Held and Healed with Heather Elizabeth

Mother’s Day can be difficult for survivors of domestic violence. In this episode, I share encouragement for survivor mamas and offer practical ways for helpers to bless those sweet mamas. Ladies, you are invited to join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/. Donate here...

In this episode, I discuss the link between abuse, trauma, and chronic illness. Emotional abuse is physical abuse because it forces us to live in a constant state of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Our bodies wear down over time and every system suffers. I invite you to join us for the third annual Held & Healed Retreat. This year we will meet online. Our guest speaker is Sarah McDugal and our the...

Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse is an active Facebook group for women. In this episode I share the goals of the group as well as the resources we offer. Ladies, please join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/. Donate here to support Honor Project Movement as we help survivors https://honorprojectmovement.org/.

In this episode I share the physical and emotional benefits of crying. So many have been taught that tears make us weak, manipulate, or unwell. In reality, there are many benefits to tears and they can help us to heal and regulate our nervous systems. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, fi...

Trigger Warning: This episode focuses on child sexual abuse. Two takeaways I hope every listener hears: Let’s stop calling it child pornography and call it what it is: child sexual abuse material. And, convicted child sexual predators do not belong in churches. I share resources to help individuals and institutions know better and do better (from Jimmy Hinton, Clara Hinton, Sarah McDugal, Daron Pr...

As a follow up of last week’s episode, I share practical ways to support DV survivors. This episode speaks to helpers who are walking with survivors. I pray that this will encourage many to step up and represent the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus to others. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/....

When abuse is a factor, neutrality is always choosing the abuser. Fact. If your loved one has been abused (there are many forms of abuse) and you don’t stand with her, you are siding with the abuser. In this episode, I unpack common responses that lack care, compassion, and empathy. In my next episode, I’ll share practical ways to love and support survivors. Register for the 2023 Held & Healed Ret...

March 21 was National Single Parent Day. In this episode, I share encouragement for survivor single mamas who are doing the hard work of healing while pulling quadruple duty with you kids. I see you. Join our third annual online retreat where we will focus on Rest, Regulate, and Rebuild. Learn more here: https://heatherelizabeth.org/page/2023-held-healed-online-retreat. Ladies, please join us on F...

We need your help! Honor Project Movement is empowering women who are rebuilding after abuse. Through 1:1 resource coaching, Financial Freedom Coaching Groups , and DV Crisis Response Counseling Groups, we are helping women feel seen, heard, understood, and equipped. We match needs to resources (groceries, clothing, furniture). WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please share this podcast with anyone who may be in...

Toxic positivity and spiritual bypassing are common responses to abuse and trauma. They add layers of trauma onto trauma and cause great harm. In this episode, I share definitions and examples of each and offer suggestions for words that heal. If we know better, we can do better. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/gr...

In this episode, I share twelve truths that I desperately needed to hear 25 years ago. If you are in an abusive marriage or are walking with someone who is, this episode is for you. Here is a list of books that are not abuse/trauma-informed, books that communicate unhealthy, or abuse-enabling messages and have been rated or reported to be very harmful to Christian women. https://www.amazon.com/sho...

You are one person. You have a limited amount of time, energy, and resources each day as you rebuild after abuse, trauna, and chronic illness. Taking care of yourself and your kids is a lot. It may be time to say no to others. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heathere...

I pray that 2023 is gentle with you. I pray for peace, healing, and freedom. In this episode I share three books that offer gentleness, compassion, and care. All three are written by therapists who have survived trauma and/or abuse. They offer tools for regulating your nervous system. I have been blessed by these: It’s OK That You’re Not OK (Megan Devine), The Lord is My Courage (KJ Ramsey) and Tr...

Holidays are not easy for survivors. I wrote “A Gentle Christmas Prayer” on Christmas morning to share with survivors. In this episode I also share some tips from the Held & Healed Holiday Help Workshop. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/. Donate h...

In this episode, I chat with a dear survivor/advocate/counselor/warrior sister. Megan founded Give Her Wings and Give Her Wings Academy which is where I received life-changing training and certification. She has since handed that torch over and founded Mountain City Christian Counseling where she provides care for survivors. We chat about domestic violence, spiritual abuse, deconstruction, and so...

In a recent conversation with my friend Indie, she said, “People being indifferent to your suffering is harm.” In this episode, I define indifference and apathy and offer ways to become curious and compassionate about others. The holidays should be a natural continuation of doing life together. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www....

In this episode, I give some updates on life, Held & Healed, and Honor Project Movement. I also share about the power of “and,” as we can simultaneously face and feel emotions that seem contradictory. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/. Donate here...

What is spiritual abuse? After enduring this reality for over forty years, I finally learned it had a name. In this episode, I ask some hard questions and invite you to consider if your spiritual institution is abusive. These questions are also written in a blog: https://heatherelizabeth.org/blog/35557/are-you-experiencing-spiritual-institutional-abuse-. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held...

In this episode, I share about the journey we’ve been on in Held & Healed. For two years, we’ve been learning, growing, and healing together. Survivors have felt seen, heard, understood, and validated. I invite you to purchase the Safer Spaces Summit here: https://heatherelizabeth.org/page/safer-spaces-summit-2022. Register for the 2023 Held & Healed Retreat here: https://heatherelizabeth.org/page...

In this episode I share some basics about nervous system regulation, as well as some of my favorite resources. I have learned how to rest and restrict, but regulation was the missing link. Over the past year, I’ve been learning so much and I want to pass these gems on to you. During the final ten minutes, I also discuss ways that we can be a life-line to other survivors, and not pull them under th...

Rebuilding after abuse is exhausting. Give yourself grace, dear one. This episode is a message from my heart to yours. I invite those who are able to give generously at https://honorprojectmovement.org/ to help survivors with mental health resources. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, fin...

I have a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT to make! Our nonprofit, Honor Project Movement, has officially launched! You can give TODAY to help meet the needs of survivors! Go here to give your tax deductible donation: paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4601668. We are raising funds for Domestic Violence Crisis Response Groups, financial and safety coaching, benevolence, and so much more. The needs are great and we...

In this episode, I tackle this huge question. I also reference several other resources which offer more questions to ask. I share from this blog post and encourage you to pass this info on to others who need it: https://heatherelizabeth.org/blog/35393/how-do-i-choose-a-safe-counselor-or-coach. For more info about Held & Healed Haven, Rebuilding: Finances, Safer Spaces Summit, or our upcoming retre...

Do you find yourself grieving, feeling agitated, on edge, and extra triggered? You may be experiencing a traumaversay. Your body remembers things your brain may not be able to process. Awareness and preparedness can help us face these painful memories. Ladies, please join us on Facebook at Held & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, f...

Debra is a separation/divorce/life renovation coach who has a lot of wisdom about navigating finances during these transitions. We discuss financial abuse, spousal starvation, parallel planning, waiting with intention, financial planning, mediation, choosing a lawyer, and more. Learn more about Debra’s book, coaching, and courses at: https://www.debradoak.com/. Join my Rebuilding: Finances Course...