How to Shift Your Life from Survival Mode to Self Love w/ Trauma Informed Therapist & Reiki Healer Katie Parent | EP067

In this episode, we sit down with Katie Parent, a licensed therapist and holistic healer, to explore what healing really means—beyond talk therapy and into the body, the nervous system, and lived experience.Katie shares how she combines traditional mental health practices with somatic tools, nervous system regulation, and energy work like Reiki to support people through trauma, burnout, and the messy process of becoming more whole. We discuss the difference between survival mode and true self-awareness, how trauma often lives in the body long after the mind thinks it’s healed, and why so many people are stuck in patterns that aren't their fault—but are their responsibility to shift.She also opens up about her own healing path, including childhood trauma, divorce, and what it means to show up as a therapist who’s still doing the work. We dive into addiction as an expression of unmet needs, the impact of little-t trauma, and why healing doesn't happen in isolation—it happens in connection.If you've ever felt burned out, numb, overly responsible, or like you're doing all the "right" things and still not feeling better, this one’s for you00:00:00 – Meet Katie: therapist, healer, space holder  00:01:00 – Therapy, energy work & bridging science with spirituality  00:05:00 – Trauma in the body vs. talk therapy  00:10:00 – The nervous system, survival mode & burnout  00:17:00 – Chronic stress, digestion & trauma in the organs  00:22:00 – Childhood patterns, anxiety & confidence  00:30:00 – Relationships, parenting, and healing through connection  00:38:00 – Katie’s personal trauma & therapist identity  00:44:00 – Shame, addiction, self-talk & emotional reparenting  00:53:00 – Root-cause healing & readiness for change  01:00:00 – Reiki, emotional pain & asking for help  01:10:00 – Daily practices: hydration, cold showers, nervous system care  01:15:00 – Where to find Katie + what’s coming nextJoin our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotionshttps://app.grouped.com/whothoughtwedbeherepodJoin Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK  https://www.jokerink.com/NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh. https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepodPlease Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!