Trauma in the Trenches: When "Success Stories" Go Sideways

It’s no secret: for many of us who are active within the world of sexual betrayal, personal survivorship is what inspires us to stay engaged with this community. We’ve hit bottom, and we’ve come back from the brink. “This is post-traumatic growth,” we tell ourselves. We’re honored and humbled to find ourselves on the other side of a crisis that didn’t destroy us, and we’re committed to “pay it forward” to those who are still suffering.

So, what happens when that personal bedrock—our historic “origin story” that eventually morphs into a prolific “success story”—encounters new and unexpected trauma? How do we handle a resurgence of confusion, pain, shame and regret, knowing that it will also have an impact on those who surround us? What happens when we witness further betrayal in the lives of those we’ve trusted for guidance, hope, support and accountability, including our beloved leaders, mentors, sponsors, teachers, coaches, counselors, clergy and more?

No matter where we find ourselves across this multi-directional scenario, one thing is certain: it challenges EVERYTHING we think we know about the subjective realities of post-traumatic growth.

Join Rae for this brave conversation, as we explore the complexities of authenticity and self-disclosure while “building unshakable foundations post-betrayal.” We’ll discuss issues like relapse, relationship transitions and community transparency, and we’ll address the rights and responsibilities involved when exchanging personal recovery stories. Most importantly, we’ll invite you to stretch, deepen and strengthen your commitment to choose connection—within yourselves, your relationships and your community.