Overcoming Trauma and Anxiety: Insights from a Psychotherapist and Survivor

In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, Furkhan engages in a profound conversation with Laurie Singer, a licensed psychotherapist and National Board-certified expert in Applied Behavioural Analysis. Laurie shares her dramatic personal story, including the traumatic loss of her son and her tumultuous childhood marked by her mother's alcoholism and drug addiction. She discusses the CBT lens and the importance of the environment in shaping thoughts and behaviours, especially in managing anxiety, depression, and addictions. The episode also covers practical strategies for coping with stress and unpredictable challenges, emphasizing the power of scheduling, environmental changes, and societal relationships. Laurie also talks about her book, 'You're Not Crazy: Living with Anxiety, Obsessions, and Fetishes,' and its toolkit for mental well-being.

Laurie Singer is a licensed Psychotherapist and Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst who heads the long-established Laurie Singer Behavioural Services in Camarillo, CA. Over the last 20 years, she and her team have used an integrated Behavioural and Cognitive therapy strategy to help those facing a wide variety of mental health issues for both children and adults.  

She’s also an author with her first book, You’re Not Crazy: Living with Anxiety, Obsessions and Fetishes, bringing readers into the therapy room via case studies to help them serve as their own “therapist.”

Laurie is also a decorated endurance athlete. She’s an inductee of Ventura County

Sports Hall of Fame and has competed in more than 100 marathons, ultra-marathons

and Ironman triathlons, as well as many long-distance cycling events. Over the past year, she has completed a 3,000-mile cross-country bicycling trip, cycled hundreds of miles through Cuba, hiked the entire 500-mile Camino de Santiago trail, and successfully climbed to 19,300 feet. Mt. Kilimanjaro.

She is currently working on her next book, which will feature her many stories of overcoming adversity and hardship as a 64-year-old athlete.

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast

01:13 Guest Introduction: Laurie Singer

03:43 Laurie's Personal Journey and Tragic Loss

05:48 Turning Tragedy into Purpose

07:41 Managing ADHD and Personal Growth

13:00 Creating a Supportive Environment

18:01 Family Support and Coping with Loss

20:55 Behavioral Therapy and Family Dynamics

23:39 Filling Out Data Sheets for Behavioral Analysis

24:59 Addressing Family-Induced Anxiety and Depression

26:25 Empowering Children to Make Changes

27:28 The Importance of Acceptance and Control

27:48 Understanding Anxiety and Its Healthy Aspects

28:16 Writing the Book: You're Not Crazy

29:16 Personal Journey and Coping Mechanisms

30:02 The Signal Plan for Managing Panic Attacks

37:30 Thoughts vs. Reality: A CBT Approach

40:04 Building a Positive Environment for Growth

41:50 Finding Purpose and Managing Depression Proactively

43:34 Conclusion and Resources for Further Help

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• Aura: https://aura.com/ez10 for a free two-week trial
• Plunge: https://plunge.com/ez
• Mental: ⁠https://getmental.com/ez
• NuCalm: https://nucalm.com/free-trial?/ref=ez for a one-week free trial
• Descript: https://get.descript.com/EZ for creating podcast episodes
• LeanWorlds: https://get.learnworlds.com/EZCONVERSATIONS
• Dr. Lewis Nutrition: https://drlewisnutrition.com/ez

Or find Furkhan's Book, Pursuit of Self Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and R