After Childhood Trauma, He’s Reluctant to Ask for Help

Brad does not feel comfortable speaking with his Costa Rican mom about the childhood sexual abuse he experienced. But a recent family tragedy is making him rethink the need for these difficult conversations. And Luis Resendez, a therapist who specializes in men’s mental health, speaks with Juleyka about how to be a better listener in times of crisis, and shares strategies to help us open up.

This episode discusses some difficult topics, such as self-harm, child sexual abuse, and suicide. If you decide to listen, please take care of yourself.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential and emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. It's available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat on their website at 988lifeline.org. 

If you loved this episode, listen to Giving Advice to Parents and Redefining Manhood with Papí.

Featured Expert: 

Our expert this week is Luis Resendez, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, adjunct professor, and CEO and founder of Vida Emotional Wellness. He is also the author of What About Dad?: Understanding and Addressing Postpartum Depression in Men. Luis was born in San Bernardino and has lived in the Inland Empire most of his life. He graduated from both San Bernardino Valley College and Cal State San Bernardino (B.A., Criminal Justice) and began his mental health career as a residential counselor at a boy’s home in the eastern San Gabriel Valley in 2004. A year later he became the in home behavior specialist for an agency based in Los Angeles County. After obtaining my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy 2010 from Pacific Oaks College, he began full time work as a community based therapist for an intensive outpatient (Full Service Partnership) program in the Highland Park region of Los Angeles. In 2012 he returned to the eastern San Gabriel Valley to start a gardening based group therapy program for a public mental health agency in Pomona. In 2015 he passed the California state licensing exam and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Learn more about his private practice, Vida Emotional, here.