How to Heal Complex PTSD After Domestic Violence: What Worked for Me
Summary
Will it always feel this hard? If you're living with PTSD or complex PTSD, this episode is here to tell you there is real hope, and real tools that help.
Mandi's friend and podcast editor Andrea interviews Mandi about what actually helped her heal from complex PTSD (C-PTSD). Whether your trauma came from an abusive relationship, childhood, a workplace, or any repeated experience that left your nervous system stuck on high alert, there IS hope.
You'll hear why for Mandi, talk therapy alone often wasn't enough, how getting the body involved changed everything, what's happening in the brain as it learns to feel safe again, and why a few truly safe people can make all the difference. Whatever you've been through, this conversation is a reminder that healing is possible and post-traumatic growth is real.
Resources
Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller on Amazon - Book Gayle recommends on how codependency shows up in early childhood development.
Aware and Prepared Podcast previous episodes mentioned:
Mandi's Story (Episodes 1 & 2) - Mandi's story of domestic violence, plus the detective who helped the FBI catch her ex husband.
People-Pleasing and Codependency with Gayle Dargel - Last week's episode on the fawn response, people pleasing, and finding yourself again.
Reverend Dr. Geneece - On helping pastors and faith communities respond better to domestic violence a few months ago
Andrea Hamilton (interviewer): musician and podcast editor
Southwest Trauma Training - Trauma training organization of Ruby Jo Walker, LCSW, a neurobiology and complex trauma expert whose books Mandi recommends.
Connect with Mandi:
Website: WomenAwareAndPrepared.com
Take the Free Intuition Quiz WomenAwareAndPrepared.com/Quiz
Instagram: @WomenAwareAndPrepared
LinkedIn: Mandi Pratt
Approximate Timestamps
[01:30] Domestic violence is more than physical: coercive control and emotional abuse
[03:30] Why it rarely gets better, wave metaphor and episodes 1 & 2
[04:44] Why the mind games often do the most damage
[06:00] When healing began: post-separation abuse
[06:39] Complex PTSD and repeated trauma
[07:52] Getting the body involved: self-defense and somatic therapy
[9:21] What helped and what didn't: acupuncture, chiropractic, massage
[12:56] Breathwork, sound baths, and why warmth beats the cold plunge
[14:30] Addressing EMDR
[15:59] Nervous system work, nature therapy, retraining the brain
[18:41] How the brain heals: "I am learning how to feel safer"
[21:06] Using music to feel your feelings
[22:10] A day in the healing life: self-compassion and reconnecting with your body
[25:01] Boundaries and finding your safe people
[29:42] Faith, church, and safe spiritual community
[33:36] Coming back home to your five-year-old self
[34:24] The hardest things to heal from
[36:46] Letting self-doubt float by like a branch in a river
[39:30] What applies to every trauma response: the body and neurobiology
[42:00] Somatic tracking and bilateral stimulation
[43:30] Resources and hope
The primary purpose of the Women Aware and Prepared Podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute advice or services. Please use common sense for your own situation.
