The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey
Join Dr. Ken Huey on The Voice of Hope, where real stories and expert insights meet to inspire healing and transformation. With decades of experience in behavioral health and trauma therapy, Dr. Huey draws from his personal journey and professional expertise to offer practical advice for families, adoptees, and anyone seeking growth. Discover strategies to navigate trauma, build stronger relationships, and embrace hope in every episode. Tune in for thoughtful conversations that uplift and empower.
The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey
Out of the FOG and Into the CLEAR with Shannon Petrovich, LCSW, LISAC, BCD - Therapist, Author, and YouTube Creator
What if the person you love most is the one hurting you the deepest - and you don’t even realize it?
In this episode of The Voice of Hope, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Shannon Petrovich, a licensed clinical social worker, trauma specialist, and author of Out of the FOG Into the CLEAR, to explore the tangled world of toxic relationships, narcissistic abuse, and how trauma distorts our ability to see clearly.
Drawing from over 30 years of clinical experience and the success of her popular YouTube channel Therapist Talks, Shannon breaks down the psychology of trauma bonding, microaggressions, emotional fog, and how to reclaim clarity and peace - even when walking away isn’t easy.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, blamed, confused, or emotionally drained by a relationship, this conversation might just be the start of your breakthrough.
00:00 – Introduction
Ken introduces Shannon’s background as a licensed therapist, addiction counselor, and YouTube creator.
00:49 – Why did you choose to help people heal from toxic relationships?
Shannon shares her personal and professional journey, and how she was drawn to emotional and mental health work.
02:31 – What led you to focus on narcissism before it became a common topic?
She discusses her early work in a women’s shelter, her own family dynamics, and how narcissism evolved from taboo to buzzword — and is now being weaponized.
04:41 – What does your book title, Out of the FOG Into the CLEAR, mean?
Shannon explains the FOG acronym (Fear, Obligation, Guilt), using a sailing metaphor to illustrate the disorientation of emotional abuse.
06:07 – How do you decide which therapeutic tools to use with clients?
She describes her integrated approach using EMDR, CBT, DBT, and how no one-size-fits-all in therapy.
07:36 – What resources do you recommend for people beginning to explore trauma healing?
Shannon lists foundational works by Bessel van der Kolk, Gabor Maté, and Brené Brown and explains “templates” created in childhood.
10:33 – What kind of content resonated most on your YouTube channel?
She reflects on a viral video about narcissistic rage and the importance of recognizing inner toxic narratives.
11:42 – Where does someone start when they realize they’re in a toxic relationship?
The first step is clarity. Shannon walks through her CLEAR model and explains how to deactivate emotional survival responses.
15:20 – What do you do when someone isn’t ready to leave a toxic relationship?
She shares strategies to help loved ones shift into their rational mind without shame or judgment.
17:34 – What is a trauma bond?
Shannon defines trauma bonding through the lens of repeated microaggressions, love bombing, and fear-based attachments.
19:28 – Can you share an example of a limiting belief you had to overcome yourself?
She opens up about her own inner critic and how childhood interpretations become powerful internal narratives.
22:10 – What is one belief you’d want to shout to someone stuck in a toxic situation?
“You are worth more than what you are living with.” Shannon shares her most empowering mindset shift for those who feel trapped.
23:52 – Closing
Ken thanks Shannon for her time, wisdom, and dedication to helping people heal.
