ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Trauma doesn't always end when the danger has passed.
Even years after a difficult experience, our brains and bodies can continue responding as though we're still under threat. But why do these patterns persist, and can we learn to change them?
This week on Mastering Change, Emma Stapleton and Araminta Jonsson speak with Siegfried Othmer, a physicist and pioneer in neurofeedback, who has spent over four decades exploring how the brain regulates itself and what happens when that regulation is disrupted.
While traditional approaches to trauma often focus on understanding and processing our experiences, Siegfried offers a different perspective. He argues that trauma recovery may also depend on helping the brain develop new patterns of self-regulation, rather than relying on psychological understanding alone.
Drawing on his family's personal experiences and decades of clinical work, Siegfried explores the potential of neurofeedback and why he believes the physiological dimensions of trauma deserve greater attention.
We explore:
- Why the brain can remain in a state of threat long after danger has passed
- How trauma affects the brain's ability to regulate itself
- What neurofeedback is and how it works
- Why talking therapies may not address every aspect of trauma
- The potential of brain training to support emotional and physiological regulation
Moment of Care: This episode includes discussion of childhood trauma, serious violence, mental health and other potentially distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take care of yourself and seek support if you need it.
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