In this episode Sammee and Tori are joined by Sammee's friend Deanna  tells us the rest of her complex, challenging story about childhood trauma. **Content/trigger warning this episode includes conversations and mentions of sexual abuse/assault, sexual trauma, childhood trauma, family induced trauma, and religious trauma. Please be advised and seek any help you might need.

Some definitions:
Cognitive Processing Therapy: CPT is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps patients learn how to modify and challenge unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma.
Sexual Trauma/Abuse: is unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent.
Religious Trauma: Religious or spiritual trauma is a form of psychological abuse and brainwashing that inculcates the shameful message that we are sinful and must live in a constant state of penance and atonement to escape the ravages of hell and God's punishment.
Gaslighting: is a form of emotional abuse that's seen in abusive relationships. It's the act of manipulating a person by forcing them to question their thoughts, memories, and the events occurring around them. A victim of gaslighting can be pushed so far that they question their own sanity.
Generational Trauma: is a accumulation of neural network in the brain that are established by patterns in behavior and hormones. Trauma can be a very difficult thing to heal. The more engrained it becomes in family systems, the harder the chains are to break.

Brene Brown's book I Thought It Was Just (Me But It Isn't)

As always, while Tori is a professional, this podcast is not a replacement for therapy. If you need help, please reach out through one of the resources below. You are worthy of healing.

National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

https://www.nami.org/Home

https://therapyforblackgirls.com/

https://www.mentalhealth.gov/