Hi all,
I joined the community a year of so ago but this is the first time I have ever posted! This is a huge stretch for me!
Your email resonated with me, Mary, because I have a similar story! When I discovered ACE’s a couple of years ago, I felt truly validated for the first time in my life! I have an ACE score of 7 and have spent the last 26 years in addiction recovery and therapy. Prior to that, I also spent years “living with a hyperaroused brain and all the fall-out that comes with it.” (P.s. I love that line!)
A couple of years ago, when I was completing my graduate degree is when I first heard about ACE’s and watched Nadine Burke Harris’ Ted Talk. Since that time, I have wanted to shout it from the rooftops, or jump on the band wagon, or DO MORE TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON THIS TOPIC!
I am a mental health professional in private practice in Houston, Texas working with people struggling with trauma and addiction. I work tirelessly trying to educate clients, but, sometimes, I feel like I’m swimming upstream! It just feels like our culture is in DENIAL and on difficult days, I want to throw in the towel! On those days, I question my decision to become an LPC and wonder if I’m just retraumatizing myself.
I just want to do more, or maybe figure out a different way to utilize my skills and gifts! The one thing I know for sure is that I can’t even put into words the passion I feel inside about ACE’s!! If any of you have any ideas, please let me know!