Science & Magic with Amanda

A Body-Based Approach to Trauma w/ Kevin McCarthy

Amanda Leaveck Episode 17

Kevin McCarthy & I dive into all things trauma in this conversation.  We talk about the nervous system, stress, resilience, anxiety, depression, and how to establish resource in your body and life to help heal trauma…  all from the lens of the body and radical kindness.  Kevin's approach contains a lot of love, as he invites us all to feel empowered in our experience of trauma as a part of the human experience.  May you feel hope after listening to this episode. 

If you are someone who is seeking professional support, I’ve included a list of resources at the very bottom of the show notes.

KEVIN'S  WEBSITE:  https://www.mendmn.com/

TRAUMA 101 LESSON W/ KEVIN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdbXIQZy6Hw&list=PLsLYLwTg5ajlbRCrLe3_S9Ph4vJx3CHKi&index=3

WORK WITH AMANDA: https://amandaleaveck.com/⁣

SCIENCE & MAGIC YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHhlpVUKsFxYnS-NIcp337w

JOIN THE SCIENCE & MAGIC FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2328616680742710  ⁣

our conversation…

6:03 - intro
11:20- what is somatic experiencing  
16:27 - how to process emotions in the body
19:26 - the nervous system
21:58 - sympathetic & parasympathetic activation
26:39 - body signals of sympathetic nervous system activation
27:13 - body signals of parasympathetic nervous system activation
28:57 - feeling isolated from prolonged parasympathetic nervous system activation
29:48 - the social nervous system, the importance of positive interactions, and how context influences our  experience with other
35:58 - what is stress and how does it impact the nervous system
38:34 - when stress becomes trauma in the body   
41:17 - trauma and childhood (acute trauma vs. attachment trauma)
44:39 - the inherent resilience  & health that lives in trauma responses 
45:46 - trauma expressed as a lack of joy 
48:46 - anxiety & depression from a ‘body up’ perspective
51:34 - localizing anxiety & depression as a sensation in the body and establishing resource somewhere else
54:24 - how to establish resource in your body & outside of your body to help heal trauma
55:50 - a holistic and empowering perspective of trauma 
57:18 - how to connect with Kevin

FIND A THERAPIST:

CRISIS HOTLINES:

In the U.S.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Crisis Text Line: text TALK to 741741
  • SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline (Substance Abuse) 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  • RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (5673)
  • Trevor Lifeline (suicide hotline for LGBT youth) 1-866-488-7386

International: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html