Many many thanks to Carla-Jo Geraghty, who sets a very high bar for what a Super Fan/Trauma Nerd is!   Check out more from Carla-Jo: Website - https://www.carlajo-mindfulness.com/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEeoH1GjDNf66Z-ZSSu6-WQ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carlajo_geraghty/ Our interview with Carla-Jo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKv9BKfc_8Q LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-jo-geraghty-49687225/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/CarlaJoGeraghty Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carlajomindfulness/ Email - carlajogeraghty@gmail.com Want even more Polyvagal Podcast content?  Join the Members' Page on justinlmft.com for only $5/mo!  - https://www.justinlmft.com/members

If you prefer to read the Open Letter, it's available here. We've also got loads more Polyvagal Podcast content for a mere $5/mo!

Watch the “Safe & Social” music video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql2TGMRDh7k&feature=youtu.be Miles Irving Website - https://www.milesirving.com/ Forager - https://www.forager.org.uk/wild-food-blog/19-ideas-philosophy/140-worldwild-podcast More Polyvagal Podcast content in the Members' Area - https://www.justinlmft.com/members Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

All about consequences in this episode: Why they are important When they mean nothing Positive consequences vs gift/reward/bribe Natural consequences Your homework assignment - Plan out your consequence structure and discuss with everyone that needs to be a part of it. More detailed show notes on justinlmft.com/post/episode28 SUPPORT the Polyvagal Podcast and get access to exclusive BONUS EPISODES - http://www.justinlmft.com/members CONTACT either of us - http://www.justinlmft.com/contact Intro/Outro music & Transition Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeat

Deb Dana - one third of my Polyvagal Trinity.  Deb Dana is called "the Pied Piper of the Polyvagal Theory," and honestly someone I want to be like when I grow up.  She does the stuff I do, but better and first.  I gotta be honest.  We talk in depth about: "Story follows State" Climbing the Polyvagal Ladder Diagnosing DEB DANA - http://www.debdanalcsw.com/ (these next two links will take you to Amazon, where I get a portion of the sale as an Amazon Affiliate.) The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy - https://amzn.to/3409v8z Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory - https://amzn.to/322IZK3 Intro/Outro music by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

You're not you're diagnosis.  It's a label - a shorthand system for professionals to use - to collect "symptoms" that typically occur together.  It makes communication among therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists easier.  And that's the point of diagnoses.  And insurance building.

We go in depth into each of these four ways to express love.  It's not enough to just love your kiddos, you also need to express it.  And express it in ways they will be able to get. 1. Say it out loud 2. Write it down 3. Physical affection 4. Play DETAILED SHOW NOTES - http://www.justinlmft.com/post/episode27 JOIN THE TRAUMA NERDS Forum - http://www.justinlmft.com/forum CONTACT either of us at http://www.justinlmft.com/contact Music & Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

You will make the change you want to make.  It will happen.  Assume the best. justinlmft.com

We answer two questions from our amazing Listeners.  We originally answered these on our weekly Instagram Live segment, which you can be a part of every Sunday at 915pm PST. Consider supporting the podcast - $5/mo will give you access to the Bonus section and the exclusive episodes inside.  This section is updated every 1-2 weeks!

Lots of co-regulation ground covered in this episode: Kids neurocepting danger cues your state vs your empathy your empathy vs your compassion face to face interaction self-regulation (for you, parent) DETAILED SHOW NOTES - http://www.justinlmft.com/post/episode26 JOIN THE TRAUMA NERDS Forum - http://www.justinlmft.com/forum SUPPORT the podcast at - http://www.justinlmft.com/support Music & Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

We answer two more questions from our Dear Listeners about parenting -  1. "How can parents avoid creating a trauma with their kids?" 2."How do you approach a parent who is stuck?" Support the podcast here - justinlmft.com/support

Self-regulation is built upon co-regulation.  Kids aren't born able to self-regulate, but they are born ready to receive a parent's co-regulation. DETAILED SHOW NOTES - http://www.justinlmft.com/post/episode25 JOIN THE TRAUMA NERDS Forum - http://www.justinlmft.com/forum CONTACT either of us at http://www.justinlmft.com/contact Music & Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

We answer two questions submitted by two of our amazing listeners: 1. How to best overcome a parental state shift? 2. Do toddlers experience defensive states more often than adults? Join us on Sunday nights on Instagram Live!  We go live around 915pm PST.

Two big ideas discussed in this episode: 1. Strengthening the vagal brake as a fundamental purpose of parenting and why. 2. You don't control your kids.  And you can't.  And neither do we.  No one does. DETAILED SHOW NOTES - http://www.justinlmft.com/post/episode24 JOIN THE TRAUMA NERDS Forum - http://www.justinlmft.com/forum CONTACT either of us at http://www.justinlmft.com/contact Music & Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

Taken from an Instagram Live on July 21, 2019.  we discuss the function of "Stories" or "Narratives" that a survivor of sexual assault may be living with.   Join us on Instagram every Sunday night around 915pm PST.  We answer questions and let people listen to a bit of what we're recording!

