How do you stay sober for years after tsunami and war-related PTSD? In this powerful episode of Breaking Through Therapy, host Dr. Esther Cole sits down with Beth Ashley-Smith, a psychotherapist specialising in trauma, addiction, and ADHD; and her former client, “Rob”, a journalist and war correspondent who battled PTSD, alcohol addiction, anger and suicidal intent.

Rob shares his deeply personal journey from witnessing mass casualties as a journalist in Thailand in the tsunami of 2004, to losing himself in addiction and anger; and ultimately finding hope through therapy, 12-step fellowship groups, and spirituality.

Beth and Dr. Cole explore the complexities of PTSD, the stigma surrounding male mental health, and the challenges of embracing faith in recovery, whilst being a parent of small children. Rob reflects on his resistance to therapy, his biggest breakthroughs, and how his perspective on spirituality shifted over time.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling with addiction, faith or anger following traumatic events, as well as for mental health professionals looking to better understand the lived experiences of their clients.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Breaking Through Therapy, leave a review, share this episode and follow us on social media for more impactful conversations on mental health and resilience. This podcast supports NHS Charities Together, funding projects to improve healthcare for all. Donate the cost of a therapy session or whatever you can to help us reach our goal of £10,000 this year. Visit the link in the show notes to contribute!

Lifespan Psychology's fundraiser for NHS Charities Together

Resources:

Bessel van der Kolk (2014) - The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.

Contact Beth Ashley-Smith:

https://www.bethanyashleysmith.co.uk

Beth Ashley-Smith Instagram

Lifespan Psychology - The Diverse Practice®

Lifespan BOSS Coaching

Dr. Esther Cole - Linkedin

Lifespan Psychology Instagram

Lifespan Psychology LinkedIn

Lifespan Psychology Facebook

Crisis Numbers:

NSPCC

Samaritans - 116 123

Childline - 0800 1111

CALM - 0800 585858

If you...

In this truly inspiring episode, Dr. Esther Cole interviews Anna and Dr. Claire Plumbly, Clinical Psychologist. Dr Claire, specialist in trauma, sexual assault and burnout, helps Anna process experiences of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), following the birth of her fourth child, and a stressful return to work. Dissociation, flashbacks and anxiety from trauma initially left Anna mute, unable to find words or to understand the triggers.

Journey on a conversation built on the neuroscience of trauma, how our brains and minds work; and creative approaches Dr Claire and Anna use together to help her recover from trauma. Techniques include EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), narrative writing, sensory therapies, and a spectacular spin on the TV series “Dr Who”.

Anna shares how her own therapy helped her to empower other survivors, of all ages, to thrive in her creative workshops. As her first therapist in 2017, Dr. Claire started Anna on a path of self-discovery, meaning making and one of embracing undiagnosed autism. Are we ever “cured”, or are we in a TARDIS of life-long learning?

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the Breaking Through Therapy podcast, leave a review, and follow us on social media for more impactful conversations on mental health, therapy breakthroughs and resilience. Help us spread the word by sharing this episode and supporting NHS Charities Together!

Lifespan Psychology's fundraiser for NHS Charities Together

Sex Abuse Resources:

NSPCC - Legal guidance for everyone, for how to report child sexual abuse

National Rape Crisis Conference

Therapy book for survivors: “Flying Child” by Sophie Olson & Patricia Walsh.

Dr Claire Plumbly: A Comprehensive Guide to Coping After a Sexual Assault

NHS Rape and Sexual Assault Services

Rape Crisis: charity for a range of sexual assault, as well as historic CSA and child sexual exploitation.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/what-to-do-child-reveals-abuse/

Training:

Justin Havens Therapy Training: Flash Technique

Lifespan Psychology:

Lifespan Psychology - The Diverse Practice®

Lifespan BOSS Coaching -

Dr Esther Cole - Linkedin

Lifespan Psychology Instagram

Lifespan Psychology LinkedIn

Lifespan Psychology Facebook

Dr Claire Plumbly -

Burnout book...

In this compelling episode of Breaking Through Therapy, Dr. Esther Cole interviews James and his therapist, Beth Ashley-Smith, to discuss the profound impact of men’s inpatient groups in recovering from addictions, and healing from childhood sexual assault.

James shares his brave journey of confronting this traumatic event from his childhood, which shaped his relationships, and fuelled his struggles with depression and substance misuse. With the support of therapy and a dedicated men’s group, he found the courage to face his past, embrace vulnerability, and rediscover joy and authenticity, in a supportive Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) community.

Beth Ashley-Smith offers valuable insights into therapeutic approaches which include Spirituality; and models like Internal Family Systems (IFS), which guide clients in understanding and balancing their inner emotional dynamics and competing needs.

James shares how he learned to relinquish the need for control, a coping mechanism born from trauma; and how he found a path to healing, personal growth, and self-discovery, including embracing his neurodiversity.

Episode Themes -

• Childhood Sexual Trauma: The long-term impact and the challenges of addressing buried memories.
• Addiction Recovery: The process of healing and rebuilding self-trust.
• Therapy and Vulnerability: The critical role of individual and group therapeutic relationships and community support.
• Men’s Mental Health: Breaking the stigma, encouraging open discussions and sponsoring other men in AA communities.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the Breaking Through Therapy podcast, leave a review, and follow us on social media for more impactful conversations on mental health, therapy breakthroughs and resilience. Help us spread the word by sharing this episode and supporting NHS Charities Together!

Resources -

NSPCC - Legal guidance for everyone, for how to report child sexual abuse https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/what-to-do-child-reveals-abuse/

Lifespan Psychology - The Diverse Practice® - https:/www.lifespanpsychology.co.uk/referral

Lifespan BOSS Coaching - https://bosstoday.co.uk

Dr Esther Cole - Linkedin Profile - http://linkedin.com/in/dr-esther-cole-multi-award-winning-consultant-psychologist-3b8b0061

Lifespan Psychology Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lifespan_psychology/?hl=en

Lifespan Psychology LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/company/lifespan-psychology-the-diverse-practice%C2%AE?trk=similar-pages

Lifespan Psychology Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/people/Lifespan-Psychology/100089486434005/

Crisis Numbers:

NSPCC - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

Samaritans - 116 123 - https://www.samaritans.org/

Childline - 0800 1111 - https://www.childline.org.uk/

CALM - 0800 585858 - https://www.thecalmzone.net/

If you are in need of urgent assistance for your mental health, please contact your GP or GP Out of Hours number on 111, call 999 or attend your nearest accident & emergency (A&E) department. If you are listening from overseas, please find out the local equivalent charities and government mental...