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Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Autistic burnout has become one of the most important—and least understood—topics in autism research and clinical practice. Often mistaken for depression, anxiety, or simple exhaustion, it reflects a profound depletion of cognitive, emotional, and physical resources that can leave autistic individuals unable to function in ways they once could. Yet despite its prevalence, many clinicians still struggle to recognize it. In this episode of Thoughts on Record, Dr. Pete Kelly speaks with psychotherapist and author Sharon O'Connor about her new book, Healing Autistic Burnout: A Neuroaffirming Guide for Connecting with Your Authentic Self, Restoring Your Energy, and Advocating for Your Needs (New Harbinger Publications). Written from both professional expertise and lived experience as an autistic clinician, the book offers a compassionate, neuroaffirming roadmap for understanding burnout, reconnecting with one's authentic self, restoring energy, and learning to advocate for personal needs. Together, they explore what autistic burnout is, how it differs from depression and chronic fatigue, and why understanding the interaction between the nervous system, chronic masking, sensory overload, and environmental demands is essential to effective care. The conversation examines the neuroscience of burnout, the role of alexithymia, executive functioning, and predictive processing, as well as the long-term costs of masking autistic traits. Sharon also discusses evidence-informed approaches to recovery, practical pacing strategies, common mistakes clinicians make in treatment, and how families, workplaces, schools, and society can better support autistic people before burnout develops. Whether you're an autistic person, a family member, educator, employer, or mental health professional, this episode offers a compassionate, scientifically grounded perspective on autistic burnout—and a practical guide to building a life that is more sustainable, authentic, and aligned with your own needs. Guest: Sharon O'Connor, psychotherapist and author of Healing Autistic Burnout: A Neuroaffirming Guide for Connecting with Your Authentic Self, Restoring Your Energy, and Advocating for Your Needs (New Harbinger Publications).

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Why do some teens continue to experience chronic pain long after an injury has healed? And what if the brain—not damaged tissue—is keeping the pain alive? In this episode of Thoughts on Record, Dr. Pete Kelly speaks with Dr. Penina Zilberberg and Paulina Soble, LCSW, co-authors of The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook for Teens. Together, they explore the emerging science of neuroplastic pain and explain how chronic pain can become a learned pattern of threat signaling within the nervous system—one that is real, debilitating, and, importantly, reversible. The conversation examines how predictive processing, fear conditioning, anxiety, perfectionism, and family dynamics interact to amplify pain during adolescence. Dr. Zilberberg and Ms. Soble discuss how Pain Reprocessing Therapy helps teens reinterpret pain signals, gradually return to meaningful activities, and retrain the brain away from danger and toward safety. They also explore common misconceptions about neuroplastic pain, the role of schools and parents in recovery, and why adolescence represents a uniquely powerful window for intervention. Whether you're a clinician, educator, parent, or someone living with persistent pain, this episode offers a practical, evidence-informed framework for understanding chronic pain through the lens of contemporary neuroscience—and for helping young people reclaim their lives. Guests: Dr. Penina Zilberberg, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, and Paulina Soble, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and co-authors of The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook for Teens.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! What if dissociation isn't a disorder to be feared, but an extraordinary adaptation that once helped a child survive? In this episode of Thoughts on Record, Dr. Pete Kelly speaks with licensed marriage and family therapist Sally Maslansky about her memoir, A Brilliant Adaptation, and her remarkable journey of discovering that much of her childhood was inaccessible to memory. Together, they explore how developmental trauma can fragment identity, why dissociation emerges as a survival strategy, and what it takes to gradually integrate a life story that was once too overwhelming to remember. Drawing on attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, and her own lived experience, Sally discusses dissociative identity disorder through a compassionate, evidence-informed lens. The conversation examines concepts such as structural dissociation, "fear without solution," autobiographical memory, and the importance of pacing trauma work. They also explore the central role of the therapeutic relationship, curiosity, embodiment, and emotional safety in fostering healing and integration. Whether you're a mental health professional, someone living with the effects of trauma, or simply interested in how the mind protects itself under overwhelming circumstances, this conversation offers a thoughtful and deeply human perspective on trauma, resilience, and recovery. Guest: Sally Maslansky, LMFT Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and author of A Brilliant Adaptation: A Therapist's Journey into the Hidden World of Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! What if chronic pain isn't simply a reflection of tissue damage, but also of how the brain interprets and responds to danger? In this episode of Thoughts on