Sacred Psychology with Tamara Powell, LMHC

The time has come for me to heed my own intuition and embrace impermanence. I want to leave you with a few parting gifts so please listen and sit with me one last time. Meet Tamara Powell Tamara Powell, LMHC is a licensed therapist, university psychology instructor, and soul mentor for non-conformists. She is also a reiki master teacher known for integrating science and mysticism. With specializations designed to quell existential angst and provoke the highest potential in each individual to achieve their true soul purpose, Tamara is passionate about holding sacred space for misfits and mystics. If you’re interested in working with her, you can learn more about her services here. Sound Editing provided by Pete Bailey: http://petebailey.net/audio/

Do you have a negative voice in your head that kicks you when you’re already down? Then this episode is definitely for you. Meet Elizabeth Cush! We do a deep dive on self-compassion: what it looks like, what it takes, problem solving our self-talk and finding some loving truths for ourselves. In this podversation: Do you have a negative voice in your head that kicks you when you’re already down? Then this episode is definitely for you. Meet Elizabeth Cush! We do a deep dive on self-compassion: what it looks like, what it takes, problem solving our self-talk and finding some loving truths for ourselves. She also shares with us the amazing Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook so you can start practicing some fierce self-compassion anytime! 2:35: Learning about Elizabeth4:10 - Relabeling anxiety to be more culturally acceptable6:20 - Why is self-compassion so important?10:20 - This is what crapping all over ourselves when we miss the mark gets us13:35 - Actually being KIND to yourself!15:38 - The familial element19:30 - Finding your loving truths when it all feels like lies23:35 - We might be afraid to heal28:08 - Being fierce in your self-compassion34:20 - Woman Worriers Meet Elizabeth Cush Elizabeth Cush, LCPC is a therapist, podcaster, business owner and blogger in Annapolis, MD where she hosts Woman Worriers, a podcast for anxious women. In her private practice, Progression Counseling, she helps women who feel overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed out find more connection with themselves and others, allowing them to live their lives with more ease, intention, and purpose. Elizabeth has been a featured guest on the Women In Depth podcast, The Practice Of Being Seen podcast and Selling The Couch podcast. She’s also an expert contributor for Good Therapy, a guest contributor to the Happily Imperfect Blog on Psych Central and has been quoted in articles for The List, Teen Vogue, Tonic, Best Life, Bustle Thriveworks, UpJourney and The Paper Gown. She’s worked in the mental health field for over 10 years and is a certified clinical trauma professional. Elizabeth incorporates mindfulness and meditation into her psychotherapy work.

Researchers estimate that approximately 1/5th of the world's population could be classified as being an HSP - highly sensitive person. Don't let the language fool you though; as Patricia Young shares, HSP's have superpowers and there is great strength in flipping the negative narrative around feeling deeply. 2:25 - How did you find this work?4:15 - HSP’s and limiting explanations8:50 - Differential Suscepta-WHAT?13:10 - Deep reflecters16:05 - We’re all just saturated sponges18:43 - Feeling on a cellular level20:53 - We’re EXTRA extra(sensory)25:40 - Does sensitivity mean we’re automatically prone to codependency?32:55 - What people thinks make us weak are actually what makes us so powerful36:52 - HSP’s in relationships41:42 - HSP love and support suggestions Meet Patricia Young Patricia Young, LCSW is a therapist who specializes in working with Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) online in CA. Patricia also hosts the podcast Unapologetically Sensitive, which is about embracing our strengths and modeling vulnerability and authenticity in order to help people to live fuller, richer and more meaningful lives. Patricia helps clients to turn their perceived shortcomings into superpowers. Patricia is passionate about providing education to help HSPs and non-HSPs understand and truly appreciate all the gifts we have to offer. Patricia is creating some small online specialty groups for HSPs.

