Dr. Allison Battles (she/her)

Allison Battles joined Momma on June 28, 2021 for a live Q&A via Twitch to talk about Trauma Recovery, Growth & Expanding Perspectives

About Allison

Dr. Allison Battles received her PhD in clinical psychology from the Virginia Consortium in 2020 and is currently the psychology postdoctoral fellow with the trauma team at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. Her clinical work focuses on helping people who are experiencing complex, co-occurring trauma symptoms, serious mental illness, and substance abuse. She is also engaged in research with most of her work focusing on investigating the development and effects of PTSD and moral injury. Dr. Battles also works on enhancing existing evidence-based practices with a current emphasis on integrating geek content and culture into the therapeutic environment. She created and continues to run a therapeutic D&D group for veterans.

Socials / Links for Their Info

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/doctor_battles

• TAGGS Presentations: https://event.taggsummit.org/speakers/allison-battles/

Episode Summary

If you’re someone working through trauma, supporting a loved one on their healing journey, or just looking for insight into mental health and growth, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

• Self-care can be distinguished from hobbies based on engagement and mindfulness.

• Gaming can serve as a therapeutic tool in mental health recovery.

• Hope and purpose can emerge from even the hardest experiences. Willingness to be open and vulnerable is essential in therapy.

• Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD.

• Finding meaning after trauma is a personal journey.

• Group therapy can be beneficial but may not always be suitable for trauma processing.

• Narrative therapy allows individuals to reshape their stories and experiences.

• Integrating personal interests, like geek culture, can enhance therapeutic engagement.

In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, Dr. Allison Battles joins MommaFoxFire to talk about trauma recovery, growth, and finding new ways to look at healing. Allison, a clinical psychologist working with veterans at the Minneapolis VA, shares how her work focuses on helping people navigate complex trauma, serious mental illness, and substance use.

Allison starts by sharing her journey into mental health, influenced by her upbringing. With a mom who taught her about psychology early on and a career that started in politics, Allison found herself drawn to meaningful work where she could have a direct impact. Her passion for helping others became clear while working with veterans and volunteering in domestic violence shelters. From there, she committed herself to trauma-focused mental health care.

One of the most powerful parts of Allison’s work is seeing those “aha” moments when clients reconnect with themselves, trust their instincts again, and start to rebuild. She highlights the importance of hope in recovery, referencing a quote from Avatar: The Last Airbender that resonates with her: “Hope is something we give ourselves. That is the meaning of inner strength.”

Throughout the conversation, Allison shares her approach to working with clients who have experienced trauma. She emphasizes that recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. While some benefit from structured treatments like cognitive processing therapy or prolonged exposure, others find growth through approaches like narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, or mindfulness. She encourages clients to explore what works for them, focusing on values, empowerment, and the whole person, not just the problem.

Allison also talks about the stigma around mental health professionals, particularly when it comes to self-disclosure. She believes that being real and authentic as a therapist fosters trust and connection. By breaking down power imbalances and showing her humanity, she creates a safe space for clients to open up.

The conversation touches on how trauma symptoms, like flashbacks and avoidance, can hold people back. Allison stresses that trauma recovery requires courage and patience, but the benefits are worth it. She also acknowledges the challenges of systemic barriers and injustices, which can feel overwhelming to both clients and providers.

When it comes to hobbies and self-care, Allison shares her love for baking, gaming, and trying (with mixed success) to keep plants alive. She also highlights the importance of balancing self-care and mindful engagement, using activities to recharge rather than escape.

Listeners asked thoughtful questions throughout the episode, including discussions on dissociative disorders, stigma around DID, and how to find good long-term mental health care. Allison offers practical insights, like the power of grounding techniques and finding peer support options when individual therapy isn’t accessible.

The episode is an inspiring mix of professional expertise, personal passion, and practical advice. Allison’s down-to-earth approach makes the often difficult topic of trauma recovery relatable, while her belief in hope and growth leaves listeners feeling empowered to take the next step in their own journeys.