I’m sharing this with care and humility during a season where healing has needed to come first. I am a PhD student in Clinical Psychology, and my path here has been shaped by a long history of complex trauma, including growing up in foster care and navigating inconsistent sources of support. Like many with CPTSD, layers of earlier trauma can resurface when new harm occurs. This has been true for me despite the many barriers I've already over come throughout my journey towards healing and wholeness.

During my doctoral training, I experienced a traumatic sexual assault that significantly impacted my mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. In the context of complex trauma, recovery has required slowing down and engaging more intentionally in care. As a clinician in training, I believe it is both a personal and ethical responsibility to address these realities fully, not only for my own healing, but so that I can show up safely, grounded, and responsibly for those I am called to serve.

This period of focused healing has created extreme financial strain. The support raised here would help temporarily cover basic living and medical needs (including therapy), allowing me the stability to continue recovery and remain connected to my academic path with integrity. Asking for help is not easy for me, but I am learning that healing was never meant to happen in isolation.

I am deeply grateful for the compassion, prayers, and generosity of this community. Any support, whether financial, shared, or held in prayer, is received with sincere gratitude. I continue to hold hope, to trust God’s provision, and to believe in the calling placed on my life. Thank you for walking alongside me during this tender and necessary season.

Side note: My friend Katie was so generous to set this page up for me, but I have written the campaign story. Therefore, for the purpose of clarification, this is the funding page and story of me, Patches Thomas.