The Episodes

When people hurt us or wrong us, we often automatically assume that the problem is us. We find ourselves asking "Why don't people like me?" or "What's wrong with me?" or "What[...]

Mental health missionary Sarah Tatarski joins Alyssa on this week’s episode to discuss options for when weekly outpatient therapy just isn’t enough. Sarah discussed her experiences with alternative treatment options such as[...]

Shoplifting and stealing are typically thought of as simple, yet shameful crimes. However, these seemingly simple crimes can be more complex than meets the eye. Tune into this week’s episode to learn[...]

Borderline Personality Disorder, or BPD, is arguably the most misunderstood and widely stigmatized mental health disorder. Alyssa is here this week to set the record straight on what this disorder looks like,[...]

Everyone's journey to heal looks a little bit different, but it is important to have a general knowledge of what to expect as well as the beauty that comes from putting in[...]

The last several years have given way to an onslaught of devastating and frightening tragedies in our world. When it all feels like too much, we need ways to find safety[...]

Alyssa is celebrating 100 episodes this week by talking about the five different love languages, first coined by psychologist Gary Chapman.  Learning about the five love languages can significantly improve the[...]

Alyssa has stepped away from the podcast this week while she works on a very exciting project for you all! This week, we are reaching back into the archives with a[...]

Happy Pride Month! The month of June (and every month!) is a great time to celebrate the beauty of the LGBTQPIA+ community. In this week's episode, Alyssa notes that while we certainly[...]

This week brings the final episode in a series of discussions on setting boundaries. Pulling from Nedra Glover Tawwab's book, Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself, this week's discussion[...]

This week was scheduled to be another episode in the series on setting boundaries, however, Covid seemed to have other plans. 

Check out the Light After Trauma website for transcripts, other[...]

This week on the podcast Alyssa discusses a brand new, multi-episode topic. Pulling from Nedra Glover Tawwab’s book, Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself, Alyssa discusses what boundaries are, why[...]

Depression might be clinically diagnosed as a very specific set of symptoms, but it is often so much more than that. Does your depression cause you to over-function? Does it cause you[...]

What is covert vs. overt narcissism? What do symptoms of abuse look like in victims? Can an abuser ever truly change? This week brings us[...]

What is narcissism and how do we know if someone is a narcissist?  Alyssa teams up with returning podcast guest, Rebecca Christianson, LCSW as they tackle this very important topic. 

Learn[...]

Diet culture and weight loss tools thrive off of making us hate our bodies. The good news is that you CAN reject the societal pressure to change your body and choose to[...]

Self sabotage often shows up at many points throughout our trauma recovery. It can take both conscious and unconscious forms. Tune in to find out if you may be sabotaging your own[...]

There are thousands of false representations of therapy in the media and general public. Some of these misconceptions about the therapeutic process may prevent people from seeking help or fully opening up[...]

Where do I even begin to look for a therapist? How do I know what I can afford? How can I know if I’ve found the right therapist for me? If you’re[...]

REDUX: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the leading treatments for PTSD. Melissa Parks breaks down how this therapy can help you recover and why it is so[...]

Addressing your trauma in therapy can be one of the hardest, bravest things you’ll ever do. But before you do so, there are important safety measures that need to be put in[...]

Childhood trauma comes in a variety of different forms – no two trauma survivors have identical histories. However, what all trauma survivors have in common are experiences with the five core wounds[...]

Childhood trauma comes in a variety of different forms – no two trauma survivors have identical histories. What we do have in common, however, are experiences with the five core wounds that[...]

In episode 73, Alyssa shared about her ongoing battle with endometriosis, a chronic and extremely painful disease. This week Alyssa is following up with a part 2 to episode 73, in which[...]

"Good vibes only!" 
"Keep a positive mindset."
"Try to focus on the good."

These can all be examples of a cultural phenomenon known as toxic positivity. Toxic positivity is the[...]

Imposter syndrome is the overwhelming feeling that we are phony or fraudulent in different areas of our lives. This psychological phenomenon causes us to attribute our successes or achievements to external circumstances[...]

Did you know that the birth control pill can lead to clitoral shrinkage? Or that it can physically change your feelings of attraction to someone? Millions of people with female reproductive organs[...]

Over the last several years, the term “gaslighting” has gained significant popularity among adults and adolescents alike. “Gaslighting” is a term that has been around since the 1930’s, but what does it[...]