Record, Dr. Pete Kelly sits down with health psychologist and pain researcher Dr. Carly Hunt to explore the neuroscience of chronic pain and the remarkable capacity of the brain to change. Drawing on her research at Johns Hopkins and her own lived experience overcoming treatment-resistant pain, Dr. Hunt explains how neuroplasticity, emotions, stress, and our environment shape the experience of pain—and how they can also become powerful tools for recovery. Together, they discuss why chronic pain persists long after an injury has healed, how the nervous system becomes sensitized, the role of inflammation and stress, why validation matters in healthcare, and the evidence supporting behavioral approaches to reducing pain. The conversation also explores fear, movement, self-compassion, the placebo effect, and practical strategies for "retraining the brain" to restore safety, resilience, and quality of life. Whether you're living with chronic pain, supporting someone who is, or you're a healthcare professional interested in the latest pain science, this episode offers an evidence-based and hopeful perspective on one of medicine's most challenging conditions. Guest: Dr. Carly Hunt, PhD Health psychologist, pain researcher, and author of Train Your Brain to Beat Chronic Pain: How to Harness the Power of the Mind–Body Connection. https://www.presentmindconsulting.com/about-me

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Dr. George James joins the podcast to discuss his new book I Give Myself Permission: Take Risks. Be Imperfect. Live Boldly and the psychological barriers that keep people stuck even when they have insight into their patterns, trauma, and history. The conversation explores the idea that lasting change is not simply about awareness, but about developing an internal sense of authorization to live differently. Drs. Kelly and James discuss how personal narratives become deeply embedded over time through family systems, attachment experiences, perfectionism, chronic stress, and systemic injustice — and why many people intellectually understand themselves while still feeling emotionally trapped in old roles and identities. The discussion examines how these narratives shape what people believe they are “allowed” to pursue in relationships, work, leadership, and identity development. The episode explores the overlap between narrative therapy, CBT, family systems, and culturally informed approaches to treatment, including how therapists can help clients identify distorted narratives while still validating very real structural barriers and trauma histories. Dr. James also discusses racial trauma, injustice stress, and the importance of balancing empowerment with realism in clinical work. Other themes include: The psychology of perfectionism and self-worthAttachment trauma and high achievementLeadership burnout and “sacrifice syndrome”Mid-life identity shifts and reinventionBehavioral activation, risk-taking, and fear responsesWhy insight alone is often insufficient for changeThe role of self-compassion in identity transformationHow therapists can integrate “permission language” into treatmentDr. George James, PsyD, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, executive coach, and internationally recognized speaker with more than two decades of clinical experience. He is the founder of George Talks and specializes in narrative transformation, leadership development, racial trauma, and family systems work. His book, I Give Myself Permission: Take Risks. Be Imperfect. Live Boldly (New Harbinger Publications, 2026), examines how inherited narratives, chronic stress, perfectionism, and systemic pressures shape identity — and how reclaiming permission can create space for courage, healing, and meaningful change.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! If you work with adults with ADHD, you quickly realize this isn’t simply a disorder of attention or intelligence — it’s a disorder of self-regulation across time. The real suffering often lives in the gap between intention and follow-through: knowing exactly what needs to happen, but struggling to consistently execute it in daily life. In this episode, I’m joined by Laura E. Knouse to discuss her new book, Living Well with Adult ADHD, co-authored with Russell A. Barkley. We explore how executive functioning science can be translated into practical systems that actually respect how the ADHD brain works. This conversation is less about “trying harder” and more about designing environments, routines, and supports that make follow-through more achievable. We discuss why traditional productivity advice often fails adults with ADHD, how behavioral science explains motivation problems, and why immediate consequences matter far more than distant rewards. We also examine emotional regulation, shame, identity, values-based treatment approaches, and the role of environmental engineering in improving daily functioning. Dr. Knouse also breaks down how CBT for ADHD differs from general CBT approaches, where medication helps — and where it often doesn’t — and the practical systems that produce the greatest functional return for adults still struggling despite insight and motivation. Topics Covered ADHD as a disorder of executive functioning and self-regulationBarkley’s model of time blindness and behavioral inhibitionWhy procrastination is often an emotional regulation problemThe neuroscience of motivation and immediate rewardsTask initiation and resistance despite intellectual understandingEnvironmental redesign and “niche picking”Common productivity-system failures in ADHDShame, self-criticism, and identity developmentValues clarification and sustainable behavior changeCBT interventions for adult ADHDMedication versus skills-based functioning supportsPractical systems that improve follow-through in everyday