Stacey Uhrig is a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, Speaker, and Host of the podcast "Flip That Sh!t." She specializes in understanding the impact of childhood and developmental trauma on adults and helps individuals break free from these emotional wounds. Stacey equips her 1:1 clients in her private practice with practical tools and insights to reframe their narratives, fostering greater joy and connection in their lives. Using modalities like Hypnosis and Rapid Transformational Therapy, she helps clients gain clarity and self-empowerment, enabling them to find peace and purpose in their healing journey.
Stacey Uhrig, Trauma Recovery Coach (C-Hyp, RTT-P)
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life so we can get to know you better.
My name is Stacey Uhrig, and I am a proud New Jersey native, just a stone's throw from New York City. Alongside my husband of 23 years, Matt, and our two boys, Ben and Tae, our household is kept busy by the presence of two energetic pups, Ella and Iris.
When I'm not immersed in the brutiful chaos of our family life, you can find me exploring the world through my love for experimenting in the kitchen. I find a lot of joy in cooking and baking; it feels like meditation. It's where I'm focused on the present moment, zoned into the action of creating, usually while listening to my favorite tunes. It also fuels my creativity and brings everyone together. In my downtime, you might find me on a yoga mat or outside on long walks (with and without my pups!).
Additionally, I appreciate the simple pleasures of curling up with a good book, savoring a cup of coffee with friends, and losing myself in a good podcast – I love true crime! Beyond my personal pursuits, I channel my energy into my professional role as a certified coach and trauma specialist, aiming to impact the lives of those I work with positively.
What led you to become a Coach?
Well, I didn't plan on becoming a coach and trauma specialist—it found me. For the past 30 years, I have constantly mentored and coached the people around me, no matter my job. It was the unpredictable part of my day that I always loved. I'd have people popping into my office, closing the door, and pouring their hearts out, seeking advice. It was a common occurrence, and I was good at it. I had a lot of "post-traumatic wisdom" from my own experiences, and it gave me a perspective that many people appreciated and sought out.
When I hit 48, I felt this pull for something more. I wanted to create something for myself. I had previously owned other businesses and decided to turn my gift for supporting people in crisis into a business. Then, I began shaping my gift and passion into something more formal.
Can you tell us what motivated you to move into the trauma space as a Coach? A lot of people would shy away from that area. It sounds heavy.
When I first opened my coaching practice, I saw a common theme among my clients. It was a sentiment I couldn't ignore, and it sounded like this, "I just wish I understood why I fill in the blank – ("don't feel valuable," "think I don't matter," "walk with a lack of confidence," "don't know how to say no" the list was endless). I knew enough that the answers could be found in their subconscious, and my clients deeply desired to find them. From this perspective, I was drawn to Marisa Peer's Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) modality and became a certified practitioner of RTT.
During my training with Marisa, a lightbulb moment happened for me. In every case where someone was engaged in Rapid Transformational Therapy to gain access to a more peaceful existence, there was past trauma involved. An unhealed wound, if you will. It didn't have to be rooted in an act of aggression, violence, or abuse. What I was seeing, in more cases than not, was a mist of dysfunction throughout someone's childhood that led them to believe they were not enough, and this filter through which they were living life was STILL having a profound impact on them as adults. Having wrestled with my own childhood adversities, this hit close to home.
From here, I became obsessed with understanding all things trauma – Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), developmental trauma, complex PTSD – you name it. And that's when I decided to take things a step further. After getting certified as a Rapid Transformational Therapy Practitioner, I trained under trauma expert Bobbi Parish and her International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching to become a Trauma Recovery Coach. I'm back in school again, studying Parts Work Through a Polyvagal Lens. I'm never done learning.
It's heavy, sure, but there's something incredibly rewarding about having the ability to help folks navigate through something so significant and find peace.
Could you share insights into your personalized coaching style and describe your target audience?
Certainly, I am a coach who provides transformative change to individuals seeking to improve their lives. My coaching style combines therapeutic methods and coaching techniques, drawing from my life experiences and the impactful transformations I have witnessed. My approach currently incorporates Parts Work, Polyvagal Theory, and Rapid Transformational Therapy, focusing on trauma recovery.
I offer 1:1 Coaching to individuals facing challenges such as struggles with self-worth, confidence, voice, and choice. My clients often don't know "who they are" and are looking to break free from obstacles preventing them from living authentically. My unique coaching approach helps clients understand the roots of their struggles, especially trauma, which often subtly permeates our daily experiences. I bring a unique perspective and understanding I gained navigating my childhood adversities.
My coaching services often leverage the transformative power of Parts Work and Rapid Transformational Therapy under hypnosis to address and heal my client's underlying trauma narrative. This allows them to reframe their beliefs and live a more authentic life. Although exploring the weight of trauma may seem daunting, the reward lies in guiding individuals through their unique journeys, assisting them in navigating complexities, and ultimately helping them find a sense of peace.
I aim to catalyze positive change and empower my clients to lead fulfilling and authentic lives.
Life's journey is unpredictable, and my role is to provide support that lightens the load for those I work with.
Your coaching approach appears to combine Hypnotherapy and Coaching from a trauma lens. How do these modalities work together?
For people seeking to get to the root cause of why they are stuck, I have created a program called the Get FLIPd Intensive. This program integrates Hypnotherapy sessions with conscious-level Coaching from a trauma lens to create a powerful synergy that enhances the transformation potential.
Hypnotherapy is a valuable tool for accessing the subconscious mind, allowing us to uncover and address deep-seated beliefs and experiences. I utilize Rapid Transformational Therapy under hypnosis to do this work. In the context of trauma, it provides a unique avenue to explore and heal wounds that may be rooted in the past. Through hypnotherapy, we can gently navigate and reframe traumatic experiences, fostering understanding and resolution.
