In this episode, I speak with Dr. Michele Lee from the International Justice Mission (IJM), a global non-profit of investigators, lawyers, social workers, healthcare professionals and advocates fighting for the freedom and protection of the most vulnerable. We discuss what modern day slavery looks like in our world today, what it means to work with victims of violence and abuse, healing trauma on an individual and a communal level, the power of being able to tell your own story, how IJM helps survivors recover, how to deal with secondary trauma and compassion fatigue, the importance of mindfulness and rest as an advocate, and how you can help someone who has experienced sexual trauma.  

Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/how-this-organization-is-helping-human-trafficking-survivors-heal-their-mental-health-and-recover-from-trauma-tips-from-a-front-line-psychologist-on-how-to-manage-secondary-trauma-amp-compassion-fatigue

For more info on IJM and to help sponsor a therapy session for a survivor visit:  https://IJM.org/DrLeaf  

Podcast Highlights 

2:18 What is IJM? 

4:53 What modern slavery looks like  

8:13 How IJM protects the most vulnerable  

13:47 The hard work that comes after a victim is rescued  

32:00 The power of individual’s experiences and narrative in the healing process  

34:00 What are some of the most effective ways of helping someone heal? 

35:55 How to tell your story  

42:30 What are some of the biggest challenges to someone’s healing? 

46:33 How do you deal with secondary trauma and compassion fatigue? 

53:08 Just one of the many lives saved by IJM  

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Additional resources:  

-Sign up to join my free text program and receive mental health care tips and strategies, exclusive offers and more! Just text DRLEAF to 1 (833) 285 3747 (*Only available for U.S numbers at this time) 

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-Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources, tips, and tools to help you improve and heal your mental health! And be sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter to get even more mental self-care tips delivered to your inbox weekly and to see my upcoming events (you can sign up at drleaf.com!)  

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