In this episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal welcome Jennifer Goggin, LPC, LMHC, SEP, for a powerful conversation about trauma, healing, nervous system regulation, and the role the body plays in recovery.
Jennifer shares her personal story of adoption, early separation, and how her own healing journey shaped the work she does today. She explains how somatic therapy helps people process trauma not just through words, but through sensations, regulation, and connection. Together, the conversation explores why trauma often lives in the body, why healing does not begin by diving straight into the hardest memories, and why real human connection remains essential in therapy.
The episode also touches on the limits of AI in mental health care, the growing impact of technology on the nervous system, and why hope remains central no matter where someone is in their recovery or healing journey.
This is a meaningful episode for anyone interested in trauma-informed care, addiction recovery, somatic therapy, adoption, nervous system healing, and mental health treatment that addresses the whole person.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What somatic experiencing is and how it supports trauma healing
- How trauma can be stored in the body, even before a person has words for it
- Jennifer’s personal story of adoption and how it shaped her understanding of healing
- Why nervous system regulation is foundational in recovery and mental health treatment
- How somatic work can help people process trauma without starting with the most painful memory
- Why the therapeutic relationship cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence
- How screen overload and digital life can impact empathy, stress, and emotional regulation
- Why healing looks different for every person
Key Takeaways
Jennifer explains that somatic experiencing focuses on helping people build regulation and resilience in the nervous system before revisiting traumatic experiences. Rather than forcing someone to relive the most painful moments first, this approach helps create safety, trust, and internal resources so the body can begin to release what it has been holding.
Her story also highlights a powerful truth: sometimes the body carries experiences long before the mind fully understands them. Through both her personal healing and professional work, Jen offers a compassionate perspective on trauma, therapy, and the possibility of change.
One of the most memorable parts of the episode is the discussion around AI and therapy. Jen emphasizes that healing happens in relationship. Eye contact, attunement, presence, and human connection are essential parts of trauma recovery that technology cannot replicate.
About Our Guest
Jennifer Goggin is a licensed mental health counselor, licensed professional counselor, and Somatic Experiencing practitioner who helps clients work through trauma, stress, and nervous system dysregulation with a compassionate, body-based approach. Her work integrates clinical expertise, lived experience, and a deep understanding of how healing happens through both insight and connection.
To learn more about Jennifer and her work, visit: https://jennifergogginlmhc.com/
Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.
