Healing From Relational Trauma: Strategies for Recovery and Growth

By Melody Wright, LMFT

Have you ever felt like your past experiences have left you with emotional scars that you just can't seem to shake off? Do you find it difficult to trust others or form healthy relationships because of past trauma? Relational trauma could be the culprit. Relational trauma can have a profound impact on a person's ability to connect with others and can lead to many things, such as anxiety, depression, and even physical health problems. In this blog, we'll explore what relational trauma is, and what can be done to heal from it.

What is Relational Trauma? 

Relational trauma is a term used to shed light on the impact of traumatic experiences within relationships. Relational trauma can stem anywhere from a childhood of abuse or abandonment, or negative interactions as an adult with coworkers, and friends. 

Healing from relational trauma is a complex process that requires time, patience, and support. For some, it can be a deeply painful and difficult experience to navigate. However, it's important to remember that you are not alone in your struggle and that healing is possible. With the right strategies for recovery and growth, you can begin to find a sense of peace and resilience in the face of this trauma. 

Strategies for Trauma Recovery and Growth

1. Acknowledge the Impact of Trauma - The first step in healing from relational trauma is acknowledging its impact on your life. This means becoming aware of the ways these experiences have affected your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It may involve acknowledging difficult emotions such as shame, guilt, anger, and sadness. During your acknowledgment journey remember the trauma you’ve experienced is not your fault and that healing is possible.

2. Practice Self-Care - Whatever self-care looks like for you, it is an essential piece to the puzzle of your healing journey. This may include exercise, eating a balanced diet, prioritizing sleep, practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and pleasure. However, self-care can also look like setting boundaries and saying no to activities or relationships that do not serve your well-being.

3. Cultivate Resilience - Resilience is the ability to weather difficulties and recover quickly. It involves developing skills such as problem-solving, stress management, and emotional regulation. Relational trauma can also involve nurturing the positive relationships you have and engaging in activities that promote a sense of purpose and meaning. 

4. Process Traumatic Memories - Trauma memories can be overwhelming and have the ability to resurface unexpectedly. It can be beneficial to seek support from a therapist or trauma specialist to process these memories and make sense of them. When seeking out a therapist look for those that utilize techniques such as Somatic Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, or additional trauma training. By processing the traumatic memories it can help reduce the intensity of emotions and help you move forward to live your life with a sense of worth and security. 

Final Thoughts

Healing from relational trauma is a unique process for every individual and requires time, patience, and support. It is possible to recover from trauma and grow into a happier, healthier, and more fulfilled person. Remember, healing is possible, and you are not alone. 

Here at Life By Design Therapy, we have a trauma-informed staff that utilizes modalities such as CBT, Holistic and Somatic Therapy techniques to support you on your journey. If you are interested in getting started, CLICK HERE to schedule a free phone consultation with a therapist of your choice. 

Additional Resources

If you would like to learn more about different forms of trauma and how to heal, below are a few books to expand your knowledge.

1. Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma by Pete Walker

2. My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem

3. “Silent Sons: A Book for and About Men" by Robert Ackerman

4. “The Emotionally Absent Mother: How to Recognize and Heal the Invisible Effects of Childhood Emotional Neglect” by Jasmin Lee Cori

5. "It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle" by Mark Wolynn

6. "Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents" by Lindsay C. Gibson

7. The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein

8. Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis 

**Some product links are affiliate links, which means we'll receive a commission if you purchase through our link, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here.

Racial Trauma - Acknowledging the Invisible Foe

By Melody Wright, LMFT

There is an invisible force that has been silently affecting the lives of those with extra melanin in their skin. For centuries many people have felt this force in their day-to-day lives, yet they haven’t been able to name it. Some have described it as a cloud that follows them and never seems to lift. Others feel as though they must question their own thoughts and feelings with simple daily tasks. So what is this invisible foe? The answer is racial trauma. 

What is Racial Trauma? 

Racial trauma is physical, emotional, and mental distress experienced by the BIPOC community due to racism in society. The reason we are calling racial trauma the invisible foe is due to the fact that it is not something that is experienced during a single isolated event, but rather something that stacks over time by continual exposure either directly or indirectly. Racial trauma is also something that is rarely acknowledged as a valid human experience, which causes confusion throughout the community. 

Signs of Racial Trauma

Now that we’ve put a name to our foe, I’m sure you are wondering what signs of racial trauma are. Some people experience anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome, and even feelings of guilt and shame around regular day-to-day tasks. However, did you know that trauma can be stored in the body? It’s possible that you may be experiencing physical symptoms in response to the long-term effects of stress from racial trauma. Physical symptoms can include insomnia, headaches, and hypervigilance. The more exposure to racial trauma the more you may see these physical symptoms could intensify. 

