Trauma and CIRS: Healing through connection - with Dr. Lauren Sparks and Therapist Brenda Stewart

The CIRS Group Podcast

For more information, visit https://thecirsgroup.com

Guests today:

Dr. Lauren Sparks, DNP, CNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CTP, MA, RN

Therapist Brenda Stewart, LMHC, NCC, CTH

CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, can take a toll on the mental health of the patient, just as much and sometimes more so than physically. No one knows this better than our guests today: Dr. Lauren Sparks, a Shoemaker Certified Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Brenda Stewart, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and trauma specialist. Together they are offering a much needed extra layer of support for CIRS patients that are experiencing PTSD or other trauma-like responses due to CIRS and other events in their lives: group therapy. Today, they’ll explain why trauma plays such a big role in so many CIRS patients’ lives and what can be done to heal and move past it. This is not medical advice - please consult your physician or provider for what might be best for you. For more information, support, and resources in your own CIRS healing journey, visit TheCIRSGroup.com

TIME STAMPS:
0:00 Intro and disclaimer
0:30 Dr. Lauren Sparks’ background and personal CIRS story
2:07 Brenda Stewart’s background and personal CIRS story
4:19 People with CIRS want to help others with CIRS
4:43 How and why trauma complicates CIRS, or possibly causes it
10:00 What modalities of therapy are best for CIRS patients?
12:33 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Narrative Therapy
16:17 What is EMDR and what to expect during a session
20:27 Group Therapy option through Dr. Sparks’ practice
23:20 Why group therapy might be more beneficial for CIRS patients
27:23 Group therapy promotes connection and feelings of safety
28:28 Who would most benefit from their Group Therapy offering
30:08 How to sign up for Dr. Sparks’ and Brenda’s Group Therapy program
32:33 If you feel resistant to group therapy, explore why that is

HELPFUL LINKS:

Dr. Sparks’ practice’s website with information about their new group therapy options: https://www.untamediona.com/therapy
Send an email to Dr. Sparks’ team if you are interested in working with them: [e-mail]

The CIRS Group:
Support Community: https://thecirsgroup.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecirsgroup/

Find Jacie for carnivore, lifestyle and limbic resources:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladycarnivory
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyCarnivory
Blog: https://www.ladycarnivory.com/

Find Barbara for business/finance tips and coaching:
Website: https://www.actlikebarbara.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actlikebarbara/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@actlikebarbara

Jacie is a 4 year carnivore, certified nutrition coach, and carnivore recipe developer determined to share the life changing information of carnivore and CIRS to anyone who will listen. Barbara is a coach, facilitator, speaker, 3 year carnivore, and a big fan of health and freedom. Together, they co-founded The CIRS Group, an online support community to help people that are struggling with their CIRS diagnosis and treatment.