This week we’re talking with Devi Maisha and WARNING (!!!), there is a LOT of explicit language in this episode. We talk about juicy orgasms, tantra-based holistic lifestyles, parenting, poly and more. If you have little ones around, wait ‘til they’re in bed to hop in the bath, grab your drink of choice, turn on this episode, and get ready to feel sexy and whole. If you want more, don’t miss her upcoming program: Orgasmic Alchemy for Women starting May 6th! 3:25 - How did you begin walking this path?6:27 - Are we just a bunch of fuckin’ hedonists?!9:45 - Our pain is not the final frontier12:15 - Do something we’re all doing anyway and TRANSFORM14:07 - Thinking of sex as sacred17:10 - Others as additions to - not reasons for - fucking24:50 - The synchronicity of having our needs met and who we are as energetic beings27:37 - What would our lives look like if we saw everything we did as an act of worship?30:00 - Tantric… parenting?35:26 - Wholeness and kink40:20 - Be poly in your monogamy!!45:05 - Sometimes we just need to GET OFF48:25 - Orgasmic Alchemy for Women Meet Devi Maisha Devi Maisha is a sensual healer and erotic witch who specializes in showing men and women how to take their sex lives higher, release their trauma, create better relationships, and transform their lives into abundance and ecstasy. She is a former certified personal trainer and nutrition coach who combines her knowledge and study in the areas of psychology, tantra, and sacred sexuality with her training in energy work to facilitate inner healing and better sex for her clients. Maisha has studied Chakra Healing and LifeForce Energy Healing with Deborah King, Active Tantra through The Grand Trine Tantra System, Relationship Dynamics with JujuMama LLC and Shamanic and Indigenous Sacred Sexuality with Riziki Zafira. She is currently a student of the Institute of Authentic Tantra where she will go through a year-long Tibetan Buddhist Tantra training program, and become a Certified Sexologist through the American College of Sexology.

Oh my goodness, where to start about this week’s episode?! We’re talking with the effervescent and endlessly riveting Jessa Zimmerman who you may remember her from episode . Well, she’s just dropped her AMAZING new book for couples who have a good relationship but are avoiding sex called Sex without stress; a couple’s guide to overcoming disappointment, avoidance, and pressure.” Jessa shares a snapshot of her 9 step process with us. In this podversation: 1:23 - Let’s learn about Jessa3:08 - Why this book?5:28 - The catalyst of grief and the two sides of sex8:46 - Excuses, excuses, excuses.11:29 - Let’s talk about sex baby.13:20 - The traps of desire discrepancy16:50 - The butterflies17:25 - Enjoy the ride ;)20:02 - Being right here22:14 - The alchemy of “No.”24:47 - BE A LITTLE SELFISH!28:47 - Advanced eroticism31:53 - Taking pleasure personally33:57 - Exploration, play, and gentle acceptance in the bedroom. Meet Jessa Zimmerman Jessa Zimmerman is a licensed sex therapist and couples’ counselor. She specializes in helping couples who have a good relationship but who are avoiding sex because it’s become stressful, negative, disappointing, or pressured. She educates, coaches, and supports people as they go through her 9-phase experiential process that allows them real world practice in changing their relationship and their sex life. She does this work through in person therapy in her office in Seattle, online therapy for Washington residents, her Better Sex podcast, and her soon to be published book aimed at helping couples who are avoiding sex.

We're talking about surprise DNA results in this week’s episode of Sacred Psychology! Meet Jody, a therapist leading the in finding healing for individuals who come face to face with complicated origin stories if you will. Hear her personal journey through her own lineage lies and how she was able to make lemonade out of some sour fruit. In this podversation: The spectrum of NPEsThe podcast: Sex, Lies and The Truth Meet Jodi Klugman-Rabb Jodi is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California who discovered she was an NPE after taking a Commerical dna test. Discovering her father was not her biological father rocked her sense of identity and inspired her to use the experience to help others navigate the grief and family dynamics. She hosts her own podcast on the subject (Sex, Lies & The Truth) and writes a blog on Psychology Today to help others find their voice in the NPE topic (Finding Family: A Modern Guide to Family with Parental Identity Discovery and Non-Paternal Events)

On this week’s episode we’re meeting Heather Vickery! She is so many amazing things: a business and success coach, a fellow podcaster, a mom, an advocate, an ally, and a master boundary-setter. We take a look at some tricky topics like divorcing in friendship, coming out to our kids, and how we said hello to our sexuality even when it was scary. In this podversation: 3:20: Getting to know Heather4:57: The Un-Conversations - what are they and why do we need to have them?7:19: “I’m gonna do it scared.”8:05: Eating frogs9:20: There are no wrong choices10:50: How Heather realized she couldn’t continue living a heternormative life14:44 Respecting others journey even when it’s not easy17:54: Don’t live life with THOSE kinds of regrets19:58: What do you tell the afraid people?24:52: Solidarity my sisters and brothers!25:24: Boundaries and balance29:03: That’s my superpower31:50: How to own the room!37:50: The rainbow spectrum and language40:37: But what about the children?!

