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September 3, 2025 49 mins

In this moving episode, Dr. Sharon Spano sits down with Phyllis Leavitt, a psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience helping individuals and families heal from trauma. Phyllis shares her personal journey of navigating childhood trauma and how it led her to a lifelong mission of guiding others toward healing and wholeness.

She also discusses her book America in Therapy, where she explores how the dynamics of family trauma reflect the larger dysfunctions we see in society today. Phyllis makes the case that by addressing and healing trauma at the individual and family level, we can also begin to heal our communities and nation.

This episode is both deeply personal and profoundly practical, offering insights for anyone interested in healing, leadership, and the future of human connection.


What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Phyllis’s personal story of growing up with trauma and finding healing through therapy

  • How childhood trauma impacts adult relationships and well-being

  • Why unhealed family trauma often mirrors dysfunction in society

  • Practical tools for beginning the journey of trauma recovery

  • Why self-awareness and compassion are essential for healing

  • Insights from Phyllis’s book America in Therapy

  • How leaders can recognize and address trauma in their organizations

  • The link between personal healing and creating healthier communities

  • Why talking about trauma is the first step toward transformation

  • How therapy offers both personal and societal hope for the future


Transcript: Here


Additional Resources:

Website: https://phyllisleavitt.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhyllisLeavitt2

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phyllis-leavitt-630179255/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phyllisleavittbooks/

America In Therapy: https://www.amazon.com/America-Therapy-Approach-Healing-Nation/dp/1636983367

A Light In The Darkness: https://www.amazon.com/Light-Darkness-Phyllis-Leavitt-MA-ebook/dp/B013RTEEHU/

Into The Fire: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Fire-Road-Home-2/dp/0998800007




Sharon Spano:

Website: sharonspano.com

Facebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHD

Instagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/

Book: thetimemoneybook.com

Contact: sharon@sharonspano.com

Substack: substack.com/@drsharon

The Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/

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