TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials from survivors, their loved ones, students, professionals and more. If SHEARED has made a positive impact on your life, please let us know via the form below. In sending us a testimonial via this form, you are giving us permission to share it on our website and other materials. Link to College Speaking Engagement Student Feedback Questionnaire Results.
"I found SHEARED.org first through Twitter. Other followers who read about my posts and bio about multiple abuses and my suicide attempt led me to the video to "BreakTheSilenceBreakThe Cycle," a campaign by Marissa Ghavami. I watched it and cried. I SO wanted to not just tweet about the severe, long-term abuses I've suffered for the past 3-4 years and the "Chronic Pain Syndrome" I developed from the chronic and acute stress, but wanted REAL HELP that I was NOT getting from 3 1/2 years of ongoing, regular visits to a Psychiatrist, a Neuropsychologist, 2 Neurologists, 2 Pain Management Drs, as well as 3 inpatient Mental Health Hospital stays during that time.
I tried and almost succeeded at killing myself - my suicide letter details the abuse and how it already "took my life as I once knew it" (happy and healthy before it started). I was Hospitalized, by State Law mandate, because of the deliberate nature of my attempt and the detailed letter expressing my wish to die to "stop the pain". But the hospital admitted they were powerless to stop the outside abuses that were continuing. Neuropsychological Evaluations indicate I am still at the "Very Highest Risk for Suicide", "Very Highest Scores for Depression, Anxiety and Panic Disorders".
So, I am NOT getting better, NOT directly addressing my PTSD for the variety of abuses, NOT improving my severe daily pain condition those stresses/diagnoses have caused - in fact I'm getting progressively worse. Needing more and more pain medications - on TOP of the ultimately unsuccessful daily anxiety and depression medications.
I followed Marissa's video directions, as well as the empathy given by her and her "SHEARED" people, encouraging me ever so gently and in a non-threatening, accepting manner. SO SUPPORTIVE and PERSONAL and GENEROUS WITH THEIR TIME FOR ME! I wanted to post my pledge anonymously for now. They encouraged me to start where I felt comfortable. Just my writing down the many abuses and the symptoms/conditions they caused was SO THERAPEUTIC! But I held onto them before sending the picture in. I needed to do it in steps because I felt so weak and battered and powerless. When I soon sent them in, I heard right back from both SHEARED.org people and Marissa personally. They applauded my courage. They empathized with what I'd written and gave such encouragement and support. They still are doing so.
Then, shortly after my pledge, I got a call from Marissa personally! We talked for at least a couple of hours!! She told me some of her background, told me how she'd HEALED from multiple traumas and the pain condition that her traumas caused. She gave me resources, facilities, books, Trauma Expert Drs' names near where I live,...she was "AN ENCYCLOPEDIA" of trauma and recovery from trauma knowledge! And so down-to-earth and relatable. I cried during our conversation numerous times. I could not believe someone "got" what I've been through, "got" what it did to my mind and body, and, especially someone who CAME OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT!! She RECOVERED!
Marissa Ghavami gave me HOPE! Hope not to see suicide as my only way out of this nightmare of my mind and body torment. Hope that I'd NOT RECEIVED IN 3-4 YEARS REGULARLY BEING TREATED BY TRADITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS, MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS, NEUROLOGISTS, PAIN DRS. Her research into the subject of TRAUMA is phenomenal. She should be giving the "experts" seminars on the subject of Trauma and PTSD and the mind/body effects. She should be teaching "experts" how NOT TO SIMPLY "MASK" SYMPTOMS WITH MEDICATIONS but to learn how to HEAL their trauma patients!! Heal their patients FOR GOOD! So they can recover their health and reclaim their lives! Like Marissa did and is now so unselfishly USING her recovery for GOOD - TO HELP OTHERS GOING THROUGH THE SAME TYPES OF TRAUMAS/SYMPTOMS.
Marissa HELPED, ENCOURAGED, ENLIGHTENED AND EMPOWERED ME MORE, in our couple of hours conversation, THAN ALL THE MANY, MANY MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH "PROFESSIONALS" I've been being treated by in the past 3-4 YEARS!! She had MORE COMMAND of the subject of trauma and its treatment than any of the MANY "experts" who have been treating me > with NO positive results, mentally or physically. I'm WORSE, actually.
But, thanks to Marissa, who has so generously and kindly followed up with me many times since our conversation of only 2 days ago, I NOW AM CONVINCED I WILL WIN THIS BATTLE IN MY MIND AND BODY with her help and direction. That is PRICELESS and LIFE-SAVING in my case."
