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Why Community Is the Medicine
Healing from family dysfunction takes more than insight—it takes connection.
That’s why being part of a peer community is not just helpful—it’s crucial.
Here's what happens when you surround yourself with people who’ve lived it too:
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Validation That Heals: You’re not crazy or overreacting—your feelings make sense. And hearing “me too” changes everything.
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Reflections That Reveal: Seeing your story in someone else’s helps you understand yourself in ways solo healing never could.
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Wisdom You Can Use: Real-life tools, shared by people who’ve actually been through it—not just therapists or textbooks.
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The Struggle is Normalized: Healing isn’t linear—and here, setbacks don’t mean you’ve failed. They mean you’re human.
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Relational Healing, Not Just Insight: We don’t just talk about trauma—we practice safe relationships, together.
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You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone: The work is still yours, but in this community, you finally have people to carry it with.
THE SHITSH W IS FOR YOU IF:
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You’ve just realized your childhood messed up more than you thought and you’re not sure what to do about it
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You don’t have anyone in your life who really gets what it means to be an adult child
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You’ve been in therapy, read the books, maybe even got sober—but still feel stuck
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You want to heal, but you don’t want it to feel so damn lonely
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You’re ready to break the cycle—and maybe even laugh a little along the way
What You Get When You Damn the Join!
24/7 Peer Support: Instant access to an authentic, trauma-informed community that’s always there
Live Support Groups: 6+ weekly zoom sessions where you can share, vent, and break isolation
Healing Modalities & Resources: Resources and convos on a wide range of trauma recovery tools and modalities, because healing isn’t one-size-fits-all
Specialized Small Groups: Tailored spaces for tackling specific struggles with people who truly get it
Connection That Leaves the Chat: Build real-deal friendships through daily support, in-person Shitshow meetups, and community retreats
Fun in DysFUNCtional: A community that’s equal parts vulnerable and hilarious—because healing shouldn’t be all doom and gloom
WEEKLY GROUP SCHUEDULE (all in EST)
SHITSHOW FAQ'S
Is this affiliated with ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families)?
Nope! While many members are familiar with ACA and its concepts, The Shitshow is an independent peer support community. It was created to provide a safe, dynamic, and deeply connected space for healing from relational and developmental trauma. We’re inspired by ACA’s framework—but we’re not formally affiliated. This community explores a wide range of healing modalities and resources that go beyond traditional 12-step models. And unlike most structured meetings, Shitshow groups feel more intimate, flexible, and casual—more like connecting with friends who actually get it.
What are the groups like?
Think: safe, supportive Zoom calls where people show up raw, real, and ready to do the damn work. Some people share, others just listen. We laugh, we cry, we validate. There’s structure, but not rigidity—and every group is trauma-informed, compassionate, and judgment-free. We kick off each meeting with a minute of silence to get grounded, then open the floor for anyone who wants to share—a struggle, a win, a vent, whatever’s present. After that, we dive into a short reading and open discussion, where folks can share reflections on the reading or whatever else is on their heart. Groups typically run for an hour, but we’ll go a bit over if people need space to share. You can come late, leave early, stay the whole time—it’s your healing, your pace.
What if I don’t feel comfortable sharing?
Totally okay. You don’t have to say a word if you’re not ready. Just showing up is enough. Many members start off listening and only begin sharing when it feels right for them. This space moves at your pace.
Is The Shitshow right for me if I’m new to healing?
Absolutely. You don’t need to “know the lingo” or have a perfect trauma timeline. Whether you’re brand new to this work or deep into your healing journey, this community meets you where you are. Come as you are—messy, curious, unsure—and we’ll hold space for you anyway.
I’m in therapy—do I still need this?
Hell yes. Therapy is amazing, but it’s not a substitute for community. In The Shitshow, you get to practice what you’re learning in therapy in real-time connection with real people. It’s the integration piece most of us never had.
What if I’ve been in recovery a long time—will this still help me?
Yes. Whether you’ve been sober or in therapy for 10+ years or you’re just beginning, there’s always deeper healing to do. This community adds the layer most of us missed: real, consistent, safe connection with others who get it.
Still have questions? Send an email to andrea@adultchildpodcast.com.
Recent Episodes: Voices From the Community
I created The Shitshow because I couldn’t find what I needed most.
I wanted to be around people who got it—who weren’t stuck in victim-mode, but who were showing up, doing the work, and holding space for others doing the same. I needed real connection. Safety. A place where vulnerability wasn’t just allowed, but celebrated.
That’s exactly what this community became.
This isn’t just another healing space—it’s a place where you can come as your full, messy, still-in-progress self and be met with open arms. Where strangers become soul friends. And where healing doesn’t have to feel so damn lonely.
- Andrea Ashley, Queen of the Shitshow