Therapy Works

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EXPERT EPISODE: The Hidden Wounds We Inherit with Noemi Orvos-Toth Aug 13, 2025

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In this episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Sophie welcomes Noemi Orvos-Toth, a Hungarian clinical psychologist and author of 'Inherited Fate,' to discuss her work on trauma, family dynamics, and the importance of understanding transgenerational trauma. Noemi shares insights about the significance of education in mitigating trauma, the impact of unmet parental expectations, and the role of collective traumas. She emphasises the importance of storytelling in family life, the detrimental effects of secrets, and the potential for healing through acknowledgment and conversation.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/therapyworks and get on your way to being your best self.

Noemi's Website: https://orvostothnoemi.hu/en

Buy Noemi's Book: https://amzn.eu/d/bfbT3FH

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Agony Aunties: Navigating Romantic Relationships After Childhood Sexual Abuse Aug 08, 2025

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In this episode, the Agony Aunties address a listener's courageous question about pursuing romantic relationships after surviving childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The listener shares their struggle with complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and interest in dating, emotions they find challenging to navigate. The Agony Aunties emphasise the importance of going slowly, staying in therapy, and reclaiming one's sexuality and agency.

They suggest resources such as 'Healing Sex' by Staci Haines and Bessel Van der Kolk's 'The Body Keeps the Score,' among others. They also discuss the significance of communication and consent in new relationships and encourage the listener to be patient and compassionate with themselves during their healing journey.

If you’re going through something similar, I’d really recommend listening to Kate Silverton and Charles Spencer's episodes —they both offer comfort, insight, and a sense that you’re not alone. You can find the links below:

Kate Silverton: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/kate-silverton-on-the-hidden-struggles-behind-her/id1646616622?i=1000662497155

Charles Spencer: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/charles-spencer-on-speaking-out-about-his-experience/id1646616622?i=1000648985885

Follow Julia on Instagram for more tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges: @juliasamuelmbe

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Agony Aunties: Managing Sibling Squabbles Aug 01, 2025

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In this episode, the Agony Aunties answer a listener's question on how to help siblings of different ages get along better daily. They discuss the normality of sibling fights, the importance of setting realistic expectations, and strategies to avoid escalating conflicts. They emphasise the need for parents to remain calm, not intervene unnecessarily, and spend individual quality time with each child. The episode also offers insights into avoiding comparisons between siblings and reflects on how parents' own experiences with sibling rivalry can affect their children.

Follow Julia on Instagram for more tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges: @juliasamuelmbe

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Agony Aunties: “Is It Too Late for Me?” Turning 60, Being Single & Reclaiming Joy Jul 25, 2025

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In this heartfelt episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a moving question from a listener approaching 60 who fears her life may be over because she’s still single. What unfolds is a powerful conversation about redefining happiness and connection in later life. They explore how meaningful relationships don’t have to be romantic, and share practical ways to find joy through new activities, communities, and friendships. The concept of radical acceptance is introduced as a transformative mindset — one that helps us embrace our reality with compassion rather than resistance.

The episode also tackles the deeper societal narratives around aging, womanhood, and self-worth, especially the pressure placed on women to define their value through relationships. The Aunties offer a fresh perspective on how to maintain your erotic energy — not just in the sexual sense, but in keeping your sense of aliveness, creativity, and self-expression vibrant. It’s a thoughtful, empowering listen for anyone wondering if it’s too late to start again. (Spoiler: it’s not.)

Follow Julia on Instagram for more tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges: @juliasamuelmbe

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Agony Aunties: Can Therapy Really Alleviate Health Anxiety? Jul 18, 2025

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In this episode, the Agony Aunties address a question about dealing with health anxiety, which started during pregnancy and has persisted for six years. The discussion covers various aspects, including the role of different therapies such as art therapy and somatic EMDR, understanding the impact of early childhood trauma, and how physiological changes after childbirth can amplify fear and anxiety.

The Agony Aunties emphasise the importance of awareness, self-compassion, and having open, honest conversations with therapists to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy. They also highlight that change and healing are gradual processes that can't erase past experiences but can help in developing a more compassionate relationship with oneself.

