Sex is one of the most complex barriers to true intimacy in a relationship. It's also one of the least-discussed topics in therapy. Therapists often avoid discussing sex due to their perceived lack of subject knowledge or confidence in their therapeutic skills. 

Clinical Sexologist and Psychologist Rikke Pristed believes that therapists have already developed a baseline competency in sex-related issues simply by being human. Those trained in the NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) are even better positioned to help couples improve their physical and emotional bonds. On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth and Rikke discuss the interplay between sex, trauma, and connection (or lack thereof).

About Rikke Pristed:

Rikke Pristed is a clinical psychologist, a clinical sexologist and has completed the Master Training with NARM. She has been working as a therapist since 1999. She lives in Denmark and has a private practice. She works with adults and sees both couples and individuals. She sees people both in person and online. Rikke is currently transforming her practice to become primarily NARM oriented. She is 53 years old and has three grown up children and 4, soon to be 5, grandchildren.

Learn More:

Website

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

SPACE:

SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. 

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

Instagram @cttc_training

LinkedIn

YouTube

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, CTTC Director and NARM® Senior Trainer Brad Kammer welcomes Jessica Britt, Training Director of The Diamond Approach, to share wisdom from her decades-long journey of personal healing and professional development.

Jessica says that creating more depth in the field requires therapists to do the hard internal work of self-healing. She invites us to feel our way through layers of pain and recognize the alchemic potential of being with our deepest emotions. Only then can we hold that same space for our clients. 

About Jessica Britt:

Jessica Britt has been a student of Hamid Ali since 1977 and a teacher since 1985. As training director for the Diamond Approach, she leads ongoing groups in Europe, Canada, and the US. In the 1980s, Jessica was on the Gestalt staff of Esalen Institute, creating an integration of Reichian and Gestalt work. While at Esalen, she was a student within the Native American traditions leading wilderness journeys. Additionally, she studied continuum movement with Emily Conrad. A nurse in the seventies, Jessica specialized in the field of childhood sexual and physical abuse. She continues to practice from a view that includes the whole of the miracle of conscious life. 

Learn More:

The Diamond Approach

Email

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

SPACE:

SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. 

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth is joined by Daniel Morehead, MD., a leading voice for mental health advocacy and author of Science Over Stigma: Education and Advocacy for Mental Health.

Emily Ruth and Daniel examine what it means to be neurodivergent, the role variation plays in evolution, and the radical act of greeting neurodivergence with curiosity and humility. The pair also discuss the intersection between folks who have experienced trauma and those who identify as neurodivergent. 

About Daniel Morehead: 

Daniel Morehead, MD, is a psychiatrist who speaks nationally for mental health education. He is the author of Science Over Stigma: Education and Advocacy for Mental Health, and the Director of Psychiatry Residency Training at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA. Prior to this, he enjoyed a private practice in Austin, TX. For over 20 years, Dr. Morehead has maintained interest in psychotherapy, brain science, and spirituality.

Learn More:

Psychiatric Times

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

SPACE:

SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. 

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

LinkedIn

YouTube 

It’s no secret that incarcerated folks lack access to adequate mental health care while in prison. Reintegration support is even harder to come by once they are released. Sadly, women face even more significant challenges than men on both counts. But what if more trauma-informed professionals got involved in supporting formerly incarcerated women on both the individual and community levels?

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes Alison Rapping, CEO of Arouet, to discuss the Arizona-based foundation’s pre-release, reassimilation, and mentorship programs for formerly incarcerated women. The pair also explore the impact that trauma has made on the lives of Arouet program participants and those in the US criminal justice system.

About Alison Rapping: 

Alison Rapping is CEO of Arouet Foundation, Arizona’s leading advocates for formerly- and currently-incarcerated women. Alison is a visionary and accomplished nonprofit leader with over 25 years of experience driving social change and empowering communities. During her tenure at Arouet, she has significantly expanded programs and services and launched new innovative initiatives, including a mission-driven job placement program, and a pre-employment support center. Alison specializes in criminal justice reform, women's leadership advocacy, nonprofit management, and program design implementation.

