Episode Summary
UK-based psychotherapist Lee Freeman shares his story of surviving childhood abuse, being diagnosed with CPTSD, and the life‑shifting discovery that he was donor‑conceived with over 1,000 biological half‑siblings.
This emotional conversation explores family secrets, reclaiming identity, building chosen family, and the lifelong work of healing and resilience.
Episode Sponsored by The HelpHUB™
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Takeaways
• Childhood trauma and abuse
• Discovering over a thousand siblings through DNA testing
• The impact of family secrets on identity
• Building a new family and community
• Therapy and healing from complex PTSD
• The importance of resilience and strength in overcoming adversity
• The role of therapy in unlearning negative beliefs
• The journey of self-discovery and acceptance
• The power of shared stories and community support
• Lee’s work as a therapist helping others navigate trauma
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Lee Freeman’s story and background
01:56 - Childhood trauma and family secrets revealed
05:12 - Discovering over a thousand siblings through DNA testing
10:03 - Building a new family and the annual reunions
14:56 - Dealing with family betrayal and disowning toxic relationships
20:06 - The impact of trauma and therapy on healing
25:01 - Lee’s journey as a therapist and survivor
30:00 - Unlearning negative beliefs and building self-confidence
35:09 - The role of resilience and strength in overcoming adversity
39:57 - The importance of community and shared stories
45:00 - What being a survivor means to Lee today
46:51 - Closing thoughts and gratitude
47:45 - End of episode and final remarks
Mental Health Resources
• If you or someone you know is struggling, please call 988 for help.
• The Survivors Podcast Website – https://thesurvivors.net/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)
• Surviving: Finding Hope After Suicide Loss (Familius Books) (https://a.co/d/00Zthp5f)
• The HelpHUB™ – Mental health resources, tools, and support networks – https://www.thehelphub.co/
• Find Lee Freeman and his work here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-freeman-45a353238/
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See you next week! In the meantime, keep surviving.