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In this powerful and personal episode, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Hufsa Ahmad opens up about her journey into the field of therapy, shaped by her own experiences with mental health and cultural stigma. Together, we explore the transformative framework of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), its origins, and its practical applications in everyday life. Hufsa breaks down the four core components of DBT—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—and shares how dialectical thinking can help us hold complexity with compassion. From the pioneering work of Marsha Linehan to the technique of opposite action, this conversation offers both insight and hope for those navigating emotional intensity, relational challenges, or cultural barriers to healing.

Key Takeaways

• Hufsa’s personal mental health journey inspired her path into therapy.
• Cultural stigma can deeply impact how mental health is understood and supported.
• DBT is a research-backed modality that supports emotional resilience and relational clarity.
• The four pillars of DBT are:
  • Mindfulness
  • Distress Tolerance
  • Emotional Regulation
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness
• Dialectical thinking helps us hold “both/and” truths and navigate emotional nuance.
• Marsha Linehan developed DBT from her lived experience with borderline personality disorder.
• Emotional regulation is foundational to mental well-being.
• Mindfulness invites non-judgmental awareness of self and surroundings.
• Interpersonal effectiveness strengthens boundaries, communication, and connection.
• DBT resources are accessible online for those seeking support or education.

Resources Mentioned

• DBT Self-Help
• The Linehan Institute
• Books by Marsha Linehan, including Building a Life Worth Living
• Online DBT skills groups and workbooks

You can reach Hufsa Ahmad, LCSW here,

(951) 523-0564

hufsa@mentally-chill.com

www.instagram.com/hufsaahmad

www.facebook.com/hufsaahmadlcsw

www.hufsaahmad.com

#DBT #mentalhealth #emotionalregulation #mindfulness #in

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New episodes every Tuesday! Let's explore healing and mental health support together!!

Get our free Breakthrough Blueprint: A Guide to Stepping Off the Edge and Fully Becoming Yourself right now at

https://catalystforhealing.com/breakthroughblueprint

***The opinions expressed in these podcasts are not intended to replace official recommendations from your doctor and therapist and should not be construed as such under any circumstance.***

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https://www.marialloyd.com/

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In this powerful conversation, Maria Lloyd, LMFT sits down with survivor and activist Leslie McFadden to explore her healing journey after a traumatic sexual assault in 2015. Leslie opens up about the emotional toll of navigating the legal system, the importance of support, and her transformative experience with Trauma Incident Reduction (TIR)—a therapeutic modality that helped her overcome PTSD. Together, they discuss the nuances of trauma recovery, the role of advocacy, and how sharing one’s story can become a tool for empowerment and legislative change.

Keywords:
sexual assault, survivor, TIR, PTSD, activism, mental health, support, sexual trauma, PTSD recovery, trauma-informed therapy, complex PTSD, trauma modalities, mental health advocacy, trauma integration

Key Takeaways:

• Leslie McFadden is a survivor and activist who has been on a healing journey since 2015.
• Trauma Incident Reduction (TIR) played a pivotal role in helping Leslie resolve her PTSD.
• Legal systems can be retraumatizing and exhausting for survivors.
• Support—whether from friends, advocates, or therapists—is essential in the healing process.
• Sharing her story has empowered Leslie and helped others understand their rights.
• Leslie’s work with RISE focuses on legislative advocacy for survivor protections.
• Different therapeutic modalities work for different people; TIR was a breakthrough for Leslie.
• TIR involves a trauma inventory and client-led processing that can lead to profound shifts.

You can Reach Leslie via Social media links:

IG: @leslievmcfadden

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcfaddenleslie/

Website: leslie-mcfadden.com (all social accounts are on here)

Here’s a link to contact Victor:

https://www.traumasol.org/Contact

And here’s a link where people can test themselves to see if they have PTSD:

https://www.traumasol.org/Contact

#SexualAssaultSurvivor #PTSDRecovery #TraumaHealing #TraumaInformedTherapy #SurvivorStories #TIR #TraumaIncidentReduction #EndSexualViolence #SurvivorAdvocacy #HealingJourney #TraumaAwareness #MentalHealthAwareness #SurvivorEmpowerment #RiseForSurvivors #FromTraumaToTransformation #PostTraumaticGrowth #HealingIsPossible #YouAreNotAlone #

"Lo-fi Music Guitar (loop version)" by Migfus20 is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

New episodes every Tuesday! Let's explore healing and mental health support together!!

Get our free Breakthrough Blueprint: A Guide to Stepping Off the Edge and Fully Becoming Yourself right now at

https://catalystforhealing.com/breakthroughblueprint

***The opinions expressed in these podcasts are not intended to replace official recommendations from your doctor and therapist and should not be construed as such under any circumstance.***

https://www.instagram.com/catalystforhealingpodcast/

https://www.tiktok.com/@catalystforhealing

https://www.facebook.com/catalystforhealingpodcast

https://www.youtube.com/@CatalystforHealingPodcast

https://www.marialloyd.com/

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In this powerful conversation, Maria Lloyd, LMFT and Keith Kurlander, LPC explore the transformative potential of psychedelic therapy in mental health care. Keith shares his personal journey through trauma and the healing modalities that shaped his path—including ketamine, psilocybin, somatic experiencing, and yoga.

Together, they discuss the importance of integration, the evolving landscape of psychedelic legalization, and the upcoming book designed to educate and empower both clinicians and seekers. With nuance and care, Keith emphasizes the need for proper guidance, training, and discernment in psychedelic work—advocating for a cautious yet open-hearted approach to healing.

Key Takeaways:

• Psychedelic therapy can be life-changing for those navigating mental health challenges.
• Trauma often lies at the root of emotional suffering.
• Ketamine offers rapid relief for treatment-resistant depression and suicidality.
• Somatic experiencing and yoga are powerful tools for reconnecting with the body.
• Psychedelics must be held in safe, intentional containers with skilled support.
• Education and integration are essential for sustainable healing.
• Legalization is unfolding across the U.S., with growing public interest.
• Healing is nonlinear and deeply personal—it requires active participation.
• Psychedelics can help access and process buried trauma.
• Even in the darkest moments, hope and healing are possible.

https://psychedelic.support/ - A great resource to find therapists trained in psychedelic integration and to sign up for clinical trials in your area.

Connect with Keith Kurlander

Email: Keith@PsychiatryInstitute.com Websites:

• PsychiatryInstitute.com
• PsychiatryCenters.com
• KeithKurlander.com

Phone: 303-358-6259 LinkedIn:

• Keith Kurlander (Higher Practice)
• Integrative Psychiatry Institute

Facebook: Integrative Psychiatry Institute YouTube: Integrative Psychiatry Institute

"Lo-fi Music Guitar (loop version)" by Migfus20 is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

New episodes every Tuesday! Let's explore healing and mental health support together!!

Get our free Breakthrough Blueprint: A Guide to Stepping Off the Edge and Fully Becoming Yourself right now at

https://catalystforhealing.com/breakthroughblueprint

***The opinions expressed in these podcasts are not intended to replace official recommendations from your doctor and therapist and should not be construed as such under any circumstance.***

https://www.instagram.com/catalystforhealingpodcast/

https://www.tiktok.com/@catalystforhealing

https://www.facebook.com/catalystforhealingpodcast

https://www.youtube.com/@CatalystforHealingPodcast

https://www.marialloyd.com/