Alison is also President of Alison Rapping and Associates, a strategy consulting firm that provides consultancy to community benefit organizations. She received her MPA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Learn More:

Arouet

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

SPACE:

SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. 

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes back Dr. Jonathan Shedler, renowned psychologist, author, consultant, researcher, and clinical educator. In their conversation, they are delving deeper into the elements that make up good psychotherapy and the importance of connection between therapist and client. Dr. Shedler and Emily Ruth also explore critical flaws in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), how modern social subcultures provide a disturbing camouflage for disassociation, and the three pillars of an effective therapeutic working alliance.

About Jonathan Shedler:

Jonathan Shedler, PhD, is an American psychologist known internationally as an author, consultant, researcher, and clinical educator. He is best known for his article The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, which won worldwide acclaim for firmly establishing psychoanalytic therapy as an evidence-based treatment.

Dr. Shedler’s research and writing are shaping contemporary views of personality styles and their treatment. He is author of over one hundred scientific and scholarly articles, creator of the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP) for personality diagnosis and clinical case formulation, and co-author of the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM-2 and forthcoming PDM-3). He has more than 25 years of experience teaching and supervising psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychoanalysts.

Dr. Shedler lectures internationally, leads workshops for professional audiences, consults to U.S. and international government agencies, and provides expert clinical case consultation to mental health professionals worldwide. He is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and a faculty member at the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis.

Learn More:

Website

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

SPACE:

SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. 

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

When was the last time you took a break from learning new professional skills and, instead, carved out space to pursue self-discovery and community support? 

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes back the faculty of the Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC)––Brad Kammer, Stefanie Klein, and Marcia Black––to introduce SPACE, an innovative inner development program for therapists debuting in early 2025. SPACE supports therapists on three levels of the human experience: the personal, interpersonal, and transpersonal. 

Brad, Stefanie, and Marcia guide you through the intention of the program, as well as its structure, highlighting the themes and what participants can expect to gain from each session. They also share insights into how their own struggles and learning over their long careers as therapists helped them become more present, authentic, and effective therapists, and inspired their creation of SPACE. 

When we think of space, we may think of exploration into outer space.  What CTTC's SPACE program offers is exploration into our inner space: “It's [an] invitation to have a new relationship to our own inner world as a therapist.”

Learn more about being a part of this community

About the SPACE Faculty:

Brad Kammer, LMFT, LPCC, is the Training Director and Senior Trainer for the Complex Trauma Training Center. Brad is responsible for the creation of the CTTC professional development programs, including working with Dr. Laurence Heller in developing the NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Training Programs offered through CTTC. Brad also guides the mentorship programs involving CTTC faculty, training assistants and participants; the diversity, inclusion and belonging (DIB) efforts; and is the executive producer of the Transforming Trauma podcast. Brad has a passion for cultivating a professional learning community that provides ongoing training opportunities and mentorship to a diverse group of mental health professionals in their work with complex trauma. Brad is also the co-author of The Practical Guide for Healing Developmental Trauma.

Stefanie Klein, LCSW, is the Assistant Training Director for the Complex Trauma Training Center. Stefanie is also a NARM® Master Therapist, Consultant and Trainer. She previously taught the Level 1 NARM Online Basics Training and is involved in many aspects of supporting the development of the Center and its programs. Her focus as Assistant Training Director is co-creating and guiding CTTC’s Training Assistant Program. She is inspired by the mentorship model of supporting mental health professionals in bringing healing to individuals, groups and communities impacted by complex trauma. She also enjoys the training participants use their professional learning as a framework to create healthier and more sustainable relationships to their own lives.

