In this episode of Just Healing, Dr. Debra talks with Maren Casada, a victim advocate and returning SCRIPT Conference presenter, about the concept of active healing—a survivor-centered approach that emphasizes taking ownership of your healing journey without the pressure to forgive.
Maren shares her personal experiences with trauma, the challenges of navigating family dynamics, and why survivors don’t owe forgiveness to their abusers. Instead, she highlights how active healing creates space for self-empowerment, growth, and boundaries - while still allowing for setbacks along the way.
✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:
What active healing is—and how it differs from forgiveness
Why forgiveness is optional, not mandatory, for survivors
How cultural and religious expectations complicate healing
The importance of boundaries and removing toxic people from your circle
Practical tools for building a self-directed healing practice
🌟 SCRIPT Conference
Maren will be presenting Active Healing vs. Forgiveness at the SCRIPT Conference (September 29–30 at the California Endowment Center). This free, community-focused event also offers continuing education credits for professionals.
👉 Learn more & register: thescriptconference.com
🔗 Connect with Maren Casada:
Email: marencasada@gmail.com
Instagram: @casadamaren
LinkedIn: Maren Casada
🌱 Episode takeaway:“You don’t owe anyone forgiveness. Healing and forgiveness are not mutually exclusive - you can heal without forgiving.”
Learn more about MenHealing : www.menhealing.org