Attachment Styles & Trauma: Healing The Hurts That Bind with Shoshana Cook

Spark Launch: Neurodiversity Ignited

Mike and Chaya chat with trauma-informed therapist Shoshana Cook, who delves into Attachment Theory, shedding light on the shortcomings in mental health treatment related to it and advocating for a more comprehensive approach.

We Also Cover:

• Incorporating Multiple Treatment Modalities (CBT, DBT, etc)
• A "One-Size-Fits-All" Approach to Mental Recovery Doesn't Exist
• How Treatment Center Turnover Rates Affect Continuity of Care
• Psychoeducation For Attachment Styles
• Parts Therapy/Internal Family Systems
• Schema
• Systemic Changes for the Mental Health Field
• Setting Realistic Expectations
• Trauma Myths
• Complexity of Attachment Styles (Avoidant, Anxious, Ambivalent)
• Customizing Treatment Goals and Methods on an Individual Basis

Quotes:

• "They believe that they're not worthy. They believe that they're not lovable. They believe that they can never have someone just someone that will stay."
• "And even if it wasn't blatant abuse, it could be something as simple as the parent traveled a lot for work were never really around or was sick and they weren't able to show up for their child in the way that they needed to."
• "There are a lot of misdiagnoses. There could be 20 diagnoses for a symptom. We can't just look at a symptom. We can't just throw a medication at something. What we really need to be looking at is, what is the root cause? Why are they experiencing this?"
• "I work with clients with BPD, and they're some of the kindest, most compassionate people I've ever met. Because their trauma has made them hyper-empathetic to other people. So they're like, 'I know what it feels like to feel bad, so I always want to make sure other people don't feel bad.'"

About Shoshana Cook:

Shoshana began her career in 2019 at a non-profit adolescent lockdown facility in Maryland. She identified gaps in the system that needed change for a more ethical, individual-focused approach to take hold. After working with adults experiencing severe mental health issues, she transferred to the substance abuse and co-occurring disorder unit, staying until early 2023. Through these roles, she gained insights into treatment misconceptions and the importance of diversity. Now in private practice, she works with adults impacted by trauma, understanding that unhealed trauma often underlies many other issues.

"Heal it at the root and then the branches and leaves will also flourish"

Connect With Shoshana:

• Shoshana's Website
• @renewed.healing.therapy on Instagram
• Etsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RenewedHealingPrints

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Learning Solutions: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram