Shereen Alexander:From Outsider to Healer, a Story of Trauma, Family Abuse Resilience

In this episode of "Adversity to Strength," Shereen Alexander, a psychotherapist, shares her profound journey through identity, belonging, and trauma. Growing up in a mixed-race family, Shereen navigated the complexities of her Puerto Rican and Jewish heritage, often feeling like an outsider. Her experiences of familial sexual abuse and a tumultuous move to Puerto Rico in her late twenties led her to confront harsh realities about trust and safety. Through her work as a psychotherapist, she reflects on how these experiences shaped her understanding of self, safety, and the importance of finding one's community, sometimes by choosing oneself over familial ties.Shereen's story is a powerful exploration of the impact of trauma and the journey toward healing and self-acceptance. She discusses the challenges of growing up in a divided cultural environment, the struggle for identity, and the eventual realisation of her mixed-race identity. Her experiences in Puerto Rico, including a dangerous encounter with a family member, highlight the importance of recognising harmful dynamics within families. Ultimately, Shereen emphasises the significance of truth, trauma, and the journey to find one's place in the world, which often involves difficult choices about who to trust and where to belong.