Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of recovery from grooming, clergy sexual abuse and abuse in high-control faith spaces. Please take care while listening. Support services are listed in the show notes.

HOW TO BE OK

In this final episode, Jane and I talk about what it means to find your way back to OK.

We begin with the reminder that “what you bury, you’ll always carry” — healing starts by gently dealing with the topsoil.

From there, we move through the many layers of recovery, sharing practices and reflections that have helped us along the way. Everyone’s recovery is unique, and what matters most is discovering what works for you.

Healing isn’t linear, and the first step is often being able to name that you’re not OK.

Together, we explore:

* Recognising your survival strategies and asking if they’ve become maladaptive in recovery.

* Understanding the embodied experience of emotion and learning to feel and self-soothe.

* Identifying and naming your triggers.

* Practising self-compassion and reclaiming your rights.

* Moving beyond survival mode and embracing life.

* Allowing yourself to experience beauty, pleasure, and joy again.

* Setting boundaries as an act of healing, not selfishness.

* Learning to trust your inner voice.

* Getting education on how your body responds to sexual intimacy and how to support a nervous system that freezes.

* Knowing what you want to reclaim, renew, or build afresh.

This conversation is about grief, courage, and the slow, courageous work of reclaiming what was stolen

Thank you to those who have listened to this series, provided feedback and encouragement. Till next time…

Today’s Guest:

Jane Kennedy is a religious trauma therapist working on Gadigal land in Sydney’s Inner West. Jane works with clients recovering from the harm experienced in faith communities and other high-control groups such as cults and sects.

She is a co-founder of The Religious Trauma Collective.

Jane has two delightful adult kids and two ridiculous rescue cats. She and her partner spend a lot of time dreaming about how to move to Italy.

Connect with Jane

Website

https://janekennedycounselling.com.au

RTC website

https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com

Insta

https://www.instagram.com/janekennedycounselling/

Support Hotlines:

Link to all support hotlines in NSW, Australia: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/Pages/support-contact-list.aspx

Contact me:

https://www.jaimesimpsoncounselling.au

Instagram

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