*Trigger Warning: Sensitive Content Ahead In this episode of Grief is the New Normal (Episode 33), we speak with Kristina Spurlock, LMHC, about the deeply personal and painful realities of sexual assault trauma and grief. Please be advised: This conversation includes discussions of sexual violence, emotional trauma, and the grieving process that may be activating for some listeners. If you are currently in crisis or need support, we encourage you to reach out to a mental health professional or call a crisis line in your area. Your mental and emotional safety comes first. Please listen with care. ----------------------------------- Understanding Grief and Trauma with Kristina Spurlock In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes therapist Kristina Spurlock, LMHC to discuss grief and trauma. Kristina shares insights about her journey into therapy, her experience with EMDR, and her work with sexual assault survivors. The conversation covers the complexities of grief, including the unacknowledged grief over outcomes that didn’t materialize and the importance of addressing trauma responses. The episode also delves into the influence of societal structures on grief and trauma and emphasizes the significance of supportive therapeutic relationships. This episode offers a comprehensive look at how to navigate the layered experiences of grief and trauma, providing valuable insights for both clinicians and those personally affected. 00:00 Introduction to Grief is the New Normal 00:26 Meet Kristina Spurlock: Trauma Specialist 00:52 Kristina's Journey into Therapy 07:15 Understanding Trauma Responses 09:54 Navigating the Legal System as a Survivor 18:28 The Importance of Consent Education 27:12 Understanding Emotional Responses from Childhood Trauma 29:26 Exploring EMDR and Grief Processing 32:01 The Nuances of Grief in Therapy 38:51 The Impact of Political and Social Context on Grief 42:11 Final Thoughts and Takeaways on Grief and Therapy ----------------------------------------------------------- Kristina Spurlock, LMHC is an EMDR therapist who has been helping clients process trauma since 2016. She has worked in community mental health, and hospitals, and currently owns her private practice called Health Insight Counseling. She specializes in adult clients who have experienced sexual assault trauma, first responder trauma, dissociation, and childhood trauma. Find her on instagram at @Healthinsightcounseling ------------------------------------------------------------ Grief is the New Normal is the podcast that refuses to sugarcoat loss—because grief isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a reality to live with. Hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology, this show dives deep into the messy, nonlinear, and very real ways grief impacts our lives. Whether you're navigating the death of your person, wrestling with the weight of an invisible loss, or trying to figure out who you even are after everything changed—this podcast is here for you. With a mix of solo deep dives, expert interviews, and candid conversations, Dr. Taylor unpacks the emotions no one warns you about, challenges outdated grief narratives, and offers both practical tools and hard-earned wisdom to help you feel less alone. No toxic positivity. No “fixing” your grief. Just honest talk, validation, and the reminder that you don’t have to do this alone. Because in a world that wants you to move on, Grief is the New Normal is here to help you move through. https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com hello@griefisthenewnormal.com www.linkedin.com/in/heather-taylor-psyd-licensed-psychologist Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief podcast, mental health, self-care, sass, and dark humor content whether you’re grieving or you’re a mental health professional needing more modern grief language. Wanting more grief specific support? Check out my grief jou