Francis Arapis

I consider the White Raven Center a life saving experience for my mind, body and soul. I am an indigenous woman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Indians. I have been in therapy since I was 26 years old and I a now turning 65. I struggled with depression, suicidal ideation and severe body pain for many years. I had succumbed to the drugs and alcohol my people hide in to escape their pain. I was hospitalized in 1990 for clinical depression. I was aware of what was happening but had no answers to support my healing. I was diagnosed with PTSD from childhood trauma in my late 30s and I have spent years struggling to find a way to heal from my pain.

In 2014 I experienced a debilitating trigger to my PTSD that caused me to retreat to seclusion to escape the pain and struggle. I found a therapist online from the Netherlands that understood what I was experiencing and I began to participate in intense EMDR therapy for two years. This method did bring me some relief and awareness of what my battle with my past trauma was, however the healing wasn’t complete. I still knew I needed something more to help with my struggle. The relief I felt was only surface and I began experiencing severe back pain and found myself fighting depression once again. I had pushed myself forward in my life and went back to school to get my master’s degree in social work. I did my internship with our local Health Center that was owned and operated by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. My education increased my knowledge of complex trauma and what it takes to heal from