While the impact of trauma can have lasting affects throughout adulthood, the good news is that healing emotional wounds is possible and reactions to trauma can be improved with supports. Professional support from a therapist can help guide you down the path of healing at a pace that is appropriate since it is essential to first establish safety and stabilization, along with basic coping strategies before processing trauma memories.
A basic yet effective self-soothing technique for anxiety and trauma-related responses is diaphragmatic-breathing. This technique is otherwise known as “belly breathing” due to engaging the diaphragm (a large muscle which is at the base of the lungs).
Not everyone feels safe, supported, or cared for in their environments. Yet having access to nurturing and responsive caregivers, violence-free relationships, and safe environments are important foundations for violence prevention, especially for young children and their early-brain-development.
You may be familiar with the term generational trauma (also known as inter-generational trauma) …trauma which is passed down through the generations but how exactly down trauma pass and what can be done?
What have your past and present medical and mental health experiences been like? Did you feel physically and psychologically safe? Were you able to trust your provider, have a voice, and collaborate in your treatment?
According to the dictionary’s definition, trauma is “a deeply distressing or disturbing experience”. Trauma is considered a widespread problem that can impact people from all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Understanding different types of trauma can help healthcare providers take into consideration a more holistic approach to healing as part of trauma-informed-care. Let’s look at three different types of traumas: collective, historical, and generational.
Seeking out the voices from individuals who research, work with, and live in marginalized, and underserved communities helps provide a model for healing from trauma that is more representative to needs of those who are impacted by collective, historical, and/or inter-generational trauma.
Hardship does not just impact individuals, but also families. Have you ever wondered what-makes-families-resilient? Family Resiliency is defined as the family’s ability to “withstand and rebound from disruptive life challenges, strengthened and more resourceful” (Walsh, 2011, p 149). Dr. Walsh is an expert of family resiliency.
“I-don’t-trust-people”. When I hear this statement in therapy, oftentimes there are ruptures in relationships. Maybe you have been let down multiple times, feeling emotional or physical abandonment. Maybe no one has been there to show up consistently to support you when you needed them most so now you depend on yourself (and trust no one).
