Category: Transforming Trauma Podcast

In this episode of Transforming Trauma, NARM Senior Trainer Brad Kammer is joined by Dr. Daniel Schiff, licensed psychologist in the Portland area and adjunct faculty member at several universities. Dr. Schiff has lectured widely on topics related to emotions, psychotherapy, and Reichian and Gestalt therapy. With over three decades of experience, he is considered an expert in somatic psychology and is known for his work with Contemporary Orgone (Reichian) Therapy, a relational and emotionally focused, character based somatic psychotherapy that addresses both the psychological and the physiological underpinnings of emotional distress.

Dr. Schiff reflects on his interest and training in various humanistic psychology perspectives, including Reichian and Gestalt Therapy. His master’s project was an exploration of Reichian therapy, and his doctoral dissertation was a study on the relationship between the inhibition of breathing and emotional repression. Now many years later, Dr. Schiff shares that he continues to evolve his understanding and psychotherapeutic approach, currently integrating information from modern neuroscience. He believes that this evolutionary process is in alignment with Wilhelm Reich’s approach as Reich was committed to ongoing study, evolution and advancement of his theories.

Dr. Schiff and Brad reflect on the tragic story of Dr. Wilhelm Reich and reminisce about Reich’s impact on the field of somatic psychotherapy and their own clinical work. They reflect on how Reich’s original work directly influenced somatic modalities such as Gestalt Therapy, Hakomi Psychotherapy, and Somatic Experiencing, as well as indirectly influenced a number of other models including EMDR. This reflection leads to Dr. Schiff sharing his perspective on the use of catharsis in psychotherapy, and how when not trauma-informed, expressive models can lead to dysregulation and overwhelm. However, he also shares his perspective that if therapies don’t include enough direct expressiveness, they may not lead to lasting change.  Together, Dr. Schiff and Brad reflect deeper on the current field and future trends of somatic psychotherapy.

We are grateful to Dr. Schiff for his incredible insight to the world of somatic psychology. We invite you to listen to the full episode to learn more about his approach to working with the breath and in the present moment as well as his advice for the next generation of psychologists.

About Dr. Daniel Schiff:

Dr. Daniel Schiff, is a licensed psychologist in private practice with 45 years of clinical experience in somatic psychotherapy from a Reichian and Gestalt perspective. He has lectured widely on topics related to emotions, psychotherapy, and Reichian and Gestalt therapy to both public and professional audiences, provide clinical seminars, training and supervision to mental health professionals. Dr. Schiff also offers a 4-year training program in Contemporary Orgone (Reichian) Therapy. 

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Schiff has been an adjunct faculty member in psychology at Seattle Central Community College, Antioch University, and the Washington School of Professional Psychology (Argosy University – Seattle), and currently offers a course in somatic psychology at Lewis and Clark college.

Learn More:

Website – Daniel Schiff, PHD

In this episode of Transforming Trauma, Emily is joined by Monti Pal, Licensed Professional Counselor and NARM Therapist with a special focus in the emerging field of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. Monti’s vast experience in clinical settings, psychiatric hospitals, and now private practice, have provided her with a unique way of understanding the diversity of people’s healing journeys. Like many inquisitive clinicians, she is reflecting on how to best provide supportive and transformative care for her clients, and this professional journey has led her to studying both the NeuroAffective Relational Model and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. 

Right around the same time Monti was introduced to NARM, she was also introduced to the field of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. While she was training in NARM, she began the Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies Program at CIIS, a MDMA Therapy training with MAPS, and began studying with the Polaris Insight Center to further her knowledge of Ketamine Assisted Therapy. Over the past few years Monti has been passionate about bringing together these two powerful models in treating complex trauma and other life challenges that clients bring into psychotherapy.

In her upcoming webinar with the NARM Training Institute – Healing Complex Trauma with Psychedelics and Plant Medicine – Monti will provide an overview about how to integrate NARM and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy to support helping professionals in this field. She will more clearly define Psychedelic Assisted Therapy, and provide context for how it is seen as a new field in the realm of psychology even though it has deep roots in indigenous cultures and religions. 

While Monti is so excited about being part of this burgeoning field, she is also transparent about the challenges associated with it, for example that most of these medicines are still illegal in the United States, even for clinical use. Therefore, Monti is a strong advocate for proper training, ongoing ethical conversations, and clinical consultation for anyone working within this field. 

