At a young age, Daryn endured profound hardships, including ongoing abuse that led to frequent hospitalizations and eventually entering the foster care system. These experiences fueled her desire to understand trauma and to help others overcome their own battles. As she grew, she faced further challenges, including an abusive relationship that led to seeking justice and healing through therapy, eventually using techniques like brainspotting to reclaim her life. Now, as an Honors BA Psychology: Research Specialist student minoring in criminology and women and gender studies, she is committed to studying how adverse childhood experiences impact mental health and behavior, especially within the criminal justice system. Her advocacy work with at-risk youth, collaboration with law enforcement, and public speaking help bridge gaps in understanding trauma's impact on behavior. Her first book, The Overcoming, is preparing for publication in 2025 to offer others a path to resilience. Looking ahead to a PhD in Psychology, she aims to reform systems of care for those affected by trauma, helping others transform their pain into purpose.
Her mission is love and understanding, to help as many as possible overcome adversity and reach their full potential. Advocating for trauma-informed systems that serve those most at risk and in need, she is committed to researching the intersections between childhood trauma, mental health, and the justice system, with the goal of preventing at-risk youth from becoming involved in crime and supporting their development into resilient adults. Through her work and writing, she strives to support vulnerable communities and bring about positive change by addressing trauma at its roots.
“The world may attempt to impose limitations or dictate what is possible, but these are not the ultimate truth. What is truly possible is determined by your willingness to challenge these constraints and push beyond the boundaries of conventional thinking. Each societal construct that tells you what you cannot achieve is merely an invitation to prove what you can.” - The Overcoming, Daryn Brito