The Survivors Empowering Survivors series features inspiring people who are using their trauma history to help others heal. Today we are proud to feature the work of Rachel Grant.
Who is Rachel and what does she do?
Rachel Grant is the owner and founder of Rachel Grant Coaching and is a Sexual Abuse Recovery Coach. She is also the author of Beyond Surviving: The Final Stage in Recovery from Sexual Abuse.
She brings to the table a passionate belief that her clients do not have to remain trapped or confronted daily by the thoughts or behaviors that result from abuse. Through her own journey of recovery from sexual abuse, she has gained insight and understanding about what it takes to overcome abuse. This makes it possible for her to relate to and appreciate your struggles intimately.
Based on her desire to foster community, intimacy, and connection, she has dedicated much of her time to understanding relationships and communication and how they are impacted by abuse. For her, how we are relating to others is crucial to improving the overall quality of our lives. In addition to the lessons she’s learned along the way, she has attended various lectures and trainings to further hone her skills.
Her program, Beyond Surviving, has been specifically designed to change the way we think about and heal from abuse. Based on her educational training, study of neuroscience, and lessons learned from her own journey, she has successfully used this program since 2007 to help her clients break free from the past and move on with their lives.
She holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology. She provides a compassionate and challenging approach for her clients while using coaching as opposed to therapeutic models. She is also a member of San Francisco Coaches and CSA Survivor Force.
What is one resource (book, website, Ted Talk, other) you frequently recommend?
There are so many! For books, I love Dan Siegel’s “The Developing Mind”. This book was a huge influence on me as it filled in so many blanks for me in understanding how the brain is impacted by trauma and what we can do to heal. I also love Hidden Water NYC (hiddenwaternyc.com). They are doing really beautiful work around healing the whole family (including those who have caused harm).
If you could tell a survivor with PTSD one thing, what would it be?
I want to put a stop to survivors of abuse feeling broken, unfixable and absolutely frustrated because it seems nothing they do is helping. Honestly, it really pisses me off when survivors are not able to have the lives and relationships they deserve. Whenever I hear stories of survivors giving up, falling deeper and deeper into despair, or worse, being further traumatized by people who are supposed to help, I get so upset. It also reminds me of my past and how excruciating life was for twenty plus years. I was definitely convinced that there was no way out of the pain, constant instability, and feeling of worthlessness. It sucked, but I found a way out and I know this healing is possible for you as well.
What is one self care practice that you use to help keep yourself in balance while working with trauma clients?
I love to dance. For me, getting into my body and letting loose to some good music helps me to feel grounded, get very present, and release lots of energy!
What are the most common recovery goals for a survivor in your experience?
The list is long of desired outcomes for survivors of abuse. Everything from learning to set boundaries, to letting go of shame, to dealing with anger, to learning to feel feelings. Ultimately though, what is at the root of it all, I think for the majority of survivors (including myself), is a strong desire to be “ourselves”. There is a separation from self that occurs as a result of abuse. And this genuine self becomes covered up or “hidden”. So, ultimately, I think of recovery of the journey of stripping away the layers that have been created as a result of abuse so that we can be our genuine, authentic selves — the people we were meant to be before all of that bullshit happened to us.
What is a quote that sums up how you live your life?
Live so that others are better off for having known me.
To learn more about Rachel and her coaching, visit:
http://www.rachelgrantcoaching.com/
Healing from Sexual Abuse Facebook Group
The 3 Stages of Recovery from Childhood Abuse Checklist
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