This week I’ve teamed up with Dr. Stacey Shelby, the enigmatic author of "Tracking the Wild Woman Archetype: A Guide to Becoming a Whole, In-Divisible Woman" to talk about sacred sexuality and how women in society can reacquaint themselves with their Wild Woman. We dish DEEP on how self-identity takes a major shift later in life and how making space for what some might consider “hippy BS” could teach your heart to orgasm too. In this podversation: Wild Woman Archetype“If we’re wanting to live a soulful, purposeful, rich life follow love. Soul will always follow love.” Meet Dr. Stacey Shelby: Stacey Shelby, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and depth psychotherapist. She is also a Registered Clinical Counselor (RCC) in Canada, a certified clinical dream tender, and she has studied in Indigenous medicines and yoga traditions. She holds a masters and Ph.D. in Depth Psychology with a specialization in Jungian and Archetypal Studies. Dr. Shelby has a thriving clinical practice in Squamish, British Columbia, where she works with adults in various stages of personal transformation in person and via internet. She is gifted at working with the symbolic language of the soul and she is dedicated to honoring the soul as it presents in the lived experience of daily life. Connect with her further at: DrStaceyShelby.com

In this podversation: I teamed back up with the incomparable LCDR Jamie Sorenson whom you might remember from Season 3 Episode 1- Why You Tried to Kill Yourself, to answer some really common relationship questions collected from listeners. Two mental health practitioners for the price of one! And since we don't always agree, you're getting a pluralistic perspective on issues many are afraid to ask about. 2:52How do I know if someone is into me?7:03What do I do about my partners jealousy?13:04I want to have kids she does not. Can the relationship work?19:10We just started dating and she already wants to spend less time together. What does that mean?23:49How do we stop fighting over religion?33:33Do you believe in soulmates?38:58Am I ever going to meet someone43:54Do you have premonitions about a partner? Like the song …"I knew I loved you before I met you."45:29What level of privacy is OK in relationships?50:23I feel like I can't do things spontaneously like have a friend over or go out. I feel like I have to ask permission first and when do have people over or go out, I feel like I have to tip-toe around telling him this is what I'm planning. If we don't talk about it before hand he grumbles and then I feel like I have to tip-toe even more. How can I better approach this?56:30"How to know when a partner’s request for photographic "material" becomes concerning. Is it ever normal, or is it a definite sign of sexual addiction?"1:07:20"How do you best handle intimacy after taking a loving look at and un-packing trauma, when your ideas around it transform and change?"1:13:09"My wife wants an open relationship and I want to complete fidelity. Should we get a divorce?"1:24:30"I am poly curious (did I just make that up?), and husband says hell no and now I feel ashamed for even suggesting it. What now?"1:25:50"Navigating your partner's jealousy and possessiveness as someone with a lot of muchness, who likes to share herself with others and have the freedom to share and receive unlabeled affection and intimacy with many people, not just one." Additional Resources Mentioned: The Jealousy Workbook: Exercises and Insights for Managing Open RelationshipsMating in CaptivityThe Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and FriendshipsWhen God Winks at You: How God Speaks Directly to You Through the Power of CoincidenceThe Flight from Intimacy: Healing Your Relationship of Counter-Dependency – the Other Side of Co-DependencyThink and Grow RichLove in Abundance: a Counselor’s Advice on Open RelationshipsRewriting the Rules: an Integrative Guide to Love, Sex, and Relationships Meet LCDR Jamie Sorenson Jamie is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who is currently serving as the embedded Mental Health Provider at Command Submarine Squadron 11 out in San Diego CA, providing mental health treatment, education, consultation and much more to all the of sailors and submariners attached to that division. Her awards include the Navy-Marine Corp Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, & the Navy Achievement Medal with one gold star. She also was also honored as the Psychiatric Advanced Practice Mental Health Nurse of the Year in 2013 by San Diego Psychiatric Nursing Society. She wrote & published the book “Why You Tried to Kill Yourself” in 2017. Her newest book, "Single, Pitiful and Unlovable...Yeah Right!" is available on Amazon. As if that weren’t enough, Jamie has completed over 80 whole/half marathons! She’s an avid traveler and animal lover.

