Collective trauma

Brian D. Mahan is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner who has also extensively studied healing from developmental trauma and shame. Throughout this episode, Brian talks about the shame and trauma we are collectively experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, symptoms of trauma that may be showing up that are specific to the pandemic, and some actionable tools to help us get through this difficult time.

We also crowdsourced some questions and prompts for Brian to answer from our Patreon group, including:

1. Generalized social anxiety exacerbated by not seeing people for a year and a half, as well as reluctance to get out and go on dates again.

2. Dealing with changes in relationships that were triggered by the pandemic.

3. How to deal with feelings that come up when a partner has the opposite inclination and is really enjoying getting out and dating again.

4. Overall loneliness caused by the pandemic and ramifications from possible choices made due to isolation (i.e. moving in together quickly, taking on new partners who require lots of emotional bandwidth, not wanting to leave a relationship out of fear of being alone, etc.).

Brian also goes through some actionable takeaways at the end of the episode, including a meditation exercise he recorded to help increase mindfulness and self-care.

Find more about Brian at his website, YouTube channel, or on Instagram and Facebook at @BrianDMahanSEP.