Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

By: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
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  • Summary

  • Counselors, coaches and sober companions help hundreds of thousands of people affected by Addictions and Mental Health issues each year. Learn about the current research and practical counseling tools to improve your skills and provide the best possible services. Counselor Toolbox targets counselors, coaches and companions, but can also provide useful counseling self-help tools for persons struggling with these issues and their loved ones. AllCEUs is an approved counseling continuing education provider for addiction and mental health counselors in most states. Counseling CEUs are available for each episode.
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Episodes
  • 1054-Demystifying Trauma Responses 12 Signs of PTSD You May Not Know

    1054-Demystifying Trauma Responses 12 Signs of PTSD You May Not Know
    Mar 6 2025
    Trauma vs. Traumatic Injury Trauma is an event that causes a sense of helplessness and horror. Traumatic injury refers to the physical, emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal effects of trauma. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD or complex PTSD (CPTSD). Symptoms Often Misdiagnosed Conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and addiction are often misdiagnosed when they are actually symptoms of unresolved trauma. Understanding the root cause of these conditions helps tailor treatment to address trauma. Trauma in Childhood vs. Adulthood Childhood trauma, especially in chaotic or abusive households, can have lasting effects on attachment styles and emotional regulation in adulthood. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, neglect, and abandonment significantly impact mental health. Hypervigilance and Executive Dysfunction Trauma survivors are often hypervigilant, constantly scanning for threats, which can impair their ability to concentrate and problem-solve. This can mimic symptoms of ADHD, making it difficult to diagnose correctly. Emotional Dysregulation and Anger Trauma often leads to emotional dysregulation, where individuals respond with exaggerated emotions or anger to minor stressors. This can be a learned response from childhood, where the fight-or-flight mechanism is over-activated. Cognitive and Sensory Effects Trauma survivors may experience sensory hypersensitivity, such as being overly alert to sounds, smells, and visual triggers that remind them of past trauma. They may also struggle with recognizing and labeling emotions, making emotional regulation even more challenging. Attachment Trauma and Relationship Issues Trauma, especially attachment trauma, can lead to avoidance or anxiety in relationships. Some survivors may withdraw from social situations, while others may be hypersensitive to rejection and constantly seek validation. Impact on Physical Health Trauma affects the body's stress response system (HPA axis), leading to issues like inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders. Chronic stress also impairs the immune system, increasing the risk of various health problems like diabetes and heart disease. Sleep Problems Trauma disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to insomnia or sleep disorders like sleep apnea. These sleep problems exacerbate mental health conditions, making recovery from trauma even more difficult. Emotional Numbing and Depression Emotional numbing, apathy, and depression are common in trauma survivors, often making it difficult for them to experience joy or motivation. Chronic stress impairs the brain's ability to respond to pleasure and excitement, contributing to long-term mental health issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • 1053-Revolutionizing Opioid and Trauma Treatment with Neurostimulation

    1053-Revolutionizing Opioid and Trauma Treatment with Neurostimulation
    Mar 4 2025
    Introduction to Neurostimulation in Recovery Neurostimulation techniques, like vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), have been researched for their role in treating neurological diseases, including addiction and trauma-related disorders. Dr. Navid Kodaparash shares his insights into how neuroplasticity, triggered through VNS, helps the brain recover and adapt. Autonomic Nervous System and Its Role The autonomic nervous system consists of the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) systems, which work in tandem to regulate stress responses. Dysregulation of this system, especially in chronic stress or trauma, can lead to conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and addiction. Vagus Nerve: The Wandering Nerve The vagus nerve is crucial for regulating the parasympathetic nervous system. It's known as the "wandering nerve" because it connects multiple organs in the body. Stimulating the vagus nerve can promote a calming effect, reducing heart rate and helping the body relax. Vagal Tone and Stress Regulation Poor vagal tone refers to reduced parasympathetic activity, leading to higher stress and anxiety levels. Improving vagal tone can enhance overall emotional regulation. Techniques like breathing exercises and auricular vagus nerve stimulation can help improve vagal tone over time. Neurostimulation for Addiction and Trauma Chronic stress and trauma predispose individuals to self-medicate with substances like opioids, leading to addiction. Neurostimulation techniques, including auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS), show promise in reducing symptoms of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) and anxiety during recovery from opioid use disorder. Non-Invasive VNS Non-invasive VNS techniques, like ear stimulation, can offer similar benefits to implanted devices without requiring surgery. These methods have shown success in managing stress, trauma, and addiction recovery. Clinical Trials and Treatment Sparrow biomedical devices are currently being researched for their effectiveness in treating opioid withdrawal and chronic pain management. Trials have demonstrated the efficacy of VNS in reducing withdrawal symptoms and shortening recovery times for patients suffering from opioid dependency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 mins
  • 1052-Expert tips for setting and maintaining boundaries in relationships

    1052-Expert tips for setting and maintaining boundaries in relationships
    Feb 27 2025
    Defining Boundaries Boundaries are behaviors that communicate what we will and will not tolerate from others. Think of boundaries as a door to your safe space that you control—deciding whom to let in or out. Types of Boundaries Physical Boundaries: Cover personal space, touch, and eye contact preferences. Affective Boundaries: Reflect the ability to empathize without being consumed by others' emotions. Cognitive Boundaries: Allow individuals to maintain their own beliefs and perceptions. Environmental Boundaries: Relate to personal belongings, space, and time shared with others. Relationship Boundaries: Define who you choose to spend time with and how you engage with them. The Impact of Healthy Boundaries Healthy boundaries make you feel safer and more supported, helping reduce stress, improve immunity, and enhance emotional well-being. They contribute to better sleep, less anxiety, and improved cognitive clarity by reducing external interference. Evaluating Boundaries Periodically evaluate your boundaries to ensure they are appropriate. They should not be too rigid or too weak. Overly rigid boundaries can lead to isolation, while weak boundaries can overwhelm you with others' issues and demands. Handling Boundary Violations When boundaries are violated, it’s important to assertively communicate your needs and set limits. You have the power to refuse to rescue or enable harmful behaviors and to protect your emotional and physical space. Types of Boundary Violators Benign Strangers: People you may not know well, but who do not pose immediate threats. You can engage with them cautiously, possibly learning from them. Burglars: Narcissists, sociopaths, or manipulative people who try to rob you of self-worth, confidence, and sometimes material things. Children: Those who respond immaturely to not getting their way, throwing tantrums until they get what they want. Boundary Maintenance Keep an eye on how your boundaries evolve in relationships. Boundaries with trusted people may become more open, while those with untrustworthy individuals should remain firm. Use assertiveness to communicate your boundaries clearly, ensuring others understand your limits and respecting their own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins

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