Jul 8, 2021
Your hosts, Tara Hedman and Diane Thompson, are welcoming Barb Torgerson to today’s show. Tara met Barb 3 years ago on a training course where they immediately clicked and became great friends. Barb’s honesty and straightforward approach make her unique. Barb is a therapist who works in her own practice and consults with people from different areas.
Today, Barb openly shares her story, the hardships she faced during childhood, her path through grieving, trauma, and later healing.
Life really can suck less, so examine your head, man!
Key Takeaways:
[5:07] Barb talks about the death of her father when she was 13 years old and the breakdown that her mother suffered as a consequence.
[7:08] Barb became the one in charge of her younger siblings.
[8:35] Barb shares how her father attempted to kill her mother on two different occasions.
[11:34] At 14 years old, Barb helped her siblings grieve their father’s death.
[14:02] As a teenager, Barb felt exhausted all the time, but since it was her role, she didn’t question it.
[16:04] Barb shares a specific memory from her teenage years when her brother was completely out of control and her mother was in the hospital.
[24:15] Barb loved school but no one seemed to notice the suffering and terrible burden she was carrying.
[28:33] When did Barb realize that things should have been different?
[30:05] Barb shares how she planned her way to university.
[31:44] Barb talks about the time they moved to Wichita when she was 8 years old.
[32:55] Barb’s mother refused to help Barb if she wanted to study outside of Kansas, but she really wanted to go to Boston.
[35:53] Becoming a parental figure at a young age gave Barb strength while she was also sad, angry, and scared… all of it simultaneously.
[38:41] How did it feel for Barb to finally be free?
[39:45] Barb explains how there was no space for her own grief when she was growing up.
[41:40] Was there a time when it was easier for Barb to connect with herself emotionally?
[43:38] Barb confesses feeling so much relief after her father passed away.
Mentioned in this episode:
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Learn more about Barb Torgerson
This podcast is not a substitute for a therapeutic relationship with a mental health professional