As a healing mentor, I’ve found that some of the most profound conversations happen when two people share their healing journeys openly. My recent conversation with Amy Sutter, also known as Sutter Girl, exemplified this beautiful exchange of wisdom. Amy’s story of transformation from overcoming adversity, to finding her zone of genius and reclaiming her…
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My HEAL acronym—to Hope, Evolve, and Love—ends with Love because love is our greatest gift to ourselves in the healing process. We must heal to get love right. When we heal, love ignites our soul, bringing joy and meaning to our existence. -Becoming An Empowered Survivor, Elizabeth M. Jones My healing journey has taken me…
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As survivors of trauma and abuse, our lives are reflected in how we respond to our experiences. When we react negatively, we often rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms that don’t serve us. If we respond more positively, we’re likely using better coping skills and tools. This distinction marks the difference between unhealthy survivorship and empowered…
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In the spring of 1986, during my sophomore year of high school, I wanted to invite a black boy to the Sadie Hawkins dance. My father had a visceral and manipulative reaction to my desire. That was the day I learned, at fifteen years old, that skin color matters to some people. Though we were…
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I recently had the honor of interviewing Mike Land, a father who lost his son Preston to fentanyl poisoning nearly four years ago. His story deeply touched me, not just because of the tragedy he experienced, but because of how he transformed his grief into purpose. As someone who believes our greatest pain can become…
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For years, I struggled in silence, carrying emotional burdens that weren’t mine to bear. It wasn’t until I found the right trauma therapist that my healing journey truly began. Today, I want to share insights from my conversation with Monica Borschel, the trauma therapist who helped transform my life, and explore the crucial differences between…
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Discover how FBI veteran Brian Boetig’s concept of the “self-worth portfolio” can transform your approach to self worth and work life integration, helping you build a more balanced and fulfilling life. As someone who has walked the path from trauma to healing, I’m always fascinated by the different journeys people take toward wholeness. In my…
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Earlier this year, as my exploration of Love in my HEALing journey progressed, I started dating, ultimately in search of the man who I hope will be my partner for the rest of my life. Like other parts of my journey, this part has been extraordinary and super cool to experience. The impetus for this…
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I detailed my healing journey with my grandfather, who died in 1994, in prior writings in Becoming an Empowered Survivor (BCAES) and in a previous blog post. He was the first person who abused me, locking me at five years of age behind a wall that would grow to be 45 years thick and 45…
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Reframing the Hardest Parts, cont’d – The Eyes Are the Windows to Our Soul One of my favorite chapters in Becoming an Empowered Survivor (BCAES) explores my reframing experience, healing my relationship with my grandfather. He was the first person who sexually abused me when I was a young child. He died in 1994, more…
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