How To Deal With Grief and Trauma
You can't go through life without experiencing loss and trauma the question is how do we deal and live with the grief and pain? Join Nathalie Himmelrich, grief expert and author, talking to people who have experienced grief and trauma first-hand. If you want to be inspired by others who traveled through their grief and trauma, found that healing is possible, and came out the other end knowing they can survive and thrive in life after loss. For more info: www.nathaliehimmelrich.com
How To Deal With Grief and Trauma
169 The Many Faces of Trauma | Betrayal Trauma: When Trust Becomes Unsafe
Betrayal trauma can be uniquely disorienting because it not only breaks trust—it can disrupt your sense of reality and self-trust. In this episode, we explore betrayal trauma as a nervous system injury that often leads to hypervigilance, rumination, shutdown, and relationship fear. Using simple polyvagal-informed language, we look at why the body moves from connection to surveillance after betrayal and how healing often centres on truth, boundaries, and rebuilding trust in yourself. The episode ends with a short “Truth Anchor” practice to stabilise the present moment.
In this episode, you’ll learn
- What betrayal trauma is and why dependency makes it more traumatic
- How betrayal can create “reality doubt” and self-questioning
- Polyvagal-informed patterns: mobilised protection vs shutdown after trust breaks
- Common impacts on body, mind, and relationships (non-diagnostic)
- What helps: clarity, boundaries as safety structures, and rebuilding self-trust
- A short grounding practice to anchor reality and support regulation
Grounding practice (2–3 minutes): “Truth Anchor”
- Name 3 present-moment facts
- Use thumb-to-fingertip pressure as a physical anchor
- Choose one truth sentence: “My feelings make sense,” “I’m allowed to protect myself,” etc.
- Name one small next step
Related Episode:
- S9 E83 Ambiguous Grief with Stephanie Sarazin
Check the website for the free resources offered for both those affected by trauma and those supporting them.
What’s next: Single-Incident Trauma: When ‘Before’ and ‘After’ Split
💡 If today’s episode touched you, please share it with someone who might need it.
🤝 Become a supporter of the show! Starting at $3/month & leave a review.
Stay Connected
- 🌐 Visit nathaliehimmelrich.com
- 💌 Subscribe to the newsletter for resources and updates
- 🎧 Never miss an episode—follow the podcast!
- 💛 Socials Instagram Facebook
Find Support Resources
- 💜 For Grievers – Resources
https://nathaliehimmelrich.com/grief-trauma-support/ - 💜 For Supporters – Supporting someone https://nathaliehimmelrich.com/supporters-resources/
- 💜 Books – Explore books on grief and healing https://nathaliehimmelrich.com/books/
- 💜 Support – Offers - free and paid
https://nathaliehimmelrich.com/free-resources-hub/
Podcasts we love
Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.
Grief Is My Side Hustle
meghanrjarvis
Grief Refuge
Reid Peterson | Grief Refuge
Therapy Works
Julia Samuel
Grief Works
Julia Samuel
Open to Hope
Open to Hope
Curating Grief
Charlene Lam
Beziehungskosmos
Sabine Meyer & Felizitas Ambauen