This episode discusses childhood trauma, disordered eating, neglect, abuse, PTSD, narcissistic abuse, self-harm and suicide.

This episode of A Bunch of Therapists is proudly sponsored by The Awareness Centre Training School. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a therapist or are looking to enhance your clinical skills, TAC Training School offers a complete, supportive pathway into the profession. From foundation-level counselling courses to their BACP-accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Diploma in Clinical Supervision, their programmes are led by expert tutors and designed to help you grow into a confident, ethical, and skilled practitioner. To find out more, visit https://tactrainingschool.com/ and take the next step in your therapy journey.

🎧 Join us for a fascinating and deeply personal conversation with psychotherapist Domenica Stilwell as she shares her journey from a childhood marked by anxiety, neglect and abuse to finding safety through therapy and becoming a specialist in trauma.

This honest and illuminating discussion explores how disconnection from the body can be a response to childhood trauma, and why working with the nervous system is so powerful in facilitating healing.

Hosted by: Michaela McCarthy (Founder of The Awareness Centre, The Awareness Centre Training School, and Creator and Host of A Bunch of Therapists Podcast. Senior BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Influential Leader) and Dipti Solanki (Therapist, Coach & Consultant, Mental Health Trainer and Founder of Grief Matters 4 All CIC).

In this compelling episode, Domenica openly shares:

• Growing up in Poland and the traumatic experiences she faced in the family home

• Developing an eating disorder at an early age as a response to anxiety, neglect and abuse

• Living so disconnected from her body that she didn’t notice a burn turning septic

• A visit to her GP becoming the unexpected catalyst for beginning therapy

• Working with a therapist to understand the roots of her disconnection

• Discovering how her childhood experiences had shaped her relationship with her body

• Finding a sense of safety through therapy that she had never felt in childhood

• Being inspired by her own healing journey to train as a psychotherapist

• Working as a lecturer and therapist specialising in trauma

• Supporting clients experiencing PTSD and narcissistic abuse

• Using nervous system work to facilitate healing in others

This essential conversation offers valuable insights for anyone exploring childhood trauma, disordered eating, body disconnection, or the healing power of therapy.

🔍 Key Topics Discussed:

• Childhood trauma and its lasting impact on the body

• Disordered eating as a response to anxiety, neglect and abuse

• Disconnection from the body and somatic awareness

• The role of the nervous system in trauma and healing

• How an unexpected moment can become a turning point

• Therapy as a path to safety and self-understanding

• PTSD and the effects of narcissistic abuse

• Training as a therapist following personal experience of healing

• Working with trauma in a therapeutic setting

• The journey from surviving to helping others heal

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