In this episode of Growing OT, host Claire O'Byrne sits down with Alexandra Dunn—a trauma-informed integrative counselor, life coach, reflexologist, and equine facilitator with 25 years of experience. Alex opens up about her personal journey, from growing up in a mental health-focused family in London to surviving a life-altering workplace trauma that pushed her into functional freeze and survival mode.
Alex candidly shares what it felt like to transition from being the practitioner "sitting near the door" to becoming a client navigating workers' compensation and rehabilitation systems. She details how occupational therapy and equine-facilitated therapy played vital roles in her recovery, demonstrating the co-regulatory power of animals and the profound impact of feeling truly seen. Packed with practical wisdom on holding space, dropping rigid agendas, and prioritizing self-compassion for clinicians, this conversation is an essential guide for healthcare professionals and anyone on a healing journey.
Key Takeaways- Understanding Functional Freeze & Fawning: Learn how trauma can present as high-functioning survival mode—where smiling, pleasing others, and over-functioning mask deep internal exhaustion and hyperarousal.
- The View from "The Other Side": Gain insight into what clients experience when entering care systems after trauma and how empathetic practitioners can make all the difference.
- The Power of Being Noticed: Discover how subtle, present-moment observations from an OT can anchor clients during flashbacks and panic attacks.
- Equine-Facilitated Co-Regulation: Explore how horses pick up on internal state over outer appearances, reflect energy without judgment, and create a powerful environment for silent healing.
- Practitioner Self-Care & Trusting Your Gut: Learn actionable techniques for co-regulation, grounding, and making sure clinicians place themselves on their own list of unconditional care.
Show Notes
Episode Outline & Timestamps- [00:00] – Introduction: Host Claire O'Byrne introduces Alexandra Dunn.
- [01:13] – Alex's Background & Personal Story: Growing up with a consultant psychiatrist father, introducing horses into her life, and surviving a traumatic workplace incident.
- [07:51] – Functional Freeze & Survival Mode: What functional freeze and the fawn response look like on a day-to-day basis.
- [10:48] – The Turning Point & System Navigation: Entering WCB medical leave and navigating Lifemark’s psychological injury program as a client.
- [13:46] – The OT Relationship: How an occupational therapist helped Alex ground through panic attacks and feel genuinely noticed.
- [17:35] – Living Trauma-Informed: How personal experience reshaped Alex’s clinical practice, pacing, and relationship with clients.
- [21:49] – Equine Facilitated Therapy: Understanding how horses reflect internal emotion, facilitate co-regulation, and process heavy energy.
- [27:44] – Holding Space & Being Truly Seen: Supporting clients where they are without pushing an agenda or forcing them to relive trauma.
- [34:52] – Practical Advice for OTs & Self-Care: Grounding techniques, co-regulation tools, and placing yourself on your own care list.
- [40:53] – What's Next: Alex’s trauma-informed training for equine facilitators and her upcoming self-help book project.
- [46:40] – Closing & Contact Details: Where to connect with Alex online.
Resources & Links Mentioned- Alexandra Dunn Wellness Website: Explore Alex's counseling, coaching, and equine facilitation offerings at alexandradunnwellness.com.
- Social Media: Connect with Alex on Instagram or Facebook via @alexandradunnwellness.
- Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists (SAOT): Learn more about the host organization and access episodes at saot.ca.
