Strength is not something we give survivors. It is something we recognize in them.
Dear Colleague,
Too often, support begins with the assumption that something is wrong.
When providers enter the room ready to fix, we reinforce the belief that survivors are damaged. Even gentle guidance can feel like correction when it is not requested. Survivors deserve to be seen as capable from the start.
Survivors are not broken. Trauma informed care begins with respect, not rescue.
Our role is not to pull people from pain but to walk alongside them. Survivors have already navigated danger with remarkable clarity. What they need is trust, not a treatment plan imposed too quickly.
Healing after abuse is not a return to normal. It is a reclaiming of self.
Every survivor has already shown resilience just by surviving. Our job is to reflect back the power they have, not act as the source of it. Support should amplify what is already there.
Empowerment means believing survivors even when they are still struggling.
Progress does not always look like action. Sometimes it looks like naming the harm, or sitting still with the truth. The bravest step forward might be the choice not to rush.
You can offer that kind of affirmation using the Reclaiming Strength Workbook, a resource designed to meet survivors where they are—with dignity and depth. It provides the education they need to start naming and accepting the types of abuse that they have already survived. It provides activities for self exploration and reflection.
With appreciation for all you do,
P.S. The work you do is important. Take care of yourself through self care and peer support. Remember that we offer a peer support group for those working with survivors of abusive relationships. Sign up at www.catrinalpcs.com/providers
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