S3 E2 | Gabor Maté, Attachment vs. Authenticity, and Chronic Pain

Dr. Gabor Maté is a physician in Canada. He’s an expert on addiction, childhood development, and trauma. His teachings highlight the conflict between two fundamental human needs: attachment and authenticity.

(And, no. He's not actually an interview guest. We're just talking about his work.)

People who struggle with chronic pain are the kinds of people who were taught somewhere along the line that we’re not truly allowed to be ourselves. We’re the kind of people who had to give up some (if not a lot) of our authenticity in order to maintain our attachments to others.

Chronic pain is caused by fear of sensations in the body, fear of emotions, and fear of the true self. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, this is your invitation to tune in to your authentic self. In doing so, you’re teaching your brain and your nervous system that it’s okay to be you. It’s safe to be you. Let’s talk about it. This is going to help you.

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Find Sean:

Visit my website to: Request a consultation for weekly individual therapy

Click here to: Ask a question on the podcast

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Resources from Today’s Episode:

When The Body Says No by Dr. Gabor Maté

In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Dr. Gabor Maté

The Myth of Normal by Dr. Gabor Maté

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Journal Prompt:

What authentic parts of YOU have you had to sacrifice in order to retain your attachment to your family, your community, and society?

In order to remain attached to _, I’ve had to sacrifice_.

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…and you’re listening to Mindbody Medicine for Chronic Pain.

Therapist Sean Hershey, LCSW teaches you how to use psychological and emotional modalities to heal from chronic pain. Common conditions treated: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Elbow Pain, Pain from Disc Bulges, Pain from Disc Degeneration, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Headaches, Migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pelvic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Many Eczema and Skin Conditions, Many Arthritic Presentations, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, Depression, and Anxiety.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Dr. John Sarno and all who’ve built upon his theories including: Nicole Sachs, Christina Sarno Horner, Dr. Howard Schubiner, Dr. Dan Ratner, Alan Gordon, the ATNS, and so many others.

Join us as we discuss: TMS, pain as a danger signal, the pain/threat cycle, healing through psychological work, healing through emotional work, healing through patiently attuning to your true self, trauma, healing as a work in progress, maddening frustration, glimmers of hope, elating successes... But most of all, join us because you don’t have to be alone in your pain. You don’t have to be alone in the hard work of healing. And you don’t have to be alone as this starts to work for you, and you begin to get better.

We’re all walking this path together. We’re right here with you.

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