The Trauma Therapist Project

The Trauma Therapist Project Raising the awareness of trauma and honoring authenticity. My Story:

Several years ago my brother returned from his tour of duty as a Navy SEAL. Guy
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He returned with PTSD. Nightmares, flashbacks, and broken relationships seemed to come at every turn. I wanted to help my brother though felt so ill-equipped. I didn’t know what to say, what not to say, though I certainly knew he was suffering. I tried to help and comfort him in any way I could. A few years after my brother’s return, and inspired by his accomplishments, I went on a two-week surviv

al course with Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS) in the middle of Utah. It was the first time I'd ever done anything like this and it required all the courage I had. There were about 15 of us on that trip. It was the middle of summer. We were hiking all day, no backpacks and just the clothes we could wear. We had water, but no food for the first four days. On the third day one of our members became ill and wasn't able to walk. Myself and another member carried this young man for the next two days. We helped him up ridges, and through canyons, and just talked to him, trying to encourage him with every step. I share these stories because they helped me determined that what I wanted to do with my life was to help others who couldn't help themselves. As a result of these experiences I have focused my energy on the study of trauma psychology and trauma therapy. I’ve spent the last seven years studying trauma therapy and most recently, the intersection of trauma and psychosis. My goal with The Trauma Therapist Project is to help trauma workers thrive--through providing great information, community building, inspiration and support. Family Life:

I have an amazing wife and a 11 year-old son and a 5 year-old daughter. I love challenging myself in many ways, including physically and creatively. I love music: listening and dancing in the kitchen with my family when I’m cooking and listening to Italian music on Pandora. I’m passionate about learning. In fact for the last two years as I’ve been commuting to work I’ve been listening to the “entrepreneur on fire” podcast which has been an incredible education. I’m passionate about helping individuals in crisis situations, hence my interest and specialization in trauma psychology. I love connecting people, putting groups together, convening workshops, and creating events and spaces whereby people can learn and share together. I hope you find something on this site that will help you thrive as a trauma therapist.

06/04/2026

The amazing Adena Bank Lees, joins me today.

Adena Bank Lees, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker, licensed addiction counselor, board-certified expert in traumatic stress, and certified practitioner of psychodrama with more than 35 years of experience.

A recognized authority on childhood trauma, Adena specializes in covert emotional in**st — a form of hidden abuse she also knows personally, as a thriver with a lived history of childhood sexual abuse and covert emotional in**st.

Adena is the author of Covert Emotional In**st: The Hidden Sexual Abuse, A Story of Hope and Healing and brings language, clarity, and validation to one of the most misunderstood forms of childhood trauma. Covert Emotional In**st (CEI) occurs when a parent unconsciously relies on a child to meet adult emotional or relational needs, leaving lasting impacts on identity, intimacy, and self-worth.

https://www.amazon.com/Covert-Emotional-In**st-Hidden-Healing-ebook/dp/B0GX2ZTLLF

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A giant thank you to our sponsors:

– Simple EMR with no contracts or hidden fees. Free onboarding + data imports.
👉 https://janesoftware.partnerlinks.io/Socials | Code GUY1MO

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psychometrics

NovoPsych Psychometrics gives trauma therapists 150+ validated measures, automated scoring, and visual progress tracking - all in one platform. Learn more at novopsych.com/traumapodcast

06/02/2026

The incredible Megan Earles, LCSW and Dr. Mark Sylvester joins me today.

Megan Earles, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in trauma, attachment, and relational healing. Through her practice, she helps individuals, couples, and families develop emotional regulation, deepen connection, and build resilience after experiences of loss, betrayal, and chronic stress. Megan blends evidence-based therapy with warmth and collaboration, inviting clients to access agency, insight, and healing that feels grounded in real life and sustainable over time.

Dr. Sylvester is a psychiatrist and functional medicine physician whose expertise shapes the neurobiological framework of SST. Drawing from both clinical experience and his own healing journey, he emphasizes the brain-body connection and nervous system regulation. His work highlights how trauma, chronic stress, and toxic exposures impact the limbic and autonomic systems, ensuring that SST is both scientifically grounded and deeply client-centered.

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A giant thank you to our sponsors:

– Simple EMR with no contracts or hidden fees. Free onboarding + data imports.
👉 https://janesoftware.partnerlinks.io/Socials | Code GUY1MO

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psychometrics

NovoPsych Psychometrics gives trauma therapists 150+ validated measures, automated scoring, and visual progress tracking - all in one platform. Learn more at novopsych.com/traumapodcast

The incredible Megan Earles, LCSW and Dr. Mark Sylvester joins me today. Megan Earles, LCSW is a licensed clinical socia...
06/01/2026

The incredible Megan Earles, LCSW and Dr. Mark Sylvester joins me today.

