Peter Attia MD339 - Unpacking trauma: How early wounds shape behavior and the path toward healing
Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- March 10, 2025
- Duration
- 2h 29m
- Channel
- Peter Attia MD
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Jeff English is a trauma-focused clinical counselor with extensive experience working with adults, teens, families, & groups across various settings, including career counseling, life coaching, addiction recovery, professional workshops, & private practice. In this episode, Jeff shares insights from his work as a trauma therapist, exploring how moments of perceived helplessness shape behaviors & how adaptive strategies can become maladaptive over time. He discusses the concept of the “trauma tree,” examining its roots (causes) & branches (consequences), & highlights a powerful framework used at the Bridge to Recovery, a residential workshop where Jeff serves as an outreach specialist. Jeff reflects on the transformative power of group therapy, the role of vulnerability in fostering connection, & the challenges of letting go of control. He also offers practical advice on finding a great trauma therapist, balancing personal growth within relationships, & recognizing when it’s time to seek help. View show notes here: https://bit.ly/4ibOCNC Become a member to receive exclusive content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ 0:00:00-Intro 0:01:38-Defining trauma 0:05:14-Therapeutic process at The Bridge to Recovery: discomfort, vulnerability, & reframing one’s story 0:12:31-Roots of the trauma tree: the wounding experiences that shape adaptive survival behaviors 0:19:28-Branches of the trauma tree: how trauma manifests 0:27:36-Connection between trauma manifestations & underlying wounding experiences & trauma triggers 0:38:41-How surrendering control, eliminating distractions, & practicing vulnerability are essential 0:51:48-How adaptive behaviors developed during childhood in response to trauma can become maladaptive 0:59:15-Difference between shame & guilt & addressing shame-driven behaviors 1:03:35-Unique rules at The Bridge to Recovery that support healing 1:09:45-Internal resistance to healing due to the fear of losing positive traits associated with trauma 1:18:20-Storytelling process at The Bridge, & the role of peer feedback 1:23:58-Differences between immersive residential therapy & individual therapy 1:39:38-Personal journey as a client & therapist at The Bridge 1:44:56-Generational transmission of trauma, & breaking the cycle 1:48:44-Challenge of addressing socially acceptable maladaptive behaviors like workaholism, perfectionism, & overachievement 1:53:38-How to determine whether struggles stem from deep-seated trauma or just bad habits, & how rewiring maladaptive behaviors requires addressing the underlying emotional wounds 2:01:54-Breakthroughs that shatter beliefs & allows change to occur, & the process that creates this opportunity 2:11:49-Advice on finding a therapist for trauma work 2:19:27-Importance of connection & vulnerability 2:25:21-How to encourage a resistant partner to seek help 2:27:37-Advice for those emotionally struggling -------- About: The Peter Attia Drive is a deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing longevity, & all that goes into that from physical to cognitive to emotional health. With over 90 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including exercise, nutritional biochemistry, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, & much more. Peter Attia is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan & simultaneously improving their healthspan. Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com Connect with Peter on: Facebook: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDTW Instagram: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDIG Subscribe to The Drive: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveApplePodcasts Overcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveOvercast Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheDriveSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheDriveGoogle Disclaimer: This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and the materials linked to this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content on this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they have, and they should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. I take conflicts of interest very seriously. For all of my disclosures and the companies I invest in or advise, please visit my website where I keep an up-to-date and active list of such companies. For a full list of our registered and unregistered trademarks, trade names, and service marks, please review our Terms of Use: https://peterattiamd.com/terms-of-use/
SPEAKERS
Peter Attia
hostPhysician and host of The Drive podcast focused on longevity and health.
Jeff English
guestTrauma-focused therapist and guest discussing how early wounds shape behavior and healing.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Peter Attia MD, featuring Peter Attia and Jeff English, 339 - Unpacking trauma: How early wounds shape behavior and the path toward healing explores therapist Jeff English Explains How Early Wounds Drive Adult Behavior and Healing Jeff English defines trauma as moments of perceived helplessness that activate the limbic system, covering both single tragic events and the accumulation of many small wounds.
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