About Lead Survivor Guide, Tanya Joy

Hi, I’m Tanya. My mission is to guide and support individuals who have been affected by domestic abuse. This could be someone who is worried about their loved one that may be in an unhealthy or abusive relationship. It could also be someone who is currently in an abusive relationship or who has decided to leave that relationship. I’ve been where you are. I know how difficult it is to navigate your life around abuse. I’m here to hold your hand throughout your journey and help you find peace, safety, and joy.

I wish someone had been there for me, to help me understand what I was experiencing and teach me the skills I needed to keep me safe. Now, I want to give back; by helping you avoid as much pain and trauma as possible. This is why I created Unbreakable Survivors. The abuse has not broken you. You are a survivor. You will make it through. You don’t have to go through it alone anymore. We’re in this together. Unbreakable Survivors is a safe place for everyone. We believe you, see you, and hear you.

I’m the kind of person that cares deeply about people and animals. I’ve been called an empath because I see the good in everyone, give them the benefit of the doubt, and want to take care of them. That’s a good thing, right? Right, but in my case, it made me a little bit vulnerable. It was easy for me to fall in love and look past any faults. I ended up in an abusive relationship for many years but I didn’t know I was being abused. How could that be? I just thought we had problems like any other couple. We would work through them. It was normal, right? I didn’t know the difference between a healthy, unhealthy, or abusive relationship.

After many years, I was finally able to receive the guidance and support I needed. I found safety and peace, and I felt free. My journey wasn’t easy but now, I have joy in my life. I have found myself again and I am creating the life I want for myself. My future is bright and I have gifts to share with you.

My greatest joy in life are my kids. They are kind, strong, and resilient. I learn more from them than they do from me. In my spare time, I love to play with my pets, hike, and sing. Although I grew up near the beach, I feel most at home in the mountains.

So, what qualifies me to help you? Besides my personal experiences with abuse, I have a bachelor’s degree in human services, which is similar to social work. I spent my entire college career researching and studying about domestic abuse. I was passionate about learning how abuse affects individuals, how to help them, and resources that are available for them. I received training from state abuse specialists, where I learned more about how to treat each client with cultural competence. I also volunteer as a crisis counselor for a nationwide crisis hotline. Interacting with individuals in crisis has been a humbling and spiritual experience for me. These individuals are sharing some of their worst moments and thoughts with me. I am grateful that we are able to work together to help them come up with ways for them to make it through their crises.

I would love to help you through your crisis. You are the expert of your own life, so we will follow your lead. You make the choices that are best for you and your family. We will give you the knowledge, skills, and support you need to improve your circumstances. You can learn more about the individualized programs we offer by clicking here or navigating to Programs, on our website menu.

I look forward to working with you!

‘Til next time,

Tanya