From Anglican Watch editor Eric Bonetti:
One of my concerns in the Angie Solomon case is how quickly media outlets did a 180-degree turn following the recent allegations that Angie may have discussed hiring a hitman with an undercover police officer.
With that in mind, Anglican Watch has sought an approach based on understanding and empathy. Specifically, as editor of Anglican Watch, I have firsthand experience with the pain and suffering that comes from the PTSD that results from abuse. As a result, I try to understand how persons who are suffering from PTSD may act in ways that may not make sense to me, or possibly to others.
As part of this effort, I’ve been in touch with the therapist who has worked closely with Gracie Solomon over the past few years, as she has tried to make sense of issues with her father, Aaron. Below are the therapist’s professional reflections on the trauma and PTSD that Gracie and Angie have experienced. I find the comments kind and insightful, but also courageous, in that they explore topics that are difficult for many to discuss.
For the record, we have obtained approval from Angie and Gracie to release the content below. Still, the thoughts expressed are solely those of the therapist in question, who, like our small team here at Anglican Watch and me personally, remains strongly supportive of Gracie, Angie, and Grant.
In order to maintain appropriate privacy and due to concerns over Aaron’s possible conduct, we are withholding the name of the therapist who responded to our questions below.
We hope these inflection points will help readers form a more nuanced and supportive perspective of the challenges facing Gracie and Angie, versus the views that can easily arise from some of the more lurid “true crime” media outlets. And, of course, at a time when so many in this country and elsewhere are experiencing trauma, we hope to help foster an informed approach to trauma.
Our heartfelt prayers and love go out to Angie, Gracie, Grant, and all who are dealing with trauma in this difficult situation.
Please feel free to share your perspectives on these issues in the comment section below the post.
Eric Bonetti
Editor
Background:
I earned my master’s degree in 2018 and have been working as a therapist since then. Over the years, I’ve gained experience in various settings, including crisis intervention, psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, and specialized work with children who have experienced sexual abuse or exhibit problematic sexual behaviors. While I’ve found value in all areas of my clinical work, my true passion lies in supporting children who have been sexually abused.
Currently, I’m pursuing my doctoral degree and working on my dissertation, which focuses on a critical and often misunderstood aspect of child sexual abuse cases: the perception that mothers are coaching their children to make false allegations. My research highlights that, contrary to common belief, only about 1% of referrals made to Child Protective Services are actually substantiated as cases of coaching. I’m deeply committed to addressing these misconceptions and contributing to a more informed and compassionate approach in this area of clinical practice.
Working with the Family:
I became involved with the family after Gracie was reunified with her mother, following a period of court-ordered removal initiated by the father. This action stemmed from concerns related to a video Gracie had posted on YouTube disclosing sexual abuse.
As part of my work, I met individually with both Gracie and her mother to provide support and to process through the trauma of being removed from mother. These sessions focused on addressing the trauma Gracie had experienced, as well as supporting the mother in navigating the complexities of the reunification process and the emotional aftermath as well trauma and grief.
Do You Believe Gracie Was Coached?
I do not believe that Gracie was coached, and there are several reasons for this conclusion. Throughout my work with her, I met with Gracie individually—her mother was never present during our sessions, which allowed for a more unbiased therapeutic environment.
Research shows that when children are coached—even when given specific narratives to repeat—they typically struggle to recount the story consistently. In contrast, Gracie’s disclosures have remained consistent over time. Her account has neither changed nor been exaggerated or minimized, which strongly suggests authenticity.
Gracie consistently expressed that her relationship with her father didn’t feel like a typical father-daughter relationship. Instead, she described feeling as though he treated her more like a partner, which is a red flag in cases involving grooming or boundary violations.
She also experienced difficulty articulating what happened, often struggling to find the words due to the discomfort and trauma associated with her experiences. This hesitation and emotional response further suggest that her disclosures were not rehearsed or fabricated—trauma elicits real, complex emotions that are difficult, if not impossible, to fake.
Additionally, when I would meet briefly with her mother at the end of sessions to summarize what was discussed, her reactions were often emotional—ranging from speechlessness to visible distress and tears. The look of shock and heartbreak on her face appeared genuine and spontaneous, which further supported my assessment that she was not influencing or directing Gracie’s narrative.
My Experience Working with PTSD:
In my clinical experience, there is no single way that individuals with PTSD present. The manifestations of trauma are highly individualized and can vary widely based on the person, the nature of the trauma, and the context in which it is processed or disclosed.
