The Trauma & Mental Health Report Podcast

E22: Exploring Mental Health Experiences of Abortion

Control over one’s reproductive destiny continues to be under attack. Most recently, Texas’ new legislation has further restricted access to abortion care. In this episode, Trauma Report writer Chiara Gianvito speaks with Ashley Brodeur, a registered psychotherapist (qualifying) who has also been trained as an abortion doula. Their conversation centers around supporting the mental health of individuals accessing abortion services as factors such as stigma can make the process more difficult.

Links to resources mentioned in the episode:
DOPO
SisterSong
IPAS Abortion Stigma Toolkit
Choice Connect
Birthmark
Abortion Support Resources Compiled by Birthmark
Planned Parenthood
Connect & Breathe
Abortion, With Love Podcast

E21: Listening to Boredom

Feeling bored can be uncomfortable, often something we prefer to avoid. However, boredom, like any other feeling, has a message for us if we listen carefully. In this episode, Trauma Report writer Azin Dastpak interviews Dr. John Eastwood about boredom. Dr. John Eastwood is a clinical psychologist and associate professor and runs the Boredom Lab at York University. He recently published a book titled “Out of My Skull” about the psychology of boredom. Tune in and listen to Dr. Eastwood as he unravels the cause of boredom and the important messages it communicates to us about our inner and outer environments.

E20: How to be an Ally for Transgender Individuals

Jennifer Thomson is a registered psychotherapist who specializes working with the LGBTQ+ community. In today’s episode Llewellyn and Jennifer discuss how to be an ally for transgender individuals in your everyday life and why it is important. Tune into this week’s podcast to hear about how you can help normalize the experiences of these marginalized communities. For resources mentioned in the podcast, you can click here to access them.

E19: Adapting the Social Work Relationship in Response to COVID-19

Wendy Shama, a social worker in the immunology clinic Sick Kids Hospital, discusses how patients/families respond to how the practice of social work has changed due to COVID-19. Tune into this week’s podcast to hear about how social workers are adapting to these unprecedented times, and the progress the community is seeing. 

E18: Indigenous Reconciliation and the Call to Action for Canadians

In this episode, Trauma Report writer Alyssa Reddi speaks with Meghan Young, the executive director of the Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy. An Anishinaabe woman, Meghan is a tireless advocate for Indigenous people across Canada and has worked with Indigenous community engagement and social services. Check out this week’s podcast to hear how all Canadians can become more involved in Indigenous reconciliation, and the role that self-awareness plays in accomplishing this respectfully.

E17: Making Sense of Madness

In this episode, Trauma Report writer Azin Dastpak interviews Emma Goude, an award winning filmmaker and author of the book “My Beautiful Psychosis: Making Sense of Madness”.  Having been admitted to psychiatric care seven times as a result of psychosis, Emma has written her book to change the perception of psychosis as a stigmatizing illness. Emma has a passion for dancing tango and is currently living in Buenos Aires where she has a weekly Vlog.

E16: How Good Communication Affects Mental Health

In this episode, Trauma and Mental Health Report writer Alexandra Vesia interviews psychotherapist Loren Harssar from Harssar’s Holistics to learn about effective tools for communication and conflict resolution. A significant topic considered throughout this interview is how communicating our needs to others can strengthen our current relationships and help create healthier relationships in our lives. One factor for managing conflict when it comes to effective communication includes having a sense of compassion and a drive for understanding. Listen to Loren speak about some key skills for communication. 

E15: Healing from a Narcissistic Parent

What are some signs that you might have a narcissistic parent? In today’s episode, Trauma Report Writer Promise Busulwa sat down with narcissism expert Dr. Ramani Durvasula to learn about some signs that your parent may be narcissistic, as well as ways to cope with and heal from narcissistic parenting. This engaging conversation will take you on a journey from childhood to adulthood and unpack the story of how the narcissistic dynamic develops.

E14: How Is Trauma Stored In Our Body?

In this episode, Trauma Report writer Fatmah Jahim speaks with Dr. Pat Ogden, a pioneer in Somatic Psychology and a leading expert in working through the body to resolve trauma. She is also the founder of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, an internationally recognized school specializing in somatic-cognitive approaches for PTSD. Dr. Ogden explains the purpose of Sensorimotor therapy and ways to recognize psychological and physical unconscious behaviours and habits which may arise due to traumatic experiences.

E13: Dr. Gabor Mate – The Human Experience

In this episode, Trauma Report writer Eleni Neofytou speaks with renowned speaker and author Dr. Gabor Mate about his new book The Myth of Normal: Illness and Health in an Insane Culture, and his thoughts on the human experience. Dr. Mate explains the importance of looking at the big picture in questions of mental health, including the connection between physiology and relationships, and the effect that our society has on individual well-being.