Trauma, healing & recovery: The power of relationships
Published May 27, 2020
We’re featuring coaching members who have been impacted by the pandemic as part of our matching campaign. Meet Lindzey Roule, a coaching member in Denver, CO.
In the two months since she was laid off from her restaurant job, Roule has been focusing on her wellness.
“You don’t really get a choice – you have to deal with whatever’s going on,” she said. “I’m forced to deal with my problems and emotions. It’s been good for me.”
In the past, Roule relied on drugs to avoid her emotions and the trauma she’s experienced.
“My whole family goes straight to substances,” she said. “I’m not used to dealing with my emotions; I don’t even know what to do with them. For years, I never let myself experience them.”
Roule has had repeated struggles with drugs since she was a teenager.
“I was always social, partying to forget everything,” she said.
'I was left alone'
About three years ago, Roule’s life suddenly looked completely different. Her mother, only 47 years old, passed away suddenly. Her brother went to prison. Her family dog also passed away.
“They were kind of all I had, and I was left alone,” she said. “I was basically numb for the next two years, using pretty heavily.”
With coaching, trauma therapy and journaling, Roule utilizes a range of tools to further her recovery.
“I’m able to process and understand my feelings and emotions, which is not something I’ve done in the past,” she said.
She’s also taking classes online, working toward a psychology degree. She’d like to work with at-risk youth.
“That’s when my problems started,” she said. “If you can catch that problem at that age, you can redirect them and help shape them into upstanding members of society.”
‘They never gave up on me’
Roule was referred to Face It TOGETHER by Doctor’s Care in 2018.
“I was struggling severely at that point,” she said. “I didn’t handle my Mom’s death well.”
Meeting with her coach, who had been through similar experiences as Roule, made her feel less alone.
“I felt very comfortable there,” she said. “Every time I came in, everyone was inviting and friendly. They all knew my name and would ask me how I was doing.”
Roule’s coach encouraged her to see a trauma therapist, which she still does today.
“Had I not done that, I wouldn’t be addressing half the problems I am now,” she said. “I would not be where I am had I not gone to Face It TOGETHER.”
Being able to relate to her coach was important to Roule.
“It definitely feels impossible to stop this cycle when you’re still in it,” she said. “To know that somebody has been where you’re at and to see them come out and be healthy, it makes it seem more possible.”
Though our match campaign concluded June 22, there are still opportunities to support people in financial need.
“It’s absolutely a worthy organization,” Roule said. “They never gave up on me. Every time I saw my one of my coaches, they helped me think of new things to try. There’s a lot of dedication and caring on that team.”
Help support people like Roule in getting well by making a gift today. We're in this, TOGETHER.