Category Archives: survivor

Is Forgiveness Required for Trauma Recovery?



Trauma psychotherapist, Amanda Ann Gregory, discusses why forgiveness isn’t necessary in trauma recovery.  She walks us through possible messages we are internalizing about forgiveness and five reasons why forgiveness should not be imposed in the process of healing from trauma. Click here to check out her Psychology Today article “Why Forgiveness Isn’t Required in Trauma Recovery”.

Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, is a trauma psychotherapist, national speaker, and author. She holds licenses in the states of Illinois, Texas, and Missouri, as well as an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Certification, and a National Counselor Certification. Gregory has provided individual, group, and family therapy for more than a dozen years in outpatient and residential settings and is currently in private practice in Chicago. Her work has appeared in Psychology Today, Psychotherapy Networker, Happiful Magazine, Addiction Professional, Adoption Today, All Creatures, Highlights Magazine, and New Therapist Magazine.

Gregory has served as a presenter for clinical conferences, employee trainings, and community events and has spoken for the ACA (American Counseling Association), NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Symmetry Counseling, the Missouri School Counselor Association, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, and the Missouri Association of Marriage and Family Therapy to name a few. She tailors all presentations to meet the needs of your audience.

Click here to check out her awesome blog “Transforming Trauma Blog” on her website.


How Does Safe Havens For Pets Serve Survivors of Domestic Violence and Their Pets?



In this episode I chat with Valerie Pena and Mary Lous Randour about Safe Havens for Pets, an organizing helping survivors of domestic violence and their pets find safety.  We discuss how to find a safe haven in your area, why it is critical that safe havens exist, how Safe Havens for Pets is connecting safe havens to each other and survivors, and what you can do to help.

Don’t forget to follow their social media accounts!
Click here for: 


Love Heals-The Story of Thistle Farms



Dorris Walker-Taylor, Senior Ambassador for Thistle Farms, joins the show to discuss how Thistle Farms, a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction changed the direction of her life.  Thistle Farms is a residential program that provides housing, case management, healthcare, counseling, education, and employment for two years – free of charge.

It was a true joy speaking with Dorris and listening to her story is guaranteed to brighten your day.

 

 

Click HERE to learn more about how you can support Thistle Farms.


How Does Racism Affect Black Survivors of Domestic Violence?



Gretta Gordy Gardner and Megan Simmons from Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, discuss how systemic racism affects black survivors of domestic violence.

Gretta Gordy Gardner, Esq., is the Deputy Director and co-founder of Ujima, Inc.: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, a project of the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Ms. Gardner’s career as a legal advisor for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault was inspired by her early work as a prosecutor in the Domestic Violence Unit of the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office. She has worked for two decades to help shape guidelines, policies, and procedures that local, state, and federal policy makers and college/university campuses can use to end intimate partner violence and racial bias. She is licensed to practice law in DC, MD, TX, and the Supreme Court of the United States and is a certified mediator. Ms. Gardner sits on the Board of Trustees for Garrison Forest School and belongs to a multitude of local, state, and national committees that address violence against women and their children. She is the proud mom of two boys who love basketball and make a lot of noise.

Megan Simmons, MPA/JD, is the Sr. Policy Advisor of Ujima, Inc.: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, a project of the DC coalition Against Domestic Violence. Ms. Simmons’ education in Women’s Studies and Political Science was the catalyst for her career in legal compliance, policy, and advocacy work. She has served as a Federal Agent and was tasked with investigating sexual assault for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). She was also collaterally tasked with representing law enforcement on various committees, including holistic approaches to combating violence against women attached to the Navy installations. She later earned a law degree wherein she combined her education and her experience by contributing to policy, and conducting investigations into allegations of sexual assault within higher education. Ms. Simmons has conducted various trainings on sexual harassment awareness, Equal Employment Opportunity, investigation execution, and diversity and inclusion. She spends her spare time cooking, bike riding, and reading.

For more information about the mission of Ujima, click here.

For more information about intimate partner violence in the black community, click here.


Ask The Experts #1



Dr. Denise Fournier and Dr. Candice Creasman join me to answer your questions that have arisen during the pandemic.

You can find more information about Dr. Creasman’s Insight Timer class on Healing Your Inner Critic HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out Dr Fournier’s Instagram meditations HERE


Money and Relationships



Dr. Brad Klontz sits down to talk all things money and relationships! We chat about financial infidelity, money disorders, the lies we tell ourselves about money, how to discuss money with your partner and more!

Bradley T. Klontz, Psy.D., CFP® is a Founder of the Financial Psychology Institute® and an Associate Professor of Practice in Financial Psychology at Creighton University Heider College of Business. He is a Managing Principal of Your Mental Wealth® Advisors, a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, and a Former President of the Hawaii Psychological Association. He has partnered with organizations including JP Morgan Chase and H&R Block in efforts to help raise public awareness around issues related to financial health and financial psychology.

Dr. Klontz was awarded the Innovative Practice Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association for his application of psychological interventions to help people with money and wealth issues and his innovative practice in financial psychology for practitioners across the country.

Dr. Klontz has been a columnist for the Journal of Financial Planning, On Wall Street, and PsychologyToday.com and has co-authored/co-edited five books on the psychology of money. His work has been featured on ABC News’ 20/20, Good Morning America, and in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Time, Kiplinger’s, Money Magazine, NPR and many other media outlets and professional magazines and journals.

Looking for a financial therapist? Click here!

Want to buy want of Dr. Klontz’s books? Click here!

Click here for Dr. Klontz’s Youtube channel.


