On this episode of Flirtations, we welcome Tal Fish to the show, a licensed mental health counselor, to have a conversation with us about trauma. In this complex, sometimes misunderstood, and yet highly relevant topic, we hold the space to go deep and talk about trauma, which many of us will experience at some point in our lives. And when a trauma happens, whether it's a single event or something we experience multiple times, often we feel like something changes within us. We may feel unsure about how to move forward or what happens next. When it comes to dating, making connections, and forming relationships, trauma can show up in unexpected ways and make it difficult to open up. Today, we hope to make this a little bit easier. We start by defining trauma and recognizing how we may respond to it. What happens to the brain and body when we experience trauma? What are some ways that we naturally cope? Does the body hold on to (or store) trauma? How can we begin to release and heal? Our conversation also addresses how trauma influences our choices and behaviors in dating, including having difficulty trusting others and building intimacy. Here, we strategies for learning to trust again (speaking to hypervigilance here) while maintaining your boundaries and protecting yourself. Finally, we offer guidelines for healing from trauma, remaining hopeful, and moving forward with optimism and an open heart. I hope you'll join us for this very powerful conversation! *This episode contains potentially sensitive dialogue about trauma. If you need to come back and listen at another time, please know this episode will always be here for you.* Then don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Flirtations on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode to spread BFE - big flirt energy, all over the world! Enjoying the show and want to support my work? Buy the Flirt Coach a coffee! About our guest:  Tal Fish (he/him) is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. He is also an actor, singer, and hopeless romantic. He’s a part time professor in addition to being a full-time clinician and loves to perform in his spare time. He is passionate about mental health and social justice, and loves being a cat dad to his Snowshoe kitten.  About your host:  Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy, with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun! As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage and transform lives for greater healing and deeper connections. You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here. 💗 Happy flirting!