Holiday Pajamas, Family Dynamics, & Our Wounded Selves Tuesday, November 16, 2021

What is it about the holidays that causes us to feel emotional, anxious, and stressed? Zach and Michael interview Claire Fierman to kick-off a series of episodes with various guests that will help listeners prepare emotionally for the holidays. In this episode, Claire talks about everything from wearing family holiday pajamas to creating healthy boundaries. She shares about how her family found recovery after addiction and offers advice on codependency, how to set up healthy boundaries, and ways to be there for your kids when they have been impacted by trauma. Claire is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Birmingham, Alabama, holds a Master’s degree in counseling with a concentration in Marriage & Family Therapy from the University of Montevallo, and she specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. She has over 11 years of clinical experience, having worked in residential treatment as a primary therapist and clinical director, and starting her own private practice. Claire’s expertise and interest in the field stems from her personal experience having family members who have struggled with addiction and, more importantly, found recovery. RESOURCES: Landmark Recovery is dedicated to helping you or your loved one find the road to recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. Call us today at 888-448-0302. The Landmark Recovery difference: https://landmarkrecovery.com/life-at-landmark/the-landmark-difference/ Landmark Recovery offers family therapy work: https://landmarkrecovery.com/services/individual-group-therapy/ SHOW NOTES: [6:40] Whatever age you were most wounded, that wounded self is who will likely show up to family holiday gatherings. [9:30] How to soothe your loved one’s nervous system through sensory responses. [13:16] Why do the holidays cause us to be up in arms? [16:00] COVID-19, the holidays, and a saturated mental health field. [18:05] On being kind to yourself and remembering the holidays can be a high-stress situation. [19:37] What are some of the signs of substance abuse to look for around the holidays? [21:00] What is co-dependency? What are boundaries? And why people don’t have to agree with your boundaries. [24:54] How do you start recovery? [29:00] Addiction as a family disease, and how each person has a responsibility to do their own work to find recovery and emotional wellness. [33:35] How does addiction impact children? How can families and caregivers have conversations with children who don’t understand? [38:21] How do you find a good therapist? How do you find a good child therapist?