One of the most complicated relationships in our lives is the one we have with our mother. At conception, our bodies are intrinsically connected to our mother for the first nine months of our existence. At birth, and throughout the rest of our lives, we are emotionally affected by the nurturing, or lack of it, we receive from our mothers. Do we have unrealistic expectations of what a mother should be? Why do we remember the traumatic experiences from our childhoods rather than joyful ones? To unveil the process of nurturing our traumas and soothing our nervous system in times of stress, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two doctors who coach people through the trauma of early childhood experiences. Dr. Judith Ruskay discusses key takeaways from her work and book, The Girl in the Red Boots: Making Peace with My Mother. And, Dr. Patti Ashley shares methods for reducing body trauma during times of stress and fear.

About Lisa’s guests:

Judith Ruskay Rabinor, Ph.D., is a clinician, author, writing coach, speaker, and workshop leader. In addition to her New York City private psychotherapy practice, she offers remote consultations for writers, clinicians, and families. She has published dozens of articles for both the public and professionals and has authored three books.

Book: The Girl in the Red Boots: Making Peace with My Mother

Dr. Patti Ashley brings unique insight into the identification and treatment of trauma, shame, grief, and dysfunctional family patterns. Her signature model of Authenticity Architecture creates long-term changes in the brain and central nervous system, breaking through barriers to personal freedom and authentic growth, and excavating the truth of self-love, belonging, and connection. Patti holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the Union Institute and University. She is the author of Living in the Shadow of the Too-Good Mother Archetype (2014), Letters to Freedom (2019), and the upcoming Shame-Informed Therapy: The Art and Architecture of Reconstructing the Authentic Self.

Book: Living in the Shadow of the Too-Good Mother Archetype