The Effects of Childhood Trauma and Divorce with Guest Dr. Sasha Reiisieh

13/10/2025 42 min
The Effects of Childhood Trauma and Divorce with Guest Dr. Sasha Reiisieh

Listen "The Effects of Childhood Trauma and Divorce with Guest Dr. Sasha Reiisieh"

Episode Synopsis

What happens to a child’s nervous system when they experience divorce, conflict, or emotional disconnection?



In this powerful episode, Michelle Dempsey-Multack sits down with Dr. Sasha Reiisieh, an early childhood trauma expert, to explore how attachment, safety, and co-parenting dynamics shape a child’s emotional world. Together, they unpack what truly causes trauma, and why it’s not the divorce itself, but the absence of safety and repair that leaves lasting scars.



If you’re a parent navigating separation, co-parenting challenges, or simply striving to raise emotionally secure children, this conversation will help you understand how to nurture resilience, connection, and calm, starting with yourself.

What You’ll Learn:



The difference between trauma and traumatic events, and how your child’s body defines the difference




Why a child’s sense of safety is the single greatest predictor of emotional well-being after divorce




How one stable, emotionally regulated caregiver can offset chaos from the other parent




The science behind rupture and repair, and how parents can rebuild emotional trust




Why co-parenting dynamics often trigger old wounds, and how to model emotional balance for your kids




Episode Highlights:


00:00 – Why early attachment shapes lifelong emotional patterns

04:22 – What trauma really is, and why it lives in the body, not the event

09:40 – How caregivers teach the nervous system safety or fear

14:58 – Divorce vs. conflict: what really impacts your child’s well-being

20:31 – The myth of the “resilient child” and how to build true emotional safety

26:47 – The power of one stable parent: creating a foundation of calm

33:04 – How to help kids navigate loyalty binds and co-parenting tension

39:50 – Repairing ruptures and teaching your child emotional regulation


Meet the Guest:

Dr. Sasha Reiisieh is a licensed early childhood trauma therapist and educator with over a decade of experience working with children and families. His research and clinical work focus on how attachment, regulation, and caregiver dynamics shape emotional health from birth through adolescence. Known for his compassionate, no-nonsense approach, Dr. Racy helps parents understand how to create emotional safety even in the face of conflict and change.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:



The Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, and Kind Model – A framework for emotionally attuned parenting




Rupture and Repair – How emotional breaks, when properly addressed, strengthen connection




Somatic Awareness Practices – Helping children and parents regulate through body-based awareness




The “One Good Enough Parent” Principle – The protective power of one stable caregiver




Closing Insight:



“Safety is the foundation of resilience. Your child doesn’t need two perfect parents; they need one emotionally regulated parent who can model calm, love, and connection even in chaos.” – Dr. Sasha Racy

Join The Moving On Collective! A safe, judgment-free support group experience for divorced and divorcing parents: https://bit.ly/MichelleCommunity



Learn from Michelle how to navigate divorce & co-parenting: https://bit.ly/MDMPodStore



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LINK TO TRANSCRIPT:
https://transcripts/moving-on-method-ep267-healing-after-divorce
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