Ep. 65 - Healing Trauma Through Faith: How to Reclaim Identity and Hope with Rebecca Medina Stewart, Author of "SEEN"

Content Warning: This episode includes sensitive discussions around sexual assault, suicidal ideation, religious trauma, and faith deconstruction. Please listen with care and refer to the support resources listed below if needed.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, host Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS welcomes Emmy Award-nominated journalist and author Rebecca Medina Stewart, whose devotional book SEEN: Experiencing God’s Tenderness After Trauma offers survivors of sexual assault, grief, depression, and addiction a pathway to healing through faith, journaling, and inner transformation.

Rebecca courageously shares how trauma impacted her identity, how she found herself spiraling into darkness and shame, and how therapy, prayer, and spiritual disciplines helped her reclaim her voice, renew her mind, and discover the truth that she is — and always was — seen by God.

This is a soul-nourishing episode for anyone who has felt invisible, broken, or forgotten. Whether you’re in recovery, deconstructing faith, or supporting others through deep pain — there is hope here.

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 What You’ll Learn:

• How trauma can fracture your sense of identity — and how God gently rebuilds it

• Why spiritual disciplines like journaling, meditation, and prayer are vital in healing

• How therapy and faith work hand-in-hand for emotional restoration

• The power of community, safe people, and support networks

• What a healthy church actually looks like for trauma survivors

• Why shame is a lie — and how to break free from it

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 Resources & Links Mentioned:

•  Buy the Book: SEEN: Experiencing God’s Tenderness After Trauma

•  Visit Rebecca’s Website & Blog: www.rebeccamedinastewart.com

•  Listen to Rebecca’s Audio Blog: Resources Page

•  Follow Rebecca on Instagram: @rebeccamedinastewart

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 National & Local Support:

• RAINN – National Sexual Assault Hotline (Call 800-656-HOPE)

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call or text 988)

• 211 Broward County Mental Health Services

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 Mic-Drop Quotes:

 Rebecca Medina Stewart:

"Trauma is a liar. It tells you you're alone, unloved, and unworthy. But the truth is: you are seen, you are loved, and you are never beyond healing."

“In the darkest moment of my assault, my eyes locked onto a light under the doorway—and now I know, with all certainty, that light was Jesus.”

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 Diana S. Rice, LMHC:

“You’ve got to really think about what the Evil One does—he isolates, whispers, and lies until you start believing the pain is your identity. But Jesus says, ‘Renew your mind.’”

“We might not understand everything, but whatever you focus on is what will grow. That’s neuroplasticity. That’s Romans 12. That’s healing.”

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 Connect with Diana:

Therapy Practice:
 Through the Valley Therapy
 Instagram: @throughthevalleytherapy

Coaching & Consulting:
 Transformed Mind Consulting & Coaching
 Instagram: @transformedmindcc

Podcast & Education:
 The Holistic Counselor Podcast
 Instagram: @theholisticcounselorpodcast

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 Who This Episode Is For:

• Anyone recovering from trauma, especially sexual assault or complex grief

• Therapists, pastors, and coaches who support faith-based healing

• Survivors looking to reclaim their identity and voice

• Listeners navigating deconstruction, church hurt, or spiritual anxiety

• Anyone ready to integrate faith + therapy + neuroplasticity

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 Episode Themes:

• Trauma-informed Christianity

• Faith after spiritual abuse or religious confusion

• Identity recovery and spiritual disciplines

• Safe churches, sacred community, and mental health

• Biblically grounded healing and science-backed tools

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 Listen + Share:

If you or someone you love is struggling, let this conversation be a light in the dark.

You are not alone. You are not too broken.
You are seen. You are loved. You are never beyond healing.

Please rate, review, and share with someone who needs this message.