Unpacking Trauma in Midlife, Pt 1 with Guest Alex Casillas

What if the things you’ve brushed off as “just stress” or “mom guilt” are actually unprocessed trauma? In this powerful episode of Drinks With the Girls, Karen and Lisa sit down with therapist and trauma expert Alex Casillas to unpack the emotional baggage many women in midlife have been unknowingly carrying for decades. From survival mode and dissociation to why so many women lose themselves in caregiving roles, this candid conversation breaks down trauma in a way that feels human, relatable, and empowering. Whether you’ve been through something “big” or just feel off, this episode offers real talk, validation, and healing insights for women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.

Topics we cover: • What trauma really is (and isn’t) • How trauma shows up in midlife • The good girl, the helper, and other inherited identities • Signs your nervous system is dysregulated • Why self-care is survival, not selfish • How to start healing—even if it’s messy

Perfect for listeners who feel overwhelmed, underseen, or like they’ve lost themselves along the way. You’re not broken. You’re just ready to heal.

***************************************** 🎙️Guest

Alex Casillas, LCSW

Alejandra Casillas is a cisgender Latina/Chicana woman, a proud mother of two, a wife, and a therapist. Her approach to therapy is deeply informed by her lived experience and the intergenerational trauma she carries—rooted in colonialism, migration, the erasure of her Indigenous ancestry, patriarchy, and gender-based violence. And yet, she also carries the strength of her ancestors, the resilience of the women who came before her, and the wisdom of community. She practices from an anti-oppression and Liberation Psychology lens, integrating a variety of modalities—EMDR, Somatic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, IFS, Neurofeedback, CBT, and DBT. These aren’t just tools she's studied—they’re ones she's relied on in her own healing. She see each person as whole and worthy, and she's honored to walk alongside them as they reclaim their stories.

🍸☕What We Were Drinking:

Arbonne Energy Fizz & Mind Health #arbonne

Sparkle Hops #sparklehops

Soleil Sparkling Water #soleilalbertsons

Hibiscus Tea #hibiscustea

🎧Show Notes

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Connect with your hosts: ✨ Karen Shatafian – www.karenshatafian.com ✨ Lisa Corricello-McDowell – www.nextlevellifewithlisa.com