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In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick welcomes psychotherapist Sara Joern of Wild Sage Counseling for a deep and heartfelt conversation. Sara specializes in trauma, anxiety, social justice, and relationship dynamics, using tools like EMDR to guide her clients toward lasting healing. Together, they explore the roots of emotional pain, the science behind EMDR therapy, and the transformative power of reconnecting with your body, emotions, and authentic self.
This episode is for anyone who feels stuck in old patterns, overwhelmed by anxiety, or curious about how to heal beyond talk therapy. Listeners will gain insight into how trauma shows up in our lives, how EMDR works to rewire the brain, and why self-compassion and vulnerability are essential for growth. After tuning in, they’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of their inner world and a new sense of permission to feel, heal, and move forward with intention.
00:00 – Introduction Cynthia welcomes listeners and introduces guest Sara Joern, setting up the conversation about therapy, healing, and emotional growth.
02:28 – What Is a Psychotherapist? Sara explains the differences between counselor, therapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist, and why she prefers the term “psychotherapist.”
04:21 – The Deeper Meaning of ‘Psyche’ Sara shares the soul-based meaning of the word “psyche” and how that frames her therapeutic philosophy.
05:12 – Transpersonal Counseling and Depth Psychology Sara discusses her background in transpersonal counseling and the holistic, interconnected approach she brings to therapy.
07:39 – EMDR: What It Is and How It Works Sara introduces Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), how it helps reprocess trauma, and why it’s different from talk therapy.
10:32 – EMDR Transformation Story Sara shares the story of a client who used EMDR to set boundaries and reclaim her voice after childhood trauma.
13:56 – How EMDR Reveals the Deeper Issue Sara explains how EMDR sessions organically uncover core wounds, like loneliness, behind surface symptoms such as addiction.
16:32 – Learning to Trust and Surrender Sara talks about helping clients (and herself) let go of control in therapy and trust the healing process.
17:58 – Unlearning Generational and Cultural Conditioning Cynthia and Sara reflect on growing up with stoic emotional norms and the need to unlearn shame and emotional suppression.
20:18 – Inner Child Work and Reclaiming Joy Sara explains how children’s natural self-love and expression can guide us back to authenticity through therapy.
22:01 – Boundaries, Women, and Caretaking Roles Sara describes the social pressures women face around caretaking and obligation, and how to create space for authenticity.
26:03 – Disappointment vs. Self-Abandonment Discussion on the importance of honoring your truth even if it disappoints others—especially family.
28:03 – The Challenge of Self-Love Sara explores why it’s often hardest to be kind to ourselves and how evolutionary psychology and shame play a role.
31:16 – Self-Compassion and Integration How we can embrace all parts of ourselves, even the ones we’ve judged or disowned.
34:44 – Why You Shouldn’t Do Deep Work Alone Sara emphasizes the importance of working with a trained therapist when dealing with core wounds or trauma.
36:10 – Emotions Aren’t Good or Bad The group unpacks emotional duality and how our culture wrongly labels feelings like anger or grief.
38:34 – Feeling Bad About Feeling Bad Why suppressing emotions builds pressure and how “feeling it to heal it” is actually the way forward.
40:51 – Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Sara explains the resurgence of psychedelics like ketamine and psilocybin in therapy, and their powerful role in trauma healing.
43:33 – Doing It Right: Intention and Integration Sara discusses how real psychedelic therapy involves preparation, a safe setting, and follow-up—not escapism.
47:17 – Sara’s Path to Becoming a Therapist Sara shares how she went from pre-med to psychotherapist via wilderness therapy and following intuitive nudges.
51:24 – What Wilderness Therapy Looks Like A look at how nature, movement, and outdoor experiences play a role in emotional healing and confidence building.
54:02 – Grounding Practices in Everyday Life Sara recommends simple ways to reconnect with the present, including walking barefoot, touching trees, and moving your body.
58:03 – Loving Big Means Grieving Big Cynthia and Sara reflect on the cost of loving deeply—and why it’s still worth it.
1:02:24 – Letting Go of Emotional Safety Sara challenges the idea of avoiding hurt and talks about choosing connection over safety.
1:04:59 – Why Feeling Is Worth It Sara shares a personal story about choosing to feel everything, even pain, rather than live numb.
1:06:04 – Shit Makes Great Fertilizer How adversity and grief can become the fertile ground for growth and transformation.
1:08:37 – Living from the Heart, Not Just the Head Sara reflects on moving from intellectual validation to emotional authenticity in her personal and professional life.
1:10:32 – How to Start Getting Out of Your Head Sara offers practical steps like body awareness, symbolic journaling, and curiosity to reconnect with your inner world.
1:16:01 – Final Thoughts: Grace and Progress Why perfection isn’t the goal, and how practicing gentleness and growth mindset are acts of self-love.
Content Notice
This podcast and all She Lift Project content represents the opinions of Cynthia Kirkpatrick and her guests. The content here is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice – financial, legal, medical, or otherwise.
Views and opinions expressed in the podcast and across all She Lift Project media channels are our own and do not represent that of our places of work. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we are sharing is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors.
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