Episode Description: In this episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma speaks with Estefana Johnson, founder and Executive Director of Arise Alliance, about her transformative work in trauma counseling and the creation of the Critical Memory Integration (CMI) method.

Estefana shares her personal journey, including the challenges she faced as a Latina navigating the mental health field, and the deep impact of cultural and early-life experiences on emotional well-being. Together, they explore how CMI differs from traditional therapies—focusing on integrating rather than desensitizing memories—and how this powerful approach is changing lives.

You'll hear:

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

00:52 Personal Journey into Mental Health

01:55 Guest Introduction: Estefani Johnson

03:21 Critical Memory Integration (CMI) Overview

03:58 Cultural Influences on Mental Health

05:44 Understanding Critical Memories

08:24 CMI in Practice: Techniques and Benefits

17:04 Personal Transformation Stories

18:49 The Impact of CMI on Patients

21:47 Personal Reflections and Experiences

24:44 Recognizing Signs of Trauma

26:10 Understanding Trauma and Integration

27:51 The Role of Caregiving and Personal Boundaries

29:31 The Importance of Self-Care and Authenticity

32:27 Desensitization vs. Integration

34:46 The Continuous Journey of Healing

37:07 Training and Expanding CMI

43:18 Connecting with the Community

45:19 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Guest Links – Estefana Johnson 🔗 Website: https://arisealliance.org

Connect with Dr. Soma Mandal 🌐 Website: www.somamandalmd.com 📸 Instagram: @drsomamandalmd ▶️ YouTube: Soma Says Podcast

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