In this powerful episode, Dustin Oliver sits down with therapist Natalie Reina to explore the deep and lasting effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the transformative power of somatic therapy in trauma recovery. Together, they unpack how childhood trauma shapes adult mental health, why recognizing patterns from abusive relationships is so difficult, and how grounding techniques and body-based therapies help clients reconnect with safety and self-awareness.

Whether you're a mental health professional, trauma survivor, or simply curious about holistic approaches to healing, this conversation offers valuable insight into how integrating mind and body can lead to long-term emotional recovery. Learn how ACEs impact the nervous system, what somatic therapy actually looks like in practice, and why creating safety is the first step in any therapeutic relationship.

Connect with Natalie Reina:

Instagram: @reinatherapy

Website: https://reinatherapy.com/

Connect with boy meets therapy:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@boymeetstherapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website with Free Resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠boymeetstherapy.com

Episode Guide & Chapters:

00:00 Exploring Personal Lore and Travel Experiences

03:08 Understanding Trauma in Therapy

06:12 Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Impact

08:57 The Role of Somatic Therapy

11:58 How Trauma Manifests in the Body

14:59 Building Trust in Therapeutic Relationships

17:59 Recognizing Signs of Unresolved Trauma

24:35 The Journey of Self-Discovery

30:41 Connecting with the Body

34:40 Blending Therapeutic Modalities

40:21 Navigating Trauma and Relationships

45:03 Understanding Domestic Violence

48:09 Words of Wisdom

Created and Produced by Dustin Oliver