Reconnect to YOU Through Relationships
Community and connection are critical components for healing. As humans, we need others as sources of support, companionship, and friendship. We also recognize that when someone has experienced trauma: relationships, intimacy, and sense of community are impacted. During the healing process, we are in the process of building a new life and re-educating on what feels comfortable, brave and empowering in relationships.
“Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”
Community and connection are critical components for healing. As humans, we need others as sources of support, companionship, and friendship. We also recognize that when someone has experienced trauma: relationships, intimacy, and sense of community are impacted. During the healing process, we are in the process of building a new life and re-educating on what feels comfortable, brave and empowering in relationships. As survivors are ready to engage more actively in the world, we get to establish new agendas, ambitions and deepen a sense of resiliency with who we are in the world.
Image source: https://campfire.org/blog/article/self-care-is-far-from-selfish/
Judith Herman, a renowned trauma specialist, shares that helplessness and re-connection can be at the core of trauma. Empowerment and re-connection are at the core of recovery and healing. Judith Herman identifies these areas to explore as part of the re-connection phase of recovery.
Stay with fear. Retaking our power back in real life situations involves a choice to face our fears. The goal is not to obliterate fear, but learn how to live with it and use it as a source of energy, empowerment, and resiliency.
Invitation: What is one thing you can do daily that is uncomfortable but feels manageable? How can you nurture yourself when fear arises? After you do something that creates fear, we invite you to acknowledge the effort and work you put into embracing your fears by celebrating your success!
Develop a sense of inner authority. At times we may feel possessed by our traumatic pasts. During healing a task is to become the person you want to be and to move out into the world for your life.
Invitation: Explore these questions. What inspires you? What are some of the parts of you that need more attention or have been lost due to trauma? What is one thing you can do each day to move towards your fullest self? It can be helpful to make this something that feels manageable.
Reconnect with your community. During healing, we may feel moments of independence while being connected with others. We may start exploring what it feels like to regain a sense of trust in people through participating in social interactions, supportive groups, or activities that bring joy and connection.
Invitation: Connect with support groups or activities that involve others. Assess the quality of your relationships. What are you needing now that may be different from earlier in your life? How can you support yourself when developing new relationships?
At the Rape Recovery Center, empowerment and re-connection are at the core of our mission and services we provide to the community. Please see these upcoming events here at the center and out in the community.
NEW Group: Secondary Survivors Support Group
Location: Rape Recovery Center 2035 S 1300 E, SLC, UT
Day/Time: Mondays 6 p.m. -7 p.m.
Starting: April 8th through June 24th
Cost: Free or donation as member chooses
*Interested clients will need to complete a group intake prior to the start of the group. This will be completed by Yvette Gonzalez Coronado, LCSW. If you are interested please contact: Yvettelcsw@gmail.com
To honor Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we created four different events in the community to celebrate collective healing. Please see our website for more details on these events.
Future events, new upcoming groups, and ways to stay connected are regularly updated on our social media and website. We look forward to connecting with you.