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From Diagnosis to Dreaming Again with Dr. Jennifer “Kaylene” Carter

For years Kaylene experienced many medical symptoms and illnesses. After a long journey, she was diagnosed with Complex PTSD. While in treatment she was able to link the medical challenges she had been faced with to the trauma from the abuse she endured as a child.

 

Today on the show, From Diagnosis to Dreaming Again with Dr. Jennifer “Kaylene” Carter, we share her courageous journey to heal from Complex PTSD, Fibromyalgia and overcome the hold it had on her life. She began dreaming again, wrote and published her first book and shares her journey with anyone that would like to overcome their own challenges in life.

Kaylene has a passion for poetry and songwriting. She is a singer and songwriter and is working as a Professor and Life Coach for entertainers. She is the author of the book: WHEN THE MIRROR SHATTERS, Breaking the Bondage of Performance Mentality.

Topics we cover in this interview:

  • Different types of abuse in relationships and resources to spot it
  • Strategies to heal from PTSD
  • Physical abuse as a child
  • How to live life on your own as a teenager

Kaylene was abused by her mother from a young age. A neighbour who was like a Grandma to her intervened and for a while, her Mother quit hitting her. Just after she turned 18 her Mother physically assaulted her in a horrific incident that she shares on the podcast interview. You can listen to here.

Before it got better it got worse. Kaylene experienced the loss of family support and the loss of her church family as people picked and chose sides. She tells us that she didn’t know how to spot the signs of abuse and had she been able to, she may have been able to experience healing sooner.

Due to living in captivity and being abused from a young age she experienced a lot of pain and dysfunction in her life. In her teens, she was diagnosed with  Fibromyalgia and in her 20’s PTSD. Some of the symptoms she experienced were:

  • reoccurring nightmares
  • visual flashbacks
  • blood sugar issues from her adrenaline being cranked up too high for so long.
  • back pain
  • headaches

After leaving home she had to support herself and took on jobs as a waitress. Kaylene put herself through school and accomplished her degree. It was a difficult path and opened her up to more abuse. She ended up in relationships that were toxic and didn’t even know until she began to learn about verbal and spiritual abuse.

Finding therapy was a challenge as medical insurance was not available through the jobs she was working. When she was able to find some help, she took the following methods:

Tools to Heal

  • facia release sessions -Trauma can be stored in your facia
  • music therapy
  • writing therapy
  • making self care a priority
  • going to a coffee shop
  • attending a concert
  • making a goal to live the healthiest life possible
  • using a schedule to manage medication
  • remembering to breathe, smile and laugh.
  • a 60 hour outpatient program
  • therapist
  • PTSD workbook

Q. How did you make the connection between your physical body and complex PTSD?

A. “Listen to your body.” She felt it in her body every day throughout her 20’s and 30’s. She used to feel like she was just being lonely at home and then she learned that trauma can be stored in your facia and be released.

Q. Do you celebrate your accomplishments or look for the next win?

A.  She used to look for the next destination but now she knows that more she trusts God and puts her faith in God, knows that God loves her for her and not her accomplishments, she can slow down and enjoy the journey, take time to celebrate.

Q. Tell us more about the book, what is your purpose of writing it?

A. “To give others hope.” She began writing to help others. She tells us it was like a form of therapy for herself and healing. She was able to see all the times that God intervened. Each time she reads her story she feels empowered and this is her hope, that others feel empowered, inspired and have hope for their journey.

Resources:

Nonprofits-

Links:

 

Bio:

Dr. Jennifer “Kaylene” Carter began working in the entertainment industry at the age of thirteen, alongside many up-and-coming stars in Orlando’s pop music scene. As a teenager, she transitioned from acting to singing. Kaylene recorded her first solo album (which she wrote and coproduced) during her senior year of high school. She also worked as a dancer and a runway model, making several appearances on both national and international television. A second solo album followed, which showcased her artistic versatility and style. Her career led her to creative projects in Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York City. Taking her love of lyric to the next level, Kaylene pursued advanced degrees in Creative Writing and Entertainment Business. Driven by her passion for poetry and songwriting, she is now working as a professor and life coach for entertainers.

Gina Johnson
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