Tristen’s Journey: From Abuse to Empowerment

When searching for a trauma counselor, Benita’s bio resonated with me right away. My intuition told me to reach out to her. After the first “get to know you” session, I knew she was the counselor for me. Her warm and caring demeanor washed over me like calming waters.

Before meeting Benita, I was broken and numb from past wounds, and I was reeling from traumas in my current abusive relationship. I felt “stuck.” Even though I am a smart woman, I couldn’t bring myself to leave the toxic relationship. I had a trauma bond with my violent abuser. I knew that I was at a breaking point and needed professional help to get back on track so that I could make healthier choices.

I had experienced trauma throughout my life, but I didn’t realize it until I was an adult. 

Through therapy, I found that the way I dealt with the emotional pain was by pushing it away or making it seem smaller than it was. It was my brain’s way of protecting me. Whenever asked, I would describe my childhood as a happy one, and I believed it. I’ve always considered myself a strong, independent, and happy person. 

It wasn’t until after a traumatic divorce that I started to feel the effects of my past and current traumas. I found myself withdrawn, frightened, and feeling isolated. Before I had time to heal, I jumped into another relationship which quickly became toxic. 

After several years in an unhealthy relationship, my coping technique of stuffing things down no longer served me. 

Sleepless nights turned me into a shell of myself.

My usual happy nature and busy lifestyle were reduced to feeling numb. I stayed at home most of the time. I no longer worked out. I put on weight, and I was depressed most of the time. I lived in a constant state of “survival mode” due to the toxic relationship. 

When I reached out to Benita, I knew I needed help. At the beginning of my sessions with Benita, I had a hard time knowing what I felt or how to express it. My memory and concentration were fragmented. I learned that these were all symptoms of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). 

Benita’s patience and gentle guidance helped me feel accepted even though I felt broken. The interesting thing was that after my first session, I felt a sense of calm. This was something new to me since I had been living in a constant state of fear and anxiety for the past several years. 

We were only in the discovery stage and had not yet started the counseling phase, but I was already feeling better and stronger emotionally. Benita was accepting and nonjudgmental. I felt safe. I felt Benita had my back and that was a game-changer for me. I felt grounded for the first time in years.

Benita helped me set achievable goals to stay on track, which I struggled to do because of  PTSD.  She helped me understand my highly sensitive person nature. She introduced me to her own guided meditation as well as others. 

After listening to the meditations, I had my first full night’s sleep in years — seven hours of unbroken sleep! I woke up feeling fully rested and it was life-changing! 

Benita introduced me to Brainspotting, a method for healing trauma without having to relive it or talk about it. This non-talk method resonated with me, and my anxiety decreased with each session.

Even though I’ve only had nine visits, I know that Benita will be able to help me heal my trauma and create a healthier life than I’ve ever had before. I am looking forward to this journey of growth and renewal.

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If you would like a copy of my guided meditation, A Journey into Wholeness, click here.

If you would like help to heal the inner wounds that stop you from being your Authentic Self, contact me for a complimentary 10-minute Discovery Call to see if we are a good fit.

But first, please read this webpage about my services.

Wishing you all the best that life has to offer.

Benita A. Esposito, MA, “Chief Trail Guide,” for Highly Sensitive Introverts on the Hero’s Journey to the Authentic Self. Click here for credentials.

Bestselling author of The Gifted Highly Sensitive Introvert: Wisdom for Emotional Healing and Expressing Your Radiant Authentic Self – available on Amazon.

Click here to watch my book video.