If you’ve ever felt like the system wasn’t built for you… you’re not wrong.

In this episode, we’re joined by Anne and Lexi from Beauty After Bruises, a nonprofit that’s reshaping how survivors of complex trauma and dissociative identity disorder (DID) are supported when the traditional paths don’t—or won’t—show up.

We talk about what real care looks like when you’ve been through layers of harm. Whether you're a system trying to navigate healing, someone who loves a system and wants to understand, or a provider trying to get it right, this conversation offers practical insights, grounded validation, and real-world examples of what’s possible when advocacy is trauma-informed and action-oriented.

🎧 In This Episode:

* (00:49) The origin story: how Beauty After Bruises started with heartbreak and turned into healing

* (03:00) Lexi shares her experience as a system—and how it shaped their mission

* (12:30) Therapy boxes: what they are, who they help, and why they matter

* (20:20) “Trauma-informed” isn’t the gold standard—it’s the baseline

* (27:40) Why some therapists feel overwhelmed—and what systems need instead

* (33:15) When there’s nowhere to refer: facing the care gap

* (42:10) Designing support with survivors, not just for them

* (50:05) The myth of perfection: why it’s okay to show up imperfectly

* (56:30) Clinician burnout and the emotional toll of this work

* (1:02:00) What collaborative, client-centered care actually looks like

* (1:07:00) A reminder: healing happens when we’re not doing it alone

👥 About Our Guests – Beauty After BruisesFounded by Anne and Lexi, Beauty After Bruises is a nonprofit offering practical support, crisis intervention, and community care for people living with DID and complex PTSD. With a mix of professional insight and lived experience, they meet survivors where they are—whether that’s on a waitlist, in the middle of a breakdown, or just trying to survive another day.

🌐 beautyafterbruises.org📸 @beautyafterbruises💌 Support their work, apply for aid, or explore their survivor + provider resources.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

* Therapy Box Program

* Survivor Blog + Education Hub

* ISSTD (International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation)

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