About Medical Trauma Support
Sarah Stasica, LMSW
Sarah Stasica, LMSW, is a medical trauma educator, community builder, and founder of Medical Trauma Support, specializing in nervous system–informed and trauma-informed care for people impacted by difficult healthcare experiences.
Through her work, Sarah has supported hundreds of individuals and families through peer support groups, courses, and community programs, including members from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. She is also the host of the Medical Trauma Support Podcast, where she has led more than 50 conversations about medical trauma with clinicians, advocates, and individuals with lived experience.
Validation
After a Difficult Medical Experience
Whether you're a patient feeling dismissed, a parent witnessing your child's pain, or a healthcare provider experiencing vicarious trauma, you already know something needs to change. You're searching for answers, validation, and hope.
Sarah Stasica understands medical trauma because she has been there both personally and as a parent. She also knows how important it is to feel seen and validated after a scary medical experience.
The truth: Your difficult medical experience is real, valid, and deserving of specialized support.
Advancing
Trauma-Informed, Human-Centered Healthcare
What Guides Sarah’s Work:
Lived Experience & Clinical Training
Trauma-Informed Social Worker with lived experience as both patient and caregiverNervous System–Informed Approach
Science-based practices that normalize trauma responses and support regulation and resilienceTrauma-Informed Leadership
Prioritizing choice, dignity, and emotional safety in emotional sessionsCommunity-Based Healing
Over two years of facilitating peer support groups for medical traumaSystems Perspective
Supporting both patients and providers in creating safer care environmentsRelational Choice Centered Support
A warm, grounded presence that prioritizes dignity, agency, and emotional safety
Sarah's unique qualifications:
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
Certified Mental Health Peer Specialist
Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher
Master's in Social Work
Global professional network with clinicians
Through Medical Trauma Support, Sarah founded the Befriend Your Body Community, a peer-led, nervous-system-informed space offering support groups, education, and connection for people healing from medical trauma.
For more than two years, Sarah has facilitated ongoing peer support groups for individuals and caregivers navigating difficult healthcare experiences. These groups bring together members from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, creating a global community rooted in compassion, safety, and shared understanding.
Our Approach to Medical Trauma Healing
At Medical Trauma Support, we believe healing happens in relationship
Our work is grounded in:
Trauma-informed care
Nervous system education
Peer support
Lived experience
Compassionate presence
We work alongside clinicians, caregivers, and individuals to support healing that is ethical, collaborative, and human-centered.
Who WeServe
Medical Trauma Support is here for:
Individuals healing after difficult medical experiences
Parents and caregivers supporting children through medical experiences
Clinicians seeking trauma-informed education
Healthcare teams working to improve patient care
If you’ve felt unseen, dismissed, or overwhelmed by healthcare experiences, you are not alone and you are welcome here.
Access to Support That
Understands
For Patients/ Families
Weekly peer support groups with others who truly get it
Educational workshops on nervous system responses
Practical healing tools you can use right away
Community that validates your experience
Medical Trauma Support Groups & Recovery Tools
For
Clinicians
Vicarious trauma support from someone who understands clinical realities
Professional development training and certification programs
Speaking engagements for your organization
Resources to better support patients' psychological needs
Trauma-Informed Training for Healthcare Providers
For Healthcare
Institutions
Evidence-based training to reduce patient psychological trauma
Solutions to the gap between medical and emotional care
Expert consultation on trauma-informed care protocols
Medical Trauma Education & Consultation
Eliminated friction
Designed to support people healing from medical trauma without adding overwhelm.
Online accessibility (no travel when you're already dealing with health issues)
Choice-centered approach (participate at your comfort level)
Clear service options (not overwhelming)
Gentle pacing (supporting and soothing for your system)
Multiple entry points (groups, workshops, courses, resources)
Created
for People Who Are Feeling Overwhelmed
Sarah’s Trauma-Informed, Nervous System–Based Approach
Sarah’s approach to medical trauma healing is grounded in restoring agency, safety, and nervous system regulation.
Traumatic medical experiences often involve loss of control, rushed decision-making, and feelings of powerlessness. Her work centers on reversing those patterns through trauma-informed education, peer support, and choice-based participation.
Within her programs and community, individuals are supported to engage at their own pace, creating an experiential learning environment that strengthens self-trust, emotional regulation, and long-term resilience.
A Safe Space
To Heal
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Trauma Support
"Will this be too intense?"
Sarah's approach is gentle and choice-centered. Peer support honors that you are the expert on yourself and you share what you're ready to share, when you're ready.
"Is this legitimate?"
Sarah holds professional credentials (LMSW, Certified Peer Specialist) and maintains clinical supervision. She has also done extensive trauma-informed trainings including a 50 hour trauma-informed certification
"Will I be triggered by others' stories?"
While no one can promise that you won’t be triggered by someone else’s story, our peer support groups are not focused on members only sharing their medical trauma stories. They are focused on present moment support, nervous system practices and sharing things that have been helpful for members' healing journeys.
"Can someone really understand my specific situation?"
The community includes people with diverse medical experiences—from lifelong conditions to acute medical experience, from pediatric medical experiences to adult-onset issues. Our nervous system responses are universal, even when experiences differ.
"Will this feel clinical and cold?"
No. Clients describe sessions as "genuine," "warm," "safe," and "validating." One client said: "Being in this space has had a real impact on my nervous system and sense of safety. The pacing, language, and overall tone consistently signal care and respect. I don’t feel rushed, corrected, or overwhelmed here — instead, my body actually settles. Even just being present has helped me feel more regulated and less alone."
Sarah's Story
The Journey That Created This Work
Sarah first became aware of the emotional impact that difficult and painful medical experiences can have as a young mother witnessing her child’s journey, she then experienced her own medical trauma during and after the birth of her second child.
Seeking answers, Sarah enrolled in a doula training program to try to make sense of what had happened to her. In this role Sarah was able to get lived experience helping clients advocate for themselves inside hospitals. She also got the skills to better advocate for herself and her family in medical settings.
Her passion for this work inspired her to go back to school to get her Master’s in Social Work and do a research project on medical trauma. During this time she also became a trauma-informed yoga teacher and a certified Mental Health Peer Specialist. These experiences all informed her approach and creation of Medical Trauma Support in 2023.
The Transformation
Sarah’s personal journey shaped her into the guide she once wished she had as a new mother navigating challenging medical experiences with her child. These experiences inspired her to build compassionate support for patients and caregivers and to educate healthcare systems on trauma-informed, human-centered care.
Ready to feel validated, supported, and
Hopeful
Join
Our Peer Support Community
For patients, families, caregivers
Explore
Professional
Training
For healthcare providers
Partner
With Us
For healthcare institutions
Contact
Us
Questions? Let’s Talk
Medical Trauma Support
Founded by Sarah Stasica, LMSW
Austin, Texas
Because Your Experience Deserves Recognition