Kristen Donnelly (MSW, M.Div, PhD) is a TEDx speaker, international empathy educator, and researcher with two decades of experience in helping people[...]

Most of us live in a world that glorifies holding onto youth for as long as we can. As we get older, we are taught to be less excited about our birthdays,[...]

Jennifer Burns is a southern California mom who spent years being a people pleaser and suppressing trauma before she decided to take her life back into her own hands. Today she is[...]

Feeling overwhelmed by the push to make a New Year's Resolution? Tune in to learn more effective ways to create and achieve your 2022 goals.

Check out the Light After Trauma[...]

Trauma severs the connection between our brains and our bodies, yet so much of Western culture encourages healing only from the chin up. On this week’s episode, Kaity Rose Holsapple, a Somatic[...]

Endometriosis is an excruciatingly painful disease that is common among those with female reproductive organs, yet, there is little awareness on the subject. If you've ever had extremely painful periods but have[...]

In this old episode, Alyssa brings her husband, David, on the show to discuss the challenges that can come with supporting a loved one with PTSD. David offers advice for supporters on[...]

Michele Benyo became a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist after her six-year-old son died from cancer. After witnessing her young daughter’s intense grief over the loss of her brother, she knew she had[...]

Holiday gatherings are a struggle for anyone who battles with an eating disorder. With society’s ever-growing encouragement to avoid “holiday weight gain”, it can feel harder than ever to be able to[...]

Daylight savings time and the decreasing temperatures have some of us feeling blue, but it doesn’t have to be this way! If the lack of sunlight and cold weather have you feeling[...]

Whether you’ve gone no-contact with your family or are feeling anxious about being around family during the holidays, this week’s episode can help you figure out the best way to keep the[...]

At some point during the therapy process, we have likely all had the thought “My therapist gets paid to care about me – they’re not expressing genuine care or concern.” On this[...]

On this week’s episode, Alyssa sits down with Julie Duffy Dillon, a weight inclusive Registered Dietitian, to talk about PCOS. Tune in for a discussion on how PCOS has[...]

This episode is for those moments when we find ourselves wondering if what we went through is “bad enough” to be considered trauma. Tune in for a deep exploration of what trauma[...]

Christina Vitagliano shares her story from enduring child abuse to going on to start a multimillion-dollar business and publishing her own memoir. She breaks down the ripple effects that child abuse had[...]

Have you ever felt like you just don’t deserve to be happy? Or more specifically, have you ever found yourself having self-harm urges or feeling suicidal after someone is genuinely kind to[...]

We were not meant to live our lives by simply going through the motions. Unfortunately, far too many people go through their days feeling unsettled and unhappy with their[...]

On this week’s episode we welcome back our good friend, Denise R. Wolf MA, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC along with our brand new guest, author Lynn Langan. Alyssa, Denise, and Lynn are passionate[...]

On this week’s episode, Alyssa sits down with author Kimberley Pittman-Schulz to talk about one of life’s toughest emotions: grief. Tune in to listen to Kim share her personal experience in losing[...]

Amy Guerrero is a trauma-informed recovery coach helping people on their journey of sobriety and healing from trauma. In this episode, she talks with Alyssa about why it can[...]

Alyssa shares about her own battle with self harm and why we should never be writing self harm off as merely an attention-seeking behavior. 

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In this week’s episode, Alyssa sits down with suicide and abuse survivor, Johnny Crowder, to talk about the seemingly "small things” that are hugely important to have in trauma recovery. Johnny opens[...]

When her world was turned upside after receiving a phone call that her son was in jail, Jolyn Armstrong set out to learn techniques and tools to cope with the shock, trauma,[...]

Dr. Jan Canty is a homicide survivor who seeks to spread awareness and garner more support for other homicide survivors. In this week’s episode, Dr. Canty explores the traumatic moment when she[...]

In this week’s episode, Alyssa sits down with veteran, PTSD survivor, and comedian Michael “CQ” Carrasquillo. Michael provides an in-depth perspective on his time serving in the military, from the moment he[...]

In this unique episode of Survived & Thrived Stories, Alyssa breaks her silence about escaping from an abusive relationship. Almost 8 years to the day after her escape, Alyssa opens up about[...]

