Hosted and produced by J'aime Rothbard Follow and Subscribe to The Gifts of Trauma on Apple Podcasts Follow and Subscribe to The Gifts of Trauma on Spotify  If you feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, or yearn for a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment, Rhonda's transformative journey is a powerful testament to both the power of self-discovery and the healing potential that lies within each of us. Her story is a compelling reminder that by confronting our fears, embracing self-compassion, and seeking support, we can unlock our true potential and live authentically. The deeply personal experiences she shares with grace and deep vulnerability, ignite a beacon of hope, inspiring us to embark on our own journeys of self-discovery and healing.  Inspired by the teaching of Dr. Gabor Maté, Rhonda embarked on a profound exploration of her inner self, uncovering the root causes of her emotional pain and discovering the coping mechanisms that she had developed to deal with that pain. Through this courageous process, Rhonda realized that true transformation begins with self-recognition, a pivotal moment when she saw herself for who she truly is. This self-awareness allowed her to explore her diagnosis of CMS, a neuromuscular disorder and permanent disability, and confront the intense fear that had been running her life. With curiosity and non-judgment she was able to unveil the origins of her emotional barriers and deep-seated beliefs, which led to a movement of emotional healing. Rhonda's journey was not a solitary one. She learned the invaluable lesson of asking for help and sharing her experiences with others, learning to be with her emotions, and fostering a sense of support. Plant medicine served as a powerful tool for internal exploration, helping her confront those emotions and facilitate her awareness and healing process. Perhaps most profoundly, Rhonda realized that her true beauty and worth were not defined by her physical appearance, ability, and disability, but by her capacity to connect with others from a place of inner beauty and compassion. This connection to herself empowers her to embrace her authentic self while navigating the challenges of disease, societal expectations (and her own), and experience liberation from the constraints that these expectations impose. As a practicing psychotherapist, Rhonda’s approach is rooted in her own profound experience of uncovering the implicit memories, stories, and beliefs that unconsciously drove her behavior. By courageously delving into her own inner world, she realized the power of self-recognition in catalyzing lasting change.   If you're seeking a path to self-acceptance and emotional liberation, Rhonda Nelson's story is a shining example of the transformative power that lies within each of us. It invites us to embrace the courage to confront our own inner barriers, and uncover our own authenticity, connection, and inner beauty. Rhonda is a Psychotherapist | Master Practitioner in Clinical Counseling and Qualified Clinical Supervisor. She is also a Plant Medicine Integration Specialist, Compassionate Inquiry founding facilitator, private mentor, and certification reviewer. Compassionate Inquiry is the foundation upon which she works, integrating other somatic modalities in which she is fully trained including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic EMDR Therapy, and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). She also draws from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Hakomi and the Polyvagal Theory. In 2014 she came across the work of Dr. Gabor Maté and began a dedicated self-exploration using his books, teachings, and recommended readings. With these and an introduction to plant medicine work she journeyed toward physical, mental, and emotional transformation. In 2017, she joined Gabor’s original team of plant medicine practitioners to provide processing and integration support to retreat participants abroad. She continues this profound work i