Indirect vs Direct Racial Trauma

Exposure to racial trauma is a different experience for each individual. This trauma can come in the form of direct or indirect exposure. Unfortunately, many BIPOCs experience both in today's society.

Indirect racial trauma is probably the most predominant form of exposure. This can look like watching the news and finding out about police brutality in your area, having a family dinner out, and overhearing conversations with discriminatory phrases. These situations affect you without being necessarily directed at you. They may stimulate feelings of worry, anger, or confusion, all of which are valid responses to what you’ve experienced.

Direct racial trauma exposure is discrimination that is specifically directed at you. For example, you are at the grocery store buying some snacks for a gathering you’re having and you accidentally bump into someone. When you turn to apologize you are met with someone who responds with a racially motivated insult. After this, you may have feelings of anger and resentment, but you may also experience thoughts that make you think there is something wrong with you for having a different skin color. 

Acknowledging The Invisible Foe 

It is important to remember that you are not alone in your experience with racial trauma. This is a real thing that many people struggle with.

Acknowledging racial trauma is the first step towards creating more awareness about its effects on people’s mental health. We must also strive to create an environment where people feel safe to talk about their experiences without fear of judgment. There are many people out there who understand what you’re going through and can provide support and resources to help you cope with the pain.

If you are wondering where to start, finding a culturally competent therapist would be a great first step. Our therapists at Life By Design Therapy carry a social justice lens. If you are interested in working with our team please click HERE to schedule your free phone consultation. 

**If you’re interested in expanding your awareness and knowledge on race-related matters, check out these books below:

1. My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem

2. Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla Saad

3. White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson

4. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing by Joy a Degruy

5. The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein

6. Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum

7. How to Raise an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

8. Caste (Oprah's Book Club): The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

9. White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Dr. Robin DiAngelo 

10. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

11. The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson 

12. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

13. Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis 

14. Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz 

15. The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee

**Some product links are affiliate links, which means we'll receive a commission if you purchase through our link, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here.

---

other blogs you may like

---

Trauma and Gender: Do Men and Women React Differently to Trauma?

By Melody Wright, LMFT

When looking at the effects of trauma on individuals, it’s important to recognize that things like gender, culture, and life experiences can influence the way we react to traumatic events. While we may not be able to change some of these attributes, such as the culture we were born into, we can learn and obtain a better understanding of how they influence our reactions to trauma so we can address those reactions accordingly. 

What is Trauma

According to the American Psychological Association, trauma is “an emotional response to a terrible event” like an accident, an act of violence, or a natural disaster. People can experience both emotional and physical responses to these traumatic events in the long term.

How Does Gender Influence Trauma

Our cultures and communities tend to assign specific roles to genders; These gender roles can influence how we react to different circumstances and events, including traumatic ones. In cultures that stress traditional gender roles, where men are expected to display a stoic demeanor and women are expected to be the more vulnerable sex, traumatic responses can be heavily influenced by gender roles. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a disorder where a person has a difficult time processing and recovering from witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. Studies have found that in cultures with traditional gender roles, there is a higher prevalence of women being diagnosed with PTSD. This can be attributed to women being able to feel more emotionally vulnerable in these cultures. 

Gender can also impact if and when individuals will access support to process their traumatic experiences. If the expectation is for a male to remain “strong” and not be impacted by stress, they may not immediately seek support. This can affect the impact that the event can have on their mental and emotional health in the long run.  

What Other Factors Influence Trauma

There are various factors that can influence how an individual reacts to trauma. Some of these factors include:

• How intense the traumatic event was

• Your family history and previous traumatic events

• The presence of a support system, or lack of

• Your current or ongoing stress levels 

• Alcohol or drug use

Coping Strategies

In the event that an individual experiences something traumatic, it is important to have the tools necessary to help process that event. This includes knowledge of coping strategies. Coping strategies to help process traumatic events include:

• Practicing deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness 

• Finding or developing a new hobby or activity that gets your endorphins flowing

• Establishing and reaching out to your support system 

• Finding a support group where others may have experienced similar trauma

Traumatic events come in all shapes and sizes, and the information and coping strategies that may help one person may not be very helpful for another. If you find yourself needing support or additional coping strategies, we encourage you to book a phone consultation today at Life by Design. Life by Design offers therapeutic services with qualified professionals that can give you the tools you need to help address your mental health. Consider booking a consultation here today.

Is Trauma Exposure Transforming You? How to Know and What to Do About It

by Ashley Gregory, LMFT

What is Vicarious Trauma?

