Ep. 337 ShawnLaRé Brinkley, LMFT

Healing Trauma and Finding Purpose Through Holistic Therapy

ShawnLaRé Brinkley, MS, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the visionary CEO and President of Living Loved Healing. With over a decade of clinical experience, she has dedicated her career to understanding the "why" behind the human experience, working with individuals and couples to navigate the complexities of trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Her practice is founded on the belief that healing is an organic, fluid process, and she employs an eclectic range of therapeutic modalities—including art, music, and movement—to meet her clients exactly where they are.

Jeanne Pepper and ShawnLarae Brinkley at March 11th Interview @PeppTalks Studios

Guided by the wisdom, "To she whom much is given, much is required," Shawn has built a reputation as a fierce advocate for those facing the deepest of struggles. Her professional journey includes extensive work with survivors of domestic violence, human sex trafficking, and childhood sexual abuse, as well as families grappling with the loss of loved ones to homicide, suicide, and systemic violence. She brings a unique combination of clinical rigor and profound empathy to her work, creating a safe, intentional space where clients can uncover their true selves before trauma shaped their narratives.

As a clinician, Shawn prioritizes "psychological flexibility," helping her clients develop the resilience needed to remain present and engaged even when life becomes difficult. Her work extends beyond the therapy room; she is an active public speaker and consultant on critical topics such as suicide prevention, bullying, and human sex trafficking awareness. By fostering a culture of safety, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard, she empowers her clients to transition from a place of feeling "stuck" or disconnected to a life of hope and deep, personal fulfillment.

Andrea Suchin is a dedicated caregiver advocate, entrepreneur, and the visionary founder of Wuggle™, a wellness company centered on improving nervous-system health through restorative sleep. Her professional mission is deeply rooted in her personal history; after her husband, Craig, was diagnosed with behavioral frontotemporal dementia (FTD) at age 54, Andrea’s world shifted overnight. While raising four children, she transitioned into a full-time caregiving role, navigating the brutal realities of a progressive, terminal illness that stripped away the life she and her husband had built together.

The years that followed were defined by extreme stress, sleepless nights, and the profound, anticipatory grief of watching a loved one slowly disappear. As she balanced the complex demands of medical advocacy, financial strain, and protecting her family, Andrea reached a breaking point where her own health began to fail. It was in this "survival mode" that she realized the critical necessity of rest—not just as a luxury, but as a lifeline required to continue the work of love and caregiving.