How to live after a rape? How to overcome such trauma? Victim of a pedophile network during her childhood, Célia Rombaut had to learn to rebuild herself. Today proud of the woman she has become, she helps those who fight day and night against this suffering. Meet.
Celia Rombaut is psycho-corporal therapist specializing in the integration of traumatic memory and the awakening of female sexuality. If she chose this vocation, it is above all to understand the sufferings of her childhood. As a child, Célia was the victim of extreme sexual trauma, she suffered the violence and perversion of a pedophile ring.
“For years I wandered the world, unable to be in my body and in life. A life force that pushed me to read, to explore, then to be accompanied and trained in the fields of psychology, body, energy and spirituality.”
Over time, Célia Rombaut has managed to find access to herself. “Understanding post-traumatic functioning was revolutionary, first for myself, then for my patients.” Today, the therapist shares what she has learned in his book “The layers of the onion” and his YouTube channel. It also created an interactive conference show to make this data accessible to as many people as possible.
Rebuilding after such an ordeal, what does that mean?
For my part, I have dedicated my life to it. What I learned was the importance of a holistic approach, which encompasses the totality of being (body, energy, psychology and spirituality). It seems fundamental to me, in addition to this openness to our multiple dimensions, to get closer to professionals specialized in the integration of trauma. It is necessary to go very gradually to avoid “reactivating” the trauma and the different modes of protection that have been put in place.
I like to talk about an onion layer process and theimportance of consolidation work, that is to say help the person to feel in his body that he is in the present. When she has gained enough security, a traumatic layer is ready to emerge and be integrated. Then again, a consolidation process is put in place. And so on. In this accompaniment towards solidity, a reception of the early period of life is essential. It is in the first interactions that the baby builds his base of security and his ability to sustain emotional intensity. Welcome and soothe these moments of life provides grounding and confidence supporting the process of emergence and integration of new traumatic layers. Thus, accompanied by a competent, solid and emphatic therapist, the process can descend into the depths of being.
In your book, you say that your “word is a cry to the world”. What do you mean by that?
Today, I feel there. I love the woman I’ve become and all areas of my life are aligned with my values. I know great moments of openness, joy and love. At times, I am “activated” by past memories not yet integrated. I face it with kindness and I continue to walk with confidence.
There is in me a powerful impulse to testify. My cry to the world is this voice that rises to say that it is possible to get out of tetany, anxiety and depression. It is possible to thrive sexually after such violence. And not only is it possible, but going through these trials reveals unsuspected gifts. To descend so deeply into the horrors, one must open oneself so much that light and love can only rush in and radiate with all their power.
What advice would you give to someone who has gone through a difficult ordeal similar to yours?
I often recommend ICV therapy (Life Cycle Integration). It is a therapeutic method that works very finely on the integration of trauma by alternating consolidation and repair protocols.
I also invite the person to open up to a holistic approach. Developing awareness of the body, of energy, opening up to spiritual dimensions, walking in a therapeutic group… This is the path that I propose in my support for women. And once again, a first step can be understanding how traumatic memory works. Knowing that our states and our reactions are normal consequences following a traumatic event can greatly soothe us, help us to feel less alone and to take the step to seek help. I can only encourage this approach with all my being. Although it may seem difficult and tedious, it is well worth it!
A valuable testimony. To discover the book “The layers of the onion” just meet here.
Living after rape: “It is possible to flourish sexually after such violence”