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Caren S. Dillman
Caren S. Dillman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has chosen this time in her career to specialize in working with clients with posttraumatic stress disorder, (PTSD...view moreCaren S. Dillman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has chosen this time in her career to specialize in working with clients with posttraumatic stress disorder, (PTSD). She is certified in EMDR, a therapeutic tool that she uses to assist clients who have experienced trauma on any level. She and her husband, David, live and work together in private practice in Northern California.
You can reach Caren Dillman at:
caren_dillman@hotmail.com | http://Cornerstonepsychologicalcenter.com | 916-751-9347
“Everybody's got a story to tell and everybody's got a wound to be healed.” The first time I heard those lyrics sung by the artist Plump, I wanted to declare, “Yes we all have a story to tell and we all have wounds to heal. A light needs to be shined on the truth and our stories need to be told!” Imagine what could happen if we believed we were safe to share our stories without consequences of judgment or rejection? Our freedom and path towards healing would be liberating. I find it interesting that after years of working through my issues from several different approaches, that I would continue to face shame. While it no longer has a debilitating grip, its shadow hovers above me occasionally penetrating my psyche, rendering me vulnerable to its purpose. It is certainly not an unfamiliar feeling. What is my purpose for sharing my story? Why am I even tackling this? It is so easy to say, I heard God tell me to do this. Actually it isn’t that easy. I know for some this is where they will put the book down. But I did hear Him. I didn’t hear an audible voice either inside my head or outside, but I heard Him in my thoughts. Of course, I questioned Him. I ultimately challenged Him. I reminded Him that I had never desired to be a writer. What I have since learned through this process is that we all have a story to tell.
Always remember what you’ve
Seen God do for you,
And be sure to tell
Your children and grandchildren.
Deuteronomy 4:9
When I reflect back to my father’s death Dec 29th 2008, I marvel at what I now see as having come full circle. I weep when I tell others of the sense of wholeness I felt as I watched him take his last breath. Not because he was dead, although there was some relief in that, but now he would no longer be in pain. He died the way he wanted to. He died at home.
Besides, now I would know how I was going to feel facing the finality of our unresolved issue. I had the awareness that what was taking place was somehow sacred, intimate. Where does my story begin? I really don’t know. I do know it is my story and not a universal one that every reader will agreed with or every family member will approve of.
Twenty years ago, when I first confronted my father I honestly believed that I would confront the secret, he would own it, repent and we would move towards a new level of closeness, I had longed for throughout my life.
In writing my story I hope and pray that others will believe that it is possible to heal. I want to believe that for every individual who holds on to their rage, insecurities and wounds that there will be far more who are willing to choose the hard journey of healing.view less
Books by Caren S. Dillman
I Lost My Marbles: A Personal Story of Childhood Betrayal, Secrecy, Shame & Restoration.