#16 - The Examination of Personal and Collective Trauma with Dr. Bakalar
Introduction
Welcome to “The Elements of Being” podcast, where I dissect and explore the minds and habits of psychologists, filmmakers, writers, and industry icons. Essentially, we learn what makes them flip the switch to achieve incredible feats, goals, and milestones — and a chance to geek out on the psychology behind human behavior.
So, what is this podcast specifically about? I examine the mental and emotional narratives and processes that have steered writers, filmmakers, psychologists, and industry icons down their paths in life. Each episode is also a glimpse into the trends and patterns of human behavior and the underlying influences that guide us in different directions. Whether we focus primarily on nutrition or the unconscious, guests share insights, thought-provoking lessons, the nuances of creativity, and the elements of being… us.
Considering our current COVID-19 pandemic, I felt it was an appropriate time to explore the individual and collective experiences of trauma with psychologist Dr. Jennifer Bakalar. In my lifetime, the horrific events of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States left an incredible imprint. No doubt, it was a traumatic experience for the many friends, families, and colleagues who were personally connected to the lives lost. Nearly 20 years later, we are now experiencing another collective experience as a society.
Dr. Bakalar is a licensed psychologist in Washington, DC, where she provides psychotherapy to adults. Her clinical focus centers on the impact of stress, trauma, transition, and loss on psychological and physical health. She uses an integrative approach grounded in contemporary relational, interpersonal, and psychodynamic theories. Dr. Bakalar’s passion for this work stems from her belief in the transformative potential of relationships, along with the meaning she finds in supporting her clients to understand themselves more deeply and enrich their connections with others.
In our interview, we explored everything from the individual to the collective experience of trauma, and here’s what we specifically discussed:
-If some personalities or mindsets are more susceptible to experiencing trauma.
-Whether or not there is an evolutionary benefit to remembering trauma.
-The foundation of trauma-focused treatment within a stage-based model.
The Elements of Being Podcast with Michael Moody: The Examination of Personal and Collective Trauma with Dr. Bakalar
-How a person processes traumatic memory and integrates it into their, his, or her broader life story.
-The foundation of collective trauma, and historical examples outside of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
-The point at which a crisis evolves into collective memory.
-The difference between the collective and individual memory of trauma.
-The reasons to keep trauma alive in the collective consciousness.
-They often need to construct the meaning of a crisis collectively.
-The typical long-term consequences of different forms of collective victimization.
-The variables of collective trauma that affect one's experience.
-How collective trauma can serve as a sense of continuity between past, present, and future members of a group, and how to be sure it doesn't contribute to a more significant social dysfunction.
To learn more about Dr. Bakalar, visit https://www.dchealthpsychology.com/our-team or her professional page, https://www.jenniferbakalarphd.com/.
The Elements of Being Podcast with Michael Moody: The Examination of Personal and Collective Trauma with Dr. Bakalar
About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant
Michael Moody—author of the self-improvement book Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of the “The Elements of Being” podcast—is an ordained minister serving Denver and other towns across Colorado. He is a 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award winner in both Denver and Chicago (his eighth consecutive year), was named “Best Business of 2024 and 2025” by Three Best Rated, and earned “The Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, Colorado for 2024” from Quality Business Awards USA. Since 2012, he has officiated more than 300 weddings.
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If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!
