Betrayal Trauma Recovery - BTR.ORG

Healing from the trauma of sexual abuse can feel daunting. Victims experience intense triggers. Some victims experience physical pain. Often, victims feel discouraged when they experience setbacks into trauma.



Rachel Grant, sexual abuse recovery coach, joins Anne on the free BTR podcast. Rachel speaks to victims of sexual abuse about their journey to healing. Her own heartbreaking experiences as a child victim of sexual abuse, and later, escaping from an abusive marriage, make her a compassionate, honest, and knowledgeable help to victims seeking healing.



Accepting That You Are A Victim of Sexual Abuse



That moment when we realize something happened and it is abuse and it matters and is impacting my life. As soon as we acknowledge this it opens the door to work into the stage of survivorhood, which is where we begin to acknowledge a name and talk about what happened and get a better sense of where we struggle, why we struggle, and what all the connections are.Rachel Grant, sexual abuse recovery coach



A pivotal moment in every victim's life is when she accepts that she is an abuse victim. This moment can be simultaneously enlightening and devastating. Some women find great relief in giving their experience a name.



How Can I Accept It Was Abuse?



It is easy to ignore, deny, or justify abuse. Sexual abuse victims often blame themselves. Some even consider consider themselves the perpetrator. These are natural defense mechanisms that protect victims from the truth.



If you are ready to accept your history of sexual abuse, these ideas may help you:



* Draw your trauma* Journal* Meditate* Write out your experiences* Tell a trusted friend* Draw or paint a self-portrait* Meet with a BTR coach* Create a bullet-pointed list of what happened to you* Write out your experiences in third-person, story-format* Call an emotional support line and share your experiences* Join the BTR support group* Talk with God, your Higher Power, or the Universe about what happened



The key is to begin speaking. Just share what you can, as you can. Whether it's on paper or out loud, it will help you. Accepting the truth is a process. Be patient with yourself. Allow the emotions to come and go.



In this time of understanding and acceptance, women deserve immense support from a community of allies who understand. The Betrayal Trauma Recovery Group meets daily in every time zone. BTRG offers the validation and support that you deserve. Join today.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ4hVkK4QQE




Trauma Setbacks Happen: Practice Self-Compassion



The path to healing and recovery is not quick. It's not linear. It is a gradual process. It will include regular setbacks. At times, healing will feel raw and painful. When these moments come it is important for women to practice gentleness and kindness for themselves.



I went into trauma this weekend. I said, "I know what to do." But I decided that I didn't want to quite yet. I thought, "Today I just want to be here in my sadness and my anger and my bitterness and I just want to feel this!" I sat in it for a while and woke up the next day and decided to use my recovery tools.Anne Blythe, founder of Betrayal Trauma Recovery



The experiences of victims of abuse are tragic, devastating, and leave