Tracing the red thread all the way into social justice issues to break the supposed curse of menstruation with feminist holistic nutritionist, Amanda Laird In this podversation: Sweetening the Pill or How We Got Hooked on the Pill"Is it your period that makes you a woman??" Meet Amanda Laird Amanda Laird is a feminist holistic nutritionist specializing in menstrual health. She helps people understand their menstrual cycles and have better periods without defaulting to hormonal birth control. Amanda is also the host of the Heavy Flow Podcast and author of Heavy Flow: Breaking the Curse of Menstruation, which comes out really soon so you’re gonna want to get on the list for pre-orders. She says her mission is to break the supposed curse of menstruation so you can: • Have a shame-free, painless period • Understand your menstrual cycle and have agency over your own body • Make truly informed decisions about sex, birth control and your health Connect with Amanda further: www.amandalaird.ca www.instagram.com/amandalaird

When was the last time you weren't trying to fix something about yourself? Life coach and yoga teacher, Elena Sonnino shares how to unearth and attune to inner strength and wisdom – what she calls, the sunrise in your pocket. In this podversation: Everything you need is already within youThere is no failure; there's only feedbackPractice determination without expectationYour body is a conduit for the life you want to liveSee your body as the hero in your hero's journeyWhen was the last time you weren't trying to fix something about yourself?3 questions to become more curious and begin a dialogue with your inner strength and wisdom: What do you want me to know?What wants to emerge?What energy do I need today? Meet Elena Sonnino: Elena Sonnino is a sought-after guide for living fully in the now to step into the spotlight of your life. As a life coach, speaker, and yoga teacher, her work is an invitation to unearth and attune to inner strength and wisdom – what she calls, the sunrise in your pocket. She inspires individuals and groups to remove self-imposed obstacles and explore the NOW with curiosity and gratitude so that they can step into the spotlight of their life. Learn more about Elena at ElenaSonnino.com or tune in to her Sunrise in Your Pocket podcast online or on iTunes.

"If all you do is read a book, your shit is still gonna show up at happy hour!" Learn the sneaky half-truths that can often keep us from TRUE self-care from John Hopkins professor and executive leadership coach, Sharon Podobnik-Peterson. In this podversation: Don't wrap your stress up in glitter.#sugarcoatedshit #shitasticIf all you do is read a book, your shit is still gonna show up at happy hour!#shitonalist & #stopdescribingyourshit Tips for getting started with effective and practical self-care after#nosugarcoatedsolutions Meet Sharon Podobnik-Peterson: Sharon is an executive leadership coach, adjunct professor of education at Johns Hopkins, and the founder of Go Love Yourself - THE #1 PERSONAL GROWTH SUBSCRIPTION BOX FOR WOMEN. Special Offer For Sacred Psychology Listeners: Enter promo code SACRED to receive 10% of ALL your purchases!

"The Enneagram doesn't put you in a box; it shows you the box you're already in and the way out." - Havilah Siegmann shares why and how this tool can change your life! In this podversation: SanctuaryClick here."The Enneagram doesn't put you in a box; it shows you the box you're already in and the way out." Additional Resources: the RHETI ($12)An overview of all 9 types on the EnneagramThe Path Between UsThe Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality TypesSubscribe to the Daily EnneaThought Meet Havilah Seigmann As a raised in Evangelical-land girl, Havilah was full of faith and questions, and always reading. A former music teacher, Havilah now uses her teaching skills not only to lead others into deeper explorations of themselves, but also to break up fights and teach her three children how not to throw things at each other. She loves to gather people around her table, make beautiful things, and to explore new places with her family. Havilah started The Transformation Collaborative, an online place to share inspiration and encouragement. She creates and produces the Little Faith Podcast, a podcast about how to be good humans for ourselves and our littles while living in the middle of doubt. You can connect with her on Instagram @transformation_collaborative and @littlefaithpodcast, on Twitter @havilahjoys and on Facebook @transformationcollaborative and @littlefaithpodcast.