lifeAbout the Guests Laura E. Knouse Laura E. Knouse, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychology at the University of Richmond. She is a leading researcher in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adult ADHD, with a particular focus on executive functioning deficits in college students and adults navigating independent living. Dr. Knouse trained in Russell Barkley’s research lab and later completed clinical training in emerging CBT protocols for adult ADHD, contributing to the refinement and empirical testing of these interventions. Her work integrates executive function theory, behavioral science, and implementation strategies aimed at improving real-world functioning. Russell A. Barkley Russell A. Barkley, PhD, is one of the most influential researchers in the field of ADHD and a pioneer in conceptualizing the disorder as a deficit in executive functioning and self-regulation. His work fundamentally reshaped contemporary understanding of ADHD as a neurodevelopmental condition rooted in impaired behavioral inhibition and time-based self-management. Dr. Barkley has authored numerous foundational texts, assessment tools, and evidence-based treatment guides used internationally in both clinical and research settings.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Barbara Minton, a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist who integrates music and frequency-based tools into mental-health treatment. We explore how music affects the brain, how these principles can be woven into psychotherapy, and why sound-based interventions may offer unique advantages for clients struggling with regulation, trauma, or chronic distress. Topics we cover include: How music engages neural systems involved in emotional regulationUsing sound as part of case conceptualization and treatment planningWorking with neurofeedback, auditory stimulation, and embodied modalitiesWhen music-based interventions are most clinically effectiveEthical and cultural considerations in using music therapeuticallyThe future of neuroscience-informed, music-based mental-health caWebsite: Dr. Barbara Minton: drbarbminton.com Music and healing project site: musicandhealing.net LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-minton-057957164/

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with psychologist and CBT expert Dr. Deborah Dobson to discuss her new book Living Well with Social Anxiety. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Dobson offers a compassionate and highly practical look at what social anxiety is, how it develops, and most importantly—how to move beyond avoidance and toward a more connected, fulfilling life. Key Themes Understanding the social anxiety cycle: thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, avoidance patterns, and how they reinforce each otherWhy avoidance feels safer—and why it makes anxiety worse long-termSelf-monitoring as a core CBT skill for breaking the cycleThe continuum from shyness to social anxiety disorder to avoidant personality traitsImpact of technology and post-pandemic remote life on anxiety and social skill atrophyExposure principles: graded, values-guided, and compassionate rather than forcefulThe role of sensitivity, empathy, and introversion as strengths rather than flawsPublic speaking, dating, small talk, and other high-anxiety social tasksThe importance of seeing social anxiety as a long-term trait that can be managed—not a personal failing or something to “cure”Maintaining gains after therapy: preventing relapse and building ongoing resilienceDeborah Dobson, PhD, spent her decades-long career specializing in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary and a Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Canadian Association for CBT, and the Canadian Psychological Association. She received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award for her extensive advocacy work in mental health. Since retiring from clinical practice in 2023, she continues to train and consult in CBT.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Life transitions—whether expected or sudden, joyful or painful—have a way of shaking loose our assumptions about who we are and what matters most. They invite reflection, loss, growth, and the often uncomfortable process of becoming someone new. In this conversation, clinical psychologist Dr. Rana Pishva joins Thoughts on Record to explore how we can move through change with greater awareness and self-compassion. We discuss why transitions are best understood as processes rather than events, how grief and growth often coexist, and why learning to tolerate uncertainty may be one of the most important psychological skills of our time. Together, we reflect on how emotions can function as information, how self-help culture sometimes overcorrects toward rigidity, and what it means to find a new middle ground—a redefined sense of balance—after life’s inevitable upheavals. Key Questions Explored Why do we tend to think of life transitions as events rather than long, unfolding processes?What makes even positive change feel like a kind of loss?How can we better recognize and work with the gap between our expectations and reality during major life changes?What helps someone move from resisting change to integrating it into a new sense of self?Why do we crave control and predictability so deeply—even when they can limit growth?What are some ways to build a healthy tolerance for uncertainty without feeling unmoored?How can we learn to make “good enough” decisions in a world that glorifies optimization and certainty?What are the psychological costs of over-planning—and what might we gain by letting go a little more?How can emotions function as information or guidance rather than simply something to regulate or suppress?When might