VSC Podcast

February is National Eating Disorders Awareness Month and on the 50th episode of the VSC Podcast Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with two amazing people from The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness (@allianceforeda), Director of Education and Resources Liz Motta and Education and Resources Manager Dr. Allie Weiser, to talk about different types of Eating Disorders, harmful myths and misconceptions, the relationship between sexual violence and Eating Disorders, and how we can support a loved one.

Liz Motta uses she/her pronouns and is a licensed mental health counselor and the Director of Education and Resources at The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness.

Dr. Allie Weiser uses she/her pronouns, is a licensed clinical psychologist, and is the Education and Resources Manager at The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/MprEcJtJM9g

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Be sure to follow @alliancceforeda to learn about #notonemore weekend for help, support, and recovery: https://www.notonemore.co

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

On the final episode of this mini-series, VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with The Deputy Chief Probation Officer of the Department of Juvenile Justice Omar M. Bohler and the Undersheriff of Orange County’s Sheriff Office Mark Canty to chat about Implicit Bias. Learn about the difference between implicit and explicit bias, how implicit bias can affect BIPOC individuals, and how we can hold space for these important conversations to ultimately break down barriers and structural racism.

Omar M. Bohler uses he/him pronouns and is the current Deputy Chief Probation Officer at the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Omar comes with over 20 years of Military service experience and has been with the DJJ for 15 years. Omar conducts various trainings focusing on implicit bias and fair and equitable treatment.

Undersheriff Mark J. Canty uses he/him pronouns and, after graduating from Northwestern University, started working in the Urban League in Orlando which made him realize that a career in law enforcement was his calling. He has worked with the Orlando Police Department over his 22-year career and was appointed Deputy Chief in 2017, and in 2019 he was appointed Undersheriff of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Undersheriff Canty is driven by a desire to make a bigger impact in his community and beyond, by making connections with young people before they are in trouble.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/JjkLHbmFE9I

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

As we continue celebrating Black History Month, today the third episode of our 4-part mini-podcasting series came out!

On the third episode of this mini-series, VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with two amazing Mental Health Counselors: Tamara Nelson and Michelle Ilugbusi, to chat about Racial Trauma. Tune in as we discuss what Race is, the difference between Racial Trauma and Transgenerational Trauma, the effects Racial Trauma can have on those within the Black Community, and ways we can heal within the community and beyond.

Tamara Nelson uses she/her pronouns, received her Bachelors degree in Psychology and Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Central Florida where she is currently a staff Therapist with UCF’s Counseling and Psychological Services, and is one of our contract therapists at the VSC. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with the state of Florida, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) with the Yoga Alliance. Tamara is passionate about the mental health profession and raising mental health awareness in marginalized communities.

Michelle Ilugbusi uses she/her pronouns and is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in the state of Florida. She earned her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL and is currently a therapist in Central Florida working with clients covering concerns such as grief, anxiety, depression, trauma and more. Michelle holds a passion for working with people of color as they navigate their various intersecting identities, as well as engaging in advocacy and anti-racist work.

Check out Michelle’s article on allyship here: https://medium.com/@Michelleoye/it-sounds-like-you-want-to-be-an-ally-c3b3f63471d3

And her anti-racism resources here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15K0U8QVF0xvsAQW-65kQnHNjfgnQVlsSn3nfJyYFSPM/edit

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/ml7u6rDke5M

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

For Black History Month, the VSC, as part of their table talk grant award from the Central Florida Foundation, is launching a mini-podcasting series this month: the Healing Begins Here Series!

This series will have 4 episodes focusing on issues affecting Black and African American Communities and ways we can advocate for Black survivors of Trauma and Sexual Violence.

On the second episode of this mini-series, VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with UCF Professor Dr. Reshawna Chapple and VSC Had Therapist Brandi Godbee to chat about Anti-Racism and Therapy. Tune in as we discuss what Anti-Racism really means and how mental health professionals can create safe anti-racist spaces for their Black Identified Clients.

Dr. Reshawna L. Chapple uses she/her pronouns and is an associate professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Central Florida. She is an anti-racist, social justice scholar whose areas of clinical practice and research include intersectional identity, mental health disparities and access to culturally responsive services for Black women, Deaf women, and other marginalized communities. She received her BSW, MSW and PhD in Justice Studies from Arizona State University.