Marcia Black is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and CTTC Faculty Committee member.  As a NARM® Senior Training Assistant, Marcia has a passion for mentoring students and Training Assistants, and nurturing the growth of the community of graduates committed to ongoing learning.  Marcia is also a NARM Master Therapist and has been in private practice for over 40 years in SF and the East Bay, specializing in treating complex and developmental trauma, and other psychological conditions. Coming from a background in Attachment, Relational and Intersubjective approaches, as well as experience as a Somatic Experiencing practitioner and SE Assistant, Marcia finds the NARM model offers an invaluable and inspiring contribution to understanding and approaching the psychotherapy process, not only in working with C-PTSD but also more broadly. Marcia’s mentorship is based in a relational approach that invites an exploration into the therapist’s inner experience and growth, alongside that of the client’s. Marcia is excited about supporting ongoing training, consultation, and mentorship in her role at CTTC.

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. 

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, Brad Kammer, CTTC Director and NARM® Senior Trainer, invites Tobias Konermann, Ph.D., NARM Therapist, to share insights from his recent article: How the NeuroAffective Relational Model Expands the Psychotherapeutic Landscape. 

Together, they discuss a broad range of topics, including what sets the developmentally-oriented, mindfulness-based aspects of NARM apart from its humanistic predecessors, how shame functions in the therapeutic relationship and inhibits client transformation, and strategies for working with the phenomenology (or lived experience) that influences every interaction. 

About Tobias Konermann:

Tobias Konermann is a Clinical Psychologist and licensed Psychotherapist practicing in Berlin, Germany. He teaches at several institutes for psychotherapy (DGVT, HAP, IMU) and specializes in working with developmental trauma. Tobias has developed maps for principles of process-oriented change and offers advanced training for psychotherapists and coaches. He has worked with Thomas Hübl for over ten years and leads the Inner Science Training Group in the Academy of Inner Science. Tobias is part of the faculty for NARM training in Europe as a teaching therapist and supervisor. 

Learn More:

Website

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. 

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

Most addiction treatment models focus on behavioral change. And yet, many of these models fail at helping people fully recover from their addiction. Perhaps it is time to try something different? Applying NARM® to addiction brings focus to areas that behavioral interventions miss, like understanding the role of trauma, attachment, relationships, and shame. Addressing these areas has a profound impact on addiction recovery.

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth invites James McNinch, LCSW and PhD candidate, addiction specialist, to introduce NARM-AC™ (also known as NARMA™), the NeuroAffective Relational Model® - Addiction Centered, an approach he co-developed alongside Dr. Laurence Heller, the creator of NARM. Emily and James explore the evolution of NARM-AC and its application at Grata House, the premiere drug and alcohol treatment center located in Thousand Oaks, CA, where James serves as clinical director.

About James McNinch:

James McNinch, LCSW, is an experienced addiction treatment and trauma clinician with 16 years of experience. He is a NARM-AC Co-Founder who facilitates the creation of addiction treatment programs at the world’s most elite treatment centers, including the Grata House where he is the Clinical Director. James is writing the NARM-AC Workbook and Treatment Model Book with Dr. Laurence Heller for publication by North Atlantic.

Learn More:

Grata House

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. 

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

While many clinical modalities are designed for helping clients in individual therapy, trauma therapists are often looking for modalities that can better support their groups.  One therapist was inspired to take NARM principles and apply them to group therapy.  Her experience transformed how she thinks about the therapeutic group dynamic and the expanded role the NeuroAffective Relational Model plays in supporting those healing from complex trauma. 

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, Emily invites Pamela Kraus, LCPC, MBA, to share her process for and evaluation of using NARM in a group setting. The pair also discuss the value of adopting a "beginner's mindset" when applying NARM in ways that might be new to us.

About Pamela Kraus:

Pamela Kraus, LCPC, MBA, is a psychotherapist in private practice and passionate about helping her clients address unresolved complex trauma (developmental, relational and attachment trauma.) These challenges may be contributing to a negative sense of self, relationship struggles, or other difficulties in their lives.

Pamela is a NARM Master Therapist and an EMDR Certified Therapist. A portion of the clients she works with are challenged (in their own or others' lives) by the dynamics of addiction and/or engaged in the journey of recovery. She works with individuals, couples, and families (adult children and their parents), and conducts psychotherapy groups from time to time.

