Getting Past Survivor - Helen Brenner

From Sexual Healing to True Connection

For years, I believed that my worth was tied to fulfilling others' needs. Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” echoed my experience of being used and discarded. But healing came when I opened up to real love—one built on genuine connection, not just physical needs. True intimacy is about mutual respect and deep emotional bonds.

Survivors Need Communication

In this raw and heartfelt video, Helen shares her journey of surviving childhood sexual abuse and the profound impact it had on her ability and inability to communicate. She discuss how the shame and guilt from her experiences led her to suppress her emotions and the importance of establishing open channels of communication with her own children to prevent such suffering. Helen emphasizes the significance of being receptive and empathetic listeners, and how it can foster strong, loving relationships within families, ultimately leading to healing and connection. 00:00 The Silence of Childhood Trauma 00:22 Internalizing Shame and Guilt 01:30 The Impact of Unspoken Pain 03:13 Breaking the Cycle with Open Communication 04:00 Building Trust Through Honest Conversations 05:41 Healing Through Late-Life Communication 06:21 The Gift of Open Communication

Listen to CSA Survivors

In this episode, I shine a spotlight on a critical message: The significance of listening to survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Join me as I emphasize the importance of providing survivors with a safe space to share their stories. By lending an empathetic ear and validating their experiences, we can help survivors heal and contribute to a more compassionate society.

What Propels You?

This episode explores two mindsets: "go-getter" (enthusiastic and goal-oriented - moving towards) and "avoider" (cautious and problem-focused - moving away from). Let’s talk about the importance of language patterns in shaping our reality and encourage a balanced communication style that considers both pursuing goals and addressing challenges.

Finding the Hidden Behind the Obvious

Over the last few years I had resolved so many things but didn't recognize that there was a part of me that was still needing to be addressed, cleared, resolved, loved, and that was my 7-8 year old who had to leave Belgium, had to leave the life where she finally had her first friends, first real relationships.