15. Trauma Therapy for Domestic Abuse Survivors: Tara Floersch on CPTSD, the Fawn Response, and How Healing Really Works

"You're never backsliding. You're always higher in elevation than when you started." In this episode, your host welcomes Tara Floersch, a licensed clinical social worker and trauma specialist at Conscious Healing Counseling in Minnesota, and the therapist who built a unique collaboration that brings therapy directly to the Alexandra House shelter. Tara breaks down the neuroscience of trauma in plain language, why triggers feel like they're happening right now even years later, why the fawn response is the most common survival reaction in domestic violence, and why leaving can actually feel more unsafe to the brain than staying. She explains the critical difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD, what inner child work has to do with relationship patterns, and why your brain's love of predictability can keep survivors drawn back to what hurt them. She also tackles the practical barriers, what to do if your abuser controls the insurance, how to find a DV-informed therapist, and how Alexandra House now offers free walk-in counseling with no insurance needed. You are always in the driver's seat in therapy. This episode will help you understand what that means and why it matters. Send us Fan Mail The personal experiences shared in this podcast are the opinions of the individuals sharing them and are not intended to serve as professional advice or constitute accusations about any other person, organization, or group. We encourage you to seek professional support and assistance. The topics discussed in this podcast may be distressing and triggering for some listeners and could impact your mental health. The content of this podcast is intended for educational and awareness purposes only. For more information and resources, please visit hanginthere.net.