The term “vicarious traumatization” arose in the mid-1990’s when Laurie Anne Pearlman and Paula S. Mac Ian studied the effects of working with traumatized clients on therapists. They defined it as “a transformation in the helper’s inner experience, as a result of empathetic engagement with traumatized clients and their traumatic experiences, coupled with a commitment or responsibility to help.” Since then, conversations and awareness around “secondary” or “vicarious” trauma have increased and expanded. The sheer number of blogs, Instagram posts and YouTube videos about self-care and mental health has injected these terms into more spaces than before.Yet, at the same time, deeply held beliefs, values and cultural practices maintain the very structures that keep people guessing about whether they are qualified to deserve the care they need as caregivers themselves. I would argue that this is especially true for those of us in the “caring professions'' or folks doing “care work.” In fact, minimizing one’s own experience, as a person exposed to the trauma of others, is itself a trauma exposure response.

My Own Vicarious Trauma Journey 

As a twenty-something youth worker, I had no idea how to identify trauma symptoms. Furthermore, I did not understand how the trauma I was exposed everyday to would impact me and the work I did. The organization I worked for essentially hired me to make sure a dozen or more middle schoolers would do their homework right after a long day at school. The school was in the Fruitvale District of Oakland. I had not grown up in Oakland--in fact, I had recently moved there, pretty much straight out of college. Many of my colleagues at the time were also young white people who did not reflect the makeup of the community in which we were working--predominantly Black, Latinx and Asian American and Pacific Islander. Schools like the one where I worked were essentially training grounds for young, predominately white professionals to get their hours and leave to pursue their careers elsewhere. Racist and classist demands on time and money present significant barriers to people of color who want to become teachers. Racist and classist tax laws keep schools woefully underfunded, which means mental health care staff and programs designed to support young people’s emotional well-being are rarely prioritized. With so much going in their lives and so much of their lives spent at school, the trauma exposure these youth experienced played out in the cafeteria, the hallways and their classes. My after-school classroom was no exception. While I loved working with young people, I also became angry, hopeless and guilty. At some point, the school social worker mentioned “vicarious trauma.” Suddenly my experience had a name and I was floored. Over time, it was learning the complex and personalized symptoms of vicarious trauma that helped me develop the tools, practices and rituals I needed to achieve balance and ease.

Trauma Stewardship and the Warning Signs of Trauma Exposure Response

Part of my own journey has been aligned with the practice of “trauma stewardship,” the term Laura van Dernoot Lipky coined as she navigated her own experiences of trauma exposure. In her book Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others, van Dernoot Lipky interviews people in a wide range of professions and from diverse backgrounds about their personal journeys and trauma stewardship wisdom. She adds to the literature of vicarious trauma and explores the warning signs of a trauma exposure response. While some of the warning signs of trauma exposure response may be more obvious behaviors, such as developing an addiction, others are not as clear. For example, one of the warning signs of trauma exposure response is a sense of persecution, an “internal state,” van Dernoot Lipky shares, when “We become convinced that others are responsible for our well-being and that we lack the personal agency to transform our circumstances” (p. 93). These internal shifts can be confusing  and complicated to name without support. 

While everyone metabolises trauma exposure different, there are commonly experienced symptoms, some of which include:

• Exhaustion on every level--mental, physical and emotional

• Intrusive thoughts of disturbing images you’ve heard about or seen at work

• Nightmares

• Hypervigilance

• Grandiosity

• A sense that you can never do enough

Getting Help

Working with a therapist who has awareness of and experience with vicarious trauma can help you identify how trauma exposure responses show up in your life. Awareness is the first step towards making lasting change. With the support of a therapist, you can create new ways to relate to yourself and others with renewed compassion. 

Pearlman, L.A., & Mac Ian, P. S. (1995). Vicarious traumatization: An empirical study of the effects of trauma work on trauma therapists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 26(6), 558.

5 Tips for Navigating Pandemic-Related Stress

by Melody Wright, LMFT

Now that the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdown has come and gone, many of us are reflecting on the ways our lives have changed as a result of the pandemic. Some of those changes may be positive, such as spending more time on hobbies while we're at home. However, many of them may be the result of pandemic-related stress that we're still navigating, more than 365 days later. Our children's schools may not have reopened, so we may still be watching them, or we may still be adjusting to working from home.

And, with the vaccine becoming more widely available, many of us are facing renewed anxiety around COVID-19. There are dozens of questions on our minds: when will we be able to get vaccinated? When will we be able to stop wearing a mask? Will we be able to go on our summer vacation? In other words, just because there is hope on the horizon does not mean that pandemic-related stress is going to disappear overnight. We still need to develop healthy ways to cope with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These five essential tips will help you navigate pandemic-related stress in a proactive way. Strengthening your coping skills will not only serve you during the pandemic, but it will continue to improve your stress management in your everyday life.

