Author Stephanie Foo joins Forrest to share her journey with Complex PTSD. They talk about what it was like to receive a diagnosis, the various techniques and modalities she used (and what really helped), the importance of social support, self-acceptance and self-compassion, difficulties with access and cultural competence in the mental healthcare system, intergenerational trauma, and motherhood. 

About Our Guest: Stephanie is a writer and radio producer whose work has been featured on This American Life, 99% Invisible, and Radiolab among other shows, and she’s the author of the truly wonderful book What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing From Complex Trauma.

Watch the Episode: Prefer watching video? You can watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics: 

0:00 : Introduction and disclaimer

2:10 : Stephanie’s experience in sharing her story

6:00 : Features of CPTSD

7:50 : What led Stephanie to seek help, and work as a coping mechanism

10:15 : “The Dread” and healing through relationship

17:40 : The effects of receiving diagnosis, and aspects of CPTSD that are helpful

25:45 : Practices that helped Stephanie and incorporating them practically

33:45 : Balancing showing up for other people and receiving care

35:15 : Self-love, gratitude, psychedelics, and relationships

38:20 : Two way repair and comfort receiving feedback

42:55 : The need for reform to our mental healthcare system and who it serves

49:55 : Societal trauma among first generation immigrants

53:30 : More natural and communal frameworks for healing

54:30 : Parenthood

57:00 : Resources available on Stephanie’s website

58:15 : Recap

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