- Survivor of Political Mob Bullying, Stalking, Harassment (Anonymous) 10/12/2014
"My name is Jessica Baetz, I am an Actor and Model who believes in and supports SHEARED. SHEARED Founder, President and CEO, Marissa Ghavami and I studied together with Bill Esper at the esteemed William Esper Studio. When I heard about this organization she created, I finally knew HOW I wanted to be of service to others... I've always had a passion for understanding what motivates people's actions, where they come from and how they can maximize their lives.
Growing up, I've witnessed others and myself REACTING to situations rather than ACTING on them. I remember coming to a time in my life where I felt lost and alone. It took some deep soul searching, reading and healing to find that the actual problem was living in me. (I don't want victims to read this and feel like any abuse is their fault. Could we make it more specific by saying, "the actual problem was the trauma I had endured" as opposed to "living in me"? You are not the problem; the trauma is. Let me know if that sounds okay to you.) The way I responded to the world came a lot from my earlier experiences and the way I was raised. We Adapt! It's a survival instinct. The problem with these life changing moments is our body doesn't forget unless its properly addressed and taken care of. Therefore, these overlooked traumas can lead to natural defenses causing isolation, paranoia, insecurities, aggression, fear, eating disorders and rebellion, just to name a few.
SHEARED has earned my respect by not advocating for masking, medicating, suppressing or numbing the problem but by finding the trigger, healing the experience and breaking the silence to break the cycle and live YOUR TRUE potential.
Unfortunately, this is still a grey topic and there is not enough proper help out there. I believe the SHEARED 'umbrella' of linking all kinds of interpersonal traumas, will help reveal the root problem and lead to healing numerous conditions and soon enough, 'grey' will be considered a color too. If you or someone you know can benefit from this organization please do not hesitate to reach out and help spread the love and caring support of SHEARED."
- Jessica Baetz, Actress and Model, Survivor 10/12/2014
"When I came to SHEARED asking for help, I was convinced I had a handle on my personal issues, that I just had social anxiety and that was what was holding me back from living my life like I wanted to. Founder Marissa Ghavami recognized and helped me realized that social anxiety is just a symptom of the real issue and a small part of my body's reaction to trauma. She helped me ask the hard questions and figure out the root of the problem, which in my case had its roots in childhood emotional neglect and abuse. When it came time to actually finding a qualified therapist that I could start seeing, I was too scared to even pick up the phone. I knew that I wouldn't be able to get out my story or even ask the right questions, so Marissa took the time to personally call and interview about a dozen therapists in my area. SHEARED's knowledge and resources and Marissa's dedication to helping people are absolutely the reason I was able to find the right mental health professional for my needs.
Without SHEARED, I would have lost my way. So many mental health resources out there are not addressing the real issues and because of that, people are not healing from their traumatic experiences. I am so thankful to have my life and power back in my hands again. I am not completely healed from my experiences, but I know that I have an organization on my side that truly understands my journey and what I am up against in my healing process.
Thank you, SHEARED, you have truly saved my life."
- Survivor (Anonymous) 9/22/2014
"As a medical epidemiologist I first came into contact with SHEARED through my research on childhood abuse and subsequent development of obesity and metabolic disorders. Childhood abuse unfortunately plays a huge role in the development of many of our leading causes of death, such as heart disease, respiratory diseases, diabetes, depression, obesity and many others. Abuse is also associated with addiction, imprisonment, social problems and reduced quality of life. I therefore see prevention of childhood abuse as our number one priority for improving public health and quality of life.
I view SHEARED as an absolutely critical organization in helping to spread awareness about how adverse life experiences severely affect our health, and in advocating for increased use of adequate treatment models, including therapy to facilitate healing from abusive experiences, can be applied in health care. I encourage you to get involved in this very worthy cause as well, in whatever capacity you feel drawn to, so that all children can enjoy a safe and harmonious childhood."
- Erik Hemmingsson, Ph.D., Obesity Researcher 9/16/2014
"I discovered SHEARED via Lily Hope Lucario's FB page: Healing from Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and PTSD. I am on disability for CPTSD and in process of trying to heal and rebuild my life that was robbed from me due to my long history or surviving multiple forms/types of abuse which goes back to my childhood. SHEARED has given me the advocacy and support I have been searching for years and words cannot express my deep gratitude to Marissa and the SHEARED Team."
- Anna Maniex, Survivor 2/8/2015