Episode Summary

In this episode of F**K Being Stuck, psychologist Sandi James shares her personal journey of recovery from addiction, to finding joy and purpose through sports and water-related activities, and challenging the traditional approaches to mental health and recovery. 

We dive into topics such as harm reduction, individualized care, and the power of words in healing. As well as discuss the need for a comprehensive approach to treatment and the importance of addressing root causes rather than just symptoms. 

Meet Sandi:

Sandi James is an Australian registered psychologist with more than 15 years working in mental health, eating disorder, and addiction treatment. Her primary interest is in trauma recovery, with a particular focus on co-occurring presentations including substance use and eating disorders. 

With lived experience of both, Sandi finds purpose and meaning in working with others to find their path and is a strong advocate for effective and individualized care for all people who need it. She is particularly interested in somatic therapies alongside language use and the power of words to heal or harm. 

With ‘treatment trauma’ impacting so many people, we need to be better and do better. We need to be more aware and work with compassion, be able to repair and apologize when something causes harm, and we need to be able to be vulnerable and use our words to help others heal and find their strength and courage, to heal from what has happened and move into their own life, living a values driven life.

In this episode we discuss:

• Embracing harm reduction by focusing on minimizing harm and promoting safer substance use and behaviors.
• Working with individuals based on their readiness for recovery and helping them prioritize and improve their lives.
• Going beyond treating symptoms and addressing the underlying causes of addiction and eating disorders.
• Considering the whole person and addressing all aspects of their well-being, including diet, exercise, and mental health.

Resources:

• Brain Tap
• Free Webinar: 5 Steps to Mastering Chronic Pain

Connect with Sandi:

• Instagram @surfing_diving_psychologist & @sandi_in_the_world
• Website – www.sandijames.com.au

Connect with Dr. Sabrina Nichole:

• Follow on Instagram @drsabrinanichole
• Website – drsabrinanichole.com

• Follow on Facebook – Sabrina Crouch
• Learn more about the F**k Being Stuck Masterclass
• Free Webinar: 5 Steps to Mastering Chronic Pain

Previous Episodes/Blog Posts:

• Episode 20 – Filling One’s Well With Joy with Willie Torres, LMSW
• Episode 21 – The Importance of Having a Relationship with Yourself and Living an Authentic Life with Valerie Maksym
• Episode 22 – Finding Freedom in Not Knowing it All

Custom Music by Takenya Battle

• Follow on Instagram @kenyakeys

More About F**k Being Stuck: A Journey to Healing

This podcast spotlights the unrelenting women who went from managing to mastering life’s challenges, and the badass alternative practitioners who are changing the way we heal physically and emotionally.

I’m Dr. Sabrina Nichole, a licensed psychologist, author and motivational speaker, but more importantly I’m a person who was stuck and had to find my way through a chronic pain condition by unconventional methods.  

I’m on a mission to help women get unstuck from their thought patterns that no longer serve them in order to find relief and freedom in a way they did not think was possible.  My guests and I will share stories of our journey from stuck to unstuck.  There is more than one way to heal, and we will explore various methods on this show.  

If you are willing to open your mind to possibilities, then this is the right place for you.