Coaching from a trauma lens involves an empathetic exploration of the impact of past experiences on present-day lives outside of hypnosis. It goes beyond traditional Coaching by recognizing the nuances of past experiences and addressing the present-day challenges that arise. This modality is about creating a safe space for individuals to share their experiences, fostering resilience, and providing tools to navigate the effects of trauma in their daily lives.
The integration of these modalities is designed to create a holistic approach. Hypnotherapy
enables us to delve into the subconscious layers, uncovering the roots of trauma, while coaching from a trauma lens ensures a compassionate and trauma-trained framework for understanding and addressing these experiences.
Central to my approach is a client-centered focus, where individuals actively participate in their healing journey. Together, these modalities offer a personalized approach, addressing the emotional, mental, and sometimes physical aspects of trauma. The goal is to understand and process past traumas and empower individuals to move forward with resilience and a renewed sense of self.
It's important to share that for those not interested in the power of hypnosis, I also offer 1:1 Coaching that is all done at the conscious awareness level.
Do you provide any other services beyond Coaching?
Beyond Coaching, my mission as a mental health practitioner is to make mental health education accessible to everyone. Recognizing that personal development and healing often come with a price tag, I've taken steps to provide low and no-cost resources. This includes my podcast, "Flip Your Mindset," and a corresponding YouTube channel, both aimed at offering valuable insights.
I've also developed several online courses accompanied by supplementary e-books, focusing on making mental health education affordable. Currently, two popular courses are "What is Trauma, Really?" and "Burnout Unpacked: 5 Key Things You Need to Know".
In line with my commitment to education, I actively utilize social media platforms as educational tools, primarily focusing on Instagram and TikTok. I share new content daily, drawing insights from my practice to provide valuable and relatable information to a broader audience.
Lastly, I extend my reach by offering talks at summits and similar events domestically and internationally. This allows me to connect with diverse audiences, spreading awareness and knowledge about mental health in various settings. My ultimate goal is to break down barriers to mental health education, ensuring everyone can access the tools and information they need for their well-being.
What if someone is reading this and saying, "I don't have trauma." and therefore, this type of support wouldn't be for me?
It's a sentiment I hear often, and it's valid. It's essential to recognize that trauma comes in various forms and degrees, often beyond what we might traditionally associate with the term. So, let's consider a slight shift in perspective by exchanging the term' trauma' for 'wound.' The root of the word 'trauma' comes from the Greek word for 'wound.'
Picture a physical wound on your arm. When a physical injury happens, you notice it, tend to it, nurture it, and witness its transformation from an open wound to a scab, eventually fully healing, albeit sometimes leaving a scar. Now, consider 'trauma' as an emotional injury or wound. Just like a physical wound, emotional wounds require nurturing and attention to heal.
The challenge with emotional wounds is that only the person wounded usually knows of its existence. Unlike a visible wound, expressing the need for nurturing might be hindered by factors like lacking the language to ask for support, fear of expressing it, or the occurrence of the wound when we were pre-verbal. Without the appropriate nurturing and support, the wound may not fully heal. You may be left with a scab, but life events or triggers can rip it open again, leaving the individual feeling 'hurt' or wounded once again.
It's vital to grasp that 'trauma' isn't merely an event or circumstance. Instead, it is the negative interpretation that can leave you feeling unsafe, unseen, unheard, insignificant, unimportant, and ultimately, not enough. That interpretation becomes the lasting emotional wound that shapes your habits and behaviors. Recognition of these patterns that no longer serve you is when you identify the wound, where the transformative work can begin.
So, if the idea of having 'trauma' feels distant, that's completely okay. The coaching approach I offer goes beyond conventional notions. It extends to anyone navigating life changes, seeking personal growth, or feeling stuck in certain areas. We delve into your unique story, unlocking and reshaping it for a more fulfilling and peaceful life. Whether or not you resonate with the term' trauma,' this support is crafted for positive change, self-discovery, and inner peace.
What advice do you have for people hesitant to seek Coaching from a trauma lens?
I understand that delving into Coaching from a trauma lens can feel intimidating for some. My advice to those who may be curious yet hesitant is rooted in the understanding that seeking support is an incredibly courageous and empowering step.
Firstly, acknowledge that everyone's journey is unique, and Coaching, particularly from a trauma perspective, is a personal exploration tailored to your specific needs. It's not about reliving painful experiences but understanding and addressing their impact on your present.
Second, consider it a collaborative effort where we work together to navigate the complexities of your experiences and foster a sense of healing and resilience. Remember, the goal is to empower you with tools and insights to move forward, fostering personal growth and well-being.
Third, communication is key. Feel free to express your concerns, boundaries, and expectations openly. A good coach will create a safe and supportive space, ensuring you feel heard and respected throughout the process.
Lastly, trust the process. Taking it one step at a time is okay; you control your journey. Coaching is about empowering you to make positive changes in your life, and I'm here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions or reservations, let's talk about it—your well-being is the top priority.
What key takeaway would you like to leave with our readers?
Within every individual lies a distinct story, often concealing the key to unlocking the enduring peace we've yearned for. Enlisting the guidance of a skilled Coach can be pivotal in discovering that key, delicately navigating the emotional wounds within the story, and unveiling the experiences that have shaped the lens through which every decision is made. With my support, this journey evolves into an opportunity to craft a new narrative, healing those emotional wounds.
Understanding that this form of healing and self-discovery is within reach for everyone, regardless of their circumstances, is crucial. Inner peace is a fundamental right for all, and my dedication is to empower individuals to embark on their unique path toward that profound sense of peace and fulfillment.
