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OUR STORY

Healing Together-Living Free

From Hidden Wounds to Wholeness

We all can carry hidden places marked by shame, pain, fear, and guilt. For years, I tried to move forward while those places still shaped how I thought, related, and saw myself and others. I learned how to survive—but not how to live in freedom of who God created me to be. Learning how to accept yourself and living securely in that God given confidence with humility and grace is freeing. You know your weaknesses and strengths and you believe that truth and live that truth out.

Trying to gain acceptance becuase of lies about yourself or how others see you can create unhealthy beliefs that you live out in relationships. What I’ve come to understand is this: those patterns don’t just go away. They have to be revealed in order to be healed and to grow in your relationships.

Healing Begins with Truth

“The truth will set you free” (John 8:32). What looked like control, people-pleasing, and emotional shutdown in my life were actually learned responses and hiding. When God began to reveal what was underneath, everything started to shift. He met me with truth and compassion—not condemnation.

Trauma Is Not Your Identity

For a long time, I carried shame, fear, and responsibility that was never mine to hold because the of sexual abuse I endured as a child. The impact of the abuse and other sexual violence I went through needed to be brought to the light. I was so grateful to have safe people that I could heal with. Healing required me to reconnect—with my body, my emotions, and with God. It wasn’t instant, but it was real. God designed us to heal- I’ve experienced what it looks like to move from survival into wholeness- emotionally, relationally, mentally and spiritually.

God Restores What’s Been Hidden

When I brought those hidden places to God, He began to replace shame, fears and doubt with truth and compassion. He continued to restore what had been impacted in me and my perception. This wasn’t just emotional healing—it was spiritual transformation (John 10:10). Looking back with God—allowed me to finally move forward in truth and freedom. Healing is truly touched by God's love and truth in layers. He knows what we can handle and when to reveal those parts of us that He wants to bring insight and growth in.

A Path Forward

God is the One who heals. I will walk with you through a trauma-informed/faith-based process that helps you engage God's redemption for your story free to love and trust again.

In Christ Love,

Emily

EDUCATION

Associates Degree in Science- Citrus College 1999
Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Emphasis in Public Relations- Cal Poly Pomona 2002
Executive Coaching Certification/Certified Life Coach- Townsend Institute, Concordia University 2023
Light University Certifications: Adult Spiritual & Mental Health First Aid, Child Abuse, Attachment Trauma, PTSD, Sexual Trauma & Violence, Domestic Violence, Trauma Informed Care 2025, Recovery Alive,

*The International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching does not conform to the ICF's model of coaching. As trauma professionals, our work is rooted in helping survivors rebuild and create a life they love living as an overcomer. If I were to conform strictly to the ICF’s methods and competencies, it would significantly limit my capacity to serve trauma survivors effectively. Doing so would strip away the most impactful and beneficial components of my coaching in a way of true healing transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, I have chosen not to pursue ICF accreditation. I have chosen to be a member with ICAA/AACC to continue my learning and for accountability with their code of ethics.

QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING

Certified Facilitator in Women Skills, Renewing your Mind, Identity, Premarital & Marriage Skills
Facilitator in Healing the Wounded Heart for Sexual Abuse Restoration- The Allender Center
Facilitator in Healing & Restoration- Sexual Integrity
Facilitator in Healing & Restoration- Forgiven & Set Free
The Mend Training for Domestic Violence Victims/Intimate Partner Betrayal
Gap Community Experience- Rebuilding Trust Workshop/Understanding Victim Mentality
Trained in Restoration Coaching- Restoration Therapy Level 1
Certification TPRAT (in process)- Townsend Personal Growth Relationship Assessment
Member of International Christian Coaching Association ICCA
Member of American Association of Christian Counselors AACC
Certified Trauma-Informed Coach (CTIC) IBCC

Emily Stephenson

Passionate About Helping Others Grow

I was introduced to the skills class by my wife, Emily. She was attending these classes to heal from her past, and she encouraged me to join her. Initially, I responded like many of the other men in the first class I attended, thinking, "I really don't have any problems from the past, so I don’t need this." However, after participating, I was surprised by the insights I gained and admitted to Emily, "I was wrong."

For years, I believed that maintaining my physical health through exercise and my spiritual health through church and Bible reading was enough. I never considered my emotional health until now. I fully committed myself to this journey and learned so much about how God designed our hearts to be in harmony with our minds; mine felt disconnected. Vulnerability was uncomfortable for me, as it was not something my family practiced, nor was it something I embraced in my first marriage.

Through the workshops, I explored generational patterns from my family of origin, which helped me understand why I sometimes mirrored my parents' behaviors. I discovered that without open and honest conversations, sharing struggles, and being willing to confront difficult issues, our relationships would remain shallow. A lack of depth leads to unhealthy patterns of hiding emotions. Everyone desires a deep emotional connection, and if that’s lacking with your spouse, it creates a weak bond. I had to confront this truth, even though it was embarrassing. I realized that my denial was affecting my relationships with myself, my spouse, and even God. Emotional distrust in a marriage can easily be exploited if someone outside begins to forge an emotional bond with your spouse.

That was my experience. After my divorce and entering a new marriage without addressing the root issues, Emily and I found ourselves facing similar problems. Until we started these skills classes, we were both emotionally disconnected and unaware of the underlying issues.

Here are some key lessons I’ve learned:

How to remain curious during conflicts.
To respond with understanding instead of sarcasm, recognizing that I might have something to learn.
How to show empathy when someone is hurting.
That God loves me, even when others speak harshly (I’m still working on embracing this).
The importance of listening before responding (instead of interrupting first).

This journey has made me a better person, a more loving husband, and a kinder Christian. I’m grateful that I now share a deep emotional bond with Emily. We value honest vulnerability, which allows me to trust her with my struggles and insecurities, not just my strengths. God revealed Himself to me and helped me to see Him as He really is. He healed my wounds and set me free from lies that I had believed about myself, others and even Him.

Blessings,

Jeff Stephenson

Shepherding Ministry Director

Jeff Stephenson

QUALIFICATIONS

Certified Facilitator in Men Skills, Renewing your Mind, Identity, Premarital, & Marriage Skills
Gap Community Experience- Rebuilding Trust Workshop/Understanding Victim Mentality
Ultimate Leadership - GrowthSkills.org- Townsend Institute
Trained in Restoration Coaching- Restoration Therapy Level 1