Finding Healing and Wholeness After Trauma: Lisa Saruga E105

Lisa Saruga, counselor and trauma therapist, shares her formidable journey from surviving a violent assault in the 1980s to having her attacker identified 35 years later. Lisa discusses how her faith in God and His goodness anchored her through her healing journey. She explains that trauma doesn’t have to define you and that feelings of hopelessness, loss, and grief can be overcome. Her story of redemption, packed full of God’s tender love, eventually led her to become an advocate for legislation to protect victims. We're drawing from her book: The Trauma Tree: Going Beyond Survival, Growing Toward WholenessVerses referenced: Psalm 27:13-14; Psalm 119:8100:00 Introduction: Facing Death and Finding Hope03:30 The Assault: A Life-Changing Moment05:09 The Aftermath: Suppressed Trauma, Becoming a Therapist05:56 The Cold Case Reopens08:06 God's Presence in the Journey13:42 Meeting the Perpetrator20:00 The Pear Tree Analogy23:23 Theresa and Elise: Different Paths to Healing27:55 Understanding Basic Needs and Trauma34:23 Raw Journaling that Heals38:00 A Message from God in the Mess45:05 Seeing God's Goodness in Dark TimesConnect with Lisa: LisaSaruga.comBook: The Trauma Tree: Going Beyond Survival, Growing Toward WholenessConnect with Kelly: KellyHall.org