From the age of eight, Dr Michelle Stevens was brutally tortured and enslaved, raped, and pimped out to countless men by a sadistic paedophile; a man who passed himself off as her father.

After suffering more than ten years of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, Michelle escaped and with superhuman strength, Michelle chose not to give into despair and vowed - that no matter what - she was going to fight for a good, decent, normal life.  But the journey to that “good life” was paved with agony and heartache including psychological breakdowns, suicide attempts and the disorienting onset of Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder).

Michelle went on to study writing at New York University and earned her doctorate in psychology from Saybrook University, where her thesis was honoured as the “Dissertation of Distinction.” 

Michelle has presented her research to the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation and the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, where she also received an award for Outstanding Research and her writing about trauma has appeared in the New York Times, Time, People, Psychology Today, The Huffington Post, Good Housekeeping, and The Hollywood Reporter.

Michelle has penned a remarkable memoir - Scared Selfless: My Journey from Abuse and Madness to Surviving and Thriving and she’s also the Founder and Executive Director of Post-Traumatic Success, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and inspiration of those affected by psychological trauma. 

It is with immense awe and gratitude that I have the honour of welcoming Dr Michelle Stevens to the BRAVE JOURNEYS family… and in case you had any doubts, she is a living miracle… 

Please note that this incredibly powerful and important episode of Brave Journeys talks graphically about sexual abuse and suicide and isn’t remotely suitable for little ears.

If anything you hear during this episode is triggering in any way, please reach out to someone who can keep you safe.  And please remember if you’re in Australia, you can phone Lifeline at any time on 13 11 14.

And for sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling services please call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for 24/7 phone services.

BUT BEFORE YOU GO…

Find Michelle on Twitter here

Follow Michelle on Insta here

Follow Michelle on Facebook here

Find out more about Tam here

Follow Tam on Insta

Follow BRAVE JOURNEYS on Insta

Join the conversation and chat about the episode here

NEED MORE INSPIRATION?

Find other BRAVE JOURNEYS episodes here

CREDITS:

Creator, Host & Executive Producer: Tammi Faraday

With thanks to my special guest: Dr Michelle Stevens

Audio Editor: Zoltan Fecso

With very special thanks to George Weinberg 

BRAVE JOURNEYS acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Yaluk-ut Weelam Clan of the Boon Wurrung who are part of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respect to their Elders, both past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.