Why host a panel on identity?

One of the biggest questions we get at We Are HER is about how to move forward after trauma. We’ve heard countless times from survivors in our inbox that they wish they could go back and be the person they were “before the trauma.”

That’s when we realized that the concept of rebuilding our identities after trauma was something our community wanted to learn more about.

We found experts from across the country who could speak to this topic — clinical professionals, advocates who have worked in the civilian and military worlds, and those who have this lived experience and have used it to become a speaker in the survivor world. We hope their experience and expertise are helpful to you.

We are releasing our Identity as a Survivor Panel in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Watch the Panel

Here’s what our 8 amazing panelists discuss:

We asked members of the HER family to submit questions about healing and trauma recovery. Our community submitted insightful questions that were used for the panel. Here’s a look at what our panelists will discuss:

Why is identity such an important concept for survivors?
What advice would you give a survivor who is grieving their former self?
How can survivors begin to rebuild their identity?
What advice would you give to survivors who feel their trauma is not valid?
What would you tell a survivor who is struggling to see themselves as anything other than a survivor?
What are ways survivors can lean into the present moment and spark joy?
There is often talk about shifting from a “victim” mentality to a “survivor” mentality. Is that a shift we should be making? Why or why not?
How can loved ones of survivors help in this process of rebuilding identity?

Meet our panelists

Cheyenne Tyler Jacobs

Cheyenne Tyler Jacobs founder of the She Will Speak Series started breaking ground as @shewillspeak on Instagram. She is the author of The Tragic Type of Beautiful and continuously combines her creativity with her activism. She is also on the Board of Directors for We Are HER.

Dr. Christine King

Dr. Christine King is a therapist based in Missoula, MT. Dr. King’s specialty is helping survivors to understand the effects of trauma; to treat the symptoms and to plan for recovery. She offers individual, couples, and family therapy, and understands the importance of including the people in one’s life as a part of the healing process. As a former police officer, special assault investigator and VA counselor, Dr. King is experienced in working with law enforcement, first responders, veterans and active-duty military members as well as those who have survived personal trauma.

James Landrith

James Landrith is an adult survivor of sexual assault and has worked as a
trained advocate and subject matter expert in both civilian and military
capacities. Previously, he worked as the Lead Shift Manager for the DoD Safe
Helpline while employed at RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.
He was served on the board of directors of Men Recovering from Military
Sexual Trauma (MR. MST), volunteered with the Virginia Sexual & Domestic
Violence Action Alliance, served as a moderator with the Pandora Project and
various other roles. He was been a member of the RAINN Speakers Bureau since
2008.

Emily Hodge, Panel Facilitator

Emily Hodge is a practicum student at the University of Montana where she studies Social Work and Addictions Counseling. She plans to continue her studies after graduation in pursuit of becoming a Licensed Trauma Therapist. She finds special interest in exploring the intersection of social justice and mental health. As the Outreach and Programming Intern for We Are HER, Emily hopes to help other survivors become Healed, Empowered, and Restored. This is a mission close to her heart. When she isn’t studying, Emily enjoys spending time with her daughter and soaking up every bit of live music she can.

Watch the Panel