Tag: post traumatic stress disorder

In this episode Rachel bravely talks about the emotional process of exploring the meaning of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a complicated emotional experience with deep personal meaning. Listen and appreciate the thought provoking reality of surviving a school shooting and confronting the topic of forgiveness.

Rachel Maurice is a survivor of the 2001 Santana High School shooting, she was 16 year old junior and witnessed a 15-year-old classmate kill her friend, Randy Gordon, 17, Bryan Zuckor, 14 and wound thirteen other members of the school community. As a result, she decided to devote her career to the criminal justice field and has a passion helping other survivors of gun violence. She is a member of The Rebels Project and the Everytown Survivor Network both are peer support groups for survivors of violence. Rachel serves as a survivor mentor to the Students Demand Action group of High School aged students in her area. And volunteers her time working with youth by teaching Sunday School. In 2012 she earned her MBA from the University of Redlands & in 2009 her B.A. from California Baptist University. She is married with two daughters and their beloved dog Charlie.

In this episode Rachel shares about her experience surviving the Santana High School Shooting in March 2001. The impact is long lasting. Rachel shares the wisdom she has gained over the years and her inspiring journey to heal from this tragic event.

Rachel Maurice is a survivor of the 2001 Santana High School shooting, she was 16 year old junior and witnessed a 15-year-old classmate kill her friend, Randy Gordon, 17, Bryan Zuckor, 14 and wound thirteen other members of the school community. As a result, she decided to devote her career to the criminal justice field and has a passion helping other survivors of gun violence. She is a member of The Rebels Project and the Everytown Survivor Network both are peer support groups for survivors of violence. Rachel serves as a survivor mentor to the Students Demand Action group of High School aged students in her area. And volunteers her time working with youth by teaching Sunday School. In 2012 she earned her MBA from the University of Redlands & in 2009 her B.A. from California Baptist University. She is married with two daughters and their beloved dog Charlie.

Amy O’Neill is a Survivor of the Boston Marathon Bombing. Amy is a Stakeholder for the National Mass Violence and Victimization Resource Center, a Licensed Professional Counselor and is newly in the OVC TTAC Consultant Network. Ms. O’Neill possess a unique combination of personal and professional experience with trauma recovery process when a victim of Mass Violence or Terrorism. As a Trauma-Informed, 25+ year mental health professional, survivor of the Boston Marathon attack and endurance athlete (3x Ironman Triathlon Finisher and 5x Boston Marathon finisher) Amy has an intimate understanding of adversity, resilience and how to work through challenges including the complicated trauma/survivor experience. Amy O’Neill maintains a private counseling practice and is an Adjunct Professor for the graduate Counseling Psychology Program at Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA and the host of The Trauma Impact Podcast.

Dr. Alyssa Rheingold shares insights on traumatic grief as a result of mass violence. The path to healing is not a straight line but it certainly helps to understand that it is a journey. The loss becomes a “part of your h” says Dr. Rheingold and healing is “learning to carry it lightly.”

Dr. Rheingold is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor at the National Crime Victim’s Research and Treatment Center (NCVC) within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina. She is the Associate Director of Administration and Director of Clinical Operations at the NCVC. In addition, Dr. Rheingold is the Director of the Preparedness, Response & Recovery Division of the National Mass Violence Resource Center. Her expertise includes evidence-based treatment of trauma related mental health issues, grief and loss, and traumatic loss by homicide. Dr. Rheingold is the PI of several federally funded service grants to improve resources for survivors of homicide, domestic violence victims, and underserved victims of crime She was the Co-PI on an OVC AEAP grant to provide ongoing resiliency and recovery services for those impacted by the Charleston Emanuel AME Church shooting and is the PI on an OVC funded grant to develop community response to intra-familial homicide. Dr. Rheingold has published over 60 peer reviewed articles and book chapters in the area of trauma, bereavement, and victimization. She has provided a number of trainings including Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Loss by Homicide, GRIEF Approach, Traumatic Grief, Impact of Witnessing Domestic Violence, Stress Management, and Prolonged Exposure for PTSD.