Joe has a unique story. He had been addicted to drugs at the age of 13 and was selling cocaine by the time he was 21. He had a life of ups and downs, but it wasn't until after having a massive panic attack at age 38 that he found meditation and was able to escape the pain that had been leaving him an unfulfilled life and embrace a life with more fulfillment than ever before. And now with a certificate in Spiritual Psychology, he's helping others do the same. Unlock the power that has been holding YOU back! In this podversation: "Until I knew why I was using drugs in the first place, I couldn't actually heal.""The way you deal with the issue IS the issue."Spiraddict Warrior program"Being sober and being happy are two different things.""You don't need to feel pain in order to heal." Meet Joe Mintzer: Joe Mintzer has been working on his inner self for some time and is in the process of creating a new type of recovery for those who are looking for a new community after the initial stages of growth. He holds a certificate in Spiritual Psychology which he uses in his one on one coaching for survivors/addicts moving forward after the first 3-6 months of recovery. Through his own trial and error process of his life he has learned that there is more than one path to sobriety and his mission is to tell his story in hopes of helping others heal through forgiving their past indiscretions and loving themselves with living in the present. Connect with him further on Instagram or his website.

She was just 19 when she woke up debilitatingly ill at age 19 and it took 17 years to find a proper diagnosis. Now Joanna Charnas says, "My body may be out of control but I am in control of how I take care of it." Learn tips and tools for living well with chronic illness or how to best care for someone who is from a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who truly gets it. In this podversation: Cognitive Behavioral TherapyRational Emotive Behavioral Therapy"My body may be out of control but I am in control of how I take care of it.""Your pain and suffering are real, but with time, effort, and perseverance, you can still have much happiness in your life.""Attitude is the king, queen, and sun god rolled into one. It's the most important thing we bring to the challenges [we face]." Meet Joanna Charnas: Joanna Charnas has been a clinical social worker for thirty years and holds specialties in group therapy and chronic illness. She blogged on the HuffPost Blog for two and a half years, and had been published on several other international websites, including Popsugar.com before authoring two books herself: Living Well with Chronic Illness, and 100 Tips and Tools for Managing Chronic Illness. Connect with her further at: https://www.joannacharnas.com/

"We gender when we don't need to." Exploring what it is like to be gender queer with LGBTQ educator Mason Aid including in faith, business & mental health. Imagine if a core part of you was invisible to 99% of the world's population... In this podversation: "God was my beard""Give yourself as much time to get out of the pit as it took you to get into it.""I was kicked out of the church and handed over to Satan""I didn't through my faith away. The church threw me away." Meet Mason Aid Mason is an LGBTQ educator and business owner who loves talking about gay stuff and having the awkward conversations we tend to shy away from. They love coffee, taking walks with their family and reading. Connect with them further: Web:www.themasonaid.com or Podcast: All the Letters

"Moms stop blaming your kids for why you're not showing up for yourself" and other truth bombs from education expert and spiritual mindset coach, Anne Livingston. ...And she tries to help me try and love the words self care and self love again. In this podversation: We need to let chaos happen.Moms stop blaming your kids for why you're not showing up for yourself.Your kids are always mirroring back to you what's going on within you3 Easy Self Care Tips for Parents:Some moms need their children as much as they think their kids need them which can be codependent.self careself loveconscious parentingYou are not here to teach your child. Your child is here to teach you.Your child is not here to make you feel a certain way.Compersion: Meet Anne Livingston: Anne Livingston is a Spiritual Mindset Coach who teaches women the importance of self-love through self-care, in order to show up authentically in the world. She is currently living a nomadic life, traveling the country with her 2 cats while she teaches, coaches, writes, and explores. Connect with Anne further at: www.annelivingstoncoaching.com

