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Recovery:

Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Childhood trauma

An Interview with Theresa Sorensen (by Lori Ashcraft, Crestwood Recovery and Resilience Solutions)

This episode relates to Peer Support Services in a MHOTRS clinic because it highlights childhood trauma (that continues to have an impact on people into adulthood) as a challenge that many people face. While it affects each person differently, research has shown there are some common indicators that childhood experiences can have a lasting effect on adults. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) test contains indicators of this trauma. While traumatic experiences can have debilitating effects for some people, Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) or the experience of using past trauma to fuel positive change is also possible.

Another theme that is relevant to MHOTRS is the impact a peer specialist or advocate (PS/A) can have on a clinician’s perspective, particularly related to trauma. A clinician’s experience with individuals is often limited to seeing people when they are amid their struggles and focused on determining the best treatment they can offer. PS/As in the workplace offer observable examples for clinicians to see that people are not always in the middle of a mental health struggle. Recovery is possible and PS/As demonstrate what it can look like. PS/As also address trauma through the power of connection based on having a common bond and the trusting relationship that that forms when participants know they are not alone.

Meet Theresa Sorenson

Theresa is a facilitator at Recovery Resilience Solutions with a serene and gentle heart. In this powerful episode, she boldly shares her personal story with childhood trauma so that others may be empowered through their own challenges. She shares what helped her work through her experiences and discusses the shame that is associated with having a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Theresa is an inspiration to many.  

What is in this episode:

  • Information about the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) test
  • The power of spirituality and reverence for the journey of life to help a person survive and thrive through adversity
  • Keys to growing beyond our struggle and letting go of what is holding us back
  • A discussion on PTG – Post Traumatic Growth
  • The power of positive relationships in Recovery
  • The clinician’s dilemma

This must-see episode provides insight and hope around traumatic experiences, showing that one’s recovery does not need to be limited by a challenging past.  

Summary by Stephen Nawotniak, with the Alliance for Rights and Recovery

Relevant Links:

Check out the Recovery Resilience Solutions website.

Read the Blog

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube

About Viva La Evolution and Crestwood


Developed by Crestwood Behavioral Health
With Contributions by the Alliance for Rights and Recovery (formerly New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services)
For PeerTAC
Funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health