This week brings us part 2 of a two-part episode with friend and spiritual guide, Drew Assini. Drew shares his recent experience with working in an inpatient facility in Tennessee. As trauma[...]

The spiritual friend and guide that we know and love, Drew Assini, is back with a two-part episode! During his last appearance on the podcast, Drew shared about his journey from addiction[...]

We don’t always want to hear that recovery from depression can take a long time. Some days,[...]

Author Bethany Barton joins us on the podcast this week to talk about her brand new book,[...]

Michael Levitt is the founder & Chief Burnout Officer of The Breakfast Leadership Network, a San Diego and Toronto-based burnout media firm. In this week’s episode, Michael and Alyssa talk about the[...]

Friend of the family and friend of the podcast, Rebecca Christianson, is back with a two-part discussion on the two emotions that trip us up the most when working through PTSD: Guilt[...]

Friend of the family and friend of the podcast, Rebecca Christianson, is back with a two-part discussion on the two emotions that trip[...]

This week's episode sheds light on the harm that is perpetuated by purity culture as well as the abuse that can take place within the church. This episode is by no means[...]

In this week's episode, Dr. Alison J. Kay, PhD, gives us a thorough explanation of the ins and outs of the chakra system and how it can be used to aid in[...]

Kick off Memorial Day Weekend with Alyssa as she offers advice to those of us grappling with a fear of wearing shorts, tank tops, and bathing suits this summer. Tune in for[...]

This week Alyssa sits down with friend, colleague, and Neurofeedback (NFB) clinician Leanne Hershkowitz, LPC. Leanne and Alyssa dive into some of the limitations of modern psychotherapy and how neurofeedback can help[...]

Tune in to this week's episode with the host of The Revelation Project podcast, Monica Rodgers. Monica talks about the dangers of staying in your comfort zone as well as the benefits[...]

Welcome to the very first episode of the mini series: Survived & Thrived stories, where listeners write in to share parts of their lives, including the many ways in which they have[...]

We know that trauma, if left untreated, can lead to a host of physical ailments, including autoimmune diseases (www.acestoohigh.com). In this week's episode, Alyssa shares about her own battle with being[...]

This week's episode is a lively discussion about the benefits of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) between Alyssa and Jeanne Mahoney, LPC. Jeanne is the executive director of Equine Assisted Therapy of New[...]

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a widely misrepresented mental health disorder. Many people do not know of the debilitating effects OCD can have on those who struggle with it. In this episode,[...]

This week Alyssa sits down with the wonderful Petia Kolibova, a women's transformation coach. Petia shares her journey from living with an eating disorder and feeling unworthy to now feeling fully empowered[...]

Therapist and host of the Mindful Recovery podcast, Robert Cox, shares his grieving process after the tragic loss of his son, Tristn Jevon, to an overdose in February of this year.

Alyssa steps away from interviews this week for a solo episode in which she shares some exciting announcements about the podcast.

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This week Alyssa sits down with friend and colleague, Jennifer Bristol, LCSW, to discuss the mind-body connection and the idea that addressing our emotions can help to pacify chronic pain. 

Book's discussed:

Dr. Nazanin Moali is a public speaker, psychologist, and sex and relationship expert. Dr. Moali is also the host of her own podcast, titled "Sexology", where she dives into the psychology of[...]

On this week's episode, Alyssa sits down with psychotherapist, humanitarian, and author, Robert Strock. Robert discusses the core concepts from his book, Awareness That Heals. The inspiration from this book comes after years[...]

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can sound overwhelming at first, but Melissa Parks, LCSW, breaks everything down on this week's episode. She talks about the benefits of EMDR, expectations during[...]

Owen Morgan opens up about his repressed memories of childhood abuse and his recovery journey. He expresses gratitude for his pain, as it ultimately led to him to fall in love with[...]

The concept of intuitive eating is undoubtedly trending right now, yet the question remains, how do we do it? Where do we start? This week Alyssa talks with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Colleen[...]

Living with a physical disability can come with an entire host of traumatic experiences. This week, Alyssa sits down with Megan Grannan, a warrior who was born with a rare form of[...]

This week Alyssa sits down with Sofia Zapiola, the founder of Active and Anxious, a blog and wellness account focused on mental health awareness. Sofia shares her battle with anxiety, depression and[...]