Something I wrote in response to what I know you're thinking about yourself - that you're abnormal.  This is a bit different than the usual weekly episode from Mercedes & I, but something I wanted to put out into the world. READ the entire script here - justinlmft.com/post/youarenormal CONTACT me - justinlmft.com/contact

We apply the polyvagal theory to the process of psychotherapy. DETAILED SHOW NOTES on - http://www.justinlmft.com/blog JOIN THE TRAUMA NERDS Forum - http://www.justinlmft.com/forum CONTACT either of us at http://www.justinlmft.com/contact Music & Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats Placebo https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6003660/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032706000395 https://psychiatrypodcast.com/psychiatry-psychotherapy-podcast/2018/11/19/understanding-placebo

Mercedes and I break down some real life examples of #badtherapy for the final time!  Plus we share our own bad therapy and a couple of good therapy examples too. more detailed show notes on justinlmft.com/post/episode22 TREATMENT ABANDONMENT -  https://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/09/ethics https://www.aamft.org/Legal_Ethics/Code_of_Ethics.aspx JOIN THE TRAUMA NERDS Forum - http://www.justinlmft.com/forum CONTACT us at justinlmft.com/contact

We look at more listener submissions of their #badtherapy experiences.  And believe it or not, there's many more we haven't gotten to. More detailed show notes on justinlmft.com/post/episode21 JOIN THE TRAUMA NERDS Forum - http://www.justinlmft.com/forum JUSTIN Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Email - justinlmft@gmail.com MERCEDES Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mercedeslmft/ Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/mercedeslmft Email - mercedeslmft@gmail.com Music & Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

We continue the Bad Therapy series, this time with real examples submitted to us by listeners and Instagram followers.  We dissect the therapeutic issues at play here, discuss what is and isn't therapy and share our own thoughts based on how we practice therapy.  More in-depth show notes are available here - http://www.justinlmft.com/post/episode20 JUSTIN Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Email - justinlmft@gmail.com  MERCEDES Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mercedeslmft/ Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/mercedeslmft Email - mercedeslmft@gmail.com  Music & Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

Welcome to the first installment of the Bad Therapy series.  We need to first understand some basics of what therapy is and how it works.  Clients are walking into sessions with a combination of hope and desperation - this is easily taken advantage of by a "therapist" that isn't up to snuff.  We want you to be able to enter your sessions with some clarity on what YOU want out of your time/money as well as some clarity on what is SUPPOSED to be happening.   JOIN THE TRAUMA NERDS Forum - http://www.justinlmft.com/forum LICENSING BOARD RESOURCES: https://www.aamft.org/Directories/MFT_Licensing_Boards.aspx  THERAPEUTIC ALLIANCE AS a PREDICTOR of SUCCESS: http://cleostudies.lecture.ub.ac.id/files/2015/03/Goldfried-2014-What-to-expect-from-psychotherapy.pdf https://societyforpsychotherapy.org/evidence-based-therapy-relationships/ https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2002-01390-002 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28936692 https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-30467-001 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/figure/10.1080/10503307.2010.518635?scroll=top&needAccess=true\ JUSTIN Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Email - justinlmft@gmail.com MERCEDES Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mercedeslmft/ Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/mercedeslmft Email - mercedeslmft@gmail.com Music & Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

We tackle the issue directly - you're normal, you survived, your body is awesome and is probably working fine.  Plus a whole lot more.   More detailed show notes are available here - https://www.justinlmft.com/post/episode18 You can also join the discussion on the Trauma Nerds forum here -  https://www.justinlmft.com/forum/episode-discussion/18-top-down-thoughts-to-change-your-state  JUSTIN Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Email - justinlmft@gmail.com MERCEDES Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/mercedeslmft Email - mercedeslmft@gmail.com Music & Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

Mercedes & I discuss how we personally use different bottom-up techniques to climb the polyvagal ladder and reach a more safe & social state - music, dance, play, breathing and more.  We also discuss what it means to "allow" the process to happen in simple day to day application. JUSTIN Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com MERCEDES Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/mercedeslmft Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mercedeslmft/ Email - mercedeslmft@gmail.com Music & Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

Full show notes are available on https://www.justinlmft.com/post/episode16 We got some Listener submissions for how they use the polyvagal theory to climb their ladders!  Thanks to Carla-Jo, Theresa and Emily!   JUSTIN Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Email - justinlmft@gmail.com MERCEDES Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/mercedeslmft Email - mercedeslmft@gmail.com Music & Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

Full show notes are available on justinLMFT.com/post/episode15 I had the distinct pleasure of being able to talk in-depth with Dr Porges about the Polyvagal Theory and how it applies to various things, such as clinical disorders, the role of psychiatry, empathy vs compassion and much more.  It's a jam-packed 50 minutes.  Thanks to all my listeners that submitted questions for Dr Porges. DR PORGES Website -  https://www.stephenporges.com/ Books - https://www.stephenporges.com/books JUSTIN Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Email - justinlmft@gmail.com Music & Sounds by Benjo Beats - https://soundcloud.com/benjobeats

