Special Episode: When the Unthinkable Happens — Mental Health Support After Tragedy

Host: Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, Qualified Supervisor
Moderator & Founder: Through the Valley Therapy & Transformed Mind Consulting and Coaching

Release Date: July 21, 2025
Event: A live webinar hosted by The Agency Austin, created in response to the devastating Central Texas flood and sudden loss of a beloved colleague in a hit-and-run.

 Episode Experts:

• Dr. Kate Johnson (D.Min., LMHC, QS) — Featured in Episode 10: “Untangling the Threads: Insights on Biblical and Clinical Healing”

• Brian Gong (LMHC, QS; Certified Addiction Professional; EMDR Consultant) — Featured in Episode 60: “Healing Trauma at the Root: EMDR, Addiction, and Accountability”

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 What We Talk About

1. Why this panel matters
In light of the Central Texas flood’s massive loss of life and the hit-and-run tragedy, we gathered in community to bring real-time mental health support. This episode isn’t clinical theory—it’s grounded, compassionate care for real people in real time.

2. Live webinar replay
Hear the moderated conversation in full, with trauma-informed tools for healing, grounded in both professional experience and real-life crisis response.

3. Trusted expertise on trauma
Each of us—Kate, Brian, and myself—has walked alongside people affected by natural disasters, mass shootings, and community-wide grief. What we offer here is rooted in lived and professional wisdom.

4. Credential clarity
Note: I was misintroduced at the start as a registered play therapist—that’s incorrect. I am a licensed mental health counselor and integrative mental health provider, not a play therapist.

5. Core message: Hope over credentials
Our combined goal: meet you where you are, equip you with hope-filled tools, and remind you how to show up when everything feels broken.

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 Resources Mentioned (All Hyperlinked)

Grounding & Calming Tools

• 5‑4‑3‑2‑1 Grounding Technique: A sensory method for present‑moment awareness Scribd+7Mental Health Center Kids+7Healthline+7

• Grounding Technique Handout (PDF) – 5‑4‑3‑2‑1 printable sheet

Apps & Tools

• Calm (meditation & breathwork app) — mentioned as a go-to for early regulation

• Apps like Breathly and PAUSE were also referenced as free tools to assist self-care

Books & Bibliotherapy

• Anxiety & Phobia Workbook — recommended for structured coping exercises

• Brave Bart and A Terrible Thing Happened — children’s book supporting grief conversations

Professional Therapy

• EMDR therapy — highly effective for treating trauma symptoms in youth and adults

• Children’s Bereavement Center — national resource for grief support in children

• Psychology Today therapist search — for vetted local providers via insurance, sliding scales

Community Support Models

• Recommendation to connect with local schools, hospitals, or mental health agencies for support groups

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 Quick Links

• Dr. Kate Johnson – Episode 10 – Untangling the Threads

• Brian Gong – Episode 60 – Healing Trauma at the Root

• The Agency Austin – [Real Estate & Community Hub]https://theagencyatx.com/

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 How to Use This Episode:

• Listen now wherever you get your podcast

• Share with individuals, support networks, schools, or nonprofit teams

• Check links above for tools you can implement today

• Keep the conversation going—check back in with those hurting tomorrow, next month, next year

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• Subscribe for more trauma-informed care, biblical insight, and mental health restoration