Understanding Childhood Trauma:What Every Parent, Teacher & Carer Needs to Know

How does childhood trauma shape our adult lives?
How can therapy help us navigate past wounds and reclaim our future?

In this episode of the Able to Care Podcast, host Andy Baker is joined by Wendy Castellino, a psychotherapist with over 35 years of experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness. Wendy has dedicated her career to helping individuals heal from trauma, build emotional resilience, and transform their lives.

Together, Andy and Wendy explore the impact of childhood trauma, how it manifests in everyday life, and how therapy can provide lasting change. If you’ve ever struggled with past experiences, anxiety, or emotional distress, or you support others dealing with trauma, this episode will provide insights, strategies, and hope.

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Key Messages from This Episode:

🧠 Trauma Can Manifest in Unexpected Ways – Childhood trauma can influence mental health, relationships, self-worth, and even physical health well into adulthood.

💬 Therapy Is for Growth, Not Just Crisis – Many people think therapy is only for those in crisis, but it can be a tool for self-discovery, resilience, and emotional strength.

⚖ EMDR and CBT Are Powerful Tools for Healing – Wendy explains how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) work and why they are effective in treating trauma and PTSD.

🌍 The Mind-Body Connection in Trauma – Trauma is not just mental; it lives in the body. Chronic stress can lead to autoimmune diseases, anxiety, and physical distress.

🔍 Healing Is a Journey, Not a Quick Fix – Therapy is a process that requires commitment, small steps, and self-compassion.

💡 Practical Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety – Wendy shares mindfulness exercises and self-care strategies that anyone can integrate into daily life.

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📌 Key Timestamps:

📌 [00:00] – Introduction: How childhood trauma shapes adulthood
📌 [00:52] – Sponsor: Carers Card UK – Supporting unpaid carers
📌 [03:09] – How Wendy’s journey into therapy began
📌 [06:54] – What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
📌 [10:26] – Trauma-focused CBT and how it helps process past experiences
📌 [16:39] – What is trauma? How do we define it?
📌 [24:32] – The mind-body connection: Why trauma affects physical health
📌 [30:32] – Understanding EMDR therapy and how it helps reprocess trauma
📌 [37:46] – Therapy options: How to find the right therapist for you
📌 [49:24] – The importance of self-care for caregivers and professionals
📌 [56:41] – Therapy vs. medication: Finding the right balance
📌 [01:02:31] – Wendy’s top mindfulness techniques for everyday life
📌 [01:07:28] – How to connect with Wendy for therapy and resources

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