Can someone be addicted to sex? Exploring the hot button and much debated issue of problematic sexual behavior and why we need a different approach, especially in the U.S.! In this podversation: AASECT's position on sex addictionrelationshipYou can't pain these pictures with a broad brush; it has to be individualized.erotic conflict An erotic conflict is experienced by a person who is engaging in (or even fantasizing about) a sexual behavior that conflicts with his or her moral values or religious values. For example, a person who is attracted to sex with the same sex might experience an erotic conflict because their religious beliefs tell them that same sex attraction is wrong. Their behavior conflicts with their religious beliefs. A person who is using escorts might be experiencing an erotic conflict because breaking the law is against their personal moral values. A man who is watching pornography occasionally, a few times a month, might feel as though he has a sexual addiction or pornography addiction because his religious beliefs tell him that lust and pornography are bad. Therefore, he equates any use of pornography with addiction. - Dr. Jennifer Weeks Educate Empower Kids"Sex 'addiction' is NOT about sex; it's an intimacy disorder" Meet Dr. Jennifer Weeks Dr. Jennifer Weeks is the founder and director of Sexual Addiction Treatment Services, an out-patient treatment program for out of control sexual behavior. She has over twelve years experience treating all aspects of addiction, trauma and addiction, sexual addiction, and sex offenders. Jennifer is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist- Supervisor, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor and has a Ph.D. in Psychology. Dr. Weeks is the author of the blog, Dr. Jen’s Recovery Readings as well as the prevention book, The New Age of Sex Education: How to Talk to Your Teen about Cybersex and Pornography in the Digital Age. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Weeks provides continuing education training for therapists and lectures at addiction conferences throughout the US. Connect with her further at: www.sexualaddictiontreatmentservices.com

Her story sounds like a Lifetime movie: abuse, rape, homelessness, exotic dancing, drugs, grief and loss, and a suicide attempt. But that's when EVERYTHING shifted. Hear how a spiritual awakening brought Jessica Valor the purpose and the passion she knew she was meant for. In this podversation: Spiritual partnerships"He witnessed my wholeness when I could not""Friendship is the insurance that everything's always going to be okay""Never go through grief alone"Journey of Souls"Wherever you go is where you are""Healing is interchangeable with evolution." Meet Jessica: Jessica Valor is an inspirational speaker, healer and mentor who delivers her programs to thousands of women and men entrepreneurs every year on the topics of conscious leadership, intuitive intelligence and personal development. Jessica is a clear and powerful conduit for high-level spirits. She awakened to the strengths of her clairvoyant, healing gifts in 2011 after her own "near-death experience" where she visited heaven, met with a council of ascended masters and returned to life to help the world heal and move through ascension. She works with change leaders all over the world offering a transformational and transcendental experience through her speaking, mentoring and energy healing academy. She has worked with thousands of entrepreneurs and spiritual seekers who are committed to their purpose and vision by helping them embody their power and understand their gifts. Jessica lives in Atlanta, GA with her fur baby, Monji who she adores. When not inspiring thousands of leaders she is found as a domestic Goddess cooking, creating rituals, practicing yoga and of course singing and dancing to her favorite songs. She loves helping her clients rise to their highest potentials and building the foundation of #teamlove to help those in need. Connect with her further at: http://www.jessicavalor.com/ or at Love Your Life podcast

Exploring the ins and outs of loving or working with male survivors of sexual abuse, trauma, or violence with Dr. Debra Warner who understands both sides extremely well. In this podversation: His History, Her Story: A Survival Guide for Spouses of Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Trauma"Men can't talk until they have a plan.""Abuse happens but not everyone will manifest symptoms the same way."trauma bonding Meet Dr. Debra Warner Dr. Debra Warner is a forensic psychologist currently serving as Professor for The Chicago School of Professional Psychology's Psy.D. program. She's well known for her work with the Department of Homeland Security, the LA Police Department, the Department of Defense, the Department of Corrections, and more. Since 2015 she has been a regular co-host of the weekly syndicated radio show Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) on Blog Talk Radio with Bill Murray. Dr. Warner’s clinical practice focuses on male survivor issues of abuse, violence and trauma. And her new book, "His History, Her Story: A Survival Guide for Spouses of Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Trauma," is a must read for clinicians and survivors alike. It provides a comprehensive guide to navigating sexual abuse and trauma in men.