Breaking free from a cycle of abuse demands extraordinary courage. But for Pattie Montero, discovering Venice Family Clinic was the turning point that empowered her to transform her experiences into a mission to inspire others.

For two decades, Pattie Montero endured her husband’s physical and emotional abuse, hoping to shield her children from harm. When she discovered that her husband had begun to abuse her children, the fragile stability she had tried to maintain shattered.

Unwilling to allow her family to suffer as she had, Pattie dived into the unknown and decided to leave her husband. “I couldn’t keep silent any longer,” says Pattie. “They needed to be safe, no matter how afraid I was.”

Fighting for a New Beginning

Pattie fought and won a harrowing, year-long custody battle. With her children finally safe, Pattie was now confronted by the emotional toll the abuse had taken on her. She was drained but determined to set a positive example for her children.

The first support group she tried was a disappointment. Its rigid structure and rules mirrored the abusive dynamics Pattie had fought to escape. Although her disappointment threatened to overwhelm her, Pattie resolved to try again, motivated by her deep desire to heal and provide stability for her family.

That’s when she came to Venice Family Clinic’s Safe Families Program and met Gloria Hernandez, a credentialed counselor with 27 years of experience in domestic violence recovery. Gloria’s support would change the course of Pattie’s life.

A New Way Forward

From the first moment in Gloria’s group, Pattie sensed an immediate difference. The group features a compassionate, open environment where survivors can begin their healing journeys with dignity and every participant’s unique needs are met. It offers flexibility, confidentiality and respect for survivors’ personal boundaries. “Members are encouraged to share as much or as little as they need, without time limits or interruptions. The journey to healing is deeply personal,” Gloria shares. “Creating a space where survivors feel respected and supported is crucial.”

The Clinic’s Safe Families Program has supported hundreds of survivors of intimate partner violence each year since 1998. Clinic staff screen patients during their routine appointments, and those who screen positive are connected with Gloria for follow-up. Some people move forward with individual counseling; others opt for group sessions.

The Clinic’s group sessions emphasize safety and self-expression. They incorporate evidence-based therapeutic techniques, including trauma-focused mindfulness exercises and reflective journaling, which are designed to help survivors regain control over their narratives.

“The group didn’t just give me a safe space—it taught me how to rebuild. I began to process emotions I had long buried, rebuild trust in myself and others and find the strength to imagine a future filled with hope. Gloria’s compassionate approach made all the difference, she gave me the tools and support I needed to move forward.”

Journaling was the strategy that changed everything for Pattie, giving her a way to process emotions she had long suppressed. Because of the empathetic and nurturing environment Gloria created, Pattie started to rebuild trust, reclaim her voice and begin to heal.

Transforming Pain into Purpose

The group became a staple of Pattie’s life. For years, she channeled her own healing journey into a source of strength and support for others. She took on a leadership role — offering guidance, sharing her experiences and fostering the same sense of safety and belonging that helped her when she felt most vulnerable.

Her journals became the foundation for three books: The Violence That Is Not Seen, Cries of Anguish in the Silence and Let This History Not Repeat Itself. Writing helped Pattie to transform her pain into a powerful tool to inspire others to break free from the cycles of violence. She now regularly travels across Central America and Cuba, sharing her story and creating a ripple effect that has helped countless women escape abuse and rebuild their lives.

For Pattie, the most meaningful part of her journey is the legacy of resilience she has shared with her children. Her growth in the face of violence has shown them perseverance, compassion and courage can overcome any obstacle.

“I am proud of what I have achieved, who I have become, and the example I have set for my children and their children,” says Pattie. “But I didn’t do it alone. Gloria’s compassion and friendship showed me that when we build each other up, we can transform even the darkest times into something brighter.”