Brandi Godbee uses she/her pronouns and is the lead therapist at the VSC and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida. She is trained in EMDR and is a certified clinical trauma professional. Brandi has been advocating for sexual trauma survivors through VSC since 2012 and supports every person’s right to peace and freedom in their lives.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/h34JUdH-N04

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

For Black History Month, the VSC, as part of their table talk grant award from the Central Florida Foundation, is launching a mini-podcasting series this month: the Healing Begins Here Series!

This series will have 4 episodes focusing on issues affecting Black and African American Communities and ways we can advocate for Black survivors of Trauma and Sexual Violence.

On the first episode of this mini-series, VSC Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with Family Nurse Practitioner Dr. Latoya Wells and VSC Victim Advocate Monique Bennett to chat about Mental Health within Black Communities. Come learn about stigmas surrounding mental health within these communities, barriers that BIPOC individuals have when accessing resources, how external societal factors can affect mental health, what advocating for the self looks like, and what mental health providers and health practitioners can do to help support BIPOC and Black Survivors.

Dr. Latoya Wells uses she/her pronouns, is a Family Nurse Practitioner, and has a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree from Loyola University of New Orleans. She has over twenty-four years of nursing and healthcare experience which also includes nursing and healthcare education at both the undergraduate and graduate level. She holds a full-time leadership and management position with one of the largest insurance carriers in the nation.  Dr. Wells is the owner of Wells Legacy Health & Wellness LLC. She is passionate about educating her community.

Monique Bennett uses she/her pronouns and hails from the University of Central Florida where she earned her Masters in Social Work and Certificate in Marriage & Family counseling, and a Bachelors in Psychology. She has several years of experience working with Women, Children & Families in addition to our homeless population. She is passionate about helping others overcome barriers and navigate through life’s obstacles using solution focus techniques and motivational interviewing. She is adamant about empowering others so that they are living life and not just surviving. She serves her clients with eyes of compassion, a heart filled with love, by providing education, motivation, and emotional support. Monique believes you can make a difference in this world by just helping one person at a time

You can also listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/yAhliAPJbFY

Here are links to the resources Monique mentions on this episode: 

https://nami.org

https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/programs/edu-training/byomm/toolkit.html

https://www.beam.community  

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

On episode 45 of the VSC Podcast Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with Children’s Advocacy Center’s Ann Pimentel-Kerr and VSC’s Speaker’s Bureau Member Tracy Kelly to chat about Childhood Sexual Abuse. Come learn about the definition of sexual abuse and grooming, the effects it can have on a survivor, signs that a child could be experiencing sexual abuse, things that can help survivors heal, and ways we can support survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Ann Pimentel-Kerr uses she/her pronouns and is the Children’s Advocacy Center Specialist at the Children Advocacy Center in Central Florida. Ann has over 25 years of experience working with children & families, and in the social services/child welfare arena. Her experience includes working with children and adults in psychiatric facilities, DCF child abuse investigations, supervision, and many years as a child welfare trainer.

Tracy Kelly uses she/her pronouns and is a survivor of child sexual abuse from the ages of 9-11 years old by a family member. Tracy withheld her story for most of her life because she was scared but after having her own children she now speaks to other parents about keeping their children safe and also to other victims about how to not only survive their abuse but learn how to thrive in life.

You can also listen to this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XeJIzeUUrkU

Be sure to follow Tracy, Mental Momma, at @Mentalmomma79

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

On episode 44 of the VSC Podcast Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with VIBS Family Violence and Rape Crisis Center’s Community Education Manager Taryn Kutujian and current VSC Social Justice Intern Megan Asmussen to chat about abuse in the media. Come listen as we analyze different popular shows and movies, such as Game of Thrones, American History X, Sweeney Todd, Shameless, and more to see how the use of sexual violence in the media can perpetuate rape culture or alternatively raise awareness of sexual assault.

Taryn Kutujian uses she/her pronouns and is the Community Education Manager at VIBS Family Violence and Rape Crisis Center in Suffolk County on Long Island. Taryn is a licensed social worker and specializes in program development, virtual learning and volunteer coordination.

Megan Asmussen uses she/her pronouns and is one of our Social Justice Pre-Practicum Interns at the Victim Service Center of Central Florida. Megan is working on her Masters in Mental Health Counseling and the College and University Counseling Certificate from Rollins College.

