Embracing a Wholistic Approach to Healing

Embracing a Wholistic Approach to Healing

What insights can experts and survivors share about addiction? This candid conversation between sisters Ronni and Jennie centres on what it really takes to heal from childhood trauma in a full, whole-person way. Grown up amidst addiction, abuse and untreated mental illness, they’re now comparing notes on what has – and hasn’t – actually helped them. Right from the start, they stress that counselling can be vital, but only if the therapist is properly trained in trauma, addiction and abuse.

As Ronni bluntly puts it, some professionals "will do more harm than good" by pushing unsafe ideas like forced reconciliation. Their line in the sand is clear: "You can't reconcile with an abuser." You’ll hear them talk about support groups such as Al‑Anon and Adult Children of Alcoholics, and why you sometimes have to become your own advocate, asking direct questions about a counsellor’s training and experience.

They also unpack the emotional minefield of opening up to loved ones – how to choose safe people, watch for red flags like minimising or victim‑blaming, and avoid re‑traumatising yourself by retelling every detail. From there, the focus shifts to the body. Drawing on ideas like *The Body Keeps the Score*, they share how movement, yoga and breath work have helped release long‑held tension and pain.

Yoga, for them, isn’t about fancy poses; it’s about coming back into a body they once escaped through dissociation, and learning to say, "I see you, honey… you can just let it go." They round things off with simple, joyful practices – dancing in the living room, playing in the sand, connecting with nature – as serious tools for rebuilding self‑worth.

The message running through everything is gentle but firm: you deserve support, you are not alone, and you’re allowed to take up space. What might be the next piece of support you’re ready to say yes to?