Medical Trauma Support

In this episode of the Medical Trauma Support Podcast, Sarah Stasica sits down with Ingrid Nishimoto, LCSW a certified EMDR therapist who also lives with a genetic cancer condition diagnosed at 17. Together they explore what EMDR actually is, how it helps shift the felt sense of powerlessness after a frightening medical experience, and why grief, collapse, and the long “in-between” after treatment deserve so much more compassion than they usually get. Ingrid shares how she helps clients feel safe in their bodies again, reconnect with their own wisdom, and move from “I’m powerless” toward “I have agency.” A warm, nervous-system-informed conversation for anyone healing after a hard diagnosis and for the clinicians who walk alongside them.To connect with Ingrid: https://www.ingridnishimototherapy.comTo find support: https://www.medicaltraumasupport.org

In this episode, I’m joined by Seantae Jackson, speaker and co-founder of the Sandal Blue Foundation, who shares the life-changing story of the catastrophic car accident that reshaped her family’s world — and how that moment led to the creation of a nonprofit supporting survivors after severe crashes.We talk about:• Navigating medical trauma and long-term recovery• Parenting a child with a severe TBI and rediscovering hope• The healing power of community and nervous system regulation• Why asking “What can I do?” can transform the recovery journey• Support for caregivers and the unseen layers of traumaWe also pause for a grounding straw-breath exercise to help listeners regulate as the story unfolds.This episode is emotional, inspiring, and full of hard-earned wisdom. If you’ve ever felt alone in your healing, may this conversation help you look up and see that your island is closer to others than you think.Connect with Seantae at sandalbluefoundation.org or @seantaejacksonperspectives or seantae.jackson@sandalbluefoundation.orgFind out more about Sarah's support community, the Befriend Your Body Community.

Many kids feel anxious or afraid during medical visits — and parents often feel helpless watching it happen. In this powerful conversation, Sarah talks with Mary A. Jenner, pediatric nurse and founder of The Butterfly Pig, about how medical play can help children feel safe, brave, and confident during medical care.They explore how fear, anxiety, and even trauma can develop from medical experiences — and how parents and providers can take small but meaningful steps to prevent it.You’ll learn:• How to prepare kids for medical visits through play• What parents can say and do during procedures to reduce fear• Why simple tools like the Buzzy Bee or toy medical devices make a big difference• How to advocate gently but effectively for your child’s emotional safetyWhether you’re a parent, healthcare provider, or someone who’s had your own difficult medical experiences, this episode offers hope, compassion, and practical tools to help you and your loved ones feel safer in care settings.Guest: Mary A. Jenner, RN, Founder of The Butterfly PigLinks: Parent ResourcesKeywords: fear of doctorschild anxiety at doctorpreparing kids for medical procedureshow to help kids feel safepreventing trauma in healthcarepediatric medical playnervous system regulationsupporting children through medical care

In this heartfelt conversation, Sarah sits down with licensed professional counselor and chronic illness therapist Destiny Davis to explore what happens when medical systems fail to see, believe, or support you.Together, they unpack the layers of medical trauma, chronic illness, and the emotional toll of being dismissed or disbelieved. Destiny shares her lived experience growing up with parents who had disabilities, the trauma of being labeled “hypochondriac,” and how that shaped her path as a therapist and advocate.They talk about the importance of accommodations, neurodiversity, and how society’s “push through” mentality harms those living with invisible illnesses. You’ll also hear powerful insights on:How medical trauma isn’t always what was done to you, but also what you didn’t receiveRebuilding trust in a system that has caused harmThe overlap between medical and attachment traumaSimple, somatic ways to begin feeling safe in your body againWhether you live with chronic illness, support someone who does, or work in healthcare, this conversation will help you see medical trauma through a more compassionate, nuanced lens.Show Links: Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency - https://gvs.georgia.gov/Connect with Destiny Davis:Website: thechronicillnesstherapist.comMembership: thechronicillnesstherapist.com/membershipPodcast: The Chronic Illness Therapist PodcastLearn more about Medical Trauma Support: medicaltraumasupport.com

In this episode of the Medical Trauma Support Podcast, Sarah speaks with Lauren Isbell and Whitney Casal from Nevis Outreach, a patient advocacy organization focused on Congenital Melanocytic Nevi (CMN). They discuss their personal connections to CMN, the challenges families face when navigating medical decisions, and the importance of community support. The conversation highlights the medical risks associated with CMN, the need for shared decision-making in healthcare, and the emotional weight of making treatment choices for children. The episode emphasizes the value of connection and understanding among families dealing with rare diseases, and encourages listeners to seek out supportive communities.Nevus Outreach - https://www.nevus.org/Shared Decision Making - https://collaborativecare.wustl.edu/items/shared-decision-making-about-congenital-nevi/Medical Trauma Support - https://www.medicaltraumasupport.comBefriend Your Body Community - https://www.medicaltraumasupport.org/befriend-your-body-community

In this deeply moving episode, we bring together patient Vanessa Abraham and her ICU doctor, Dr. Jared Rosen, for an honest, tender conversation about what it means to show up with humanity in medicine.Vanessa shares how Dr. Rosen’s attunement, compassion, and presence helped her through one of the scariest moments of her life. Dr. Rosen opens up about how this experience shaped his entire medical career — and how he protects his own mental health to continue showing up for patients with empathy and care.Together with host Sarah, they explore:What makes a medical experience feel safe, even during traumaThe emotional impact of being truly seen by your care teamHow medical professionals can protect themselves from burnout and compassion fatigueWhy little human gestures — like music, photos, and presence — can be life-changingWhether you're a patient, a loved one, or a healthcare provider, this conversation will stay with you.🎧 Listen now and follow for more stories that humanize medical care and support healing after trauma.Here are the ways you can contact Vanessa and Sarah if you need help finding support. Vanessa's WebsiteVanessa's Instagram Account Vanessa's Book: SpeechlessMedical Trauma Support Website Befriend Your Body Community Medical Trauma Support Instagram Account#MedicalTrauma #ICUStories #HumanizingHealthcare #DoctorPatientBond #CompassionateCare #VanessaAbraham #BefriendYourBody #SomaticHealing #HealthcareBurnout #TraumaSupport

What happens after you survive the ICU? For Vanessa Abraham — a speech pathologist, author, and ICU survivor — the real trauma began after she came home.In this powerful episode, we talk about:Vanessa’s sudden illness that left her paralyzed and unable to speakThe grief, identity loss, and depression she faced after ICUThe emotional cost of being a caregiver and navigating life after medical traumaWhat PICS (Post-Intensive Care Syndrome) is — and why no one talks about itHealing tools: nervous system support, community, somatic practices, and moreWhether you're a survivor, caregiver, or provider, this conversation offers validation, education, and hope.Get Vanessa’s book “Speechless”: https://a.co/d/0Ks1DSeAre you looking for support and community with others who understand medical trauma? Join the Befriend Your Body Community: https://www.medicaltraumasupport.org/befriend-your-body-community✨ You are not alone. There is hope, healing, and support waiting for you.