Medical Trauma Isn’t Over When Treatment Ends — with Emma Tynan

What happens when the place that caused trauma is also the place you must return to for care?

In this episode of the Medical Trauma Support Podcast, Sarah Stasica is joined by Irish psychotherapist and former emergency department nurse Emma Tynan for a deeply compassionate conversation about medical trauma, chronic illness, and the nervous system.

Emma shares her journey from working in emergency care to becoming a trauma-informed therapist specializing in medical trauma. Together, they explore why medical trauma is uniquely complex — because unlike many other forms of trauma, healing often requires returning to the very environment where harm occurred.

This episode gently unpacks:

Why returning to hospitals and medical settings can feel terrifying — even years later

How medical trauma and chronic illness impact the nervous system

What it means to “fall apart” in medical settings — and why that response makes sense

The importance of co-regulation, support people, and realistic expectations

Why “good news” medically doesn’t always mean emotional relief

How caregivers and loved ones are often traumatized too

Why compassion — not self-judgment — is essential for healing

Whether you’re living with chronic illness, navigating medical trauma, supporting a loved one, or working in healthcare, this conversation offers validation, nervous-system wisdom, and a powerful reminder:

Your experience deserves recognition — even when healing isn’t linear.

🎧 If you’ve ever avoided medical care, felt ashamed of your reactions, or wondered why your body responds the way it does — this episode is for you.

Reach Emma at Midlands Counseling Clinic: https://midlandscounsellingclinic.ie/ or on IG at   / medicaltraumatherapist  

At Medical Trauma Support, we raise awareness that medical trauma is real and share trauma-informed education, somatic practices, and community support to help you:
Understand how medical trauma impacts the nervous system
Build self-agency and capacity
Befriend your body with compassion
Feel nourished on your healing journey

🌱 Learn and heal with others in the Befriend Your Body Community → https://www.medicaltraumasupport.org/...
📖 Explore articles & resources about medical trauma → https://www.medicaltraumasupport.org
🔔 Subscribe for new videos on somatic healing & nervous system education →   / @medicaltraumasupport  

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