Program Overview

Physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, physical neglect, as well as different forms of household dysfunction (such as parental divorce, parental substance abuse or mental health issues) are considered Adverse Childhood Experiences (or ACEs)—and sadly, they are widespread. Extensive research from the last 20+ years has shown that MORE THAN 50% OF ADULTS in the United States have experienced at least one ACE[1]. And while adult survivors may not see their childhood experiences as “adverse” and simply wish to move on and live their lives, their bodies and minds unfortunately often don’t let them. Research shows that ACE survivors have an increased risk for physical health issues (such as cancer, heart disease or asthma; [1,2,3]) as well as mental health issues (such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse;[4]). In fact, it is estimated that OVER 50% OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY CASES are attributable to childhood maltreatment[5]. Yet, most survivors are not aware of—let alone address—their psychological vulnerabilities or mental health issues for many years or even decades[6,7]. This is in part due to their desire to simply “move on”, as well as their lack of awareness of the long-term impact of ACEs on the developing brain and body. Most of them only address it when they feel like they can no longer cope. 

The THRIVE program aims to CHANGE THAT!

The THRIVE program offers FIVE 90-MINUTE SESSIONS that make women ACE survivors more aware of the mental health vulnerabilities associated with ACEs and introduce them to strategies that may strengthen their psychological resilience and sense of agency over their mental wellbeing. In addition to the workshop sessions, participants are also invited to join a PRIVATE COMMUNITY of women ACE survivors and have access to a LIBRARY OF RESOURCES for future exploration. 

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[1] Felitti, Vincent J, Anda, Robert F, Nordenberg, Dale, Williamson, David F, Spitz, Alison M, Edwards, Valerie, . . . Marks, James S. (1998). Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245-258. / [2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019a). Adverse Childhood Experiences. Preventing early trauma to improve adult health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved on October 5, 2021 from https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/aces/index.html. / [3] Waehrer, Geetha M, Miller, Ted R, Silverio Marques, Sara C, Oh, Debora L, & Burke Harris, Nadine. (2020). Disease burden of adverse childhood experiences across 14 states. PloS One, 15(1), E0226134. / [4] Sheffler, Julia L., Stanley, Ian, & Sachs-Ericsson, Natalie (2020). ACEs and mental health outcomes. In Adverse Childhood Experiences (pp. 47-69). / [5] Li, M., D’Arcy, C., & Meng, X. (2016). Maltreatment in childhood substantially increases the risk of adult depression and anxiety in prospective cohort studies: systematic review, meta-analysis, and proportional attributable fractions. Psychological Medicine, 46(4), 717–730. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291715002743 / [6] Thomas, S. P., & Hall, J. M. (2008). Life Trajectories of Female Child Abuse Survivors Thriving in Adulthood. Qualitative Health Research, 18(2), 149–166. / [7] Easton, S. D., Leone-Sheehan, D. M., Sophis, E. J., & Willis, D. G. (2015). “From that Moment on My Life Changed”: Turning Points in the Healing Process for Men Recovering from Child Sexual Abuse. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 24(2), 152–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2015.997413