Not all flashbacks look like flashbacks. For survivors of complex trauma (CPTSD), emotional flashbacks can arrive without any visual memory — sudden waves of shame, terror, abandonment, or helplessness that seem to come from nowhere. In this episode, we break down the concept popularized by Pete Walker, explain the neuroscience of why the body stores trauma as feeling rather than memory, and explore how to begin recognizing and working with these experiences. Whether you're a trauma survivor, a loved one, or a mental health professional, this episode will change how you understand the connection between your past and your present emotional life.

Website: https://lauragiles.org

Are your lightbulbs quietly harming your health? In this video, we explore the science behind how artificial lighting affects your body — from disrupted sleep and hormonal imbalances to eye strain and mood disorders.

Most people never think twice about the bulbs in their home, but the type of light you're exposed to every day has a profound impact on your biology. We break down the key differences between light bulb types, how to identify symptoms caused by poor light environments, and — most importantly — practical steps you can take to fix it.

🕐 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Light and Health

02:46 The Impact of Artificial Light on Well-being

05:37 Understanding Different Types of Light Bulbs

08:39 Identifying Symptoms Related to Light Exposure

11:31 Practical Steps to Improve Your Light Environment

13:56 Rewilding Your Light Environment for Better Health

Whether you suffer from headaches, poor sleep, fatigue, or eye strain, your lighting environment may be to blame. Learn how to rewild your light and reclaim your health — starting tonight.

🌱 Ready to go deeper? Integrative trauma coaching: https://lauragiles.org

Trauma therapy (VA, IN & CO): https://lauragiles.net

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or clinical treatment. Please consult a licensed professional before acting on any information shared here. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, text HOME to 741741, or call 911.

Had your PTSD disability leave claim denied? You're not alone — and you're not out of options.

One of the most frustrating experiences in trauma recovery is having a legitimate diagnosis rejected by an employer or insurer. The problem is rarely the diagnosis itself. It's the gap between having PTSD and documenting how it actually prevents you from functioning at work — and most providers don't know how to bridge it.

In this episode of Rooted Recovery, we break down:

• Why PTSD and complex PTSD claims get denied even with a valid diagnosis
• The critical difference between clinical diagnosis and functional impairment
• How to document your condition in language employers and insurers actually respond to
• How to collaborate with your provider to strengthen your claim
• How to protect yourself throughout the process
• Real-life examples and practical solutions

You deserve support. This episode helps you fight for it.

🌱 Ready to go deeper? Integrative trauma coaching: https://lauragiles.org Trauma therapy (VA, IN & CO): https://lauragiles.net

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or clinical treatment. Please consult a licensed professional before acting on any information shared here. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, text HOME to 741741, or call 911.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Leave Process for PTSD

02:50 The Role of Providers in Documentation

05:43 Functional Impairments & Workplace Challenges

08:25 Bridging the Documentation Gap

10:58 Collaborating with Your Provider

13:46 Protecting Yourself During the Process

16:49 Real-Life Examples & Solutions

Diagnosed with anxiety or depression — but something still doesn't feel right?

You might be missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

Lyme disease is one of the most misdiagnosed conditions in the US, and its neurological symptoms can look identical to anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and even psychosis. If you've been treated for a psychiatric condition but aren't getting better, Lyme disease may never have been on the table — and it should be.

In this episode of Rooted Recovery, we break down:

• Why Lyme is called "The Great Imitator" — and what that means for mental health diagnoses
• How Lyme bacteria cross the blood-brain barrier and cause psychiatric symptoms
• Why standard testing misses a significant number of cases
• What to do immediately after a tick bite to reduce infection risk
• Who is most at risk — including those already diagnosed with mental illness
• Step-by-step actions to take if you think Lyme has been overlooked in your case

Your diagnosis isn't always the whole story. This episode helps you ask better questions.

🌱 Ready to go deeper? Integrative trauma coaching: https://lauragiles.org Trauma therapy (VA, IN & CO): https://lauragiles.net

Laura Giles is a licensed clinical social worker, integrative trauma coach, and certified Integrative Mental Health Professional.

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or clinical treatment. Please consult a licensed professional before acting on any information shared here. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, text HOME to 741741, or call 911.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Lyme Disease & Its Misdiagnosis

07:59 The Neurological Impact of Lyme Disease

14:00 Why Lyme Disease is Often Overlooked

15:47 Taking Action: What to Do If You Suspect Lyme

18:15 Empowerment & Advocacy in Health

"Why am I so anxious?" — it's a simple question with almost never a simple answer.

