Turning Trauma into Transformation: Renae Van Roekel’s Journey from Prison to Purpose

Today, I sit down with Renae Van Roekel, founder of Connecting to Cope, to explore the journey from childhood trauma and people-pleasing to accountability, healing, and helping others. If you’ve ever felt stuck under shame, guilt, or perfectionism, you’re not alone.What You’ll Learn How early trauma and being told “you’re bad” became Renae’s internal narrative The cost of people-pleasing addiction, perfectionism, and hiding shameHer pivotal moment: why she chose to turn herself in rather than stay silentWhat happens when unhealed trauma collides with family, career, and relationship demandsTools she uses now to rewrite her brain: EMDR therapy, Rational Evaluations, journaling, self-care routinesHow negative thinking patterns show up & how to rewrite them with new core beliefsRebuilding difficult family relationships, and how honesty, patience & courage can mend the pastSpotlight on Tools & ModalitiesEMDR therapy – how it helped Renae release trauma beyond talk therapy and regain mental focusRational Evaluations (RSA) & cognitive-behavioral work she learned in prison’s RDAP programDaily practices: journaling, self-check-ins, inner dialogue shifts, patience with selfVisit her at www.connectingtocope.comhttps://www.facebook.com/connectingtocope/https://www.instagram.com/connectingtocope/If you've struggled with addiction, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or inherited shame, Renae’s story shows you can transform your life by facing truth, doing the healing work, and choosing purpose. You can reclaim your identity, your integrity, and your power to choose.Ready to do the next work on healing your past & reclaiming your voice? Learn more at www.wholisticlivingtherapy.comSupport the showDon’t forget to subscribe, rate & share this episode with a sober woman or someone suffering from anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep problems and negative thought patterns who needs to hear she is not alone. Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.