<p>In this heart-shaking, wisdom-soaked episode, we’re joined by the incomparable <strong>Karla Fleshman (they/she)</strong> — a licensed clinical social worker, EMDR therapist, irreverent reverend, published author, and breast cancer survivor thriving in community.</p><p>What unfolds is part interview, part sermon, part love letter to queer and dissociative youth — and a fierce call to action for therapists, schools, and adults everywhere.</p><p><strong>We explore:</strong></p><p>* Karla’s cancer diagnosis and system discovery anniversary </p><p>* Their journey through severe school bullying, trauma, and survival as a queer teen</p><p>* How <strong>dissociation s</strong>hows up as a <strong>somatic, adaptive response</strong> to systemic harm</p><p>* A powerful reading of their poem <em>“Who Was Nex? Who Is Nex.T?”</em> honoring Nex Benedict and queer youth lost to violence ⚠️ <strong>*Content note:</strong> The poem addresses bullying, suicide, and trauma.*</p><p>* What it means to create healing community inside and outside the therapy room</p><p>* Why clinicians must break from rigid models to truly welcome all parts</p><p>* How healing happens when we slow down, get real, and stop trying to do therapy “perfectly”</p><p>Whether you’re a clinician seeking to be more affirming, a system navigating complex trauma, or someone longing to be reminded that healing is possible — this episode is for you.</p><p><strong>00:00 – Opening + Guest Introduction</strong><strong>08:43 – Discovering They Were a System</strong><strong>13:10 – Bullying, Survival, and Dissociation</strong><strong>31:31 – Poem: Who Was Nex? </strong>⚠️ <strong>*Content note:</strong> The poem addresses bullying, suicide, and trauma.*<strong>38:47 – Queering EMDR + Therapist Clarity</strong><strong>49:29 – Community, Not Just Clinicians</strong><strong>1:08:40 – Closing Reflections</strong></p><p>🔗 Connect with Karla Fleshman</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://transitionsde.com/">Transitions Delaware</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://sites.google.com/transitionsde.com/be-the-1-campaign/home">Be The One Campaign</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://queeringemdr.com/"><em>Queering EMDR Therapy</em></a><a target="_blank" href="https://queeringemdr.com/"> Book</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://djph.org/lgbtq-health/">“Who Was Nex?” Poem + Journal Article</a></p><p>🛠 LGBTQ+ & Plurality Resources</p><p><strong>Youth Support & Education:</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.glsen.org/">GLSEN</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://welcomingschools.org/">Welcoming Schools</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/">Rainbow Book Lists</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://pflag.org/">PFLAG</a></p><p><strong>For LGBTQ+ Elders:</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://lgbtagingcenter.org/">LGBT Aging Center</a></p><p><strong>Crisis Lines:</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://thrivelifeline.org/">Thrive Lifeline</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/">The Trevor Project</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://translifeline.org/">Trans Lifeline</a></p><p><strong>Legal, Medical, and Community Support:</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pointofpride.org/">Point of Pride</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://transequality.org/transgender-legal-services-network">Trans Equality Legal Network</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://transgenderlawcenter.org/">Transgender Law Center</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.folxhealth.com/">FOLX Health</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://wpath.org/">WPATH</a></p><p>💥 <strong>Are you a System or Therapist looking for more?</strong></p><p>Visit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.healingmyparts.org/"><strong>HealingMyParts.org</strong></a> — a hub for professional consults, trainings as well as system-led groups, unapologetic blog posts, and merch with a pulse.Built by a therapist living with DID and 25+ years of experience in the field.</p><p>Whether you’re a therapist seeking advanced trainings or a system craving a community — you’re welcome here. 🩷🫶💜</p><p>Visit us on Substack at <a target="_blank" href="https://healingmyparts.substack.com/">healingmyparts.substack.com</a></p><p>Visit us on Instagram for bite sized healing nuggets <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/healingmyparts/">@HealingMyParts</a></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Healing My Parts at <a href="https://healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe</a>