Healing Trauma to Heal Autoimmune Disease: HSPs, Narcissistic Relationships & Ketamine-Assisted Therapy with Maria Lloyd
Autoimmune AlchemyShow Notes
In this episode, I sit down with Maria Lloyd, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in trauma-informed therapy and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, to explore how unresolved trauma lives in the body and manifests as autoimmune disease, particularly in highly sensitive people (HSPs) who make up 20% of the population. Maria shares her personal journey with her son's gut issues and mold exposure that led to complete dysfunction until they addressed both the physical detoxification and mental health trauma through ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, ultimately leading to his full healing and return to college. We discuss how narcissistic relationships create constant fight-or-flight stress that directly impacts the nervous system and gut health, why turning toward pain with compassion (rather than running from it) calms both emotional and physical symptoms, and how creating secure attachments through therapy can rewire dysregulated nervous systems formed in childhood. Key Takeaways 20% of people are highly sensitive (HSPs) - understanding this trait reduces shame and helps create supportive lifestyles Trauma lives in the body; turning toward pain with compassion calms both emotional and physical symptoms Mold exposure can be like "pouring gasoline on the fire" for those with gut issues and mental health challenges Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy works at a somatic level, helping people reconnect with their bodies and feel safe Early childhood attachment patterns affect nervous system regulation and autoimmune disease risk Narcissistic relationships cause constant fight-or-flight stress that directly impacts gut health and autoimmunity Health dramatically improves when people leave narcissistic relationships or set firm boundaries Morning and evening routines (walking, yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi, breath work) create nervous system stability Research shows Qigong and yoga reduce pain and flares in lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia It's through relationships that we heal - secure attachments with therapists can rewire dysregulated nervous systems
Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 Welcome: Maria Lloyd & Trauma-Informed Therapy 02:00 Maria's Personal Journey: Her Son's Gut Issues & Mold Exposure 03:00 When the Medical System Failed: The Natural Health Journey 03:30 Mold Detoxification, Diet Changes & Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy 04:00 The Holistic Approach: Everything Is Connected 04:30 Navigating Pain Cycles & Hypervigilance in Autoimmune Flares 05:00 Trauma Lives in the Body: Turning Toward Pain with Compassion 06:00 Creating Secure Attachment with Ourselves 07:00 Attachment Styles & Their Impact on Nervous System Regulation 08:00 How Early Childhood Attachment Affects the Brain & Body 09:00 Two Autoimmune Phenotypes: Type A Perfectionists & Highly Sensitive People 10:00 What Are HSPs? 20% of People Are Highly Sensitive 11:00 HSPs Without Attachment: Mental Health & Autoimmune Disease 12:00 Reframing the Mindset: Creating Safety & Boundaries 12:30 Morning & Evening Routines: Walking, Yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi 13:00 Breath Work & Meditation for Autoimmune & Mental Health 13:30 Research on Qigong & Yoga Reducing Pain in Lupus, RA & Fibromyalgia 14:00 Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Blowtorch for Getting Unstuck 15:00 Narcissistic Relationships: The Toxic Impact on the Nervous System 16:00 Gaslighting, Shame & Confusion: Setting Boundaries or Leaving 16:30 Health Improves When Leaving Narcissistic Relationships 17:00 Finding Maria: Website, Podcast & Resources 17:30 Closing Thoughts Guest Details Maria Lloyd, LMFT Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Trauma Specialist Credentials & Training: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Certified in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Trauma-informed therapy specialist Attachment science & polyvagal theory expert Somatic therapy practitioner
Specializations: Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) and empaths Trauma resolution and nervous system regulation Narcissistic relationshi
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