You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist

Human trafficking is a hot button issue, and the question of whether so-called “sex work” can ever be empowering for women looms large in the culture wars today. But what is the reality of the sex industry for those who have survived it? How does it impact their most intimate relationships, and what are the ripple effects on relationships at large? Oftentimes it's those closest to us that can hurt us most, and nowhere is this more true than in the lived experience of women who’ve navigated the fraught landscape of domestic abuse, trafficking, and sexual exploitation. This week, Michelle Kelly shares her story of survival and healing, shining a light on the more common, yet dangerous and sometimes deadly practices surrounding the sex trade. Like many things in life, even sex trafficking can sneak up on people in moments of vulnerability. In this episode, we address the impact of pornography on sexuality, the link between the queer movement and the sex industry, along with Michelle’s personal story and activism. Is selling sex ever empowering for women? And what do therapists need to know in order to help women who have survived it? 

Michelle Kelly is a bestselling author and sexual violence and exploitation survivor, writing about feminism, the sex trade and trauma healing. Find her writing on Substack.

Michelle’s twitter should be active again in September, so you’ll be able to follow her soon  @MKellyWrites

Michelle’s book, “Eyes Wide Open,” is available via this Amazon affiliate link or in my bookshop! I also mentioned the book, “The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-Ups” by Leonard Sax. You can find that via this Amazon affiliate link or in my bookshop as well. Sales from both help support my work. Thank you!

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-373-7888 to speak with a specially trained Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocate. Support is provided in more than 200 languages.

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Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

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