Monti highlights how NARM-oriented clinical principles such as agency, intention, inquiry, embodiment, intersubjectivity and countertransference make NARM a great modality to integrate with Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. NARM looks at a client’s capacity, which is about how much a person can stay present to and contain an experience without it overwhelming them. Monti’s hypothesis is that clients who are experiencing severe levels of disconnection in their life need a lot more support before diving into plant medicine and psychedelics, and that is where NARM comes in. She recognizes that many clients require a supportive framework like NARM that centers agency and consent, which prepare clients for their psychedelic-assisted sessions. Additionally, these clinical skills can be used for integration after psychedelic-assisted sessions. 

We are grateful to Monti for sharing the exciting possibilities and current challenges in this emerging field. We invite you to listen to the full episode to learn more about Monti’s journey and how she is integrating NARM to best support Psychedelic Assisted Therapy.

About Monti Pal:

Monti is a Licensed Professional Counselor who runs a private psychotherapy practice in Austin, TX. Monti attended the University of Texas at Austin where she earned her Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology. Monti has past experience working at SafePlace, Bluebonnet Trails Community Services, Rock Springs Hospital, and other sites. Monti is also a NARM Therapist trained in using the Neuroaffective Relational Model (NARM) to support the healing of complex trauma. 

Monti is interested in psychedelic therapies for mental health and how NARM can be an essential therapeutic tool to help lead psychedelic assisted therapy sessions. Monti completed her certification in Psychedelic therapy through the CIIS program at the Center for Psychedelic Therapy and Research in 2021. 

In her free time, Monti likes to spend time with her two kids, likes to learn to cook different types of cuisine, enjoys learning new skills and trying new activities, and loves to travel. 

Learn More:

Website – Mindfulness with Monti

Webinar with NARM – Healing Complex Trauma with Psychedelics and Plant Medicine

Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – LinkedIn

In this episode of Transforming Trauma, Emily is joined by Philip Tedeschi, clinical professor and Founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection where he studies and teaches about the intricate relationship between people, domestic and wild animals, and the natural world. His focus in bio-affiliation – our connection to the living world – has led Philip to be globally recognized for expertise in the clinical methods of animal-assisted interventions, as well as human-animal interaction and conflict. 

When reflecting on how he got into this niche field, Philip shares how his path originally started in the veterinary field with a passion for animals. There was a unique opportunity where he was asked to teach a group of schizophrenic people to ride horses. His observations of the impact the horses were having on the group and vice versa created a lightbulb moment where he realized he was more interested in the dynamic relationship between an animal and human, rather than strictly animal medicine. Philip is grateful to his alma mater, University of Wisconsin-Madison, for the opportunity to create a self-designed major that focused on bio-affiliation, which eventually led him to the field of social work and the work he’s doing today.

Through his research on the human-animal connection, Philip has been able to make some incredible discoveries on how that connection happens and what happens (both positively and negatively) as that connection develops. He shares about the non-verbal relationship humans have with animals, particularly their companion animals. He also shares an important takeaway from his book, Transforming Trauma: Resilience and Healing Through Our Connection with Animals, which is that the well-being of the animal in our immediate environment has impact on our own personal neurobiology – it changes our brain chemistry and improves our ability to get well. Philips research also takes this further by considering animals that are not in our immediate environments – everything from wildlife, to farm animals, to animals that humans never see – and how we are still intricately connected through our environment.

At the Institute for Human-Animal Connection, he focuses on applying his research by teaching helping professionals about human-animal-environment interactions as well as how to incorporate animals in a safe, ethical, and humane way to the clinical space.

We are grateful to Philip for sharing about the contributions that animals make to our health and well-being. We invite you to listen to the full episode to learn more about this unique connection.

About:

Philip Tedeschi is the Director Emeritus and Founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection and a clinical professor at the Graduate School of Social Work and an affiliated faculty with the University of Denver’s Animal Law Program. He teaches in the Human- Animal-Environmental Interaction Certificate for Master of Social Work students, examining the intricate relationship between people, domestic and wild animals, and the natural world. Tedeschi’s research, scholarship, teaching and community practice work have focused on issues of social and interspecies justice, global perspectives of human-animal interactions, conservation social work and human ecology.

Learn More:

Book – Transforming Trauma: Resilience and Healing Through Our Connections with Animals

Website – Institute for Human-Animal Connection

Facebook – Institute for Human-Animal Connection

In this episode of Transforming Trauma, Emily is joined by NARM Senior Trainer and Training Director, Brad Kammer, who shares about the updated Level 3 NARM Master Therapist Training that starts in March 2023. This is a major event in the growth of the NARM Training Institute and as Brad says, “This is also a big moment for me personally as Larry passes this training on to me after over 20 years of studying with and mentoring under him, and working together to evolve NARM. I am honored and so excited!”

