Today’s story is about turning trauma into teachings. (Triggering content warning)
I am thrilled to introduce Marc Pimsler, an experiential counselor and the co-founder and executive director of the International Society for Experiential Professionals. As the owner of MVP Consulting, Marc has dedicated his career to helping families and individuals navigate trauma, addiction, and the journey to healing.
Marc’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that a therapist can only guide clients as far as they have personally traveled, making his own story of trauma and resilience incredibly powerful.
Marc Pimsler on Overcoming Childhood Trauma & Addiction to Live a Life of Service & Purpose
In our conversation, Marc opens up about his heartbreaking journey from childhood to adulthood, sharing the abuse he endured in mental hospitals as a young child and the pivotal moment he decided to seek therapy and begin his recovery journey. He shares what led him to experiential therapy, explaining how it differs from traditional talk therapy and why it’s not your fault if you feel therapy hasn’t worked for you.
Marc also reveals insights on finding joy and gratitude, even in times of pain, the key contributors to his recovery, and the lessons we can all apply to foster deeper connections with those around us.
Each nugget of wisdom is sure to give you a memorable “aha” moment. Marc is truly a calming presence and beautiful example of the incredible purpose that can come from pain. I hope you enjoy this inspiring conversation with Marc!
(00:02:27) What is Experiential Counseling?
- Differences between traditional and experiential counseling
- What’s included underneath the umbrella of experiential therapy?
- Stage two recovery – from surviving to thriving
(00:06:07) Understanding the Imprints of Childhood & Ancestral Trauma
- Marc’s story of trauma and resilience
- Why the root of most acting out behavior is trauma
- How ancestral trauma can affect us before we’re born
- Mental hospital trauma Marc endured in childhood
(00:16:19) Finding Freedom: The Path of Addiction & Trauma Recovery
- The moment everything changed
- Learnings from Marc’s recovery journey and path to liberation
- How long it took for Marc to stop struggling in recovery
- The role of spirituality in addiction recovery
(00:23:42) Turning Pain into Purpose: Finding Effective Healing Modalities
- How counseling found Marc
- Why we’re so affected by judgment and negative feedback
- Experiential training coming up this fall: isep.co
- Navigating family therapy
- Why therapy might not have “worked” for you – it’s not your fault!
- What it looks like to heal in action and in relationship
(00:34:24) Advice for Navigating Painful Seasons & Cultivating Compassion
- What Marc does for fun
- How to find joy in hard, painful times
- Addressing the stigma around therapy
- Advice for going to therapy when you really don’t want to
- Marc’s unique meditation ritual
- How to avoid burnout as a counselor
- How to not absorb negative energy from other people
Guest Info:
- Website: marcpimsler.com
- LinkTree: linktr.ee/marcvpimsler
- Instagram: @mpimsler
- Event: isep.co
Resources:
- Start a conversation in your The Big Silence merch: thebigsilence.com/collections/shop-all
- Read: The Big Silence: A Daughter's Memoir of Mental Illness and Healing
- Follow Karena Dawn on Instagram: @karenadawn
- Follow The Big Silence on Instagram: @The.Big.Silence
- Subscribe: The Big Silence YouTube Channel
- Therapy For All: Resources for those in need
- Thank you to our partners! Go to thebigsilence.com/partners for special offers for our listeners
Donate to The Big Silence thebigsilence.com/donate to be a part of the movement to break the silence and make noise with us!
“The Big Silence” theme song written and performed by James Nicholas Kinney.
Producer, Bobby Goldstein.
