Trauma: Healing what you didn't choose with Dr. Katie Wiggins

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Take off the Mask with CasieCasem

CasieCasem

10 episodes

1 week ago

*Welcome to* “Take Off The Mask with CasieCasem (TOTM),” *the podcast where we strip away the filters and dig deep into the heart of mental health. I’m your host, Casie Casem, and here, nothing is off-limits. We talk about the things that matter—raw, real stories from people who’ve been there, insights from experts who know the field, and conversations that challenge how we think about mental well-being.* This isn't just another mental health podcast. It's a community. A place where you're seen, heard, and understood, no matter what you’re going through. Whether you’re here to find support, gain understanding, or simply listen to meaningful discussions —whatever brought you here, you’re in the right place. our goal is to create a space where you feel heard and valued. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey. *Together, we're breaking down walls and opening up honest conversations that need to be had. *Together we can Change the Face of Depression Join us as we take off the mask and face mental health together. *Before we dive in, a quick note: today's episode may cover sensitive topics related to mental health. If you feel overwhelmed at any point, please reach out to a professional or someone you trust. We’re all in this together, and there’s always help and hope.* *Ready to take off the mask? Let’s get started. Check out our website at www.CTFOD.com or www.changethefaceofdepression.com

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Trauma: Healing what you didn't choose with Dr. Katie Wiggins

Take off the Mask with CasieCasem

1 hour 10 minutes

4 months ago

Trauma: Healing what you didn't choose with Dr. Katie Wiggins

🎙️ Episode Title: The Shape of Trauma: Healing What We Didn’t Choose

Description:

In this profoundly healing episode of Take Off the Mask, therapist and trauma expert Dr. Katie Wiggins joins CasieCasem for a soul-deep dive into the often invisible ways trauma shapes our minds, bodies, and relationships.

Through raw personal reflection and clinical insight, they unpack the hidden symptoms of trauma — from emotional disconnection to panic attacks — and how high-functioning individuals can carry lifelong pain without even realizing it. Together, they explore the powerful healing potential of modalities like EMDR and Internal Family Systems, while reminding listeners that trauma isn’t always about what happened — it’s often about what didn’t.

This isn’t a clinical lecture. It’s a heart-to-heart conversation about reclaiming your story, your safety, and your self-worth — even when justice never comes.

Key Themes:

What trauma really is — and how it hides in plain sight
Panic vs. anxiety: decoding trauma responses
Relationship dynamics and trauma reenactment
The role of somatic memory and the body’s response
Self-regulation, self-love, and healing without permission
Justice vs. liberation: which truly sets us free?

Quote to remember:
"Healing isn’t about fixing what’s broken — it’s about honoring what we survived."

Before we wrap, Dr. Katie Wiggins shared two powerful resources that align beautifully with today’s conversation. If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of trauma and the nervous system, we encourage you to explore the following:

"Still Face Experiment" by Dr. Edward Tronick
This foundational video illustrates the emotional impact of caregiver disconnection on infants and how early attachment experiences shape our lifelong understanding of safety and connection.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=qlQeSnyLong

"Why You Can’t 'Think' Your Way Out of Trauma" featuring Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
A compelling explanation of how trauma lives in the body and why true healing must be embodied—not just intellectualized.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXXDklZQ4JQ

If the links above don’t open, you can copy and paste them directly into your browser:

These resources are powerful reminders that healing is not only possible—it’s personal, ongoing, and entirely valid whether or not justice ever arrives.