ĀIO: a road to peace

23.Jemma Bennet on becoming a therapist, overcoming loss, abuse and reconnecting with her Māoritanga

ĀIO: a road to peace

Show Notes

Today on the pod we have Jemma Bennet an educator/counsellor/sex therapist in private practice in Tauranga Moana. She is a mum of five and is of Māori and Pākehā descent. Jemma is passionate about having kōrero (conversations) that supports holistic wellbeing with a focus on facilitating greater emotional wellbeing through loving communication and obliterating shame, approached through an ever growing te Ao Māori lens.

Jemma has had this incredible life, she has been served a series of challenging experiences that have allowed her to touch a vast range of human emotion - what an amazing canvas to then becoming a therapist. She intimately shares her story of loss, which led to a devastating disconnection to her culture. She speaks on being in a psychologically abusive relationship and overcoming negative inner self talk. She provides tools and insights to support us through seasons of grief and how we can better support people who are grieving loved ones.

This is a powerful episode that is heartful, relatable and incredibly insightful.

We talk about how Jemma is on the journey to reconnecting with her māoritanga, how to work with triggers, healing in relationship and understanding there is whakapapa (lineage) to mamae (pain).

What we cover:

Jemma tells her story of grief, abuse and loss Her disconnection to her Māoritanga and the reclamation of her voice Working through triggers Shifting negative internal dialog Healing in relationship Becoming a therapist and leaving an abusive relationship Engaging more Māori in counseling An important conversation around sexual health and wellbeing. The whakapapa (lineage) of grief Working with Grief, it's a journey not a destination. Tools to support a grieving friend POTENTIAL TRIGGERS Please discern for yourself. We discuss: Physiologically abusive relationship Eating disorders Mention of sexual Abuse Misscarridge JEMMA BENNET instagram | @the_maori_therapist

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