Feb 15
Many people know I'm a gusher, meaning that when I find something I really believe in, I want the whole world to know about it. I truly believe that the bottom-line goal with ADHD is to master our nervous systems, which is why I'm so delighted to sit down with clinical social worker and coach, Gabrielle Juliano-Villani.
Gabrielle began her career in child protective and victim’s services and eventually started her own private practice working with older adults, folks with chronic pain and illness, and trauma. After hitting her own ADHD burnout in 2021, she sold her practice and made it her mission to educate others on the impact stress has on our everyday lives.
Gabrielle pulls from her experience as an EMDR and polyvagal-informed therapist to utilize mind/body approaches to help others implement everyday strategies to manage stress and live their best lives. During our conversation she provides an easy-to-digest breakdown of what EMDR is and how it works, the basics of Polyvagal Theory, what it means to “map” your nervous system, and how these somatic therapy approaches can help us to get out of our heads and back into our bodies.
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"I am inattentive, so I really resonate with sloths. I also think it's a really good reminder for all of us to slow down, pay attention, and notice what's happening."
- Gabrielle Juliano-Villani
"A lot of the messaging is that people who have ADHD are really hyperactive, and I'm not at all because I'm inattentive. But also, the hyperactivity happens internally. My brain is like going 8,000 miles a minute constantly."
- Gabrielle Juliano-Villani
"Whatever it is, we're not noticing, and we're not paying attention because we're in our heads so much. So, we're ignoring the cues that we're getting from our body."
- Gabrielle Juliano-Villani
- Gabrielle shares her experience as a coach for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Thrive program, helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses through marketing and finances.
- Gabrielle discusses the societal pressure on women to maintain a perfect home and how it can lead to feelings of shame and inadequacy.
- Gabrielle describes how understanding her ADHD has helped her reframe her approach to tasks and prioritize self-care.
[23:46 - 44:03] ADHD, Nervous System Dysregulation, and Therapy
- Gabrielle explains EMDR therapy as a form of bilateral stimulation to reprocess traumatic memories and negative beliefs, making them more neutral or positive.
- Gabrielle explains polyvagal theory, developed by Steven Porges, which describes how our nervous system responds to threats of safety, connection, or danger.
- Gabrielle shares her experience of being dismissed by doctors when discussing her chronic illnesses, leading her to seek alternative approaches like functional medicine.
- Gabrielle discusses EMDR therapy, a treatment for ADHD, and its positive impact on her life, with Speaker 1 expressing interest in trying it out.
- Gabrielle explains that EMDR therapy has a risk of triggering psychosis in some individuals, and it's important to work with a practitioner who is certified and has experience in the technique.
- Gabrielle emphasizes the importance of paying attention to one's body and building awareness to manage stress and ADHD symptoms.
Instagram: @gjvconsulting
Tiktok: @gabriellejulianovillani
Youtube: @gabriellejulianovillani
Website: Gabriellejulianovillani.com
Medicareconsultingfortherapists.com
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LinkedIn: Gabrielle Juliano-Villani
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