I have worked with clients who, while disclosing sexual abuse, displayed intense physical reactions such as curling into a ball and rocking back and forth—clear somatic expressions of distress. In other cases, clients have disclosed trauma almost incidentally, in response to a rhetorical or open-ended question, and appeared momentarily unaware of the significance of what they had just shared. These examples illustrate the diverse and complex ways trauma can surface in a therapeutic setting.
While every disclosure and response is unique, there are several common symptoms associated with PTSD. These include avoidance behaviors, intrusive memories or flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, distorted thoughts or beliefs related to the trauma, and memory difficulties. In more severe cases, individuals may even experience dissociation or trauma-induced psychosis, particularly when the trauma has been prolonged or occurred at a young age.
Understanding these varied presentations has helped me approach each client with a trauma-informed lens, ensuring that I respond with empathy, patience, and clinical sensitivity tailored to their specific needs.
How Does PTSD Play a Role with Angie?
Angie’s history reflects a pattern of ongoing abuse that began in childhood and continued into adulthood. Based on her experiences, it’s likely that she has rarely—if ever—felt truly safe. Any sense of security she may have had appears to have occurred in brief, infrequent periods.
This chronic exposure to trauma has likely had a significant impact on her neurological and psychological development.
PTSD can cause structural changes in the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions like decision-making and emotional regulation, can become underactive or even shrink due to trauma. This often leads to difficulty managing emotions and making rational decisions, which may present as avoidance behaviors or impulsivity.
While PTSD is typically associated with a single traumatic event, Angie’s symptoms appear more consistent with Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), which results from prolonged, repeated trauma—especially when it occurs in early developmental years and within relational contexts. Although C-PTSD is not currently listed as a distinct diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR, it is recognized in the ICD-11. The DSM notes that approximately 92% of individuals with C-PTSD also meet criteria for PTSD, but C-PTSD encompasses additional symptoms such as somatic complaints (e.g., chronic stomach pain, headaches), dissociation, emotional dysregulation, and compulsive or self-soothing behaviors.
Given the severity and duration of the trauma Angie has disclosed, her clinical presentation aligns closely with what we would identify as Complex PTSD. This framework helps inform a more nuanced and compassionate approach to understanding her and her behaviors.
Any Signs That Angie Is Violent?
In my time working with Angie, I have never observed any behavior or statements that indicated a tendency toward violence. She has never expressed any desire to harm others, nor has she shared any past incidents involving violent behavior. While she has voiced a strong desire for justice in Grant and Gracie’s case, her focus has consistently been on legal or public advocacy avenues, such as her idea to produce a documentary to raise awareness and encourage law enforcement to revisit the case.
Her primary concern has always appeared to be ensuring Gracie’s safety and well-being. At no point did she express any intention to take justice into her own hands. Based on her current level of involvement in Gracie’s life—especially as Gracie approaches high school graduation—it seems highly unlikely that Angie would pursue any action that could jeopardize that relationship or her stability.
Additionally, Angie has demonstrated significant mistrust toward systems and individuals she perceives as connected to Aaron. She has expressed feelings of betrayal or suspicion when learning that certain attorneys, private investigators, or professionals may have ties to him. However, her response to these situations has been to withdraw or discontinue communication—not to act out in anger or violence. These behaviors point more toward self-protection and hypervigilance, which are common in individuals with trauma histories, rather than any violent tendencies.
Suggestions for Ways to Bounce Back from This:
I’ve always seen Gracie as incredibly resilient. That strength appears to be a reflection not only of her own inner resources but also of the resilience modeled by both her mother and Grant. Gracie seems deeply motivated to make Grant proud, and that sense of purpose can be a powerful driving force in healing.
Angie demonstrates a similar form of resilience—she has an ability to keep moving forward despite immense emotional pain. From what I’ve observed, both she and Gracie often focus on staying busy and maintaining momentum, possibly because pausing would mean facing the full weight of their trauma, which can be overwhelming. This coping mechanism, while protective, can also make it difficult to fully process their experiences.
While I can’t fully imagine the weight Angie carries or the uncertainty she may feel about the future, I believe her continued dedication to Gracie’s well-being and her persistence in seeking justice are powerful indicators of her strength. With the right support, both she and Gracie can continue to heal and move forward.