How to journal for self-awareness

"It's simple, not always easy—but movement, writing, and a little fresh air changed my life." – Lawrence Chrystopher Harris

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth sits down with Lawrence Chrystopher Harris, a youth empowerment speaker who transforms his lived experience of childhood trauma into practical hope for young people and their supporters. Lawrence reflects on growing up as a neurodivergent child in Philadelphia, surviving family abuse, and overcoming alienation, offering an inside look at the barriers he faced and the hard-won lessons that now guide his work.

The conversation centers on accessible tools for healing—journaling, exercise, and getting outdoors—framed as a "mental, physical, spiritual triangle." Lawrence shares how consistent daily practice of these simple habits helped him learn self-reflection, emotional regulation, and self-love, breaking free from patterns of self-doubt and disconnection. He emphasizes the importance of curiosity in self-inquiry, the courage to acknowledge both shadow and light within, and the profound difference between our feelings and our identity. The episode is a powerful call to caregivers, educators, and youth themselves: transformation is possible when we start with manageable, sustainable steps anchored in agency and imagination.

We invite you to listen to the full episode and follow Transforming Trauma on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

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SPACE is an Inner Development Program of Support and Self-Discovery for Therapists on the Personal, Interpersonal, and Transpersonal Levels offered by the Complex Trauma Training Center. This experiential learning program offers an immersive group experience designed to cultivate space for self-care, community support, and deepening vitality in our professional role as therapists. Learn more about how to join.

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The Complex Trauma Training Center (CTTC) is a professional organization providing clinical training, education, consultation, and mentorship for psychotherapists and mental health professionals working with individuals and communities impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). CTTC provides NARM® Therapist and NARM® Master Therapist Training programs, as well as ongoing monthly groups in support of those learning NARM. CTTC offers a depth-oriented professional community for those seeking a supportive network of therapists focused on three levels of shared human experience: personal, interpersonal & transpersonal. The Transforming Trauma podcast embodies the spirit of CTTC – best described by its three keywords: depth, connection, and heart - and offers guidance to those interested in effective, transformational trauma-informed care.

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