Here to Healing

Our survivors are joined by two very special guest speakers this week - as they unravel the journey from child survivor, to adult survivor - Dissecting their childhood experiences and how those shaped the way they've coped, viewed the world, and healed all along the way. 

Our courageous survivors turn their eyes towards this past years' "Goosebump moments" - moments that bring hope, healing, exhilaration, and a glimpse towards a brighter future. We can all spend too much time focusing on what's gone wrong, how often do we take an hour to examine what's gone right in our lives? 

Our courageous survivors tackle the exhaustive task of weathering triggering holidays in this episode. Sharing vulnerably about pitfalls, successes, action-plans, and future-hopes for what their holiday's may look like -  it's a bonafide surviors survival guide to the holidays - you won't want to miss it, if you're walking into our upcoming holiday season with unsure footing.

Our courageous and tenacious surviviors attempt to de-mystify the beginning of the healing process for survivors who are just starting the journey themselves. Honest, vulnerable, challenging, and life-changing - the topics run the gambit as they navigate the nuanced process of learning lessons early-on in the healing process. 

This month, our peer-leaders walk through the topic of grief - not necessarily about grieving the loss of life; although that is a chief type of grief in this life - but an ambiguous, amorphous, grief that's not often navigated with ease. The loss of self, of time, of opportunities, of innocence - how do we grieve these ideas? 

Our courageous survivors speak about anger, how to feel it, how to channel and process it healthily, and share their personal experiences with navigating anger towards self, others', and the world post-trauma.  TW: Sexual Violence, Eating Disorders, Self-harm, Self-punishment 

This week Bekah and Michael talk to us about their #MeToo stories. ::Trigger Warning:: Talk of Sexual Abuse and Suicide Ideation.

Me Too had a profound impact on the Sexual Assault Survivor Community. Today Emily will explore the Me Too Movement and its impact on our community. If you want to share your Me Too Story, please email Emily at ecadwell@zcenter.org. We are always here for you. If you need to speak to someone, please call our 24-hour support line at 847.872.7799.

Come Join Michael and Bekah as they welcome Lisa to talk about a "Day in the Life" of working/volunteering with survivors as a survivor.  As always, we are here if you need to talk to someone - Our 24/7 Support Line is always available 847.872.7799.  If you are feeling like you might be suicidal, please dial 988.

As we close out Hispanic Heritage Month, our staff at the ZCenter wanted to take a moment and reflect on what being Hispanic means to them and why we celebrate this beautiful culture. Sandra, Eulalia and Adrian reflect on their Hispanic roots and talk about how ZCenter plays a role.

In this episode our peer group leaders along with Neil Hemmer explore relationships after trauma. ::TRIGGER WARNING::  Talking about abuse and suicide in this episode. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or abuse, please reach out to ZCenter at 847.872.7799 or you can chat with someone on our website chat line. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, ple...

Welcome to our fourth episode! Our Child & Adolescent Counselor, Neil Hemmer, along with our peer support group leaders will be talking about Loneliness & Isolation.  ::Trigger Warning:: Talk of sexual assault/abuse & suicide. If you or someone you know is looking for your local Rape Crisis Center, please visit RAINN - Find a Rape Crisis Center

Welcome to our third episode where a group of our counselors explore First Sessions. Join us as we explore the magic of first sessions.

Join us as we venture into All or Nothing thinking and the pros and cons! Our peer support group leaders and our child & adolescent counselor, Neil Hemmer delve into how All or Nothing thinking helps and hurts survivors.

Our peer support group leaders talk through their healing journey with Neil Hemmer, ZCenter's Child and Adolescent counselor. This Episode was edited by Ivan Villarreal.