Sidney Turner’s own experiences with trauma and the mental health challenges that stem from it inspired her career as a psychologist and researcher. It also led to the founding of Sarasota nonprofit Resilient Retreat, which provides free, evidence-based online and in-person programs for adult survivors of trauma and abuse.
“Trauma is really connected to pretty much every mental health disorder,” says Turner. “But the thing that inspires me the most is that healing is always possible. No matter what age you are, no matter how severe your symptoms are, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.”
The process can be difficult, but it can also provide rewards. “I feel like some of my biggest learning opportunities in my life have come from my biggest struggles,” she says. “Just learning that you can persevere and really gaining a sense of purpose and meaning from my experiences has been a driving force in my own personal life. And I’ve witnessed that in people I’ve worked with who’ve experienced trauma. Going through their biggest challenges in life have often left them with more meaning and more value to their lives and more appreciation for every day.”