sadness or anxiety reflect a deeper misalignment with our lives rather than a symptom to eliminate?How do we discern when to act on our emotions versus when to sit with them and listen?What’s driving the modern shift from people-pleasing to radical detachment?How do we know when our boundaries are protective versus when they may be isolating us?Has self-help culture made it harder to distinguish genuine growth from performative “healing”?How do we find a new sense of balance and meaning after a major life transition, when returning to “normal” is no longer possible?Dr. Rana Pishva, C.Psych., is a clinical psychologist based in Ottawa, Ontario. Her practice focuses on relationships and life transitions, which often emerge in the contexts of parenting, separation, role changes, and attachment- or trauma-related disorders. Drawing from cognitive-behavioural, attachment-based, and emotion-focused approaches, she helps individuals navigate change with curiosity and compassion and make sense of their life narratives. Her clinical style balances curiosity and compassion, inviting clients to understand both their thoughts and their relational patterns as pathways to transformation. Dr. Pishva is also passionate about sharing knowledge and insights from research and clinical work, and understanding the intersection of psychology research and wellness trends. She is passionate about integrating attachment concepts into structured, evidence-based therapies and frequently presents workshops on bridging CBT with attachment-focused interventions. Through Sorted Mind, she provides clinical consultation and professional workshops on a number of mental health topics, supporting clinicians in developing their skills.  https://sorted-mind.com/ 📷 Instagram: @dr.rana.sorted-mind

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Parenting is often described as the most important job in the world — but it may also be the most emotionally demanding. In this episode of Thoughts on Record, we sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Alissa Jerud to explore her new book, Emotion-Savvy Parenting: A Shame-Free Guide to Navigating Emotional Storms and Deepening Connection. Drawing from CBT, DBT, and decades of research on emotion regulation, Dr. Jerud introduces the ART framework — Accept, Regulate, Tolerate — a practical and deeply compassionate roadmap for transforming family life. What makes this conversation so powerful is the central shift Dr. Jerud invites: the key to more harmonious parenting isn’t changing our children’s behavior — it’s learning to manage our own emotions first. We discuss: Why parenting is uniquely emotionally activatingThe difference between emotion regulation and emotional suppressionHow distress tolerance skills apply in everyday family conflictRecognizing and grounding our own “emotional storms”Setting firm boundaries without abandoning emotional acceptanceThe role of repair, imperfection, and self-compassion in healthy familiesHow this framework can prevent burnout — for both parents and cliniciansThis is not a perfection-based approach to parenting. It’s a psychologically sophisticated, shame-free model that meets parents where they are — and offers tools for building resilience, flexibility, and genuine connection. Whether you’re a parent, a clinician, or someone reflecting on your own upbringing, this episode offers a grounded, research-informed lens on what it means to raise — and regulate — human beings. About Dr. Alissa Jerud Dr. Alissa Jerud is a licensed clinical psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. She specializes in evidence-based treatments for anxiety, trauma, and emotion-regulation difficulties. Her book, Emotion-Savvy Parenting, introduces the ART model — Accept, Regulate, Tolerate — to help parents navigate emotional storms and deepen connection with their children. Instagram: @emotionsavvydoc Website: www.alissajerud.com

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Empathy is widely viewed as the cornerstone of effective therapy—but what if we’ve been misunderstanding it all along? In this episode, Dr. Pete Kelly sits down with Dr. Douglas Flemons, to discuss his new book Empathic Engagement in Clinical Practice. Flemons challenges the common assumption that empathy is something therapists simply have, reframing it instead as something we do—moment by moment, in relationship. Together, they explore empathy as an active, relational process; unpack the critical distinctions between empathy, sympathy, and compassion; and examine why well-intentioned empathic efforts can sometimes miss the mark or even undermine the therapeutic alliance. The conversation also addresses therapist burnout, emotional boundaries, and how clinicians can engage deeply with clients without overidentifying or becoming emotionally depleted. This episode is essential listening for clinicians who want to refine their relational skills, strengthen therapeutic presence, and practice empathy in a way that is both clinically effective and personally sustainable. 🔑 Key Topics Covered Why empathy has become conceptually confused in psychotherapyEmpathy vs. sympathy vs. compassion“Feeling into” rather than “feeling with” clientsEmpathy as a relational process, not a personality traitHow empathy dissolves the therapist-as-outsider experienceCommon empathic missteps—and how to avoid themEmpathy with individuals vs. couples and families“Both–and” empathizing in complex clinical situationsTherapist burnout, boundaries, and emotional sustainabilityHow clinicians can tell when empathy is truly landing👤 Author Bio Douglas Flemons, PhD, LMFT is an emeritus professor, AAMFT Clinical Fellow, and internationally recognized educator with decades of experience in psychotherapy, supervision, and clinical training. He is the author of Empathic Engagement in Clinical Practice (published by the American Psychological Association, 2026), a work that integrates philosophy, neuroscience, and clinical research to clarify what empathy actually is—and how it functions in therapeutic relationships. Dr. Flemons is widely respected for translating complex theoretical ideas into practical, usable clinical guidance. His work emphasizes empathy as an interactive, ethically grounded process that strengthens therapeutic relationships while supporting therapist resilience, sustainability, and self-care.