Episode 3. Exploring Mindfulness in Mental Health: Trauma, Healing & the Power of Nature with Jason Durtschi

What if numbness wasn’t the absence of feeling—but your body’s way of keeping you alive?In this powerful episode of The Mindful Trainer, I sit down with my longtime friend, therapist Jason Durtschi, LCSW, for a raw and illuminating conversation about trauma, dissociation, and healing. Jason opens up about surviving an avalanche in the Utah backcountry, how numbness carried him through that near-death experience, and the way decades of therapy, medication, and mindfulness have shaped his perspective on resilience.If you’ve ever wondered why you feel “disconnected” in the face of challenge—or how to reconnect—Jason’s wisdom will help you honor your experience instead of judging it. Together, we also explore how nature resets the nervous system and why self-care is essential for both therapists and anyone navigating life’s transitions.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeJason and I cover both the science and the soul of mental health, weaving in his avalanche story, clinical insights, and daily practices. In this episode, you’ll learn:How numbness and dissociation serve as protective trauma responses,Why awareness is the first step to healing and reconnection,How nature offers perspective, grounding, and nervous system reset,The role of medication in mental health care—and why it’s not “weakness,” andWhy therapists need radical self-care to show up fully for clients.Key Takeaways From This EpisodeNumbness Isn’t NothingAs Jason says, “numbness is an emotional state”—one that protects us when experiences feel too overwhelming. It deserves respect, not judgment.Nature Resets the Mind & BodyFrom skiing Mount Hood to hiking Portland’s green forests, Jason describes the profound clarity and perspective nature offers.Healing Is MultifacetedMedication, therapy, mindfulness, and connection all play complementary roles in creating long-term resilience.Connect with JasonTreeofLifeCounselingandCoachingHave you looked in the mirror and realized...your next project is you?Download My Free Guide: 5 Steps to Healing and take your first step toward becoming your best project yet.