Follow Julia on Instagram for more tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges: @juliasamuelmbe

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Agony Aunties: Can Your Relationship Survive If Only One of You Grows? Jul 11, 2025

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In this episode, the Agony Aunties answer a listener’s question: What happens to a relationship when one partner does the work — and the other doesn’t? They unpack the emotional and relational impact of personal growth, especially when only one person in the partnership is engaging in therapy or self-development. While growth can create distance, they explain that it doesn’t mean the relationship is doomed. What matters most is openness, willingness to engage, and honest communication.

They also explore how to assess the real costs and benefits of staying versus leaving, particularly when children are involved. This is rarely a quick decision — it’s a long game, and one that requires compassion and courage.

Follow Julia on Instagram for more tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges: @juliasamuelmbe

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Agony Aunties on Healing After an Ectopic Pregnancy Jul 04, 2025

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In this episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a listener question about coping with the emotional impact of an unplanned ectopic pregnancy. Drawing on empathy and experience, the Aunties offer heartfelt guidance on processing grief, managing anxiety, and navigating the complex mix of emotions that can follow such a loss. They share practical tips around self-care, the value of short-term planning, and the importance of seeking both medical advice and emotional support.

Helpful Resources:

Miscarriage Association – Support and information for anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic or molar pregnancy.
Child Bereavement UK – Support for families and professionals when a child dies or is grieving.

Follow Julia on Instagram for more tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges: @juliasamuelmbe

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Agony Aunties on Confronting Hidden Trauma Jun 27, 2025

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In this episode, the Agony Aunties address a deeply sensitive and complex topic brought up by a listener who experienced childhood sexual abuse by her brother. They discuss the feelings of shame, confusion, and sadness that often accompany such trauma and emphasise the importance of seeking professional support, such as EMDR therapy. The hosts provide advice on discussing the event with trusted individuals, like a caring partner, and highlight the significance of understanding and processing the abuse before making any decisions about revealing it to family members. They also offer insights into preventing such situations and educating one's own children about consent and safe touch.

Resources for Support: If you or someone you know has experienced trauma and needs support, the following organisations offer help:

SurvivorsUK
Specialist support for men, boys, and non-binary people who have experienced sexual violence. www.survivorsuk.org
Helpline: 020 3598 3898 (Mon–Sun)

AMAZE.org
Support and information for adolescents, families, and educators around sexual health and relationships.www.amaze.org

The Survivors Trust (UK)
Umbrella charity for specialist rape and sexual abuse support services. www.thesurvivorstrust.org

Childline (UK)
Confidential support for children and young people. www.childline.org.uk

Follow Julia on Instagram for more tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges: @juliasamuelmbe

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Agony Aunties on Finding Clarity in Situationships Jun 20, 2025

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In this episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a listener's complex situation involving an on-and-off situationship marked by his avoidant detachment. They discuss the complex emotions of longing, grief, and fear of vulnerability that arise from such experiences. They offer insights into recognising and addressing historical patterns of attachment, the importance of self-reflection, and the necessity of open communication with partners. They explore the potential subconscious reasons for choosing an emotionally unavailable partner and suggest ways to untangle these emotional threads through self-awareness, therapy, and communication.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/therapyworks and get on your way to being your best self.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from Stratford Literary Festival: Kit de Waal on Friendship, Fear & Finding Freedom Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

In this live episode of Hurt to Healing, Julia Samuel is joined by acclaimed author and advocate Kit de Waal for a powerful conversation about friendship, fear, and the patterns we inherit from childhood. With her signature blend of candour and compassion, Kit opens up about the painful unravelling of a close friendship and how it stirred echoes of her early life — growing up with a strict Jamaican Jehovah’s Witness father and a fiery Irish Catholic mother. She reflects on the emotional survival tactics that shaped her, the fierce loyalty of her siblings, and the way fear and secrecy became part of her emotional DNA.

Together, Julia and Kit explore the complexities of trust, identity, and repair — what it means to rewrite the stories we were raised with, and how we begin to parent and connect differently. From Kit’s teenage rebellion and escape from a rigid religious upbringing to her work in social care and advocacy for marginalised voices, this is a conversation about resilience, rupture, and growth.

Find Kit:

Website: https://www.kitdewaal.com/

Instagram: @kitdewaal

Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.

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