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/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 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/shop/sarahmcdugal/list/1G6MN69AXZB6L. 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 to support Honor Project Movement as we help survivors https://honorprojectmovement.org/.

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://heatherelizabeth.org/. Donate here to support Honor Project Movement as we help survivors https://honorprojectmovement.org/.

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 Try Softer (Aundi Kibler). 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 to support Honor Project Movement as we help survivors https://honorprojectmovement.

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 here to support Honor Project Movement as we help survivors https://honorprojectmovement.org/.

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 much more. Honor Project Movement partners with MCCC to offer DV Crisis Response Groups. Learn more at https://www.mountaincitychristiancounseling.com/. 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 to support Honor Project Movement as we help survivors https://honorprojectmovement.org/.

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.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 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 to help us help survivors https://honorprojectmovement.org/.

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 & Healed: Christian Women Rebuilding After Abuse https://www.facebook.com/groups/616663178999357/. Or, find me at https://heatherelizabeth.org/. Donate here to help us help survivors https://honorprojectmovement. Please excuse the abrupt ending, my alarm went off and finished the episode prematurely. I may re-record later, but for today, please accept “done over perfect.”

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/held-and-healed-retreat-2023. 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 to help us help survivors https://honorprojectmovement.org/.