You can also listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/W7isiOVk4II

If you or a loved one are ever feeling overwhelmed or need someone to talk to, here is a list of community resources ready to help:

Victim Service Center: 407-500-HEAL (4325)

VIBS: 631-360-3606, Chat: www.vibs.org

RAINN Self-Care After Trauma: https://www.rainn.org/articles/self-care-after-trauma

Polaris Project: Call 1-888-373-7888 | Text 233733 (Befree)

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673), online at hotline.rain.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255, texting HOME to 741741, Online chat at suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/

NAMI Lifeline: 800-950-NAMI (6264), This is only available 10am-6pm EST

Trevor Lifeline: 866-488-7386, Text START to 67867

Transgender Crisis Hotline: 877-656-8860

Free Bilingual Support via FloridaBlue: 833-848-1762

Veterans Helpline: 800-838-2838

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

This week on the VSC Podcast Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with Help Now’s Trauma Informed Care Program Coordinator Jaqueline Padilla and VSC Victim Advocate Rosa Abraham to chat about caregiver identity and burnout, the different signs that someone may be experiencing burnout, vicarious trauma, and ways we can be proactive in addressing burnout.

Jacqueline Padilla uses she/her pronouns and is the Trauma-Informed Pilot Project Coordinator at Help Now Of Osceola where she has worked for the past 5 years. Jackie is passionate about developing community partnerships with law enforcement, victim service providers, and the judicial system to create immediate response for victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and gender discrimination.

Rosa Abraham uses she/her pronouns and is a bilingual Crisis Counselor and Victim Advocate at VSC while she pursues her PhD in Forensic Psychology. She is also a member of the Florida Crisis Response Team and other community task forces in central Florida in an effort to advocate for individuals healing from trauma.

You can listen to this episode on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/UmF29qOKLcw

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

January 11th, 2021 was Human Trafficking Awareness Day and in an effort to uplift education and discussion around this important topic, the VSC hosted a live panel discussion with 4 amazing experts and professionals in the field. Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with USF’s Dr. Sandra Stone, VSC speaker’s bureau member Savannah Parvu, United Abolitionists’ Tomas J. Lares, and VSC’s Johnnie Kramer to chat about different types of Human Trafficking, why it is so prevalent in Orlando, signs to look out for, and ways we can help victims and survivors.

Dr. Sandra Stone uses she/her pronouns and is a professor in the Criminology Department and an Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies at the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee Campus. Her research interests include juvenile delinquency/juvenile justice, family violence, women and crime, public policy, and program evaluation.

Savannah Parvu uses she/her pronouns and has a passion for writing and speaking about the Hope she has found after many years of abuse. She is involved in Survivor Leadership through active prevention and awareness activities.

Tomas J. Lares uses he/him pronouns and is the Founder/President of United Abolitionists, Inc. formerly Florida Abolitionist, Inc. In 2004, Lares became aware of the crime of human trafficking and began his advocacy. Lares was instrumental in creating a 24-hour Human Trafficking Hotline and for advocating Orange County Government to fund an adult female short-term 24-hour facility.

Johnnie Kramer is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in the State of Florida. He received his Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Central Florida, specializing in the treatment of trauma for both individuals and families.

You can view a recording of the live panel on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/jaQTRlog3Ls

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. You can also contact the United Abolitionists Hotline at 1(833) 9-STOP-HT (or 1 833 978 6748) or the National Human Trafficking Helpline at 1 888 373 7888 to get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.

It’s a new year and with it we all may have new goals and aspirations. Come listen to the new episode of the VSC Podcast to hear why practicing Mindfulness might be a great resolution to add to your list! Education Coordinator Emilie Mitchell sat down with two amazing Mental Health Professionals: Jordan Steckler and Orialis Sosa to talk about Mindfulness techniques for beginners and more experienced people, the connection between mindfulness and yoga, and the benefits of practicing Mindfulness for survivors of trauma and everyone.

Jordan Steckler uses she/her pronouns and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida. She earned her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Central Florida. Jordan currently works with adolescents and adults on a variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, and grief. Jordan is also a 200 hour certified yoga teacher.

Orialis Sosa uses she/her pronouns and is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in the state of Florida. She earned her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Central Florida. Orialis’ background consists of providing counseling and victim advocacy support to survivors of crime and trauma. In her current role, she provides counseling support to high school students.

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Trigger Warning: In this podcast we will be discussing sensitive topics such as Sexual Assault. It's important to take care of yourself while listening. Some suggestions are listening while you're in a healthy head space or knowing who you can reach out to if you become upset. Our 24/7 helpline for crisis calls based out of Central Florida is 407 500 HEAL. By contacting the National Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 you can get support and learn about your local resources. There is always someone ready to help.