What if childhood experiences hold the key to understanding our adult behaviors? Join us as we unravel the mysteries of personal development with Michaela Beaver, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and Laura Wood, a trauma therapist, in an enlightening episode of "Why Am I Like This?" Through their personal journeys, Michaela and Laura share how unexpected life events guided them into the mental health field, shifting aspirations from neonatal care to a passion for helping others overcome mental health challenges. Their stories reveal the profound impact of early life influences on career paths and the critical role self-awareness plays in understanding our actions.

Together, we explore complex ideas like adaptive information processing and how childhood events shape our perception of threats. By examining personal stories, including the trials of parenting a child with ADHD, Michaela and Laura emphasize empathy and understanding as vital tools in nurturing emotional growth. They highlight how our sensory perceptions can become conditioned by trauma, leading to misinterpretations of danger. Their discussion offers insights into fostering healthier responses to past traumas, advocating for emotional regulation, and validating children's experiences to prevent them from internalizing fear.

Michaela and Laura delve into the transformative power of therapy, particularly EMDR, as a pathway to healing and self-actualization. They offer grounding techniques to help manage triggers and remain present, underlining the importance of finding personalized tools to regain control in moments of distress. As they navigate the journey from survival to self-fulfillment, they challenge the linear model of Maslow's hierarchy, proposing a more dynamic approach to meeting our needs. Throughout the episode, they invite listeners to engage with their growth journeys, exploring vulnerabilities and identities while fostering a deeper understanding of what shapes us.

Laura's Free Course on Emotional Development and Regulation:
https://benavieri.com/neuroception-sign-up/

This show is sponsored by:

Benavieri Counseling & Coaching
www.benavieri.com

Active Healing Psychiatric Services
www.activehealingpsych.com