Trauma, PTSD, and Healing: Why Triggers Happen and How Recovery Really Works - Dr. Christal Badour

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with Dr. Christal Badour, PhD, clinical psychologist, academic researcher at the University of Kentucky, and founder of Science for Survivors.Dr. Badour has spent her career studying how people recover from trauma and how science can make that recovery more compassionate and effective. Her research focuses on the intersection of trauma, PTSD, and substance use, including the best treatment approaches for individuals facing co-occurring mental health and addiction challenges.Drawing from her work as a therapist, professor, researcher, and forensic psychological evaluator, Dr. Badour explains how traumatic experiences affect the brain, why triggers and retraumatization occur, and how survivors can begin to process and integrate their experiences.The conversation also explores how public perception and cultural narratives impact survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, why victim-blaming remains a barrier to healing, and how media coverage of violence can retraumatize individuals who have experienced similar events.Dr. Badour also discusses the impact of trauma on children and families, including the ways trauma can show up differently in young people through withdrawal, behavioral challenges, or risk-taking behaviors later in life.For families and loved ones, she shares practical guidance on how to respond when someone discloses a traumatic experience, including why the most powerful response is often simply listening, validating, and saying “I believe you.”This thoughtful and compassionate conversation offers both science-backed insight and hope, reminding listeners that trauma may always be part of someone’s story — but it is never the whole story.To learn more about Dr. Christal Badour and her work, visit: ScienceForSurvivors.comLearn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.