Pamela is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, with a master’s degree from DePaul University. She also has an MBA and had a previous career doing qualitative research and consulting for corporations wanting to have greater insight into people’s feelings, motives, behaviors, and lifestyles. Pamela works in downtown Chicago and Evanston, IL and also conducts some telehealth therapy sessions.

Learn More:

Website

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. 

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

There's a growing body of evidence suggesting that practices like weight lifting can support trauma-affected individuals on their healing journeys.

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, Emily is joined by Mariah Rooney, LCSW, co-founder of Trauma-Informed Weight Lifting, the one-of-a-kind non-profit program dedicated to the training and education of trauma-informed movement practitioners as well as research on the healing potential of weight lifting. The pair discuss the program's structure, the neuroscience behind it, and how Mariah’s extensive participation in social justice practices led to its creation. Mariah also shares some case studies that highlight the positive impact that weight lifting has on a trauma-impacted individual's resilience, sense of agency, and interoceptive awareness.

About Mariah Rooney:

Mariah Rooney, MSW, LCSW (she/they) is the co-founder and co-director of Trauma Informed Weight Lifting, a program of the Center for Trauma and Embodiment. She is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in treating the complex challenges that arise as a result of traumatic stress, attachment trauma, intergenerational trauma, and dissociation in children and adults. She is also an adjunct professor in the graduate School of Social Work at Winona State University, and a trauma-informed care consultant who supports systems change and capacity building efforts in systems of all sizes and types. As a previous Fellow at the Trauma Center at JRI she received extensive training in trauma and supported various project and research efforts.

Additionally, Mariah is a movement practitioner and somatic coach with extensive training in trauma-sensitive and culturally-informed yoga and meditation practices through Warriors at Ease, Prison Yoga Project, Insight Prison Project, Mind Body Solutions, and Trauma Sensitive Yoga. Her writing and research has explored trauma-informed considerations for personal trainers and fitness spaces, posttraumatic outcomes among combat veterans with histories of interpersonal violence, trauma-sensitive education, and inclusive practices for LGBTQIA+ clients in fitness and weight lifting.

Learn More:

Trauma Informed Weight Lifting

Instagram

Website

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

Are you a mental health professional looking to deepen your clinical expertise in healing complex trauma? We are thrilled to announce our 2025 NARM Therapist Trainings designed to provide you with transformative training in the NeuroAffective Relational Model.

Visit the website to learn more about upcoming trainings and to register 

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. 

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter

We often discuss the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) as it relates to the adult journey of healing from complex trauma, but what about younger clients?

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth is joined by Kami Black, LCSW, founder of ROOTs Transitions, a program that supports adolescent females ages 15 to 18 and their families by blending elements of outdoor therapy and residential treatment in Park City, Utah. The pair explore ROOTs’ commitment to utilizing NARM as both a therapeutic modality and a rubric for staff engagement. They also discuss the program’s assessment, treatment, and reintegration phases, plus the value of embracing and navigating dysregulation within the safety of the on-site therapeutic environment.

About Kami Black:

As a young adult, Kami Black, LCSW, knew that she wanted to be a therapist and help give back to a community that once served her and address the trauma impacting others. After completing her schooling, she began working with adolescents and their families, as well as signing up for any trauma training that she could find. This included EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, and many others. About five years ago, Kami came across NARM at a conference. She was intrigued by the language, and specifically the way it articulated complex trauma healing through a deeply interpersonal process. She trained in NARM and hoped that one day this healing modality would be at the foundation of a program she was envisioning. ROOTs Transition emerged from her vision, and has been open for almost three years now. And, NARM is now the foundation of their clinical approach and how they train their therapists, guides and staff. The principles of NARM also inspire and challenges them each day to stay curious and provide agency to those around them.

Learn More:

ROOTs Transition

To read the full show notes and discover more resources, visit https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma

***

The Complex Trauma Training Center:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com

View upcoming trainings:

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/schedule/

The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. 

The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

We want to connect with you!

Facebook @complextraumatrainingcenter

YouTube

Instagram @complextraumatrainingcenter