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S5 E6 | Stop Saying “It Wasn’t That Bad”: Reconceptualizing Your Trauma
Episode 617th May 2026 • Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain • Sean Hershey LCSW
00:00:00 00:59:21

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You've said it, you've thought it: "it wasn't that bad." Today, we’re helping you change the lens through which you view your traumas.

In this Episode:

🔹 We discuss the difference between enfranchised trauma and disenfranchised trauma.

🔹 Disenfranchised trauma: when the person who experiences a trauma does not have their experience acknowledged as a serious, legitimate problem – and the person is not seen as a serious, legitimate “victim” or “survivor” – and the person is not seen as worthy of attention, help, or resources.

🔹 Many of us who struggle with chronic pain and symptoms have experienced some version of disenfranchised trauma.

And what do you do about that? Join us today to go deeper – and to give yourself some real validation, after everything you’ve been through.

Recommended Listening:

Tarana Burke on Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky

Find Sean:

Sean’s Website: mindbodymedicineforchronicpain.com

Sean’s Free Email List: Free Mindbody Advice and Reminders – From Me to You, Every Week

Click Here to Ask a Question on the Podcast

Sean’s Instagram: @mindbodymedicineforchronicpain

Other Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Judith Herman | Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence – From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror

Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk | The Body Keeps the Score

Dr. David Clarke | They Can’t Find Anything Wrong

How To Journalspeak, with Nicole Sachs

…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow for future episodes, rate, leave a written review, and share it with someone who needs it. Your endorsement helps more people like you find the profound power of mindbody healing.

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