In this episode of the Teaching Journeys podcast, host Dave Roberts is joined by therapists Allison Lefkowitz and Suzanne Chabot to discuss trauma bonding and its impact. Allison, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and Suzanne, a registered professional nurse and licensed marriage family therapist, share their expertise on recognizing and breaking free from trauma bonds. They explore topics such as the physiological and emotional signs of trauma bonds, methods for healing, and the distinct ways highly sensitive persons experience relationships. The conversation also covers ways therapists can effectively support clients dealing with these complex issues. Both guests provide valuable takeaways for listeners and information on how to reach them for further support.

Allison’s Bio and Contact Information

Allison Lefkowitz is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in NYC. She received her master’s degree in Marriage and Family therapy from Hofstra University in Long Island, NY. She also received her BA in Theatre Arts from California State University Northridge.

Allison is licensed in New York, Michigan, and Florida and currently sees clients virtually. In her private practice, Allison specializes in helping Highly Sensitive People heal from and manage life’s difficulties while honoring their sensitive souls and nervous systems. She also has a special interest in assisting clients to recover from childhood and narcissistic abuse. She is currently working on a therapeutic training model to teach therapists how to support highly sensitive and neurodivergent clients to better manage and heal from all forms of narcissistic abuse.

She is the author of the “Highly Sensitive Person’s Toolkit," (Callisto Media/Rockridge Press), published in 2020 in the US and internationally.

You can connect with Allison and learn more about her practice on her website at www.almft.com or follow her on TikTok at @highlysensitivehuman.

You can purchase Allison’s book The Highly Sensitive Person’s Toolkit on Amazon, other major book sellers and at independent book stores

Suzanne’s Bio and Contact Information

Suzanne Chabot is both a Registered Professional Nurse and Licensed Marriage Family Therapist.

Most of her clinical experience has been in mental and community health. For Suzanne, the most rewarding time as a nurse has been working with inpatient psychiatric patients battling eating disorders as well as managing a clinic providing care to high need populations, including refugees from a variety of nations.

As a therapist Suzanne sees couples and adults. She has worked with a wide range of clientele from both Manhattan and CNY;. Her areas of expertise also include relationship difficulties, navigating life cycle transitions, eating disorders and anxiety.

Suzanne works collaboratively with clients utilizing somatic therapy techniques and Narrative Therapy as her foundation while also interweaving from the models of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Attachment Theory, and the Gottman Method.

Suzanne can be reached at www.heartinhandtherapy.com

To find out more about Dave please go to daverobertsmsw.com and his author page psychologyprofessorandminister.com