I am a speaker, author, and researcher on the subject of childhood sexual trauma. As owner and founder of Views From a Tree House, Inc., I provide healthcare professionals and university personnel with educational programs that offer tools and insight to effectively help survivors of sexual abuse and trauma. My work spans a wide range of venues from addiction and recovery centers to community correction facilities, to HIV outreach programs, to American Indian Affairs to World Association for Sexual Health, Gothenburg, Sweden.
With over 25 years of international speaking and training experience, I deliver a powerful message of compassion and hope that draws on my own history of 20 years of childhood sexual abuse. Using my findings as an avid researcher in neurobiology and the impact of childhood sexual trauma on the mind and body, I present on state-of-the art treatments and clinical interventions that can potentially support survivors towards a journey of recovery.
In my speaking and trainings, I balance a professional approach to dealing with difficult, complex topics with a personal and vibrant style. I creatively design programs to move participants from cognition to self-awareness to direct application in working with those who struggle with trauma and substance abuse. It is my courage that influences audiences to willingly delve into these sensitive issues. My understanding and compassion emit an emotional, psychological "safe space" necessary for participants to thoroughly examine sexual trauma and abuse.
Through high-energy, didactic and experiential based sessions I offer, attendees learn about the strategies and resources for mitigating the impact of sexual trauma. Participants come away with an in-depth understanding of the underpinnings of sexual trauma and ties to clinical challenges such as substance abuse and eating disorders. Restorative measures to heal from the treacherous impact of sexual abuse are presented with clarity, vision, and conviction.
I received a Ph.D. in Health Education with a specialty in Preventive Medicine from Ohio State University. I am the author of a 32-hour curriculum, Sanctuary for Change, on healthy sexual recovery and intimacy for women survivors of sexual trauma.
Dr. Tizzano specializes in the areas of:
- Sexual Violence – Prevention, Self-Advocacy, Disclosure, and Treatment
- Sexual Health for Women and Men with Trauma and Substance Abuse Histories
- Facilitating Recovery from Sexual Trauma
- The Trappings of Intimate Partner Violence
Personal Narrative
Heart races. Chest pounds. I awake, vigilant to the shattering dreams that remain as remnants of the nightmares I have faced. You see, I am not allowed to talk about the moonless nights of my past. The dark, scary monster that imprisoned my fragile soul was not acknowledged in the walls of my home. My tender body crippled by experiences I could not comprehend laid fragile. Tears of terror and shuttering pain remain voiceless even today in the hollows of my form.
At such a young age and for many years, I met face to face with sexual violence that some adults do not survive. While others my age were learning what it felt like to hold hands or to experience the innocence of their first tender kiss, I was learning to navigate the brutal and unpredictable forces of sexual assault."
Germayne B. Tizzano, Ph.D.
Testimonials
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Germayne Boswell Tizzano's curriculum, Sanctuary for Change: A Sexual Health Program for Women in Recovery, addresses an important aspect of women's recovery–sexuality. This topic is often ignored in traditional treatment, yet it is a common trigger for women's relapse. This curriculum helps women to come together to share and talk about their feelings, experiences, and challenges regarding their sexual health. This is a contribution to the addiction field.
– Stephanie S. Covington. Ph.D., LCSW, Author: A Woman's Way through The Twelve Steps
The session with Dr. Tizzano....was rich, insightful and exemplary of the process that fosters the construction of new knowledge.
– Deborah Wilcox, Ph.D. Confluency Consultants Multicultural Organizational Development Services
Germayne Boswell Tizzano is an entrepreneur with passion and vision. She is dedicated to supporting and helping heal women with histories of trauma and abuse. Dr. Tizzano demonstrates her commitment and tenacity through the years of creatively developing an innovative, empowerment-based curriculum which provides women with healthful sexual health choices. She continues to generously share her knowledge and expertise by presenting nationally on sexual health topics. I highly recommend Germayne Boswell Tizzano as competent and insightful professional committed to her life's work.
– Susan Stasiak, Performance Consultant, Stasiak & Associates
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First and foremost, Germayne Tizzano is an educator who provides safety and openness of mind and heart that allow her audiences to participate in the life-changing exercises and activities that she has designed, and which she tirelessly promotes. Her support and compassion for victims of sexual trauma are evident in her words and deeds; she lives what she teaches.
– Muge Galin, Ph. D
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Germayne Tizzano's curriculum, "Sanctuary for Change," is well researched, well-developed, well-written, and appropriate to its target audiences, women with histories of sexual trauma and substance abuse and the people who work with them.
Germayne, herself, is a knowledgeable and skilled teacher and presenter with a skills base that far exceeds the parameters of her written curriculum. She is well-versed in mental health, trauma, and substance abuse issues; and is able to communicate sometimes difficult material gently, but in a well-informed and professional manner. She is creative and imaginative, and integrates these qualities into her workshops and presentations. A multi-cultural perspective is a valuable part of her presentations. No one leaves Dr. Tizzano's workshops and trainings without examining their "old thinking" differently.
Germayne Tizzano, Ph.D. and "A Sanctuary for Change" would be welcome and highly assistive additions to training for women who have issues related to sexual trauma, and substance abuse, and for the professional and paraprofessional staff who help them heal.
– Mary Lee Stocks, LISW
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". . .The Sanctuary for Change curriculum was the most powerful group process that I had in the mental health program. When I ended it the members were very sad and one member insisted that she contact Germayne to let her know how much it helped her and possibly where else it might be offered. Since I ended it I still have members asking if I will offer it again and how they have used what they have learned in the group to apply it to their daily life. There were really great stories of no longer agreeing to engage in sex for monetary purposes and insight into their abuse and molestation."
". . .I followed the curriculum as it was written as much as possible and it really exceeded expectations given a population that included borderline personalities and a dual diagnosed population."
– Joseph Lovecchio, LMHC
Director of Mental Health & Psychotherapist
Canarsie Aware Mental Health Program
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". . .Your writing style is compelling, concise, clean and provides a clear picture of what it can look like if sexuality is not dealt with as part of the "healing" process. I would love to get this out to teenagers..."
– Cathryn Benedict
Stop Child Trafficking Now
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"I enjoyed coming to class. More insight on my boundaries. I learned being in class. We had fun, shared experiences, got new information. I even got tested for AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis because I was inspired to find out about my health and to maintain myself safe and healthy."
– workshop participant
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"Discussing sexual health is provocative but necessary. It is better for emotions and confusion to be stirred up in a safe, supportive environment, where women have an opportunity to process the experience and frame it in a learning context, rather than in another setting. This safety and openness may be the key to eventual behavioral changes for the participants."
– Lori Criss,
Operations Director at Amethyst
