Courageous Journeys® ~ Impact & healing from childhood trauma

This episode originally aired on YouTube.  Tension and stress within our bodies- this is something most of us carry but often aren’t aware of the impact it’s having on us. Our bodies remember the pain, the fear, the uncertainty from trauma, long after our minds have tried to move on. When you add daily stresses on top of it, the impact becomes more significant. So today, I’ll share with you the si...

This episode originally aired on YouTube.  Today I’m sharing an example of the reality that we are all wounded, whether from trauma or… life. And, how these wounds and the struggle around them can show up in a variety of ways and places. As survivors we often tend to be critical of ourselves for being wounded and for the ways our wounding and beliefs show up. Recognizing that EVERYBODY struggles c...

This episode originally aired on YouTube.  Do you ever find yourself feeling bad that you’re not feeling or doing better when there’s nothing really bad going on? This is a common source of confusion, struggle, guilt, and even shame for many people. In this episode, I’ll share what’s likely causing this, why it’s important to understand it, and how to navigate through it. Don’t want to wait for th...

This episode originally aired on YouTube.  A common misconception… or expectation, about the healing process is that when you’ve “healed” you won’t struggle with certain things, or anything at all, any longer. In today’s episode, I share a piece of awareness that came about after reflecting on how something in my current life can bring up some not so great feelings. Join me as I explore the how an...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. The link mentioned is further down in the description. A gratitude practice is commonly recommended to help with mental and emotional well-being. However, like many things we often hear about as a route to healing, it has the potential to create more difficulty or struggle. If you resonate with the idea of using gratitude as a healing practice and maybe ha...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. The links mentioned are further down in the description. I believe journaling can be one of the most important practices on the journey of healing childhood trauma. So much so that I’ve created a few different forms of guided journals for individuals and within in my groups as prompts. Links for additional journals below. Journaling, for me, is about conne...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. The links mentioned are further down in the description. Have you ever found yourself questioning the effectiveness of a therapy method or felt a bit frustrated with the process? Those moments when things seem to take a detour, and you start questioning if it's really working for you. Maybe you even doubt your ability to heal or feel shame that you’re...

This episode originally aired on YouTube.  We have up to about 60,000 thoughts per day. Most of us are aware of only a tiny fraction of what those thoughts are. However, these thoughts affect how we feel, what we do, and ultimately, work to reinforce what we believe about who we are. The more unaware we are of these thoughts, the more they reinforce our core (false) beliefs. As people begin the he...

This episode originally aired on YouTube.  In today's episode, I’m talking about something I’ve noticed coming up quite a bit lately on my posts: the struggle survivors of childhood trauma often face in embracing reminders, affirmations, or ideas that go against the false core beliefs they hold. I get it – wanting to believe in an affirmation but finding it nearly impossible because those beli...

This episode originally aired on YouTube.  It’s the time of year when people are thinking about goals and resolutions… identifying the ways they want to be different in the new year. Most of the things we want to change are focused on ways we “should” be, think, behave, or feel. What if there was a way to approach the new year in a way that didn’t leave you feeling like you’ve failed a few months,...

This episode originally aired on YouTube.  Today's episode is a heartfelt conversation about something that impacts many lives but often stays in the shadows...impact and healing related to our connection to our bodies and sexuality. Conversations around this topic can bring up an array of feelings or reactions, both in thoughts and body. There are a few things I believe are important as part...

This episode originally aired on YouTube.  Do you sometimes (maybe oftentimes) doubt what you think or want because of what someone else says or does? It’s natural for this to happen at times. But, for survivors of childhood trauma, it can tend to happen quite often, especially around big decisions or feelings. Learning to trust yourself… your feelings, thoughts, ideas, and intuition can be one of...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. The link mentioned is further down in the description.  For a lot of childhood trauma survivors, choosing to disclose the trauma to friends or family can be challenging. There can be fear of not being believed or fear of judgment, guilt, or many other doubts that make it seem impossible to share with anyone. These fears and doubts often get in the way of b...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. The link mentioned is further down in the description.  If you've been a part of my community for a while, you know that I'm an advocate for the practice of meditation. But you might be wondering, "How does meditation really help my healing process?" The definition of meditation may vary depending on who you ask, but at its core, it's...

This episode originally aired on YouTube.  The holiday season can be a stressful time for everyone. For survivors of childhood trauma, there are often many, often complicated, layers of wounding that add to the difficulty this time of year can bring. In today's episode, I’ll share the (sometimes) hidden layers, the impact it can have, and some suggestions for navigating through it… with a pers...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. The link mentioned is further down in the description.  What does it mean to be triggered? Is it just something we have to learn to live with as trauma survivors? Is it possible to get to a place when you’re no longer triggered? These are some of the questions… and fears people often have. In today’s episode, I share my thoughts and suggestions on this and...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. The links mentioned are further down in the description.  It’s so exciting to see our courageous community grow! In today’s episode, I share a little re-introduction (with an important message for you) and share a bit about what I do and how we might be able to take this journey together. ----------- Courageous Connections: A healing space for women surviv...

This episode originally aired on YouTube.  As survivors of childhood trauma we often develop a heightened sense of empathy as a result of our experiences. This empathy can be a beautiful quality within us, creating deep compassion for others. However, particularly if there is an aspect of denial around our experiences, impact, or emotions, empathy can morph into another way of coping that can lead...

This episode originally aired on YouTube.  A significant part of healing from childhood trauma is navigating feelings about the people who hurt you… the abuser, people who didn’t protect or support you, or those who don’t believe you or want to talk about it. There can be a lot of guilt, shame, and doubt that makes it hard to know how you really feel. In today’s episode, I share my thoughts on how...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. One of the challenges with the trauma healing process is being able to trust that the process will lead you to where you ultimately want to be. Throughout the process there are many things that feel scary or uncomfortable and even impossible to understand how what you’re being asked to do can possibly be helpful. In today’s episode, I’ll share how this can...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. Grieving is a necessary part of healing from childhood trauma. It can also be one of the most challenging aspects of the process. Sometimes it’s grieving the loss of someone who meant something to you for which you’ve just not been able to grieve for. However, oftentimes, the majority of grief comes from the myriad experiences of loss the trauma (and the a...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. The link mentioned is further down in the description There are times that receiving a mental health diagnosis can be helpful. However, there can be times in which it can lead to additional issues. The complex nature of childhood trauma and the overlapping of symptoms with other mental health disorders makes it challenging to come up with an accurate diagn...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. The link mentioned is further down in the description In today’s episode, I continue the conversation about experts and certifications in the mental health field. I encourage all of you to seek professional support as you navigate this journey. But, it can be quite difficult to understand what “professional” actually means. Does being “certified” qualify s...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. Over the last several years, it has become even harder to discern who might be best to provide information and opportunities for healing. This is true for mental health as well as physical health. Within both of these realms, there is potential for significant harm when we put our healing in the hands of someone who may not be fully equipped to guide or ad...

This episode originally aired on YouTube. The link mentioned is further down in the description I often talk about the importance of honoring ourselves…. our desires, needs, and experiences for healing. It is bigger than just getting what we want or need. When we don’t honor what we desire, there can be an unintended, much deeper, consequence. In today’s episode I share how and why and what you ca...