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jesse Finkelstein to discuss Real Skills for Real Life, co-authored with Dr. Shireen Rizvi. The book offers a practical, accessible introduction to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), translating a well-established clinical framework into skills that can be applied in everyday life. Rather than focusing on diagnoses, Real Skills for Real Life centers on universal human experiences—stress, emotional overwhelm, relationship challenges, and loss—and presents DBT as a compassionate, skills-based approach to navigating them. The conversation broadly explores how DBT balances acceptance and change, why a skills-focused lens can reduce shame, and how evidence-based psychological tools can be used outside the therapy room. This episode is relevant for clinicians, students, and general listeners interested in grounded, practical approaches to emotion regulation, relationships, and resilience in an increasingly complex world. Jesse Finkelstein, PsyD Dr. Jesse Finkelstein is a licensed clinical psychologist and DBT trainer based in New York City. He earned his PsyD from Rutgers University, where he received extensive training in DBT under the mentorship of Dr. Rizvi. He has since built a clinical practice specializing in emotion regulation, anxiety, and interpersonal effectiveness. Dr. Finkelstein is known for his engaging teaching style and his ability to translate complex psychological concepts into clear, practical guidance for both clinicians and the general public. In addition to his clinical work, he provides DBT training and consultation and is committed to making evidence-based skills approachable, flexible, and relevant to everyday life. Shireen L. Rizvi, PhD, ABPP Dr. Shireen Rizvi is a licensed clinical psychologist, Professor of Clinical Psychology at Rutgers University, and an internationally recognized expert in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She trained under Dr. Marsha Linehan at the University of Washington and later founded the Rutgers DBT Clinic, where she has played a central role in training clinicians and advancing the dissemination of evidence-based care. Dr. Rizvi’s research and clinical work focus on emotion regulation, trauma, and the application of DBT across diverse clinical and real-world contexts. She is board certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and is the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and books, including Chain Analysis in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She is widely respected for bridging rigorous clinical science with compassionate, accessible teaching. Website: https://www.shireenrizvi.com Rutgers University Profile / Rutgers DBT Clinic: https://psych.rutgers.edu/academics/clinical-psychology/clinical-faculty/shireen-l-rizvi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shireen-rizvi-1a5544193/ Jesse Finkelstein, PsyD Website:  www.axiscbt.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkisgood/ LinkedIn:

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! In this episode of Thoughts on Record, we’re joined by Drs. Robyn D. Walser and Darrah Westrup—two of the world’s leading experts in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and trauma treatment. Their new book, You Are Not Your Trauma, offers a compassionate and practical guide to healing that helps readers move beyond symptom management and toward a life anchored in meaning, connection, and psychological flexibility.  In this conversation we explore the book’s three-phase model of trauma recovery: Building safety and foundational skillsEngaging in exposure and experiential workReconnecting with values, identity, and life directionThroughout the conversation, Drs. Walser & Westrup discuss the central ACT principle that healing is not about erasing traumatic memories but changing our relationship with them. They emphasize how trauma often narrows a person’s world—through avoidance, emotional numbing, and self-protective habits that once served a purpose but now limit growth. ACT offers a path toward gently expanding one’s life again, guided by values rather than fear. This episode is ideal for clinicians, trauma survivors, and anyone interested in a more flexible, humane approach to trauma recovery. Bios Dr. Robyn D. Walser is Director of TL Consultation Services, Associate Director at the National Center for PTSD, and Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, Berkeley. A leading figure in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dr. Walser has co-authored multiple books and over 60 peer-reviewed articles. Her work focuses on trauma, mindfulness, and clinical innovation, and she is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts in ACT for trauma recovery. Dr. Darrah Westrup is a licensed clinical psychologist, trainer, and author with decades of experience in treating trauma and anxiety-related disorders. She previously served as the Director of Training and Dissemination at the National Center for PTSD and has been instrumental in adapting ACT principles for wide-scale use in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Dr. Westrup brings a clinician’s nuance and a trainer’s clarity to her writing and therapeutic work.

