In this solo-hosted episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben sits down with trauma therapist and researcher Dr. Trisha Wolfe, Ph.D., LPCC, SEP, NARM for a clear, science-grounded conversation about complex trauma, developmental trauma, and why so many people feel stuck even after years of insight-based therapy.

Dr. Wolfe specializes in working with high-achieving perfectionists, people pleasers, and chronic overthinkers, the ones who can explain their patterns perfectly (“I know why I do this…”) but still can’t create lasting change. In this episode, she explains why that’s not a personal failure. It’s biology.

Together, they unpack what trauma really is (and what it isn’t), why trauma is often shaped by perception and nervous system context, and how somatic therapy helps by including the body’s language, sensations, impulses, and survival responses, alongside thoughts and emotions. If you’ve ever wondered why logic doesn’t shut off anxiety, why reassurance doesn’t stop panic, or why “trying harder” only makes you more exhausted, this episode offers a practical roadmap: nervous-system-friendly change, one small experiment at a time.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What “trauma” actually means and why the “everything is trauma vs. nothing is trauma” debate misses the point
• The difference between single-incident trauma and complex/developmental trauma
• Why two people can experience the same event, yet only one develops a lasting trauma response
• What somatic means in therapy (in plain language) and how body sensations can guide healing
• How the body sends messages to the brain, and why focusing only on thoughts can miss major clues
• Why people can have deep insight but still feel stuck: insight doesn’t automatically change the nervous system
• How survival strategies like intellectualizing, over functioning, shutdown, and people pleasing start as protection, not character flaws
• A powerful reframe: self-sabotage is often self-protection that can be updated
• What families can do to support healing: connection without pressure, with boundaries

Episode Highlights

• Trauma is about perception and impact: It’s not only what happened, it’s how the nervous system experienced it and what lasting impairment remains.
• Somatic therapy basics: Thoughts and emotions matter, but body sensations are a third “doorway” into healing.
• Your brain can “hide” things: The nervous system keeps survival learning behind the curtain, so the body may reveal what words can’t.
• Why reassurance doesn’t work on panic: “It’s safe” is language; the body responds to sensations and threat templates.
• The path forward: Change happens through small, nervous-system-friendly experiments that build new neural pathways over time.
• For families: Validation, presence, and connection without pressure can create the safety where healing becomes possible.

To learn more about Dr. Wolfe visit: https://www.cbustherapy.com/

To learn more about Hanley Foundation programs, visit hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with renowned family psychologist Dr. Michelle Sherman, a clinical psychologist with more than 30 years of experience supporting families navigating addiction, mental illness, trauma, and PTSD. Named the American Psychological Association’s Family Psychologist of the Year (2022), Dr. Sherman shares both her professional expertise and personal lived experience as a family member impacted by mental illness, addiction, and loss.

Together, they explore what families in crisis often feel but rarely say out loud: confusion, helplessness, worry, stigma, shame, and isolation, and why the healthcare system has historically missed a critical piece of the recovery puzzle: supporting the family system and, especially, the children.

Dr. Sherman also highlights her long-standing collaboration with her mother, writing practical, workbook-style resources that help adults and teens feel less alone and more equipped to face the realities of living with a loved one’s mental illness or trauma history. The conversation closes with a powerful call to action: making it the norm, not the exception, to ask about a patient’s children and connect families with resources.

Episode Highlights

• Why family work matters: How addiction and mental illness ripple through the entire family—and why treatment must address more than the identified patient.
• The “waiting room” wake-up call: What Dr. Sherman saw in VA hospital waiting rooms that sparked decades of family-focused programming and advocacy.
• The emotions families carry: Loneliness, fear, anger, grief, stigma, shame, and “Why won’t they just stop?”—and why these reactions are so common.
• The “casserole” difference: Why communities often show up for physical illness—but fall silent when the crisis is mental illness, addiction, or psychiatric hospitalization.
• Supporting kids impacted by addiction: Dr. Dyben and Dr. Docekal share how Hanley Center’s Children’s Family Program helps kids ages 7–12 understand addiction in developmentally appropriate ways—and learn it’s not their fault.
• Honesty without fear: How to talk to kids about family history, genetics, and risk in ways that empower rather than scare them.
• A gap in teen resources: Dr. Sherman explains why teens living with a parent’s mental illness or trauma are often “invisible” in the U.S. system—and what other countries are doing differently.
• Research + real-world impact: How even a small grant can launch meaningful change and why measurement and program evaluation matter in behavioral healthcare.

