538: How To Help The Helper: Caring For The Self with Vanessa Bear

538: How To Help The Helper: Caring For The Self with Vanessa Bear

August 20, 2026 · 51 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the importance of self-care for helpers in trauma therapy, featuring insights from guest Vanessa Bear.

"Trauma therapy shouldn't be traumatizing." This week's guest Vanessa Bear, MSc,'s quote sounds like it may apply to the importance of trauma-sensitive work for those who are seeking healing. Yet - it shouldn't be traumatizing for the helper, either. I have said over the years that exposure to traumatic material is an occupational hazard for those of us in the helping professions of every stripe. But it doesn't have to traumatize us and there are specific actions we can, and must, take to protect our own wellbeing. This conversation is about self care, yes, but it is also about care for the mind, body, spirit and soul of ourselves and our living world, which are inextricably interconnected - whether we realize it or not. Listen in for a deep, mindful conversation weaving together love, soul, nature and care for self while caring for others, creating a web of interbeing for the collective and each of us as individuals. About this week's guest: Vanessa Bear is a UKCP registered Integrative Psychotherapist who works with children and adults. Vanessa also works as a mountain leader, yoga teacher and willow basket maker who is co-author with Babette Rothschild of the "Help for the…

People in this episode

Host: Laura Reagan

Guest: Vanessa Bear

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: WW Norton

Places: Lake District National Park

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