As Brad reflects on the origins of this Level 3 training, he recalls being in the first NARM Training that Dr. Laurence Heller taught, and realizing that there was no way to cover the depth of this model in the span of a one-year training. Brad and his cohort requested that Larry continue in their training which spurred the creation of the first NARM Masters Training. Since then, Larry has taught this training in the U.S. and Europe, and Brad has been supporting him along the way.

Recently, Brad began redesigning the Masters curriculum, focused on creating an advanced training that embodies the humanity and heartfulness of NARM. By focusing on the relational, somatic and spiritual foundations of NARM, Brad hopes to bring awareness of and a pathway for reconnecting to the full human experience.

The Level 3 NARM Master Therapist Training is all about the transformative process of intersubjectivity and how relationships are the vehicle for deep healing and transformation. As Brad states, “When moving deeper into the intersubjective field, differences between biology, psychology and spirituality become blurred. The integration of body, mind and soul becomes the catalyst for a client’s awakening of their authentic sense of Self. On this level, the healing of complex trauma and personality patterns supports deepening connection between human beings. With NARM, we are learning what it means to support each other to become more fully human.”

We are grateful to Brad for his continued work and passion in evolving the NeuroAffective Relational Model, and presenting the depths of this sophisticated model to those working to heal complex trauma. We invite you to listen to the full episode for more on NARM’s intentionality and some evocative reflective exercises.

About:

Brad Kammer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Clinical Counselor and has worked in the field of trauma for over 20 years. As a NARM Senior Trainer and Training Director, Brad is passionate about contributing to the growing trauma-informed movement. Brad has been busy updating and redesigning the Level 3 Masters curriculum and has created a dynamic, robust, and transformative new training that takes participants deeper into the theoretical and clinical foundations of NARM.

Learn More:

NARM Trainings – All Levels

Level 3 NARM Master Therapist Training

Book – The Practical Guide for Healing Developmental Trauma

In this episode of Transforming Trauma, NARM Senior Trainer Brad Kammer, is joined by Tina Sacks, PhD. an associate professor in the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley. Her fields of interest include racial inequities in health, social determinants of health, and poverty and inequality; in other words, how people’s experience of being othered affects their well-being overall. Tina’s professional work emerges from her own experience of being othered as a mixed-raced person and member of the Black and Jewish community. At the core of her work is the idea that love is really what matters and that we must care for one another as humans.

As Tina reflects on her familial history and experience, she remembers having a heightened sense that her family was different. However, it wasn’t until recently that she came to understand the history and the differences as complex trauma. In her studies of ancestral trauma, Tina has found that beyond psychological and relational loss, there is also a material loss that can leave individuals and families vulnerable to further harm. When looking at families in the context of intergenerational trauma, the past often plays out in the present.

Tina shares that her focus on racial and gender inequities in healthcare settings is rooted in her experience growing up as she witnessed the different ways her Black mother and Jewish father were treated, and the ways that both sides of her family experienced being different, marginalized and othered. As Tina became more aware of the American context around race and gender, this led her to focus on how ethno-racial minorities have different, and often unequal, experiences in healthcare settings.

When asked how holding two identities that are consistently targeted lives within her as an individual, Tina proudly shares her sense of survivorship. She acknowledges her powerful ancestors – both physically and spiritually – who survived horrific and persistent trauma in order to allow her to survive. And she hopes she can be a powerful ancestor for the future generations to come. 

We are grateful to Tina for the amazing work and awareness she is bringing to the world of healthcare. We invite you to listen to the full episode to learn more about Tina’s lived experience and how she plans to use that experience to promote human connection as a way to create more equality and supportive care for minorities in the American healthcare system.

About:

Tina K. Sacks, PhD, is an associate professor in the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley. She studies racial and gender inequities in healthcare settings, social determinants of health, and poverty and inequality. Professor Sacks’ work has been published in Race and Social Problems, Health Affairs, and MSNBC News. Professor Sacks also frequently collaborates with the photographer and filmmaker Carlos Javier Ortiz on documentary film projects about issues affecting Black and Latino communities in the US and abroad. Their films have appeared in the Tribeca, AFI, and LA International Film Festivals, among others. Their work has also been published in The New Yorker and The Atlantic. Her recent book Invisible Visits, Black Middle-Class Women in the American Healthcare System, published by Oxford University Press is now available. 

Learn More:

Website – Tina K. Sacks, PhD 

Book – Invisible Visits, Black Middle-Class Women in the American Healthcare System

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