Resources Mentioned

Dr. Sherman’s website includes free family resources, handouts, activities, and more: seedsofhopebooks.com

Featured books discussed:

Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma: Skills, Hope, and Strength for Your Journey I’m Not Alone: A Teen’s Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has a Mental Illness or History of Trauma

To learn more about Hanley’s Children's program, visit hanleyfoundation.org

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, we welcome Michelle Gonzalez, CEO of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies (HMHB) of Palm Beach County. Michelle shares how HMHB provides critical resources, education, and support for pregnant women—regardless of income or background—helping ensure healthy births and stronger families.

Joining the conversation is guest host Ali Jimenez, LMHC, NCC, CAP, Hanley Foundation’s VP of Program Development, who has been instrumental in launching Casa Flores, Hanley’s perinatal recovery program. Together, they discuss collaboration, community support, and breaking stigma for pregnant and postpartum women, especially those facing substance use disorders.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

💜 The Mission of Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies:

• Serving 70% of pregnant women in Palm Beach County through education, care coordination, and maternal mental health support.
• Programs include teen mother mentoring, an infant pantry, peer support groups, and their culturally focused doula program.

🤰 The Power of Doula Support in Recovery:

• Doulas provide physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and after birth.
• Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies' specialized doula program trains and certifies women to assist mothers and at-risk populations.
• Now, Hanley Foundation’s Casa Flores program is offering doulas to every mom in treatment—a game-changer for recovery and bonding.

👶 Centering Pregnancy: Changing Prenatal Care

• A group-based prenatal care model where 8-12 women meet with healthcare providers for two-hour visits rather than traditional short appointments.
• Encourages peer support, education, and improved birth outcomes (lower preterm birth rates, healthier babies).
• Hanley and HMHB discuss expanding these sessions to include mothers in recovery.

🩵 Breaking Stigma & Encouraging Vulnerability:

• Many pregnant women struggling with substance use are afraid to ask for help due to stigma.
• HMHB staff build trusting relationships so women feel safe opening up about their struggles.
• The power of community support: "Every mom deserves to feel seen, supported, and valued."

📞 Need Support?

• Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies: hmhbpbc.org
• Hanley Foundation: hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673

In this inspiring episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal welcome Lyanne Azqueta, LMHC, Hanley Foundation Board Member, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and dedicated advocate for addiction recovery and mental health. Lyanne shares her journey from business studies to behavioral health, her passion for working with individuals in recovery, and the transformative power of hope and human connection.

Key Topics Discussed:

🔹 The Power of Hope in Recovery – Why belief in someone’s potential can change their life.

🔹 Lyanne’s Journey – How a spiritual awakening led her to work with individuals battling addiction.

🔹 Early Days at Hanley – The importance of spirituality in recovery and how treatment has evolved.

🔹 Serving Others – Why Lyanne believes in showing up every day with a servant’s heart.

🔹 Perinatal Addiction & Women’s Trauma – The sacred bond between mother and child in recovery.

🔹 A Simple Framework for Mental Wellness – The four key relationships every person needs for balance.

🔹 Children’s & Family Programs – How supporting kids before addiction starts can break cycles.

This episode is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond hope. Whether you are in recovery, supporting a loved one, or seeking inspiration, Lyanne’s message of faith, connection, and healing will resonate deeply.

📞 Need support? Call Hanley Foundation: (844) 502-4673

🌐 Visit us online: hanleyfoundation.org

If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone. There is hope. 💙 #TheHanleyEffect #Recovery #HopeHealingTransformation

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, we sit down with Joel Brier, IAFF Service Representative, Steve Campana, Firefighter/Paramedic, Ret. and Hanley’s First Responder Liaison, and Mac to talk about the mental health and addiction challenges faced by firefighters and first responders.

What you'll hear:

✔️ How therapy dogs like Mac are transforming recovery

✔️ The hidden struggles of first responders & PTSD

✔️ Why peer support & intervention are critical in saving lives

✔️ How Hanley’s Patriots Program is providing specialized care for those who serve

First responders risk everything for us—it’s time we fight for them too. 💙

Need help? Call Hanley Foundation: (844) 502-4673

#thehanleyeffect #FirstResponderRecovery #MentalHealthMatters

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Chip James, Hanley Foundation’s Board Chair, to discuss his personal addiction recovery journey, the power of service, and leadership in addiction recovery. From his path to sobriety to spearheading Hanley Foundation’s mission, Chip shares valuable insights on overcoming fear, embracing service, and reshaping the future of treatment and recovery.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

✅ Chip’s Journey: From a high-powered career to hitting rock bottom—and finding his way back through recovery.

✅ The Power of Service: Why giving back is the "secret sauce" of sustained recovery.

✅ Facing Fear Head-On: How fear can grow in our minds—and how action shrinks it.

✅ Breaking the Stigma: How recovery is becoming more mainstream, and what’s next for treatment and support.

✅ Hanley Foundation’s Impact: How leadership and service are driving real change in addiction treatment.

✅ Advice for Those Struggling: The hardest but most important steps to take toward recovery.

Resources & Links:

📖 Read Chip’s full story in Recovery Revolution magazine! Email podcast@hanleyfoundation.org to request a copy.

🔗 Learn more about Hanley Foundation: hanleyfoundation.org

☎ Need help? Call Hanley Foundation at 844-502-4673

In this powerful continuation of our conversation with legendary musician Dion DiMucci and author, coach, and Hanley alum Adam Jablin, we dive deeper into their mentorship, spiritual awakening, and the pursuit of true fulfillment. From Dion’s rock and roll legacy to Adam’s life-changing addiction recovery journey, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and inspiration for anyone seeking growth, faith, and healing.

✅ The power of mentorship and how passing it on changes lives

✅ Lessons from Dion’s sponsor, Ben – wisdom that shaped his life

✅ God, faith, and spirituality in recovery—overcoming misconceptions

✅ The difference between success and fulfillment

✅ Dion’s Broadway musical – the first to depict addiction & recovery

✅ How music, books, and storytelling influence personal growth

✅ Why openness is the key to transformation

📖 Dion & Adam’s Book – Dion: The Rock & Roll Philosopher - https://a.co/d/7gwGY3v

🎭 Dion’s Broadway Musical – The Wanderer - https://www.thewanderermusical.com/

📌 Adam Jablin’s Coaching & Resources – https://adamjablin.com/

🎶 Dion DiMucci’s Music – https://diondimucci.com/

📌 Hanley Foundation Support & Services:

Need help? Call 844-502-4673 or visit: https://www.hanleycenter.org/

In this inspiring episode of The Hanley Effect, legendary rock musician Dion DiMucci and life coach, author, and Hanley alum Adam Jablin share their transformative journeys through addiction, recovery, mentorship, and spirituality. From Dion’s early influences in music to the power of faith, surrender, and service, this episode is filled with wisdom, humor, and invaluable lessons on the privilege of living a sober life.

✅ Dion’s Story: How a childhood love of music led him from the Bronx to rock & roll stardom, and how recovery transformed his life.

✅ Adam’s Journey: From addiction to purpose-driven coaching, guided by mentors like Dion.

✅ The Power of Mentorship: Why finding and being a mentor is crucial for lasting recovery and personal growth.

✅Lessons in Recovery: How surrender, honesty, and spiritual connection open the doors to healing.

✅ Dion & Adam’s new book Dion: The Rock & Roll Philosopher and its lessons on life and resilience

Dion’s & Adam's New Book – Dion: The Rock & Roll Philosopher

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, know that recovery is possible. Help is available visit www.hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.