. David Rosmarin
    2025/03/26

    For many mental health professionals, exploration into a client’s relationship with spirituality is often left out or actively avoided. Could honest and open discussions about a client’s spiritual perspective help them reconnect to themselves and others while also alleviating their symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression?

    On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth is honored to welcome Harvard psychologist, author, and educator David Rosmarin, PhD., to explore the connection between spirituality and mental health, modern psychology’s aversion to the topic, and the ancient Jewish wisdom behind the connections paradigm.

    About David Rosmarin:

    Dr. David H. Rosmarin is the director of the Spirituality and Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital and an associate professor of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He earned his PhD in clinical psychology from Bowling Green State University, completed a predoctoral internship, and then pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital. Dr. Rosmarin studies the relevance of spirituality to mental health, and he innovates methods for clinicians to address this area of life. He has published over a hundred manuscripts, editorials, and chapters and served as co-editor of the Handbook of Spirituality, Religion, and Mental Health. Dr. Rosmarin's work is regularly featured by the media and has appeared on CNN, NPR, Scientific American, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times.

    Learn More:

    Center For Anxiety

    To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

    SPACE:

    SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

    ***

    The Complex Trauma Training Center:

    https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

    View upcoming trainings:

    https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

    ***

    The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

    CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

    The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

    We want to connect with you!

    Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

    Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

    LinkedIn

    YouTube

    続きを読む 一部表示
    35 分
  • How to Trust Your Inner Voice and Transcend Shame and Self-Doubt with Dr. Samra Zafar
    2025/03/12

    One of the many consequences of complex trauma is a loss of self-confidence leading to self-doubt and difficulty trusting in one’s intuition.

    On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth invites international speaker, author, and resident psychiatrist Dr. Samra Zafar to share her inspirational journey from an isolated teen bride to a courageous, intuitive, and powerful agent of change. The pair explore Samra’s practice of reconnecting to her inner voice and lean into its guidance after years of self-doubt. They also discuss how practitioners can apply their lived experience to therapeutic relationships and invite clients to access reserves of profound healing intuition.

    About Samra Zafar:

    Dr. Samra Zafar is an award-winning international speaker, bestselling author, and resident psychiatrist. After escaping a decade of abuse as a child bride in Canada, she went on to pursue her education and became a global advocate for progress. Recognized amongst Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, Samra is a trailblazer, spearheading

    belonging and wellness in organizations across the world. She combines scientific research with hard-earned life lessons to share courageous strategies that lead to bold results.

    Her speaking portfolio includes four TEDx Talks and speeches to leading corporations, non-profits, governmental agencies, and educational institutions. Samra’s work has been extensively featured in both Canadian and International media.

    Learn More:

    Website

    Instagram

    To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

    ***

    SPACE:

    SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

    The Complex Trauma Training Center:

    https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

    View upcoming trainings:

    https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

    The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

    CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

    The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

    We want to connect with you!

    Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

    Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

    LinkedIn

    YouTube

    続きを読む 一部表示
    44 分
  • Allowing the Real Self to Emerge with William Griffith, The International Masterson Institute
    2025/02/26

    Within psychology, there is an ongoing debate about the relationship between complex trauma and personality. Developed by Dr. James Masterson, the Masterson Approach focuses on the development of personality, and introduced innovative treatment for schizoid, narcissistic and borderline personality disorders.

    On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes Dr. William Griffith, Director of The International Masterson Institute in Cape Town, South Africa. The pair discuss foundational aspects of the Masterson Approach, and specifically how trauma affects a client’s persistent dependence on “the false self.”

    About William Griffith:

    William Griffith is a clinical psychologist, with over 25 years of experience in practice and extensive research. Having succeeded Dr. Judith Pearson as Director of the International Masterson Institute, Griffith now continues to build on her legacy, ensuring the Institute's continued leadership in the treatment of personality disorders. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Griffith combines his leadership role at the Institute with an active clinical practice, offering expertise in working with patients who exhibit high-risk behaviors. Griffith has also served on the teaching faculty of multiple South African universities, delivering lectures and workshops globally. William Griffith is grateful to be doing this work and is still humbled by humanity on a daily basis.

    Learn More:

    The International Masterson Institute

    ***

    To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

    SPACE:

    SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

    ***

    The Complex Trauma Training Center:

    https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

    View upcoming trainings:

    https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

    The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

    CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal.

    The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

    We want to connect with you!

    Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

    Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

    LinkedIn

    YouTube

    続きを読む 一部表示
    43 分