Hi my name is Ellie-Ren. I am a writer and mental health educator/advocate who has experienced childhood trauma, agoraphobia, panic disorder and intrusive, obsessive thoughts.

It is my hope that in sharing some of my story, observations and knowledge, that I can connect with others, and provide some helpful information and support for those who have endured complex trauma in their younger years.

I want to help empower you through gaining understanding and learning about how you can help yourself in ways your parents never did for you when you needed them the most.

While I have my personal challenges with chronic anxiety and OCD, I realise that I have been given the opportunity to process the intergenerational abusive patterns in therapy, consciously choosing to break the cycle and change the way that I relate to myself and others.

This inspired me to complete a diploma in Integrative & Transactional Analysis Psychotherapeutic Counselling, and gain a Certificate In Mental Health Studies from the Open University. These courses have helped me to gain further insight into myself, understand others and how I can best support people with their mental health through sharing knowledge, experiences, resources and information.

Healing Cptsd can be a lifelong journey towards discovering yourself and who you can be without the roles and responsibility your parents gave you.

You were likely brainwashed from the 'get-go' when your brain was developing, so you can forgive youself for finding it challenging to change. Stop being hard on yourself for sticking to your defences and patterns of behaviour. These were forged in fire when you were overwhelmed and likely emotionally abandonned. Change is possible, healing can take time, but you are worth it and deserve this chance to re-discover the world and yourself with an updated frame of reference.

When I'm not writing, I am out riding my bicycle, having a coffee or enjoying nature and being grateful for the animals and natural beauty there is which helps to balance my nervous system and ground me.

Currently I am learning about anxiety, OCD and the brain; and looking at how somatic therapies can help to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and calm the fight or flight response.

I know therapy, and I know growth, pain and the frustration of another 'blip' in recovery.

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