About this episode

Alexandra Stevens discusses self-abandonment and intergenerational trauma, exploring how personal and ancestral experiences shape our feelings of shame and imposter syndrome.

If you’re someone who has struggled with self abandonment, you may wonder why you find yourself beating yourself up or feeling like an imposter in your life at times. I often say, “imposter syndrome” is a cute description for a deeply painful feeling. This week’s guest, Alexandra Stevens, explores how our own experiences, and those of our ancestors, factor into our shame today. She shares how we can rebuild trust - beginning with trusting ourselves - and stop abandoning ourselves after trauma. Alexandra Stevens is a UKCP-accredited Gestalt psychotherapist, EMDR therapist, writer, and podcast host based in Lisbon, Portugal. She specialises in attachment trauma, CPTSD, anxiety, self-worth, and the ways early relational experiences continue to shape our adult lives. Alexandra integrates EMDR, Gestalt Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic approaches to help clients move beyond insight into lasting transformation. Alexandra is currently writing a book, You Don't Have To Abandon Yourself To Belong, exploring the ways we disconnect from ourselves in order to maintain attachment, safety, and belonging. Alongside her clinical work, she hosts a podcast featuring conversations…

People in this episode

Host: Laura Reagan

Guest: Alexandra Stevens

Topics covered

• self-abandonment
• intergenerational trauma
• imposter syndrome
• trust
• attachment trauma
• CPTSD

Keywords

• self-abandonment
• intergenerational trauma
• imposter syndrome
• trust
• attachment trauma
• CPTSD
• anxiety
• self-worth

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: You Don’t Have to Abandon Yourself to Belong

Books & works: You Don't Have To Abandon Yourself To Belong

Places: Lisbon, Portugal

More episodes of Therapy Chat

• 541: How To Raise Conscious Daughters + Sons with Dr. Shefali · September 7, 2026 · 36 min
• 539: Brainspotting + Creative Expression – With Kristy Sneddon + Colleen Klym · August 28, 2026 · 50 min
• 538: How To Help The Helper: Caring For The Self with Vanessa Bear · August 20, 2026 · 51 min
• 537: A Therapist's Story Of Recovery From Dissociative Identity Disorder with Sally Maslansky · August 13, 2026 · 57 min
• 536: Ancestral Healing: The Regeneration Process with Dr. Ame Cutler · July 30, 2026 · 43 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Therapy Chat podcast page.