The Wounds We Carry, The Work We Do

In this episode, I sat down with another therapist for a conversation that felt honest, reflective, educational, and deeply human.We talked about our different journeys into the therapy field, what shaped us personally before we ever became clinicians, and how our own life experiences continue to influence the way we show up in the therapy room.One part of the conversation explored her experience with religious trauma and the process of untangling identity, fear, shame, and authenticity after growing up in a high-control religious environment.We also discussed OCD, how it differs from generalized anxiety, why reassurance can unintentionally strengthen obsessive cycles, and what treatment often focuses on instead.And throughout the conversation, we touched on Internal Family Systems (IFS), protective parts, self-understanding, and the ways people learn to reconnect with themselves after years of adapting for survival.You can find Josie McClard, MS at ATL Trauma Therapy. She works with adults, young adults, teens, and couples navigating OCD, trauma (including religious and complex trauma), LGBTQIA+ identity, neurodivergence, and relational challenges.