Healing from the Core: Rewiring Trauma Recovery & Finding Internal Safety "High on Healthy" Podcast

By Richard Zwicky

Published: January 26, 2026

I'm thrilled to share that I recently had the pleasure of joining Richard Zwicky on the High on Healthy podcast for a thoughtful and heartfelt conversation about trauma recovery, mental health therapy, and the power of nervous system regulation.

In the episode, we dive into how unresolved adverse childhood experiences and a chronic fight-or-flight response can show up in adulthood as persistent challenges. This may manifest in ways like like difficulty resting deeply, feeling truly safe in your body, disconnection in relationships, or that constant "busyness" many of us mistake for normal life. We often dismiss dissociation or exhaustion as "just how things are," but these are signals from a nervous system that's been in survival mode for too long.

I shared more about my client-centered, trauma-informed approach and the modalities I use to support people who feel "stuck":

• EMDR for reprocessing traumatic memories

• Clinical hypnosis for accessing the subconscious and building calm resources

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) for gently working with protective parts and exiles

The conversation felt validating and hopeful—especially if you've ever wondered why rest feels elusive or why your body reacts so strongly even when things seem "fine" on the surface. Richard created such a thoughtful space, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to talk about this work!

You can listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts:

• Apple Podcasts: Listen here

• Spotify: Listen here

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If you're a fellow therapist, wellness professional, or someone on a healing journey, I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

What nervous system regulation practice has been most helpful for you or your clients?

How has trauma-informed work shifted your understanding of "stuckness"?

Thank you to Richard Zwicky and the High on Healthy team for the invitation. Grateful to keep showing up for this meaningful work.

With care,

Michelle Smith

LPC, LMHC, LCMHC

Trauma Focused Psychotherapist