**Please note that this episode contains a brief discussion of child abuse that some people may find disturbing.

Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D., shares insights into her journey in the mental health field, discussing the integration of writing, cartooning, and therapy to help clients understand emotional concepts. She discusses the importance of addressing early trauma, the potential of virtual reality in trauma therapy, and the effectiveness of EMDR. Dr. Paulson also touches on the future of mental health treatment accessibility, the challenges faced by therapists in the field, the benefits of intensive therapy formats, and the potential application of EMDR in prison settings. Join Dr. Paulson in envisioning a trauma-focused mental health landscape where healing is impactful and accessible to all.

About Sandra Paulsen:

Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D., is an international instructor, author and illustrator of principles and procedures for using EMDR with complex trauma including structural and somatic dissociation and trauma held in implicit memory. Her books include coediting The Neurobiology and Treatment of Traumatic Dissociation: Toward an Embodied Self. She wrote and illustrated Looking Through the Eyes of Trauma: An Illustrated Guide for EMDR Therapists and Clients; and When There Are No Words: EMDR for Very Early Trauma in Implicit Memory, and co-authored We’re Listening Body: Integrating EMDR, Somatic and Ego State Therapies. 2024 publications will include: The Beauty and Burden of Autism: An Illustrated Guide and Workbook, and Indigenous Trauma and Dissociation: Healers, Psychotherapies and the Drum, with Shelley Spear Chief. She also co-authored and illustrated a childrens book that is also useful for dissociative adults called All the Colors of Me: My First Book on Dissociation. Sandra is a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.

paulsenpsychology.com

Episode Timestamps:

• (01:45) Sandra's journey into the mental health field
• (04:30) Integrating art and psychology for effective communication
• (08:30) Hardwired emotional circuits and the impact of EMDR therapy
• (12:00) Virtual reality’s potential in early trauma therapy
• (17:20) Innovative approaches to treating PTSD and trauma
• (23:05) Understanding dissociation and its impact
• (27:15) Sandra’s dreams for the future of mental health care

Watch this episode on YouTube:

youtube.com/@TheMentalHealthEntrepreneurPod

Connect with Rachel:

Facebook Group: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Website: traumaspecialiststraining.com

Instagram: instagram.com/trauma_specialist

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796

Kaili Van Waveren, the Executive Director at ThorpeWood - a 156-acre nature-based mental health and social emotional learning center, discusses ThorpeWood's mission of nurturing therapeutic relationships with nature to address mental health challenges and climate grief. By offering nature-based programs and grief support, ThorpeWood aims to provide individuals with distress tolerance skills and emotional regulation techniques to navigate overwhelming emotions. Explore the transformative power of nature in promoting holistic well-being and fostering a connection between humans and the natural world.

About Kaili Van Waveren:

As Executive Director at ThorpeWood, a 156-acre nature-based mental health and social emotional learning center, Kaili brings a unique blend of academic and practical experience to her role. Originally from California, Kaili first moved to Maryland to attend Johns Hopkins University and later Hood College, where she also dedicated years to teaching in the Department of Psychology and Counseling. Kaili has nearly a decade of experience working in bereavement and end-of-life care. Previously, she was the Bereavement Care Supervisor for Frederick Health Hospice, and she is a member of the Board of Directors and head trip leader for The Umbrella Project: Hiking Journeys for Grieving Young Adults. Kaili's passion for supporting grieving individuals has been a driving force in her career, and she is particularly excited about pioneering nature-based grief support initiatives at ThorpeWood.

thorpewood.org

Episode Timestamps:

• (02:15) Thorpewood's mission and evolution
• (05:20) Nature-based mental health initiatives; climate grief support
• (09:45) Nature’s positive impact on mental health
• (14:40) Future plans and innovations at Thorpewood
• (18:10) Kaili's journey from the fashion industry to grief counseling
• (19:40) The intersection between skills and passion

Watch this episode on YouTube:

youtube.com/@TheMentalHealthEntrepreneurPod

Connect with Rachel:

Facebook Group: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Website: traumaspecialiststraining.com

Instagram: instagram.com/trauma_specialist

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796

Diana Partington, author of DBT for Life, discusses her lifelong struggles with suicidality, the transformative impact of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and how it provided her with practical tools to manage overwhelming emotions and crises. She elaborates on her innovative approach to making DBT skills accessible through her self-help book, which includes colorful illustrations and short stories to cater to various learning styles. She also touches on the origins of DBT, its broader applications beyond clinical settings, and the importance of inclusivity in learning.

About Diana Partington:

Diana is a licensed professional counselor and author of DBT for Life: Skills to transform the way you live. She offers online DBT skills classes, webinars and trainings for clients and clinicians across North America. She wrote her master’s thesis at Vanderbilt on effective teaching of DBT skills for different learning styles. Her passion is making DBT skills accessible for everyone.

DBTforLife.com

instagram.com/sufferingoptional

Facebook.com/DBTSkills4Life

linkedin.com/in/diana-partington-93552484/

Psychology Today Column: psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/dbt-for-daily-life

Episode Timestamps:

• (01:40) Dialectical behavioral therapy: what it is and how it helps
• (06:00) Rethinking self-help books with visuals and easy navigation
• (09:45) Making DBT accessible through books, webinars, and podcasts
• (12:05) Kaizen method; tiptoeing around the amygdala
• (17:00) DBT and the Dharma
• (19:30) Mastery of radical acceptance
• (23:50) The importance of inclusivity in mental health

Watch this episode on YouTube:

youtube.com/@TheMentalHealthEntrepreneurPod

Connect with Rachel:

Facebook Group: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Website: traumaspecialiststraining.com

Instagram: instagram.com/trauma_specialist

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796