Growing up in a dysfunctional family conditioned Laura K. Connell to find more dysfunction in adulthood, perpetuating a cycle of self-sabotage that wouldn’t be broken until her marriage ended and she was forced to face her alcohol addiction head-on. She spent 12 years studying the dynamics of dysfunctional families and learned that her habits of self-sabotage were her inner child’s way of keeping her safe — a misguided form of self-protection. She now helps readers uncover the subconscious reasons they hold themselves back and guides them toward a deeper understanding of the ways in which their negative childhood experiences have impacted their lives. Connell is a trauma-informed author and coach who has had her guest articles featured in the anthology Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Globe and The Toronto Star.