How to Heal From Trauma: Rewire Your Brain & Break the Cycle
How do you heal from trauma and break the patterns that keep you stuck? Lawrence C. Harris shares how therapy, journaling, movement, and mindset helped him rebuild his mental health and rewire the way he thinks.
How do you heal from trauma and break the patterns that keep you stuck? Lawrence C. Harris shares how therapy, journaling, movement and mindset helped him rebuild his mental health and rewire the way he thinks.
In this powerful conversation, Lawrence C. Harris opens up about his experience with childhood trauma, abuse, bullying, complex PTSD, mental health struggles and the process of rebuilding his life.
Lawrence explains what it felt like to carry trauma without understanding what was happening, how therapy helped him recognize his patterns, and why healing ultimately required him to take responsibility for the work he needed to do himself.
We also discuss:
Healing from trauma and complex PTSD
Childhood trauma and mental health
How the inner critic affects self-worth
Journaling as a tool for self-awareness
Rewiring negative thought patterns
Building momentum through small daily actions
How exercise can support mental wellbeing
Social media, dopamine and attention
Learning to think for yourself
Breaking destructive cycles
Finding a reason and purpose to keep moving forward
Mental health support for teenagers and young adults
Why lived experience can create powerful connections with others
Lawrence also shares a powerful perspective on his inner critic, the role of journaling, and how learning to question the beliefs you've been taught can help you develop a stronger sense of identity.
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Guest Bio
Lawrence C. Harris is a 20-year-old youth empowerment speaker, author, and mental health advocate who transforms his lived experience with autism and complex PTSD into actionable wisdom. Through his speaking engagements and books, he helps teenagers build mental resilience, rewire their inner critics, and reclaim agency over their futures.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mental Health Advocate Lawrence C. Harris
01:20 Escaping Childhood Trauma and the Path to Healing
02:29 The Journey to Becoming a Youth Empowerment Speaker
05:47 Navigating Teenage Years with Autism and Complex PTSD
11:39 Understanding the Invisible Weight of Complex PTSD
16:45 Overcoming Your Inner Critic and Brainwashing Yourself
20:11 The Science of Neuroplasticity and Trauma Recovery
24:22 Building Momentum with Non-Negotiable Daily Routines
33:34 Earning Trust and Inspiring Youth Empowerment Motivation
39:09 Breaking the Cycle of Suck and Finding Your Why
44:27 Escaping the Social Media Dopamine Trap
48:43 Why Journaling for Mental Health Unlocks Free Thinking
57:47 Reality TV Mental Health and Parasocial Relationships
Find Lawrence Harris here:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawrencecempowers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawrencec.empowers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-harris-8b0177324/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lawrencecempowers
Website: https://www.lawrencecharris.com/
Find Nick Thompson here:
Nick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nthompson513/
UCAN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ucan_foundation/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EyesWideOpenContent
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickthompson13/
UCAN Foundation: https://theucanfoundation.org/
Website: https://www.engagewithnick.com