Hollywood to Healing: Dr. Richard LaBrie’s Trauma-Informed Journey | ANEW Ep 7

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What happens when a successful Hollywood creative walks away from the spotlight to help others heal?

On this episode of the ANEW Insight Podcast, hosts Dr. Supatra Tovar—clinical psychologist, registered dietitian, fitness expert, and bestselling author of Deprogram Diet Culture—and Chantal Donnelly, physical therapist and author of Settled, sit down at City Club Los Angeles with an extraordinary guest whose life journey embodies both reinvention and resilience.

Meet Dr. Richard LaBrie, a former film editor, writer, and director whose credits include the Emmy-winning series Key and Peele. After 35 years in the entertainment industry, Dr. LaBrie stepped away from the studio to pursue a deeper calling: helping others heal from trauma.

Now a licensed clinical psychologist based in Pasadena, Dr. LaBrie specializes in trauma, identity, grief, and creative blocks. His therapeutic style blends relational, psychodynamic, somatic, and cognitive-behavioral techniques to meet the complex needs of clients navigating everything from childhood trauma to professional burnout. He is especially skilled at treating dissociative identity disorder (DID) and supporting creative professionals facing emotional exhaustion or existential questioning.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. LaBrie shares:

• What drew him from Hollywood to psychology at age 49
• How his creative background influences his clinical work
• Strategies for building trust with clients who are hesitant to start therapy
• The unspoken emotional struggles many high-achievers face
• How trauma impacts the nervous system—and how to safely work through it
• His work consulting for FAA and Department of Homeland Security on trauma-informed crisis response

Dr. Tovar reflects on how Dr. LaBrie shaped her early career as her postdoc supervisor, and together they explore the importance of compassion, presence, and honoring individual stories in the healing process.

If you’re curious about how trauma shows up in creative lives, or you’re exploring therapy as a path toward transformation, this episode will speak to your soul.

🎧 Listen now and begin your own journey from surviving to thriving.

For more resources on trauma recovery, mind-body healing, and food freedom, visit ANEW Insight and explore our bestselling book and online course, Deprogram Diet Culture.

Dr. LaBrie also shares his self-care strategies, including regular exercise, music, and maintaining a balanced caseload to avoid burnout. Find out more about Dr. LaBrie: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/richard-labrie-pasadena-ca/285229.

Join us next week for the second half of this thought-provoking and insightful interview with Dr. Richard LaBrie. Tune in to the ANEW Body Insight podcast, available o

Thank you for joining us on this journey to wellness. Remember, the insights and advice shared on the ANEW Body Insight Podcast are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your health routine. To learn more about the podcast and stay updated on new episodes, visit ANEW Body Insight Podcast at anew-insight.com. To watch this episode on YouTube, visit @my.anew.insight. Follow us on social media at @my.anew.insight on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads for more updates and insights. Thank you for tuning in! Stay connected with us for more empowering stories and expert guidance. Until next time, stay well and keep evolving with ANEW Body Insight!