

System Speak: Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders
Emma Sunshaw
Diagnosed with Complex Trauma and a Dissociative Disorder, Emma and her system share what they learn along the way about complex trauma, dissociation (CPTSD, OSDD, DID, Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality), etc.), and mental health. Educational, supportive, inclusive, and inspiring, System Speak documents her healing journey through the best and worst of life in recovery through insights, conversations, and collaborations.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 13, 2020 • 55min
Book: Trauma and Recovery, Part Two
Dr. E shares about a book she discovered through a class with the ISSTD. She explores what she has learned about Charcot, Janet, and Freud. She gives the historical context of their rivalry, and how that later connected to research with veterans who had endured combat. She tells how the book explains the women’s movement as the catalyst in connecting the two, so that trauma could finally be openly discussed - much less treated. Trigger warning for mention of abuse, incest, and war experiences, but no disclosures or details given.The website is HERE.You can join the Community HERE. Remember that you will not be able to see much until joining groups. Message us if we can help!You can contact the podcast HERE.Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general. Content descriptors are generally given in each episode. Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse. Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience. Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity. While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma and her system are not your therapist nor offering professional advice. Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you. Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency. This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services.
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Apr 9, 2020 • 45min
Book: History of Trauma and Recovery, Part One
Dr. E shares about a book she discovered through a class with the ISSTD. She explores what she has learned about Charcot, Janet, and Freud. She gives the historical context of their rivalry, and how that later connected to research with veterans who had endured combat. She tells how the book explains the women’s movement as the catalyst in connecting the two, so that trauma could finally be openly discussed - much less treated. Trigger warning for mention of abuse, incest, and war experiences, but no disclosures or details given.The website is HERE.You can join the Community HERE. Remember that you will not be able to see much until joining groups. Message us if we can help!You can contact the podcast HERE.Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general. Content descriptors are generally given in each episode. Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse. Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience. Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity. While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma and her system are not your therapist nor offering professional advice. Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you. Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency. This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Apr 6, 2020 • 1h 4min
Guest: Peter Barach, PhD (Telehealth Transitions)
We talk with Peter Barach, PhD, about our clinical experiences of the transition to telehealth because of COVID. He shares about the importance of eye contact in stopping flashbacks. We share about trying to cope with quarantine as a new trauma without creating a new alter. We discuss trauma triggers experienced in quarantine, including physiological responses on the PolyVagal ladder. Examples given include reference to war zones, entrapment, and foster care. Dr. Barach reviews several basic coping skills and relaxation techniques. We talk about resources like EMDR apps and interventions that support people while we wait for in person sessions resume.The website is HERE.You can join the Community HERE. Remember that you will not be able to see much until joining groups. Message us if we can help!You can contact the podcast HERE.Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general. Content descriptors are generally given in each episode. Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse. Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience. Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity. While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma and her system are not your therapist nor offering professional advice. Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you. Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency. This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mar 30, 2020 • 45min
State Lines
We have to change therapists again because we live across the state lines, and we continue adjusting to the pandemic.The website is HERE.You can join the Community HERE. Remember that you will not be able to see much until joining groups. Message us if we can help!You can contact the podcast HERE.Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general. Content descriptors are generally given in each episode. Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse. Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience. Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity. While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma and her system are not your therapist nor offering professional advice. Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you. Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency. This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mar 26, 2020 • 28min
Pandemic Response, Part Two
We share our article about the polyvagal theory and examples of the different responses to the pandemic, as well as sharing a final video (with permission) from our first therapist as we all waited together to see what was happening as the pandemic was declared.The website is HERE.You can join the Community HERE. Remember that you will not be able to see much until joining groups. Message us if we can help!You can contact the podcast HERE.Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general. Content descriptors are generally given in each episode. Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse. Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience. Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity. While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma and her system are not your therapist nor offering professional advice. Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you. Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency. This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mar 23, 2020 • 43min
Pandemic Response, Part One
We share our first response to experiencing quarantine after travelling home from ISSTD, as well as our first therapist's public response to caring for yourself while we waited to see what was happening as the pandemic was declared.The website is HERE.You can join the Community HERE. Remember that you will not be able to see much until joining groups. Message us if we can help!You can contact the podcast HERE.Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general. Content descriptors are generally given in each episode. Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse. Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience. Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity. While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma and her system are not your therapist nor offering professional advice. Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you. Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency. This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mar 21, 2020 • 40min
Cancelled
We share about ISSTD being cancelled because of coronavirus being declared a pandemic.The website is HERE.You can join the Community HERE. Remember that you will not be able to see much until joining groups. Message us if we can help!You can contact the podcast HERE.Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general. Content descriptors are generally given in each episode. Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse. Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience. Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity. While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma and her system are not your therapist nor offering professional advice. Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you. Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency. This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mar 20, 2020 • 47min
San Francisco
We podcast from San Francisco, getting ready for our first ISSTD conference. We are getting ready to receive the award for the podcast. We are also presenting the poster session from the Plural Positivity survey results. We arrive just as the news is starting to talk about coronavirus, but before anyone really understands what it is.The website is HERE.You can join the Community HERE. Remember that you will not be able to see much until joining groups. Message us if we can help!You can contact the podcast HERE.Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general. Content descriptors are generally given in each episode. Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse. Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience. Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity. While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma and her system are not your therapist nor offering professional advice. Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you. Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency. This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mar 19, 2020 • 20min
Photographs
We share what we are learning about Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) and our own healing in related ways. This episode includes definitions of sexual abuse, child pornography, and trafficking. As always, please care for yourself during and after listening to this podcast.The website is HERE.You can join the Community HERE. Remember that you will not be able to see much until joining groups. Message us if we can help!You can contact the podcast HERE.Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general. Content descriptors are generally given in each episode. Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse. Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience. Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity. While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma and her system are not your therapist nor offering professional advice. Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you. Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency. This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mar 16, 2020 • 42min
AEDP Therapy
We share what we learned at a training about AEDP therapy.The website is HERE.You can join the Community HERE. Remember that you will not be able to see much until joining groups. Message us if we can help!You can contact the podcast HERE.Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/or dissociative related due to the nature of what is being shared here in general. Content descriptors are generally given in each episode. Specific trigger warnings are not given due to research reporting this makes triggers worse. Please use appropriate self-care and your own safety plan while exploring this website and during your listening experience. Natural pauses due to dissociation have not been edited out of the podcast, and have been left for authenticity. While some professional material may be referenced for educational purposes, Emma and her system are not your therapist nor offering professional advice. Any informational material shared or referenced is simply part of our own learning process, and not guaranteed to be the latest research or best method for you. Please contact your therapist or nearest emergency room in case of any emergency. This website does not provide any medical, mental health, or social support services.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★