This is part 5 of 5 of the Polyvagal Schools series. Full show notes are on justinlmft.com/blog.   We hear about students being "ready to learn," but what about teachers being "ready to teach"?  Mercedes and Justin look in depth at danger cues for teachers, specifically how to recognize what's happening internally on a cognitive, emotional, behavioral and physical level.   JUSTIN Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com MERCEDES Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/mercedeslmft Email - mercedeslmft@gmail.com TED Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_the_game_that_can_give_you_10_extra_years_of_life?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare  Sounds from soundbible.com Intro music “Aspire” by Scott Holmes. (Podcoin)

  This is the Polyvagal Schools series,  part 4 of 5 -  A slew of trauma-informed ways for educators to improve relationships with their students.  After the relationship is improved, with safety being the priority, things like motivation and behavior will improve.   JUSTIN Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com MERCEDES Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/mercedeslmft Email - mercedeslmft@gmail.com Sounds from soundbible.com Intro music “Aspire” by Scott Holmes

Polyvagal Schools episode part 3 of 5 - The Polyvagal Theory applied to the classroom structure.  We look at suspensions, fidgets, quiet zones in the classroom, suspensions, consequences  and a lot more.  Also, learn how my hands turned orange during a meeting at work! JUSTIN Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com MERCEDES Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/mercedeslmft Email - mercedeslmft@gmail.com Sounds from soundbible.com, Intro music “Aspire” by Scott Holmes

Part 2 of 5 of the Polyvagal School series - Danger cues in the classroom: the environment, the teacher and peers!  And we give you some unique ways to problem-solve around these. JUSTIN Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com MERCEDES Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/mercedeslmft Email - mercedeslmft@gmail.com Sounds from soundbible.com Intro music “Aspire” by Scott Holmes

Mercedes Corona, LMFT joins me to talk in depth about what the Path of Transition is and how it applies to the school environment.  Part 1 of our Polyvagal School Series! JUSTIN Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com MERCEDES Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/mercedeslmft Email - mercedeslmft@gmail.com

Attachment is integral to the mechanics of how generational trauma is actually passed on.  I take a look at this through the lens of the amazing polyvagal theory (but you probably know that by now). Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com http://www.d2l.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/all_statistics_20150619.pdf https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-freedom-change/201502/the-keys-rewarding-relationships-secure-attachment

I cover the other Fs that I've been seeing, like "flop," "friend" and "fawn."  Plus an in depth look into why I don't think these are primary autonomic responses to danger or life threat.  And more, much  more. Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com More Fs / https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4690778/Researchers-reveal-SIX-responses-stress.html More Fs / http://www.zoelodrick.co.uk/training/article-1 "Cash me ousside" Dr Phil / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8l2Ga3_wvU

We've covered the primary states (Safe, Flight, Fight & Freeze), now let's look at a couple of state combos: play & stillness. Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com

A look at the vagus, the vagal brake, the window of tolerance AND co-regulation.  It's a jam-packed episode from your host, Justin Sunseri, LMFT99147. Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com

A way way in-depth look into how trauma works plus what shame and disgust have to do with it.  From Justin Sunseri, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist 99147. NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE     -Website - https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/      -Phone Number - 1(800)273-8255     -Chat - https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/     -Twitter - https://twitter.com/800273TALK?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor CRISIS TEXT LINE     -Website - https://www.crisistextline.org/     -Text HOME to 741741 Astr0 Pi6 - https://www.comixcentral.com/products/astr0-pi6-the-giant-tantrum/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com https://healingshame.com/articles/2017/8/21/shame-and-trauma TI SHARK - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NErt6zP2MBI TI Rats - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1687864 TI Lizards - https://paperity.org/p/59862983/tonic-immobility-as-a-fear-response-in-lizards-anolis-carolinensis Polar Bear - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmJDkzDMllc Shame & Trauma - https://healingshame.com/articles/2017/8/21/shame-and-trauma Peter Levine on Shame - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2CN5nhmfxk&vl=en

Justin goes in depth into the Freeze response - the bottom of the polyvagal ladder! NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE      -Website - https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/       -Phone Number - 1(800)273-8255      -Chat - https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/      -Twitter - https://twitter.com/800273TALK?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor CRISIS TEXT LINE      -Website - https://www.crisistextline.org/      -Text HOME to 741741 TED video on the freeze response in wild animals - https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=_hBAr7uJ6L8 Peter Levine on Shame - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2CN5nhmfxk&vl=en Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com

I dive into the sympathetic autonomic nervous system and how flight/fight arousal can become chronic and affect our day to day lives. Justin Sunseri, LMFT 99147 Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com

We start at the top of the Polyvagal Ladder with the Safety & Social Engagement autonomic nervous system, the face to heart connection! Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Email - justinlmft@gmail.com

An intro to the Polyvagal Theory from Dr Stephen Porges.  Autonomic state shifts, creating narratives, neuroception and more! Amazon Influencer Store (I get a portion of sales) -  www.amazon.com/shop/justinlmft Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinlmft Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinlmft/ Website - http://www.justinlmft.com Email - justinlmft@gmail.com