Most anxiety advice skips straight to management tips — breathe deeper, meditate more, cut out caffeine. But if you don't know what's actually driving your anxiety, you're just putting a lid on it.

In this episode of Rooted Recovery, we break down the root causes of anxiety across six major categories — biological, psychological, lifestyle, environmental, relational, and existential — and walk you through a real, step-by-step framework for figuring out which ones are showing up in your life.

We cover:

• Why anxiety is almost never caused by just one thing
• How genetics, hormones, and physical health conditions play a role
• The impact of sleep, caffeine, alcohol, and diet
• How childhood attachment and trauma shape adult anxiety
• Why work stress, finances, and social isolation matter more than we think
• A 5-step framework for identifying your personal root causes

Stop managing symptoms. Start understanding what's underneath them.

🌱 Ready to go deeper? Integrative trauma coaching: https://lauragiles.org Trauma therapy (VA, IN & CO): https://lauragiles.net

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or clinical treatment. Please consult a licensed professional before acting on any information shared here. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, text HOME to 741741, or call 911.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Anxiety: The Unseen Struggle

03:52 The Multifactorial Nature of Anxiety

22:27 Exploring the Root Causes of Anxiety

31:56 Taking Action: A Framework for Self-Discovery

What if the hardest parts of your life trace back to childhood experiences you didn't even recognize as trauma?

The ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study is one of the most important — and most overlooked — pieces of research in modern health. It reveals just how deeply early experiences shape our physical health, mental wellbeing, and relationships well into adulthood.

In this episode of Rooted Recovery, we explore:

• What the ACE study found and why it matters for your healing
• How to identify childhood trauma you may not have recognized as trauma
• The long-term impact of ACEs on health and relationships
• What your parents likely didn't know — and how understanding it can make you a more conscious, connected parent

You can't change what happened. But you can change what happens next.

🌱 Ready to go deeper? Integrative trauma coaching: https://lauragiles.org Trauma therapy (VA, IN & CO): https://lauragiles.net

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or clinical treatment. Please consult a licensed professional before acting on any information shared here. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, text HOME to 741741, or call 911.

Can't sleep? It might not be about sleep hygiene.

If you're living with trauma or PTSD and struggling to get consistent, restful sleep — lying awake at night wired and alert, crashing at odd hours, never feeling truly rested — your nervous system may be running the show. And that changes everything about how you approach healing.

In this episode of Rooted Recovery, Laura explores:

• How trauma rewires your body's natural circadian rhythm
• Why PTSD creates late-night alertness that sleep tips alone can't fix
• What your chronotype reveals about your nervous system
• Trauma-informed strategies to restore a felt sense of safety — and finally rest

🕐 Find out your chronotype: https://chronotype-self-test.info/index.php/514565

🌱 Ready to go deeper? Integrative trauma coaching: https://lauragiles.org Trauma therapy (VA, IN & CO): https://lauragiles.net

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or clinical treatment. Please consult a licensed professional before acting on any information shared here. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, text HOME to 741741, or call 911.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Sleep Challenges & Trauma

01:36 The Science of Chronotype & Trauma

03:29 PTSD & Its Impact on Sleep Patterns

06:40 Recognizing Trauma-Driven Sleep Patterns

09:35 The Language We Use & Its Implications

11:33 Practical Strategies for Healing Sleep

14:54 Embracing Your Journey to Rest

If PTSD is wrecking your gut, you're not imagining it.

Bloating, IBS, nausea, acid reflux, unexplained stomach pain — these aren't separate problems. For many trauma survivors, they're part of the same story. And it doesn't get talked about nearly enough.

In this episode of Rooted Recovery, we explore:

• The gut-brain axis and why it matters for trauma recovery
• Why PTSD keeps your digestive system locked in fight-or-flight
• How food combining — a gentle, natural practice — can support both gut and nervous system healing
• What to eat, what to reduce, and how the way you eat matters as much as what you eat

This isn't about a perfect diet. It's about small, compassionate, consistent steps toward feeling better in your body.

🌱 Ready to take the next step? Integrative trauma coaching: https://lauragiles.org Trauma therapy (VA, IN & CO): https://lauragiles.net

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or clinical treatment. Please consult a licensed professional before acting on any information shared here. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, text HOME to 741741, or call 911.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gut Health & Trauma

01:40 Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection

04:53 The Impact of PTSD on Digestion

05:20 Introduction to Food Combining

09:06 Principles of Food Combining for Healing

10:41 Healing Foods for PTSD Recovery

15:15 Foods to Reduce or Avoid

16:38 Practical Meal Planning for Healing

19:53 The Importance of How You Eat

23:13 Conclusion & Key Takeaways