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! In this episode of Thoughts on Record, we sit down with Dr. Shirley Hershko, one of the foremost voices in the understanding of ADHD in girls and women. Her work has been central in challenging long-standing assumptions about how ADHD presents across the female lifespan—from childhood and early adulthood through motherhood, career transitions, perimenopause, and menopause. Together, we explore why ADHD in women remains underdiagnosed, how cultural expectations shape symptom expression, and why internalizing presentations like anxiety, perfectionism, and emotional dysregulation often obscure the true clinical picture. We also discuss the impact of hormonal fluctuations, the role of trauma, and the unique diagnostic challenges clinicians face. Finally, we examine how treatment needs to be adapted to support women at different life stages, including those diagnosed later in life who are grappling with identity shifts, grief, and self-understanding. This conversation offers clinicians, clients, and the general public a comprehensive look at the nuanced realities of ADHD in women. Key Themes We Explore How ADHD in women is often misunderstood or hidden, including the influence of socialization and internalizing symptomsDiagnostic challenges, including confusion with anxiety, depression, trauma, and the effects of hormonal changesHow ADHD evolves across the life span, particularly during major transitions such as parenting, career demands, perimenopause, and menopauseEffective treatment considerations, including medication, psychotherapy, coaching, and lifestyle strategiesIdentity and emotional experiences, such as self-esteem, grief, and reinterpreting one’s life story after a late diagnosisDr. Shirley Hershko is an ADHD specialist, therapist, diagnostician, professor, and researcher at the Hebrew University. With more than two decades of clinical experience focused on ADHD in girls and women, she offers comprehensive diagnostics and therapy worldwide through secure digital platforms. Dr. Hershko hosts a widely followed podcast, leads a Facebook community of 50,000 members, and is the author of the best-selling book Making Sense of ADHD. Her work centers on helping individuals with ADHD better understand their strengths, challenges, and unique neurocognitive profiles. Website: https://shirleyhershko.com

Comments or feedback? Send us a text! In this conversation, we speak with psychotherapist and author Melissa Fulgieri, LCSW about her powerful book Healing Relational Trauma, which offers a deeply human and integrative approach to understanding the ways our early relationships shape who we become. We explore how awareness, compassion, and self-trust can help us move from survival to connection—transforming old patterns rooted in attachment wounding and developmental trauma.  The conversation also touches on themes of reparenting, nervous system regulation, relational repair, and the ongoing process of finding safety within ourselves and others. Themes of Discussion Understanding Relational Trauma: Moving beyond “big T” events to include chronic emotional disconnection and unmet needs.The Legacy of Attachment: How early caregiving experiences shape self-worth, emotional regulation, and intimacy in adulthood.Breaking Cycles: Recognizing and transforming unconscious relational patterns that keep us stuck in repetition.Embodied Healing: Learning to recognize trauma responses in the body and fostering regulation through awareness and self-compassion.Boundaries and Self-Trust: Reclaiming agency and rebuilding a sense of safety when these capacities were never modeled.Connection as Medicine: Viewing relationships not as sources of pain to avoid, but as opportunities for repair and growth.Integrative Approaches: How modalities like CBT, family systems, mindfulness, and EFT can work together in trauma recovery.Cultural & Generational Context: Understanding how family legacies and social systems influence the experience of healing.Seeing Wounds as Invitations: Embracing pain as a portal to deeper authenticity, resilience, and relational depth.Melissa Fulgieri, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, author, adjunct professor, and speaker specializing in trauma-informed care and relational dynamics. With over a decade of clinical experience, she works with individuals and couples to address the enduring impact of childhood trauma on adult attachment, emotional regulation, and interpersonal functioning. Her integrative framework blends trauma-focused CBT, family systems theory, emotionally focused therapy (EFT), and mindfulness-based approaches. Melissa is the author of The Couples Therapy Activity Book and Healing Relational Trauma, and is recognized for her grounded, compassionate, and accessible clinical voice. She maintains a private practice in New York and teaches in graduate-level social work programs. Connect with Melissa: 🌐 melissafulgieri.com 📸 @melissafulgierilcsw 💼 LinkedIn