{"id":271021,"date":"2025-10-22T15:46:45","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T13:46:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/paarlpost\/?p=271021"},"modified":"2025-10-22T15:46:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T13:46:49","slug":"survivor-speaks-of-her-journey-to-trauma-counselling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/paarlpost\/survivor-speaks-of-her-journey-to-trauma-counselling\/","title":{"rendered":"Survivor speaks of her journey to trauma counselling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Taking the first steps towards healing and choosing a better life for oneself, however steep or high the hill to cross may be, is what trauma counsellor Louise Pietersen strives to ensure in her interventions in the situations of others, those who sorely need her services. Also, that they do not have to take the journey alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pietersen recently launched a non-profit company, Let’s Arise, in Paarl that is dedicated to helping everyone who comes knocking for help. The initiative arose after she herself had faced some of life’s difficult battles, such as gender-based violence, drug abuse and having been molested as a child. She has turned her pain into her power and rose above everything that was meant to break her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Guided by the inspiring slogan, ‘Step Out to Step In’, Let\u2019s Arise encourages individuals to step out of pain, fear and limitation, and step into healing, purpose and transformation,” she pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I had to step out to step in. Step out of pain, fear, and brokenness \u2013 to step into healing, purpose, and power. That\u2019s what Let\u2019s Arise NPO is about; giving others the chance to step out and step in.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year Pietersen also reached the milestone of being 10 years drug-free. She recalled the time in her life when she had to live in a shelter for abused women<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I stayed at a shelter and saw how women are with one another. It’s not easy to share your story. I was privileged to go on a writing retreat during those years, when I learnt to write my story. That was the first step towards my healing; to learn to write my story.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today she is also an ambassador of the 1 000 Women Trust who stand against gender-based violence and femicide, while raising funds and awareness. According to Pietersen the foundation of Let’s Arise is rooted in God who laid the mission on her heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Last year God spoke to me already. I got different signs where God told me to step out [at my current job]. I have to close the door, because he wants to open a new door. February of this year God just told me “you have stood still at this mountain for too long.” On 26 March of this year I stepped out in faith as operational manager of Radio KC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This is where Let’s Arise slogan comes from and why I say Let’s Arise, because many times people are so stuck in something. They don’t realise that they have to step out so they can step in. I had to step out of a lot of things to be able to step in. I was in mourning for almost two months after I left my job. I literally laid down and cried before God. Then I reconnected with 1 000 women and realised I have been clean from drugs for 10 years. Then it occurred to me that this is what the Lord wanted me to do. I this what I can do in Drakenstein?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Charlene
Charlene Elliott and Louise Pietersen at the launch of Let’s Arise NPC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another reason for Pietersen to establish an organisation such as Let’s Arise is a heartbreaking one; he son was also molested. She felt that the system had failed him too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“As a trauma counsellor and GBV warrior it felt as if my hands had been cut off when I was told my child had ADHD, so he would not be able to testify in court. His case was based on forensics. It led to the uncle’s arrest, and now, about two months ago, he died. My child has not yet received trauma counselling through the system. He has not yet received help. He is now on ADHD medication, but the system failed him, and I believe that’s the reason I became a qualified trauma counsellor.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local motivational speaker Charlene Elliot also attended the opening of Let’s Arise. She said: “It reminded me once again of the power of unity and the incredible things that can happen when people come together with one purpose: to rise and to help others rise with them.”
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s Arise of the following key services:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

* Trauma counselling and psychosocial support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

* A 24\u201348-hour emergency safe room for victims needing immediate protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

* Affordable educational tours to give rural communities access to new opportunities and experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

* Event planning and management for community-building initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

* Affordable tutoring to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds access quality education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

* Building sustainable partnerships with schools, businesses, and community organisations across Drakenstein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more details contact Louise Pietersen on 079 179 6307 or 084 988 5849. <\/strong>Alternatively, email letsarisenpc@gmail.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Taking the first steps towards healing and choosing a better life for oneself, however steep or high the hill to cross may be, is what trauma counsellor Louise Pietersen strives 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