Healing Beyond Betrayal: A Conversation with Author Cathelina Duvert on Her Journey Through Depression, Family Trauma, and Self-Love

Introduction

Welcome, beautiful souls, to another powerful and heart-opening episode of the Season of Self-Love podcast. I am your host, Nyomi Banks, and today we dive deep into a profoundly personal topic—*healing beyond betrayal.* Our guest is the wonderful Cathelina Duvert, author of The Box, a novel that unravels the complexities of depression, family trauma, and self-discovery. Cathelina’s story is a journey of resilience, finding light in the darkest of times, and ultimately, healing.

So, let’s sit back, ground ourselves, and explore Cathelina’s incredible story. Whether you’re looking for insights into overcoming personal struggles or seeking inspiration, this conversation will leave you moved and inspired to begin or continue your healing journey.

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Cathelina’s Journey: From Childhood Trauma to Writing The Box

Cathelina’s story begins with a traumatic event at the age of 12 when an inappropriate encounter with a boy left her feeling confused, ashamed, and emotionally distressed. This event, which she kept hidden from her parents and others, sparked a battle with depression that lasted well into adulthood.

What’s especially compelling about Cathelina’s journey is her honesty in sharing how depression affected her relationships, her self-esteem, and her overall sense of worth. Like many, she didn’t know how to process these emotions at such a young age, and the silence she kept deepened her internal struggles.

But Cathelina’s story didn’t end there. With the help of her sister, she sought therapy and began to unpack the layers of trauma that had shaped her life. Her novel The Box is an artistic manifestation of her healing journey—a piece of fiction that brings real-world issues of mental health, self-betrayal, and familial complexities into focus.

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Creating Mia: Catalina’s Superhero

As we discussed The Box, Cathelina revealed that Mia, the novel’s protagonist, is her alter ego—her superhero, if you will. Mia is strong, assertive, and able to communicate her feelings in ways Cathelina once wished she could. Cathelina shared that while Mia’s life is different from her own, she endowed Mia with her own experience of depression and emotional struggle.

Through Mia, Cathelina was able to craft a character who navigates depression while maintaining the agency and strength she herself aspired to have during her darker days. Mia isn’t just a character in a book; she is a powerful figure created to show the resilience we all have within us—even when facing seemingly insurmountable odds.

Writing The Box was a way for Cathelina to channel her pain into art, turning her own journey into a narrative that could help others.

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Managing Depression: Cathelina’s Holistic Approach

Beyond writing, Cathelina has developed a personal toolbox to manage her depression—one that doesn’t rely solely on medication. She credits a combination of daily exercise, meditation, reading motivational books, and positive affirmations with helping her find balance and peace. These practices, which began as small daily habits, eventually became powerful tools that have helped her maintain a sense of well-being.

One key takeaway from Cathelina’s experience is that healing isn’t a “one and done” process—it requires continuous effort. She likened it to the daily practice of hygiene: just as you wouldn’t go a day without showering, you also shouldn’t go a day without tending to your mental health.

For anyone struggling with depression or emotional pain, Cathelina’s approach reminds us that healing takes time, and it often involves creating a personalized set of tools to support us in our journey. Whether through writing, meditation, exercise, or finding community, the path to healing is one that is unique to each of us.

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Overcoming Self-Betrayal: The Inner Journey

In our conversation, Cathelina opened up about a profound realization—how much of her depression and pain was rooted in self-betrayal. When reflecting on her childhood trauma and the relationship that followed, Cathelina admitted that she often blamed herself for not “seeing the signs” or not protecting herself better.

This internalized self-blame led to years of emotional turmoil, but through therapy and self-reflection, she has learned to forgive herself and reframe her experiences. One of the most important messages from our discussion was that self-betrayal often happens when we don’t honor our own feelings, boundaries, and needs. The journey to healing begins when we stop blaming ourselves for what happened and start giving ourselves grace.

Cathelina’s courage to share this message is a reminder to all of us that healing doesn’t just involve forgiveness of others—it requires forgiveness of ourselves.

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Writing as Therapy: The Power of Creativity

One of the most powerful aspects of Cathelina’s journey is her use of writing as a therapeutic outlet. She described how pouring her emotions onto the page helped her process the pain she had been carrying for so long. Writing The Box became not just a creative project but also a form of healing, allowing her to confront her past in a way that was both cathartic and empowering.

For anyone struggling with depression or emotional trauma, Cathelina encourages exploring creative outlets as a way to heal. Whether it’s writing, painting, or another form of artistic expression, the act of creating can help us externalize our emotions and find clarity.

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Cathelina’s Work as an Educator: Helping the Next Generation Heal

In addition to her work as a writer, Cathelina is a middle school teacher, and she spoke candidly about how her own experiences with depression have helped her support her students. Many of the young people she encounters are going through similar struggles—feeling lonely, isolated, or misunderstood.

Cathelina shared a touching story about a student who confided in her via email, expressing feelings of self-doubt. Cathelina’s response, filled with empathy and understanding, brought the student to tears, but it also reminded her of the delicate balance between supporting students emotionally and following school protocols. She now ensures that students facing mental health struggles are connected with the appropriate school counselors while continuing to offer her support and understanding.

Cathelina’s role as an educator has given her a unique opportunity to be a guiding light for students, helping them navigate the difficult emotions that often accompany adolescence. She encourages other educators to be open to these conversations and to help students feel seen and supported.

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What’s Next for Cathelina?

As Cathelina continues to promote The Box, she is already working on her next novel, which centers on a pair of Haitian-American twin sisters navigating their own family traumas and a mysterious illness. With this project, Cathelina will once again dive into themes of identity, family, and resilience, weaving together another powerful story of healing.

We are eagerly awaiting the release of this new book and can’t wait to see how Cathelina’s unique voice continues to evolve in her writing.

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Final Thoughts: Healing Beyond Betrayal

Cathelina Duvert’s story is one of incredible strength and vulnerability. From childhood trauma to navigating the complexities of adult relationships, her journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Through therapy, self-reflection, and creative expression, she has not only found a way to heal herself but has also become a beacon of hope for others walking a similar path.

Her novel The Box is more than just a story—it’s a guide for anyone looking to understand depression, trauma, and the power of self-love. Cathelina’s message is clear: healing is possible, but it requires patience, self-compassion, and the willingness to confront our deepest wounds.

As we continue our Season of Self-Love journey, Cathelina’s insights remind us that healing beyond betrayal starts within. Whether it’s forgiving ourselves, finding new ways to cope, or seeking help from others, we all have the power to move forward and create a life of peace, love, and fulfillment.

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Connect with Cathelina

To learn more about Cathelina’s book The Box, you can find it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can also connect with her on Instagram @CathelinaDuver for updates on her writing and daily insights.

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Stay Tuned

Thank you for joining us in this heartfelt conversation. If Cathelina’s story has touched you, we encourage you to reflect on your own journey and remember—you are not alone. Healing is possible, and every step you take brings you closer to the peace and love you deserve. Until next time, keep shining, and always remember to love yourself deeply and fully.

With love and light,

Nyomi Banks