Megan Earles, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in trauma, attachment, and relational healing. Through her practice, she helps individuals, couples, and families develop emotional regulation, deepen connection, and build resilience after experiences of loss, betrayal, and chronic stress. Megan blends evidence-based therapy with warmth and collaboration, inviting clients to access agency, insight, and healing that feels grounded in real life and sustainable over time.

Dr. Sylvester is a psychiatrist and functional medicine physician whose expertise shapes the neurobiological framework of SST. Drawing from both clinical experience and his own healing journey, he emphasizes the brain-body connection and nervous system regulation. His work highlights how trauma, chronic stress, and toxic exposures impact the limbic and autonomic systems, ensuring that SST is both scientifically grounded and deeply client-centered.

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A giant thank you to our sponsors:

– Simple EMR with no contracts or hidden fees. Free onboarding + data imports.
👉 https://janesoftware.partnerlinks.io/Instagram | Code

-
psychometrics

NovoPsych Psychometrics gives trauma therapists 150+ validated measures, automated scoring, and visual progress tracking - all in one platform. Learn more at novopsych.com/traumapodcast

Getting a new practice off the ground is a lot, but Jane's New Practice Guide helps bring it together. Get real-world ad...
05/31/2026

Getting a new practice off the ground is a lot, but Jane's New Practice Guide helps bring it together. Get real-world advice from clinic owners and practitioners who have been there.

And when you're ready to see how Jane, a practice management software and EMR, can help you run the business you’re building, you’ll find a link below to book a demo and remember to use our code GUY1MO.

https://janesoftware.partnerlinks.io/Instagram

Next up on the Guest Host Series, Dr. Susanne Babbel interviews Judyth Tsafrir.Susanne Babbel, originally from Germany, ...
05/30/2026

Next up on the Guest Host Series, Dr. Susanne Babbel interviews Judyth Tsafrir.

Susanne Babbel, originally from Germany, moved to the U.S. nearly 20 years ago. Known for her deep listening and insight, she was drawn to psychology through her own journey of personal growth. Her interest in the mind-body connection led her to study somatic psychology, earning master’s degrees from John F. Kennedy University and Santa Barbara Graduate Institute.

Judy Tsafrir, MD is a holistic adult and child psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and astrologer with a private practice in the Boston area. She is the author of the award winning book “Sacred Psychiatry: Bridging the Personal and Transpersonal to Transform Health and Consciousness.” She is currently working on an oracle deck entitled “Threshold Medicine Oracle Deck: A Symbolic System for Navigating Personal and Collective Transformation.

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A giant thank you to our sponsors:

– Simple EMR with no contracts or hidden fees. Free onboarding + data imports.
👉 https://janesoftware.partnerlinks.io/Instagram | Code

-
psychometrics

NovoPsych Psychometrics gives trauma therapists 150+ validated measures, automated scoring, and visual progress tracking - all in one platform. Learn more at novopsych.com/traumapodcast

05/30/2026

The inspirational Bronwyn Schweigerdt joins me today.

Bronwyn Schweigerdt is a licensed psychotherapist, podcaster, and anger expert dedicated to addressing the root causes of mental and physical illness.

Drawing from her own personal experiences with depression, she explores the vital importance of acknowledging and managing internal feelings—specifically anger—as a primary catalyst for personal growth and informed decision-making.

Beyond individual healing, Bronwyn provides practical strategies for navigating anger within relationships and examines the unique responsibility therapists have in managing their own emotional health while supporting others.

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A giant thank you to our sponsors:

– Simple EMR with no contracts or hidden fees. Free onboarding + data imports.
👉 https://janesoftware.partnerlinks.io/Instagram | Code

-
psychometrics

NovoPsych Psychometrics gives trauma therapists 150+ validated measures, automated scoring, and visual progress tracking - all in one platform. Learn more at novopsych.com/traumapodcast

05/28/2026

Today, the incredible Dr. Hilah Kate Kaufman from our sponsor NovoPsych joins me for an important conversation using psychometric measures to help our clients.

Hilah Kate Kaufman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and Adjunct Professor at George Mason University whose work centers on trauma, resilience, and adaptation across the lifespan. She integrates developmental and clinical science to better understand how individuals respond to adversity and how trauma-informed approaches can support healing.

In addition to her academic role, Dr. Kaufman is involved with NovoPsych, a platform focused on improving mental health care through evidence-based assessment and measurement tools for clinicians. Her work reflects a strong commitment to bridging research and practice to enhance outcomes in real-world settings.

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A giant thank you to .pshycometrics for sponsoring this episode.

NovoPsych Psychometrics gives trauma therapists 150+ validated measures, automated scoring, and visual progress tracking - all in one platform. Learn more at novopsych.com/traumapodcast

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