Silencing Your Inner Critic



Is negative self-talk impacting the way you view yourself? Do you know negative self-talk can be an obstacle in your relationships? Dr. Candice Creasman chats about how to heal your inner critic.

Dr. Creasman is s a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor with a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology and a doctorate in Counseling and Counselor Education. She has been in practice for 15 years working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma, individuals with addictions, chronic pain, mood and personality disorders, and severe mental illness. She uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and meditation to help clients work through trauma and live values-based lives.

Dr Creasman is offering a workshop in Intuitive Eating called “My Body, My Home” on September 14, 2019. For more information or to register please visit https://wellness-collaborative.org/mybodymyhome
You can also access Dr Creasman’s Insight Timer series on healing your inner critic at https://insighttimer.com/Dr.CandiceCreasman

What is Repeat Traumatization?



On this episode of High Heels and Heartache I chat with Dr. Amelia Kelley, owner and supervisor of Kelley Counseling & Wellness, about repeat traumatization. We discuss what happens when a person experiences more than one trauma in their life, how trauma changes the brain, and the role of nature vs. nurture have in repeat trauma. Dr. Kelley also teaches us about synaptic pruning!

Dr. Amelia Kelley, PhD, MS, LPC, ATR-P, RYT is an integrative therapist with 15 years of experience. She is trained in Art Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Yoga Therapy and other adjunctive treatments for trauma such as EMDR, Prolonged Exposure, Imagery Rehearsal Therapy and Trauma Sensitive Yoga.  She is the owner and supervisor of Kelley Counseling and Wellness in Cary, NC. Her practice is part of the Trauma Consortium at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana State University. She is a trained Level I and II Vinyasa Yoga teacher, a Yin Yoga certified teacher and a trained Restorative Yoga teacher. Dr. Kelley provides yoga therapy to individuals facing physical and mental health challenges to help reduce symptoms, address trauma in the body, help reduce addiction, restore balance and increase vitality. Her art therapy group work with the substance abuse population has been featured in the media as well as her advocacy for the licensure of Art Therapy in the state of NC. Dr. Kelley has been featured in the news as an expert discussing addiction to technology. She has also offered blog contributions in the areas of coping with ADHD in marriage as well as podcasts about Art Therapy in mental health. Additionally, she is a trained meditation teacher with a library of her teachings found on Insight Timer. Dr. Kelley is currently working on her first book examining healthy coping for an overactive nervous system in an overactive society.

For more information on Dr. Kelley and her practice, CLICK HERE.


What is Passive Aggression?



Signe Whitson chats about passive aggression.  We define passive aggression, talk about the different behaviors passive aggressive people employ, discuss the different levels of passive aggression, and explore what causes people to be passive aggressive.

Signe Whitson is an author and internationally-recognized speaker with 20 years of experience working with children, teens, and families.  She presents customized training workshops for professionals, parents, and students on topics related to bullying prevention, digital citizenship, managing anxiety and  anger in children, changing passive aggressive behavior, and intervening effectively in crisis situations in schools and treatment organizations

In her articles, books, and trainings, Signe provides down-to-earth, practical advice for navigating the daily challenges of living and working with children, tweens and teens.  As a mother of tween & teen daughters, Signe relates to parents on a personal level.

Signe is the Director of Counseling at The Swain School in Allentown, PA.   She is also the Chief Operating Officer of the Life Space Crisis Intervention Institute, an international training and certification program for turning crisis situations into learning opportunities for children and youth with chronic patterns of self-defeating behaviors.

She is the author of six books, including:
BULLY PREVENTION

The 8 Keys to End Bullying ACTIVITY BOOK for Kids & Tweens

The 8 Keys to End Bullying Activity book COMPANION GUIDE for Parents & Educators

8 Keys to End Bullying: Strategies for Parents & Schools

Friendship & Other Weapons: Group Activities to Help Young Girls Ages 5-11 to Cope with Bullying

ANGER MANAGEMENT

How to Be Angry: An Assertive Anger Expression Group Guide for Kids and Teens

PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR

The Angry Smile: The New Psychological Study of Passive-Aggressive Behavior at Home, at School, in Marriage & Close Relationships, in the Workplace, and Online.

You can follow her on Twitter @SigneWhitson, watch clips of her trainings on YouTube, read her articles on The Huffington Post or Psychology Today, or “Like” her on Facebook.


How Do You Set Boundaries in Relationships?



Do you know your boundaries? Do you know how to communicate those boundaries to the people in your life in a healthy manner? Do you worry that setting boundaries will hurt your relationships?

I chat with Darlene Lancer about the importance of setting boundaries and the best way to deliver those boundaries to those around you. Darlene explains the different types of boundaries and the steps necessary to set a boundary. We also discuss what to do with your boundary is ignored or disrespected.

Darlene Lancer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and expert author on relationships and codependency. She’s counseled individuals and couples for 30 years and coaches internationally. Her books include Conquering Shame and Codependency: 8 Steps to Freeing the True You and Codependency for Dummies and seven ebooks, including: 10 Steps to Self-EsteemHow To Speak Your Mind – Become Assertive and Set LimitsDealing with a Narcissist: 8 Steps to Raise Self-Esteem and Set Boundaries with Difficult People, “I’m Not Perfect – I’m Only Human” – How to Beat Perfectionism, andFreedom from Guilt and Blame – Finding Self-Forgiveness. They’re available on Amazon, and other online booksellers and her website, www.whatiscodependency.com, where you can get a free copy of “14 Tips for Letting Go.” She’s a sought after speaker in media and at professional conferences. Find her on SoundcloudClypLinkedIn Youtube. Twitter @darlenelancer, and Facebook.