"What counts as a trigger for CPTSD? And why do I get triggered by everyday stuff that shouldn't feel threatening?"

If you've ever found yourself completely activated by something that seems small to everyone else (a text message, a tone of voice, someone's silence), this episode is for you.

I'm breaking down what triggers actually are in complex trauma, why your body responds to threat cues that your conscious mind doesn't recognize, and what to do when you feel like you're walking around with an invisible tripwire system.

What we cover:

Why triggers are often reminders of a state rather than a specific event

The neuroscience behind why your body can hold trauma even when you don't have clear memories

How to tell the difference between being triggered and being overloaded

Seven practical steps to work with your triggers without turning life into a self-monitoring project

Why the whole "I shouldn't be triggered because I don't remember anything" mindset is keeping you stuck.

Download my FREE Dysregulation Toolkit Here!

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

What if your anxiety, depression, or chronic overwhelm aren’t personal failures, but the echoes of unprocessed trauma?

In this week’s episode, Sarah sits down with EMDR therapist, consultant, and author Thomas Zimmerman, whose work has shaped how thousands of clinicians around the world approach complex trauma. Together, they unpack what recovery from complex trauma actually looks like and why it’s not about willpower, positive thinking, or pushing through.

You’ll hear Thomas’ refreshingly honest take on:

• Why trauma is “learning that’s not meant to be changed easily”
• How EMDR helps the nervous system update old survival learning
• Why so many survivors struggle to “slow down and notice” (and what to do instead)
• The importance of preparation and resourcing before trauma processing
• How to widen your window of tolerance without getting flooded
• And why, even though recovery takes time, it’s one of the most beautiful acts of self-liberation there is

This conversation is both validating and practical for anyone walking the long, brave path of reclaiming themselves after complex trauma.

Connect with Thomas Zimmerman:

• Book: EMDR with Complex Trauma
• YouTube: Thomas Zimmerman EMDR
• His website: Thomas Zimmerman EMDR
  
  

Connect with Sarah & Reclaim Therapy:

• https://www.yourcomplextrauma.com
• Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw
• Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw
• Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

It's New Year's Eve, and if you're feeling anything other than excited, there's absolutely nothing wrong with you.

This isn't your typical "new year, new you" pep talk. It's for the trauma survivors who are exhausted by the pressure to transform, who feel like they're failing because they didn't have some massive breakthrough this year, or who are just relieved the dumpster fire of 2025 is over.

In this episode, I talk about why New Year's can be so hard when you're healing from complex trauma, why your nervous system doesn't care about artificial timelines, and what actually supports healing (spoiler: it's not punishing yourself into productivity).

I also get real about my own year, what I'm hoping for in 2026, and the moment I realized I've been so busy overfunctioning that I don't even have hobbies.

Plus, a sneak peek at what's coming in 2026: narcissism in families, religious trauma, emotional neglect, dissociation, and betrayal trauma.

Whatever you're feeling tonight, it's allowed. You're allowed to be exactly where you are.

Happy New Year.

...

Thanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!

Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw

Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcsw

Learn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim Therapy

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.

The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.