A client of mine once came to me, heartbroken about her daughter. She was convinced her daughter had a mental disorder—her behavior was erratic, she was cutting, hanging out with the “wrong crowds,” and barely functioning. Thankfully, the daughter was willing to work with me, and though she insisted it was a mental disorder (all the books said so), as she began to trust me and share her story, I learned it wasn’t a “mental disorder” at all. It was horrific trauma causing this downward spiral and holding her back. One of the tools we used early in our work together was the ACE Trauma Questionnaire. Once she identified and acknowledged her experiences, she realized she wasn’t broken—and for her, this awareness became the foundation for her healing journey.

The ACE Trauma Questionnaire helps you understand the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) you may have faced and how they might be influencing your life as an adult. Studies have long shown that childhood trauma, such as abuse or neglect, can contribute to physical and mental health challenges in adulthood. The more traumas you’ve experienced, the greater the potential for these struggles—but this doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you, and you are absolutely not broken.

The ACE test isn’t about making excuses that make you a victim or creating problems where there aren’t any; it’s about understanding and seeing things as they are, so you can do the work to move into the vibrant life you were meant to live. As John 8:32 says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”

Education: What the ACE Questionnaire Can Tell You

The Impact of ACEs on Your Health

The ACE Questionnaire isn’t here to judge you—it’s a tool to help you see how your early experiences might be influencing your life today, without ever implying that there’s something wrong with you. Created in the mid-1990s by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente, the original ACE study of over 17,000 adults revealed a key insight: a higher ACE score often correlates with increased risks for issues like depression, anxiety, substance use, and chronic conditions such as heart disease or cancer. The study found that 61% of people have at least one ACE, and 16% have four or more. A higher score can increase your risk for challenges—for instance, an ACE score of 4 or higher can raise your risk of depression by 4 to 12 times, and a score of 6 or more triples your risk of lung cancer, often due to habits like smoking or inactivity that can emerge from unhealed trauma.

But these statistics don’t determine your destiny—you don’t have to meet these outcomes, because your story is still being written. As Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Your past doesn’t define you—it’s a part of your story, and if you’re reading this, it’s not the end of it.

Childhood: A Sensitive Time

Your brain continues to develop until around age 25, and childhood—especially before age 8—is a “sensitive period” when it’s highly adaptable, soaking up everything around you like a sponge. This adaptability is wonderful for learning, but it can be tough if your environment included neglect or violence. Research shows that children who experience severe neglect, such as a lack of physical touch, may grow up with weaker immune systems and higher stress levels, making them more vulnerable to health challenges as adults. But this awareness isn’t about blame—it’s about empowerment, and it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re resilient, and you’ve made it this far. Understanding your ACE score can help you see why you might face certain struggles—like feeling anxious, battling low moods, or dealing with health issues. But knowing this doesn’t mean you’re trapped by your past; it’s a first step towards healing, letting go, and embracing a fresh start—where the past no longer has a hold on you. As Isaiah 43:18-19 encourages, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” You’re not stuck—your future is waiting to be shaped by the hope and healing you choose today.

With the right support, you can transform your challenges into sources of strength, crafting a life shaped not by your past, but by the beautiful future you choose to build. To start this journey of awareness, get your ACE Trauma Questionnaire and uncover the insights that can guide your healing.

A New Story

My client’s daughter embarked on a transformative healing journey after gaining clarity through her ACE score and doing the work through diligence and faith. Over time, she not only overcame her trauma but flourished—she married a wonderful man, with whom she started a successful business, and became a loving mother to two beautiful, happy children. Her story is a testament that our past does not define our future.

Your Fresh Future: The Next Step in Leading Lady Living

You’ve taken a courageous step by learning about the ACE Trauma Questionnaire, shining a light on how your past might be affecting you—and I want you to know, with all my heart, that you are not broken. I’m sharing this because I care so deeply about your healing, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.

• Click here to print out the ACE Test along with some Strength Strategies to navigate your journey with resilience and grace. I’ve also included the PEARLS test if you’re a mama or grandmama caring for a minor. A broader tool that includes the ACE questions plus additional challenges that children might face. You’ll also find some possible next steps to help you as you guide your young one to healing.

This awareness isn’t about finding flaws—it’s about seeing your story with clarity so you can grow and heal. You’re whole, radiant, and worthy of a life brimming with nourishment for your body, tranquility for your mind, and delight for your spirit. It’s in the love you give to your family, the beauty you find in life’s quiet moments, and the peace that comes from living as you were designed—aligned with all you were created for. You are not your past, and God has a plan for you, one that’s full of hope and a beautiful tomorrow, as Jeremiah 29:11 promises: “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

If you need immediate help, please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or dial 988 (available in the U.S) to connect with someone who cares.

As You Continue the Journey

I’m here to walk beside you, to help you build a future that reflects the incredible woman you are. When you’re ready to take the next step toward a life filled with health, peace, and purpose, join me at my Leading Lady Solutions programs—we’ll nurture your journey together, with care and hope, one healing moment at a time.

Until then, subscribe to my newsletter and tune into my podcast, Sharise Uncut  for more tips, tools, and truth to support you on your journey!

Let’s keep walking this healing path together, hand in heart,
with love that mends and hope that holds us all.