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Healing Is a [Bleep]: Trauma, CPTSD & Shadow Work with Karly Latham
In this episode of Positively Dreaming, I sit down with Karly Latham, author of Healing Is a [Bitch], to dive deep into trauma, CPTSD, shadow work, and the tools that can help us heal in ways that feel accessible and real.
Karly’s book is more than a workbook—it’s a compassionate, down-to-earth guide that feels like talking to a friend. We talk about the difference between PTSD and CPTSD, why so many of us dismiss our own trauma, and why it’s so important to create safe spaces for healing conversations.
What We Talked About
Defining Trauma
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Trauma is anything that overwhelms your nervous system’s ability to cope.
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The importance of recognizing “small t” traumas—not just the big, obvious ones.
PTSD vs CPTSD
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Why CPTSD (complex trauma) isn’t officially recognized, but often matches lived experience.
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The hidden toll of gaslighting, manipulation, and emotional abuse.
Why Karly Wrote the Workbook
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Years of research distilled into an approachable, friendly guide.
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Making healing feel less intimidating than traditional clinical books.
Tools for Healing
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Tracking triggers and building nervous-system awareness.
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Shadow work: the “10 signs you’re avoiding your shadow.”
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Hypnotherapy and tarot as pathways to deeper self-understanding.
Therapy: Finding the Right Fit
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How to research trauma-informed therapists.
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Knowing when therapy is (and isn’t) serving your healing.
Trauma Dreams & Nightmares
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How recurring trauma dreams reflect your brain trying to process and release.
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Journaling and dream interpretation as gentle support.
AI as a Support Tool
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Using ChatGPT as a non-judgmental “pocket friend” for breaking tasks down, reframing panic attacks, or working through executive dysfunction.
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Why AI can sometimes feel safer than people when you’ve experienced gaslighting.
Emotional Outbursts & Big Feelings
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Crying, rage moments, and why your body needs those releases.
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The connection between repressed trauma and chronic illness symptoms.
About My Guest
Karly Latham is a writer, artist, and hypnotherapy student at HMI College. Through her platform Spellbound Healing, she combines shadow work, tarot, and hypnotherapy to create accessible, compassionate support for trauma survivors.
Karly reminds us that healing doesn’t happen through “love & light” alone—it’s messy, real, and deeply human. Talking openly about trauma creates space for others to find their voice and begin their own healing journey.
If you’re struggling, know that you are not alone. Safe people, safe spaces, and gentle tools are out there for you.
Want to share your dreams for a future episode? Submit here: thedreamsinterpreter@yahoo.com
For more about Deedee and her Dream work please visit https://thedreamsinterpreter.com/
