Dr. Bronce Rice is a psychoanalyst, psychologist, and health and wellness coach with over 25 years of clinical experience. He is the creator of The Wellbeing Equation, a framework that rejects “one-size-fits-all” health advice in favor of a personalized approach to wellness that accounts for an individual’s unique psychological, emotional, and physical makeup.
Clinical Expertise & Education
Dr. Rice has a diverse and prestigious academic background, including:
PsyD & MSW: Advanced degrees in psychology and social work.
Psychoanalytic Training: Extensive clinical training at the Western New England Institute for Psychoanalysis (WNEIP), where he has also served as an instructor in psychoanalytic theory and technique.
Postdoctoral Fellowships: He completed postdoctoral training at Yale University (Epidemiology and Public Health), the University of Michigan, and the Detroit Psychiatric Institute.
Research & Contributions
Throughout his career, Dr. Rice has contributed significantly to the field of mental health through research and supervision:
Conducted research at the Yale Child Study Center.
Supervised doctoral students at the Yale Anxiety and Mood Disorders Clinic.
Developed the “Wellbeing Equation” concept to help individuals align their habits, relationships, and mindset in ways that are sustainable and authentic.
Current Work
Dr. Rice currently authors The Wellbeing Equation on Substack, where he shares practical insights and deeper explorations into self-care. He also offers coaching to help people move beyond wellness trends and discover their own “equations of living.”
My Notes:
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) Overview
What is Complex PTSD?
Complex PTSD is a psychological condition that develops after prolonged or repeated trauma, especially when a person feels trapped or powerless.
Unlike single-event trauma, C-PTSD results from ongoing exposure to harmful situations.
Common sources include:
Chronic childhood abuse or neglect
Domestic violence
Long-term emotional abuse
Human trafficking or captivity
Repeated combat exposure
Long-term bullying or systemic oppression
How Complex PTSD Shows Up
C-PTSD can appear in many ways, often affecting multiple areas of life.
Common signs include:
Emotional
Intense emotional reactions
Emotional numbness
Chronic sadness or anxiety
Difficulty calming down after stress
Cognitive
Persistent negative self-beliefs
Difficulty concentrating
Intrusive memories
Feeling disconnected from reality
Behavioral
Avoiding people or situations
Overworking or perfectionism
Self-destructive behaviors
Difficulty maintaining relationships
Physical
Chronic fatigue
Sleep disturbances
Somatic symptoms (headaches, stomach issues)
Heightened startle response
How Complex PTSD Effects Us
C-PTSD impacts many aspects of life.
Identity
Low self-worth
Shame and guilt
Feeling fundamentally damaged
Relationships
Fear of abandonment
Difficulty trusting others
People-pleasing or emotional withdrawal
Daily functioning
Difficulty managing stress
Emotional overwhelm
Difficulty maintaining work or stability
Nervous system
Constant feeling of danger
Hypervigilance
Difficulty relaxing
Coping Strategies
People living with C-PTSD often benefit from daily regulation practices such as:
Emotional regulation
Mindfulness practices
Grounding exercises
Breathwork
Physical regulation
Regular movement or exercise
Somatic therapies
Yoga or body-based practices
Support systems
Safe relationships
Peer support groups
Trauma-informed communities
Self-awareness
Journaling
Therapy
Learning trauma education
Healing often requires patience and consistency.
How Complex PTSD Is Detected
Diagnosis typically involves:
Clinical interviews with mental health professionals
Trauma history assessment
Evaluation of symptoms related to:
emotional regulation
identity disturbances
relationship patterns
Psychological screening tools may be used
Professionals who diagnose include:
Psychologists
Psychiatrists
Trauma-informed therapists
Licensed clinical social workers
Recommended Treatments
Several evidence-based therapies help treat C-PTSD.
Common approaches include:
Trauma-focused therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Helps process traumatic memories
Somatic therapies
Focus on regulating the nervous system
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Helps build emotional regulation and distress tolerance
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Works with different “parts” of the self affected by trauma
In some cases, medication may also support treatment, particularly for anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances.
Is There a Cure?
There is no quick or universal “cure,” but many people experience significant healing and recovery.
With appropriate support and treatment, individuals can:
Regulate emotions more effectively
Build healthy relationships
Reduce trauma symptoms
Develop a stronger sense of identity and safety
Healing is best understood as a process of recovery and integration, not simply symptom removal.
Difference Between PTSD and Complex PTSD
PTSD
Usually linked to a single traumatic event (accident, assault, disaster, combat).
Symptoms often include:
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Avoidance of reminders
Hypervigilance
Complex PTSD
Develops from repeated, long-term trauma.
Includes PTSD symptoms plus deeper disturbances, such as:
Difficulty regulating emotions
Persistent feelings of shame or guilt
Distorted self-perception
Difficulty trusting others
Relationship instability
Chronic sense of threat or danger
In simple terms:
PTSD = trauma from a specific event
C-PTSD = trauma from prolonged exposure
Key Takeaway
Complex PTSD develops from prolonged trauma, but it does not define a person’s future.
With trauma-informed care, supportive relationships, and consistent healing work, many people move toward greater stability, resilience, and restored well-being.
Thank you Sue Reid, Soso's World, Jeff Thomas Black, Rosalee, AJ, and many others for tuning into my live video with Dr. Bronce Rice! Join me for my next live video in the app.
