Freedom's Hope Counseling

03/17/2020

Now accepting new clients utilizing telehealth.

02/09/2020

https://www.reporterherald.com/2020/02/08/survivors-of-cults-gangs-and-human-trafficking-share-their-stories-at-loveland-conference/

A conference at The Ranch on Saturday explored how human trafficking rings and gangs ensnare people using cult-like tactics.

02/02/2020

Only one more week to register. This is a one-of-a-kind conference combining the professional knowledge of gangs, domestic terrorism, cults, and s*x trafficking under one roof. Register today. www.FreedomsHopeCounseling.com/events/undue-influence

02/01/2020

Conference coming Feb 8 to Loveland. Register Now!

Undue Influence in S*x Trafficking, Cults and Gangs

www.FreedomsHopeCounseling.com/events/undue-influence

01/28/2020

Registration is now open. www.FreedomsHopeCounseling.com/events/undue-influence

01/25/2020

Please consider attending the Undue Influence: Manipulation & Exploitation in S*x Trafficking, Cults & Gangs Conference at The Ranch on Saturday, Feb. 8. Professionals will present on their areas of expertise. There will be a law enforcement track, a professional counselor track and a community interest track.
www.FreedomsHopeCounseling.com/events/undue-influence.

Learn from experts about working with survivors of s*x trafficking, cults and gangs. Why do people stay in harmful relationships? How are victims recruited? Are there similarities between high-demand groups? How can leaving a damaging and wounding group be difficult? We will answer all of these ques...

01/25/2020

www.FreedomsHopeCounseling.com/events/undue-influence

08/10/2018

Attended the North Eastern Colorado Coalition Against Trafficking meeting in Greeley, Colorado. Many professionals are taking steps to prevent and rescue those victimized and manipulated by perpetrators.

05/01/2018

Fort Collins Meet Up: Spiritual Abuse Awareness

The Wild Boar Cafe
1510 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Tuesday, May 15, from noon-1PM
Join us in the Library. Reserve your seat through the below link.

Spiritual wounds touch us at the core of our being. Those who have been wounded by any spiritual setting, whether formal or informal, feel the pain deeply and often do not know how to heal. Spiritual

04/28/2018

Women's Trauma Recovery Group: If you have experienced physical, s*xual or emotional abuse or assault, and are interested in re-building your life from the inside out, improve self-esteem, and decrease the obstacles of guilt and shame, please join us as we make positive steps toward healing in a community of women. All sharing will be done in an atmosphere of safety and respect.
Topics to be covered are: What it means to be a woman, developing ways to feel better, self-esteem, emotional and physical boundaries, intimacy and trust. The group also includes: female s*xuality, and gaining understanding about trauma and abuse in relationships. Further topics are: decision making, trusting your judgment, and healthy communication skills.
Because the impact of abuse can run deep, it is recommended that members be in individual therapy currently or have had therapy previously.
A 30-minute pre-screening interview will be conducted at no charge to make sure the group is the right fit for each member.
The group meets every Wednesday evening from 6:00-7:30 PM, in 9-11 week blocks. The next block will last 11 weeks and begins Wednesday, June. 6, 2018. A break will take place over the first two weeks of July. Location: 2120 S. College Ave,, #6, Fort Collins, CO 80525
Cost: $40 per group session
A 10% discount will be offered to those who pay for the entire 11 weeks in full.
Email: Connie@FreedomsHopeCounseling.com

02/04/2018

What is the difference between psychological and emotional abuse?
Psychological abuse and emotional abuse are terms that are often used interchangeably. Both terms may refer to behavior that causes anxiety, chronic depression, or trauma in a person usually in a state of lower power compared to the abuser. Parents, teachers, therapists, pastors, spouses and others may be at risk of abusing those over whom they wield various levels of power. The adage, “power tends to corrupt,” sets the stage for a risk of abuse, with the level of risk depending upon the maturity of the power holder.

Psychological abuse can also include: dismissing one’s reality and experiences, “remembering” things that didn’t happen or never remembering anything (a.k.a gaslighting), making up rules that others “should have know” and creating an atmosphere in which others begin to doubt their own reality.

Emotional abuse can also include: ignoring your feelings, ridiculing your beliefs, withholding approval, threats, manipulating with lies, preventing you from going to school or work, isolating you from family or friends and threatening su***de if you don’t…
http://www.spiritualabuseresources.com/home

01/15/2018

GRIEF: A PROCESS THAT CANNOT BE AVOIDED
Grief is a natural process that everyone on the planet must endure. I recently had the pleasure to speak at a traumatic brain injury (TBI) group at the Medical Center of the Rockies, Loveland, CO, on grief. A group attendee said that it seemed like their "old self" died after experiencing a TBI. I shared that:
• It is common to feel grief as a result of major life challenges for at least 12 months.
• Grieving is a natural process and not considered pathological.
• Grieving is something that each one of us must go through, rather than bury or avoid, or it could have emotional and physical ramifications for the rest of our lives.
• Common reactions to grief: spontaneous crying, mood swings, disbelief and denial, difficulty with concentration or memory, preoccupation with the life of the person who died, awkward feelings around others, and physical reactions such as low energy, weight loss/gain, tightness in chest, throat or stomach (Capital Hospice).
• The importance of discovering their new norm through new routines.
• So often our identity is wrapped in what we do, but that is not our true identity. Individuals with TBI need to discover their personal identity.
• Self-care is very important in the grieving and TBI healing process.
• The difference between pain and suffering is acceptance.
• The criteria of Complicated Bereavement from the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders was described.
• J. Eric Gentry, PhD, LMHC has developed a theory to intentionally lower one’s autonomic nervous system levels in order to heal from emotional trauma more effectively by deep physical relaxation in the hip region (sphincter, psoas, and kegel) on a regular basis. This process will keep the entire body in a relaxed state where emotional acceptance and healing are more dynamic.

I would love to speak at your support group on emotional issues. Please contact me at Connie@FreedomsHopeCounseling.com.