We recently connected with Bella Rockman and have shared our conversation below.

Bella, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I was recently invited to speak at a comedy club. On the topic of mental health, specifically relating to the subject of pain. What a tall order! Comedy Club, Mental Health, Pain and at 8:00 am in the morning no less.

I do well on stage, but I am naturally an ambivert, heavy on the introvert side and deal with some social anxiety.

I’m also in a field where we’re expected not to overshare our personal experiences, yet I also am well acquainted with pain as a personal survivor of significant trauma myself.

So my task would be to share, yet not overshare, educate on pain, the brain and how to heal and make them laugh all at the same time.

Thankfully, it was a packed house, sold out, they listened, they laughed – it went even better than expected.

Bella, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I specialize in providing therapy from a brain based approach guiding clients through trauma recovery, nervous system regulation and intergenerational healing.

When I’m not seeing clients one on one, I’m on air on the radio or television working as a Mental Healthcare Media Correspondent.

I got into this field because I have always been curious about human behavior and helping people get “unstuck” and become the very best version of themselves. As a trauma survivor myself, I became incredibly interested in learning how to not only identify our trauma, but how to transform it and not let it completely define us.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

At one time, I got into a very long term relationship with a really charming man, who said all the right things, was full of charisma and seemed to be such an ideal prince charming. At that time, I had no idea about the terms love bombing, future faking, gas lighting or covert abuse. I only thought of abuse as someone being directly and overtly cruel. I didn’t realize “the nice guy” could
be a type of abuser too. Not a loud barking bulldog type, but more or a subtle snake. His charm and affection went only as far as he could control me. I didn’t realize abuse was always about power and control and I didn’t realize it until one time he snapped and became physically violent unexpectedly and unprovoked.
The amount of physical force exerted on me, and this single incident was so great that it was life-threatening. And caused a domino effect of medical issues. The resilience took two physically recuperate and rehabilitate, to rebuild myself and learn to trust life, people, and love again, is greater than I think I can put into words I had every reason to stop. Every reason to doubt myself. Every reason to give up, but I kept going, and re-emerged better than before. I educated myself on relationship dynamics, and what to look for, what not to overlook and sweep under the rug. I also learned that all abuse, and all narcissism doesn’t look the same. More commonly than not, people that you at least expect but when you know what to look out for the flags are definitely there. This is a deeply personal story, but I felt inclined to share it I hope it helps someone , and maybe remind someone that it’s never too late to write a new chapter.
Also, depending on what kind of community you come from and cultural religious expectations, some people think that you should stay silent about these things, or go back and work it out. But my message to people is that abuses never okay. And that we need to ally with and support survivors and not isolate or shame them.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think what helped build my reputation within my market is that I’m unconventional and I’m comfortable with that.

I’m not your everyday therapist that colors inside the lines and gives flat, bland or text book responses. I really want to collaborate with clients and patients to have thought-provoking, engaging, uplifting, inspiring sessions.

I think I’m very much known for, my very direct, compassionate approach. I also incorporate humor into what I do, and in a way I think I make discussing mental health in media fun and thought-provoking instead of only clinical, serious or depressing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jrocktherapyinstitute.com
• Instagram: @Jrocktherapy
• Facebook: @jrocktherapy
• Linkedin: @Jrocktherapy
• Twitter: @jrocktherapy
• Youtube: Jrocktherapy
• Other: Podcast: Jrocktherapy iTunes /Spotify/iheart radio

Image Credits
1st main photo speaking- Thryv Event Photographer Additional 4 photos credit: Nick Berard