The mind after the storm

UC expert discusses trauma, coercive control and healing on podcast: “Is Anybody Out There?”

Amanda LaGuardia, a trauma-informed psychologist in UC’s School of Human Services, was featured on podcast “Is Anybody Out There?” for a discussion examining the lasting psychological impact of domestic violence and coercive control.

La Guardia appeared on the Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, episode titled “The Mind After The Storm,” joining hosts Patti Collins and Andrea Langefeld to explore how domestic violence reshapes the brain, affects identity, and disrupts trust long after abuse ends. During the episode, La Guardia explained the emotional and psychological effects of trauma, including confusion, numbness, shame, self-blame, and loss of identity, while outlining how trauma-informed, compassion-centered care can support long-term healing.

Healing that becomes possible when survivors finally have compassion-centered, collaborative care.

Patti Collins Co-host of "Is Anbody Out There"

Survivor and co-host Patti Collins underscored the importance of La Guardia’s work, saying, “As a survivor I believe in Dr. La Guardia’s mission of breaking down the science of trauma, the emotional fallout of coercive control, and the healing that becomes possible when survivors finally have compassion-centered, collaborative care.”

The conversation also addressed how communities, counselors, churches, and loved ones can better support survivors’ emotional recovery through patience, understanding, and trauma-informed approaches, offering validation and hope to those carrying the invisible wounds of abuse.

The “Is Anybody Out There?” podcast is supported by Women Helping Women and Center for Survivor Agency & Justice and is produced by The Bootsy Collins Network.

Listen to the episode featuing Dr. LaGuardia.

Featured image at top: iStock Photo/RomoloTavani.

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