Alyssa sits down with her decade-long friend and social impact enthusiast, Urvashi Banerjea, to discuss her recent publication in Thought Catalog. Urvashi shares her personal experience with "cultural whiplash" and how it[...]

Alyssa brings her husband, David, on the show to discuss the challenges that can come with supporting a loved one with PSTD. David offers advice for supporters on how they can help[...]

Tianna and Alyssa discuss the different types of eating disorders and how they can be linked to trauma. Tianna is a dietician that teaches people how to ditch dieting and achieve food[...]

Toni Uzzalino opens about her recovery after the traumatic loss of her husband while raising two young children. Toni has taken her immense pain and grief and has transformed it into a[...]

Alyssa is kicking off the new year with Jess Frank, the program director of Yoga Behind Bars. YBB is a nonprofit organization aimed at providing trauma-informed yoga and meditation classes to help[...]

In this solo episode, Alyssa closes out the year 2020 with a heartfelt thank you and a message of encouragement as we head into the new year. 

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More often than not, the "bad kids" in this world are really just traumatized kids in immense amounts of pain. Tune in to this episode with Michael McKnight, co-author of Eyes Are Never[...]

Tune in for a candid conversation with consent educator and sexual literacy advocate, Rosalia Rivera. Rosalia dedicates her life to supporting sexual trauma survivors on educating their children about pleasure, consent, and[...]

If left untreated, trauma can have a detrimental effect on intimate relationships. In this week's episode, couples therapist, Debra Pilzer, discusses her approach to the treatment of couples. Debra also notes the[...]

Rebecca is back for her second episode on the LAT podcast! This time, she and Alyssa shift gears and talk about concrete ways to hone skills that will make us more resilient[...]

Retired police Sergeant, Sean Grannan Sr., joins Alyssa to discuss the prevalence of trauma and suicide among law enforcement. He has dedicated much of his career to spreading awareness and combatting the[...]

Grief does not escape any of us. Whether you're mourning the death of a loved one, the ending of a relationship, or the loss of a pre-COVID world, this episode will speak[...]

In this solo mini-episode, Alyssa talks about the current political climate in the United States as the Presidential election draws to a close. She offers different coping strategies for ways to manage[...]

Denise Wolf is back at it again! This week on the podcast, Denise teams up with Juliet King to discuss the science and validity behind art therapy as well as the incredible[...]

Michael DeLeon is the founder of the Steered Straight program, which aims to educate the world's youth on the dangers of vaping and other substance abuse.  Following a traumatic childhood and a[...]

Dr. Katherine joins Alyssa to discuss her journey of immigrating to the United States. They explore the implicit and explicit messages Dr. Katherine received as a child about having to be worthy[...]

In honor of World Mental Health Day, Alyssa discusses the concept of self care. In a society where self care is glamorized, Alyssa provides insight on the different between self-care versus numbing[...]

Denise R. Wolf, MA, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC and Shea Rhodes, Esquire are the perfect dynamic duo making major changes in the world. They each bring their distinct backgrounds (law and trauma work)[...]

Join Alyssa and Drew for some good laughs and great nuggets of wisdom. In this episode, Drew opens up about his deeply powerful journey to recovery from addiction as well as his[...]

In this week's episode, Alyssa sits down with Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, Dr. Maria Paredes, for a poignant conversation about the role of social (in)justice in the development of eating disorders.

Learn[...]

Episode 7 is a tough discussion about the prevalence of domestic violence and why it isn't always that easy for victims to "just leave". FYO founder and executive director, Nick Luciano, talks[...]

If you have ever considered alternative forms of healing, this is the episode for you! Brenda Kiss has used her own journey of finding peace and healing from abuse to create and[...]

In episode 5, Alyssa sits down with the wonderful Patty DiRenzo, who lost her beloved son, Salvatore, to a heroin overdose. Patty and Alyssa discuss the difficulties of traumatic loss, the stigma[...]

This episode is all about trauma in career development and the workplace. Alyssa and special guest, Valerie Hicks Ashley, M.S., dive into a discussion on how one's history of trauma can impact[...]

A Solo episode in which Alyssa provides a breakdown of what trauma and PTSD are as well as how the symptoms play out in real life (PTDSD can be much more complex[...]

A solo introductory episode on what you can expect from the podcast. Alyssa shares more about who she is and why she felt called to create this podcast. This episode also includes[...]