Healing After Childhood Sexual Abuse: Will Baptiste on Recovery & Mental Health
By Lana Reid | October 19, 2022
As part of the Black Men Matter Series, Lana Reid sits down with Will Baptiste, certified life coach, author, and founder of Will to Rise, to discuss healing after childhood sexual abuse and the journey toward emotional wellness. Will shares how surviving abuse shaped his relationships, decision-making, and sense of self, and how intentional healing work supports mental health, accountability, and long-term emotional growth.
In this episode of The Male Perspective, Will Baptiste offers a courageous and deeply reflective conversation about trauma, recovery, and the process of healing.
Will explains how childhood sexual abuse can impact emotional development, trust, and personal relationships well into adulthood when left unaddressed. He shares how avoidance, silence, and internalized shame often delay healing, and why acknowledging trauma is a necessary step toward reclaiming emotional well-being.
Throughout the conversation, Lana Reid and Will explore the role of accountability and self-reflection in healing. Will emphasizes that recovery is not about assigning blame, but about taking responsibility for one’s healing journey and learning how trauma influences behavior, boundaries, and self-worth.
The discussion also highlights emotional restoration and mental health advocacy. Will explains how coaching, self-work, and supportive environments help individuals process pain, rebuild confidence, and develop healthier emotional patterns. He underscores the importance of safe spaces where men can speak honestly about trauma without judgment.
This episode creates space for a critical and often overlooked conversation, affirming that healing after childhood sexual abuse is possible and that emotional wellness requires courage, support, and intentional effort.
About the Guest
Will Baptiste is a certified life coach, author, and mental health advocate. He is the founder of Will to Rise, a platform dedicated to accountability, emotional restoration, and helping individuals heal from trauma while developing healthier relationships and self-awareness.
For more information on Will Baptiste:
https://willtorise.xyz/
https://10000cards.com/card/will-baptiste
https://www.instagram.com/will_to_rise/
https://www.tiktok.com/@will_baptiste
About the Series
This episode is part of the Black Men Matter Series, highlighting Black men who are using their voices and lived experiences to address mental health, trauma recovery, and emotional well-being within their communities.
About the Host & Organization
The Male Perspective is hosted by Lana Reid, founder of Conversations in Color, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots organization dedicated to providing uplifting and community-building spaces of dialogue for Black voices.
Conversations in Color’s Current Initiatives
THE MALE PERSPECTIVE
The purpose of The Male Perspective is to dispel stereotypes and increase awareness of the experiences of Black men through open discussions, thought-provoking interviews, and the sharing of personal experiences that highlight the diversity and depth of the Black male experience.
SISTAS REBUILDING SISTERHOOD
Sistas Rebuilding Sisterhood is an intergenerational community of Black women who come together for relaxed, non-judgmental gatherings to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate in a collective effort to improve the quality of sisterhood interactions in everyday life.
TAPESTRY OF BLACK VOICES AWARDS
The Tapestry of Black Voices Awards honors local communities and showcases the creativity, brilliance, and lived experiences of Black voices across the United States.