Denise (Part 2): Parenting After Sexual Trauma, Somatic Triggers & Breaking the Silence Around Birth

In Part 2 of her powerful conversation, Denise opens up about the somatic aftermath of sexual trauma and how it’s shaped her experiences of pregnancy, birth, and parenting. From panic attacks during breastfeeding to triggering OB/GYN procedures and setting boundaries with her child, Denise shares the raw truth of what it means to raise a family while living with a dysregulated nervous system. We also talk about survivor guilt, formula vs breastfeeding stigma, and the judgement women face when their maternal experiences don’t match the “perfect mother” narrative. Denise explains how trauma can hijack our sense of safety, how neuroperception misfires in the body, and why traditional talk therapy alone sometimes isn’t enough. This episode is an honest look at parenting after sexual violence — the triggers, the shame, the resilience — and how healing is possible through somatic therapy, spiritual tools, and radical self-compassion. 🔹 Topics: parenting after trauma, sexual violence, breastfeeding triggers, birth trauma, somatic healing, neuroception, survivor guilt, motherhood, energy work 🔹 Content warning: mentions of sexual assault, birth trauma, body-based triggers We made it on Feedspot's 2025 Top 30 Aussie Not For Profit Podcasts! Link Denise's Linktree: www.deniseelysa.com/link-tree TBBI Links/Enquiries: Facebook: The Blue Butterfly Institute Email: hello@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au Website: thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBlueButterflyInstitute/videos (watch for video footage of podcast recording which includes uncut and behind the scenes footage!) (Intro/Outro Theme: Breaking The Silence by Marya Stark If in need of help during an immediate crisis: 100RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Interested in being a guest speaker on the podcast? We are currently on the look-out for people to share their story so if interested: Email: podcast@thebluebutterflyinstitute.org.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.