Why Trauma Lives in Your Body, Even After Years of Therapy

About this episode

The episode explores how trauma is stored in the body and discusses various therapeutic approaches to healing.

For years we've been told that healing trauma means talking about it. But what if talking isn't enough? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Harvard-trained psychiatrist and world-renowned trauma expert Dr. Frank Anderson to explore why trauma isn't simply stored in your memories. It's stored in your body. We discuss why so many women find old wounds resurfacing during perimenopause and menopause, why food often becomes a coping mechanism for unresolved trauma, and why traditional talk therapy doesn't always create lasting healing. Dr. Anderson shares the science behind trauma, nervous system regulation, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, psychedelics, and the small daily experiences that help your brain and body finally feel safe again. If you've ever wondered why you keep reacting the same way despite years of personal growth, this conversation will help you understand what your body has been trying to tell you all along. In this episode you'll learn: • Why talking about trauma doesn't always heal it • How trauma becomes stored inside the body • The surprising reason menopause often brings unresolved trauma to the surface • Why emotional eating is often a protective…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Mindy Pelz

Guest: Dr. Frank Anderson

Topics covered

• trauma
• body storage of trauma
• perimenopause
• menopause
• emotional eating
• therapy
• nervous system regulation

Keywords

• trauma
• healing
• EMDR
• Internal Family Systems
• psychedelics
• emotional eating
• nervous system
• menopause
• perimenopause
• somatic therapies

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Harvard

More episodes of Live Like a Girl with Dr. Mindy Pelz

• Trying Everything to Lose Weight? These 5 Things Matter More Than You Think · September 9, 2026 · 22 min
• Why So Many Women Feel Disconnected From Their Bodies with Emma-Louise Boynton · September 7, 2026 · 1h 19m
• 10 Foods That Naturally Boost GLP-1 & Quiet Food Noise · September 2, 2026 · 30 min
• How to Make Healthy Food Actually Taste Good with Chef Nyesha Arrington · August 31, 2026 · 1h 10m
• Why Everything Feels Harder After 40: Nervous System, Burnout & Letting Go · August 26, 2026 · 1h 21m
• Dr. David Perlmutter on Menopause, Metabolism & Protecting Your Brain · August 24, 2026 · 1h 6m