Trauma Demystified
Welcome to Trauma Demystified by Bright Horizon Therapies, hosted by Natalie Jovanic, an experienced Trauma Counsellor and Trauma Recovery Coach recognized for leading social justice in trauma therapy advocacy. With lived experience of trauma and years of clinical expertise, Natalie offers insights, practical tools, and a gentle approach to help you navigate trauma and recovery. This podcast cuts through oversimplified advice and fear-based narratives to give you nuanced, honest conversations about what healing actually looks like. Join us as we unveil the truth about healing from trauma—because you deserve more than just "manage your symptoms" or "avoid being triggered." You deserve to understand what's happening, trust yourself, and find your path forward.
Episodes
Have you ever had a reaction that felt way bigger than the situation? In this episode, I break down what childhood trauma triggers in adulthood really are—and why I prefer calling them "activated parts." We explore the complex truth that most people miss: when parts get activated, it's usually about both the past and something real happening in the present.
What you'll learn:
- What trigg...
What if healing from relational trauma doesn't guarantee the love, safety, or peace you've been working toward? In this episode, I share the truths about trauma recovery that no one wants to talk about—the messy, complicated realities that don't fit into simple healing narratives.
What you'll learn
- Why healing relational trauma is about what's within your control—not changing how o...
What does safety actually mean after childhood trauma? If you've experienced abuse or neglect, feeling safe—especially in relationships—can be deeply unfamiliar. In this episode, I break down the different dimensions of safety and share practical strategies for creating it in your body, relationships, and daily life.
What You'll Learn
- The five dimensions of safety: physical, emotional, psychological, ...
What makes complex trauma different from single-incident trauma—and why does recovery require a different approach? In this episode, I break down the nature of complex trauma, explore its lasting impacts on your nervous system and relationships, and share the experiential, holistic healing approaches that actually work for deep, lasting transformation.
What You'll Learn
- The key difference between single-inciden...
What if you could create an inner safe space, contain overwhelming memories, and rewire your brain's response to trauma—all through practical, accessible techniques? In this episode, I share five trauma counselling techniques I regularly use with clients that leverage neuroplasticity to support real, lasting healing.
What You'll Learn
- How to create an inner safe space that you can return to whenever you fe...
How do you heal from childhood abuse as an adult—especially when the effects have shaped your relationships, self-worth, and sense of safety? In this episode, I break down the different forms of childhood abuse and neglect, explore their lasting impacts, and share practical steps and healing approaches that can help you reclaim your life.
What You'll Learn
- The difference between childhood abuse and neglect—and ...
Is EMDR a quick fix for trauma, or does it require more preparation than you think? In this episode, I break down what EMDR therapy actually is, walk you through all eight phases of the treatment process, and address common misconceptions. So you know what to expect if you are considering EMDR for your healing journey.
What You'll Learn
- What EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is and ...
Why does your body respond with freeze, fight, or flight in situations that don't seem threatening—and how can you shift back to safety and connection? In this episode, I break down Polyvagal theory, explain how your autonomic nervous system shapes your experience of trauma, and share practical tools to befriend your nervous system and expand your capacity for healing.
What You'll Learn
- What Poly...
What if the different emotions, roles, and ages you experience aren't signs of dysfunction—but intelligent protective responses to trauma? In this episode, I introduce parts work therapy, explain the theory of structural dissociation, and share practical ways to reconnect with your fragmented parts so you can move toward inner harmony, emotional balance, and wholeness.
What You'll Learn
- What parts work the...
Why doesn't traditional talk therapy work for trauma—and what actually does? In this episode, I break down the most effective, evidence-based approaches for trauma recovery, explain why bottom-up methods are often more powerful than top-down approaches, and help you understand what to look for when choosing trauma counselling that fits your unique needs.
What You'll Learn
- Why traditional talk therapy isn&a...
How do you find a trauma counsellor who actually understands trauma—and won't cause more harm than healing? In this episode, I share my own painful experiences with unhelpful therapists, break down the essential traits of effective trauma counselling, and give you nine critical questions to ask before choosing a counsellor so you can find the right support for your unique healing journey.
What You'll Learn
What does recovery from trauma actually look like—and how do you know what goals to set for your unique healing journey? In this episode, I break down the three phases of trauma recovery, introduce three categories of trauma based on complexity, and share actionable SMART goals for each phase so you can create a personalized roadmap toward thriving after trauma.
What You'll Learn
- The three phases of trauma reco...
Do you ever feel like your emotions are out of control—swinging between anxiety and numbness, or feeling stuck in shutdown or overwhelm? In this episode, I break down the window of tolerance, explain how trauma dysregulates your nervous system, and share practical strategies to help you recognize your state and get back to emotional balance.
What You'll Learn
- What the window of tolerance is—and the three states...
What is trauma—and how do you know if you've experienced it? In this first episode of Trauma Demystified, I introduce the podcast, share my own story of healing from childhood violence, and break down what trauma actually is, the different categories it falls into, common symptoms, and what recovery can look like when you're ready to begin your journey.
What You'll Learn
- What trauma actually is: an ex...
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