165: How Trauma Rewires Your Nervous System with Psychologist Dr. Arielle Schwartz

Trauma isn't just something that happens to us—it can shape how our nervous system responds to the world for years. In this conversation, Dr. Lorne Brown sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Arielle Schwartz to explore how trauma, the nervous system, and the vagus nerve influence everything from burnout and anxiety to chronic illness, relationships, and overall wellbeing.Together, they discuss polyvagal theory, why many people experience a "wake-up call" in midlife, how the body stores unresolved experiences, and practical ways to restore resilience through body-based healing, self-awareness, and nervous system regulation.Key Takeaways:Trauma is stored in both the body and the nervous system—not just in memory.Healing requires both top-down (mind) and bottom-up (body) approaches.A healthy nervous system is flexible, not permanently stuck in stress or shutdown.Midlife often exposes unresolved patterns that have been hidden for decades.Self-awareness, self-compassion, and body-based practices help restore resilience and coherence.Where to find Dr. Arielle Schwartz:Website: https://drarielleschwartz.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arielleschwartzboulderFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drarielleschwartzYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5LUxnXbReV7I5cEzvb46sQBook: https://drarielleschwartz.com/books-by-dr-schwartz/Blog: https://drarielleschwartz.com/blog/ Podcast: https://drarielleschwartz.com/podcast-appearances/ Dr. Arielle Schwartz’s Bio:Renowned speaker, author, and esteemed clinical psychologist, Dr. Arielle Schwartz has been widely recognized for her research and clinical advancements in trauma treatment, which have shaped the landscape of trauma recovery and elevated the standard of care all across therapeutic settings.Dr. Schwartz promotes a strength-based, embodied approach to trauma recovery that emphasizes self-driven healing to facilitate post-traumatic growth. Drawing on the principles of EMDR, somatic psychology, mindfulness-based therapies, and relational psychotherapy, she developed Resilience Informed Therapy—an integrative model of care for facilitating recovery from childhood trauma, PTSD, complex-PTSD and Dissociation.Dr. Schwartz has been teaching therapeutic yoga since 2008, and she is the author of Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery, a widely referenced guide to applied Polyvagal Theory for trauma recovery. She has also authored numerous books covering extensive research and guiding techniques in trauma treatment.📧 For guest opportunities, collaborations or sponsorship inquiries, please email us at: [email protected] to connect to Lorne Brown online and in person (Vancouver, BC)Acubalance.ca book virtual or in person conscious work sessions with Dr. Lorne BrownLornebrown.comConscious hacks and tools to optimize your fertility by Dr. Lorne Brown:https://acubalance.ca/conscious-work/Connect with Lorne and the podcast on Instagram:@coherence_code_podcast @acubalancewellnesscentre@lorne_brown_officialDISCLAIMER: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use it as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. This podcast offers information to help the listener cooperate with physicians, mental health professionals or other healthcare providers in a mutual quest for optimal well-being. We advise listeners to carefully review and understand the ideas presented, and to consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. Under no circumstances shall Acubalance, any guests or contributors to the Coherence Code Podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Acubalance be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.