ROBERT SMITH
robertsmith@wamalliance.org

My name is Rob, and I am an empathetic healer who uses my personal experiences to help and heal others. Living in different cultures around the globe, I have learned to understand other beings and walks of life, and that there are different paths to healing and happiness. Sharing that knowledge is important, it’s a collaboration for the benefit of all humans.

At age 23 I spearheaded an intervention to help my father to become sober from abuse of alcohol and substances. Over 29 years I would learn first-hand about addiction, addict behavior, how to manage relationships steeped in addiction, and the long journey of treating addiction. I participated in AA, NA and CA with my father, and Al-Anon on my own. While the step-programs are effective in the beginning, I believe that the real healing occurs when we confront the truth of our own traumas and work through them. Loving ourselves is paramount, especially if we are to love others.

In 2008 I nearly lost my life and while the experience was physically very traumatic, the spiritual experience is unparalleled. I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

A few years later I met my wife and my stepchildren and learned they are Suicide Loss Survivors – a complex topic and largely misunderstood. Attending workshops, reading blogs and books about Suicide and Suicide Loss Survivors, I endeavor to learn as much as I can. Regardless of the source, PTSD is real, and it can be debilitating as it’s uncontrollable by the one who suffers.

The goal of helping those suffering trauma is to empower people to find their path to healing, and each human is unique. The key is to learn the individual and their story – this spawns a more effective treatment – enabling them to heal and move forward with their life goals.

All I ask is that they help others in turn, to share what they have learned and accomplished –and the ripple moves forward!