
SURVIVORS GUIDE FOR LIFE

Complex trauma recovery is not a ‘quick fix’ but a journey to a new life. A life that feels like living not just existing. Survivors Guide for Life is an annual membership to a resource site with instant access to videos, articles, writing prompts, worksheets, charts and action steps that can literally change your life. Find out more …

Survivors have the ability to create the same beautiful life experiences, accomplishments and fulfilled dreams as others. But sometimes we get stuck in our traumatic world and struggle to find the freedom we so desperately seek – we need a fresh pair of eyes to uncover what we’ve tried so hard to forget. Find out more…


When I first started working with Elisabeth over a year ago, I was a new mother in an abusive marriage. But I thought I was the problem. I had no self-esteem. I hated motherhood. My son triggered memories in me I didn’t know existed. I was severely suicidal because I’d lost all hope. After a decade of counselling, I couldn’t think of another way out. I’d tried everything including drugs, doctors, friends and relatives, but nothing was working. Thanks to Elisabeth, I found my strength and my voice. I left my husband and emotionally disconnected from my abusers. I’ve realized my worth. I’m a happy mom and I’m no longer suicidal. Is my life perfect? No. But Elisabeth helped me process my childhood trauma. She was my guiding light. She was my substitute mother, my earth mother. I wanted Elisabeth to save me, but she accomplished more than that. She taught me how to save myself. Elisabeth is a truly remarkable, kind, nurturing, firm, wise and intelligent woman. She gave me the tools to mother myself. She gave me the tools to mother my son. Without her, I’m terrified to think where I’d be. Most importantly, she believed me. She validated my truth. We went to dark places, but she wasn’t afraid. She never judged me or humiliated me. She heard me. She intuitively picked up on my needs. She was consistent and reassuring. She answered every email and every question with prompt and thoughtful compassion. She gave me a second chance at life. I’m forever grateful for her work and her presence in this universe. I’m still rebuilding my life and making lots of mistakes, but I love myself unconditionally… perhaps for the first time. Thank you Elisabeth! Andrea
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Where Does Shame Come From?
There is nothing more emotionally devastating than the weight shame has on our lives. The desperation of hiding our shame fuels most of our controller’s behaviors keeping us from our rest and inner peace. Shame drives much of our futility which keeps us stuck and...
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When I started my blog, I was excited to have my voice heard. I felt like I had found my platform to say what I needed to say. I had finally found a way to get past the obstacles to put my story out there. At the same time, I was nervous. After I posted my...
The Wisdom of Isolation
As people grow cautiously optimistic about returning to some semblance of social interaction, many of us may be more concerned than we are divulging. We may be feeling a bit more comfortable with our aloneness. We may have grown accustomed to a slower pace. We...
The Terror of Happiness
I’ve had some good things happening in my life lately. I’ve been taking some big chances and it’s been working out. That sounds nice, doesn’t it? I agree it sounds nice. But I’ll be honest. My system is in chaos. My anxiety has been unusually high. I haven’t...
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I don’t watch much television. But I have a habit of watching “This Is Us”. I watch it every Tuesday night when there’s a new episode. My controller tries to shut down any potential emotion, but for some reason, I always seem to manage to move my schedule around...