S5 Episode 34: The Pain of Betrayal with Dr. Jennifer J. Freyd, PhD

Dr. Jennifer Freyd is a world-renowned psychologist, researcher, and author whose groundbreaking work has reshaped our understanding of trauma, memory, and betrayal. Dr. Freyd is Professor Emerit of Psychology at the University of Oregon, Affiliate Professor of Psychology and Affiliate Professor of Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies at the University of Washington, and Founder and President of the Center for Institutional Courage. Over the past four decades, Dr. Freyd has been at the forefront of studying how the people and institutions we trust the most can cause the deepest harm and, more importantly, how we can heal from it. As an internationally recognized expert on Betrayal Trauma Theory, Dr. Freyd has revealed how our minds adapt to survive when those closest to us - parents, partners, mentors, institutions, etc., betray our trust. Her research has revolutionized the way we understand trauma responses, showing that forgetting, denial, and even self-blame can be coping mechanisms rather than signs of weakness. Dr. Freyd as founder and president of the Center for Institutional Courage, has shed light on Institutional Betrayal; how organizations, workplaces, and systems protect abusers and silence survivors instead of standing for justice. Dr. Freyd's work provides not just a diagnosis of these failures, but a blueprint for courage, integrity, and real systemic change. Her book, Betrayal Trauma: delves into the complex and often hidden world of betrayal trauma, explaining why survivors so often struggle to name their experiences and why healing requires more than just remembering, it requires breaking through the silence and reclaiming self-trust. Through her work, Dr. Freyd has given language to pain that had none, validated the experiences of countless survivors, and proven that even in the face of betrayal, whether personal or institutional, healing is possible, justice is worth fighting for, and courage is contagious.

Connect with Dr. Freyd:

Website - www.jjfreyd.com

Dr. Freyd's Books - www.jjfreyd.com/books

Resources for Changemakers: www.institutionalcourage.org/resources-for-changemakers

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