1. Take a break from the news.

As critical as it is to stay informed, you should limit the amount of time you spend consuming news about the pandemic. Information about social distancing and vaccine scheduling matters, but it can also be incredibly disheartening when it is all we are hearing about. It's important to take time away from the news to engage in conversation about ordinary life: people we know, things we enjoy, and all the things we would talk about under "normal" circumstances! ("News" includes social media, too.)

2. Connect with loved ones.

Many of us have been isolated for some time due to the coronavirus pandemic, leaving us feeling down in the dumps. Maintaining strong social connections is essential to our mental health. Luckily, thanks to modern technology, we can still connect with friends and family from a safe distance. Scheduling virtual lunch or dinner dates, or simply picking up the phone to call a friend, can make a huge difference in helping you feel less lonely during the pandemic.

3. Follow your daily routine.

When working from home, or otherwise experiencing interruptions in your daily routine, it's easy to start the day off on the wrong foot. It may be tempting to wear pajamas to work all day (who would ever know?) or order takeout every day for dinner instead of cooking. However, keeping up with as much of your regular routine as possible can help you restore some sense of normalcy to your life. You can't control when the country reopens, but you can decide to get dressed in the morning as if you were going to the office or to meal plan the same way you would if the kids were going to school.

4. Incorporate light physical activity.

Exercise releases endorphins that boost our mood and relieve stress. The thought of going to the gym or for an hour-long run during a global pandemic may feel overwhelming, but exercise doesn't have to be structured. Your daily "workout" might include walking the dog, jumping on the trampoline with your kids, or even cleaning the house. Even simply standing up every 30 minutes while working from home can benefit your health. The key is to find easy activities you love to do that don't feel like work! 

5. Speak to your employer.

Lots of workers, especially healthcare workers and essential workers, are feeling the effects of pandemic-related stress in the office, and many employers have set up infrastructures to help employees cope. If working from home with kids or working long shifts in an essential workplace is becoming overwhelming, speak to your employer to see if there are wellness supports in place to help make things easier. You might even be able to move your shifts around or get more flexibility with time off to take care of the kids and other responsibilities at home, alleviating some of the stress of the pandemic.

5 Ways to Care for Yourself When Dealing with Racial Trauma

by Dr. Nia Saunders

In the wake of the recent grand jury decision regarding Breonna Taylor, many are experiencing outrage and disbelief. For Black people in particular, the decision represents yet another profound loss and continued lack of justice for violence against Black women. 

Our community is hurting. This pain is intensified by the backdrop of Covid-19 (which disproportionately affects BIPOC) and the protests following George Floyd’s murder, serving as another reminder that our society is also fighting other widespread social pandemics - White supremacy, anti-Black racism, and institutional oppression related to policing. Many Black people are asking each other “How do we continue showing up to work, putting on a ‘professional’ smile, and acting as if we are not grieving, as if our humanity is not constantly under threat?” 

These experiences contribute to what is called racial trauma. Common responses include anxiety, depression, anger, trouble concentrating, flashbacks, emotional numbing, being on edge, and loss of hope. Racial trauma often shows up in our bodies in the form of physical aches, fatigue, and appetite changes. It can lead to unhelpful ways of coping such as isolating or increased drug and alcohol use. Given the research about the impact of racial stress on Black physical and mental health, it’s essential to use practices to support wellness. 

1. Give yourself permission to not be okay with all that is happening.

   Your experiences and reactions to racism are valid. The feelings of anguish and despair are understandable and normal reactions to systemic oppression. Comments from others aimed at derailing conversations such as “It’s not about race” or “If Black people would just” are gaslighting. This is a technique used by abusers to make their victims question their reality. It’s okay to resist being a racial educator for those who do not care to understand. It’s more important to affirm for yourself that your lived experiences matter and are legitimate. 

2. Find safe spaces to vent.

   It’s important to locate the supportive people and places who have a level of racial awareness and can safely hold your experiences. While challenging, the restrictions associated with Covid-19 offer increased availability of online resources that center the needs of Black folx, such as the ones in the list below. 

3. Prioritize caring for yourself and your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

   It’s common for people to feel guilt about putting themselves first. Audre Lorde said “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” There is more than one way to fight in the movement for racial justice and it’s important to care for yourself in ways that honor your needs. Pause for 1 minute and practice listening to your body’s cues that signal the need for food/water, rest, movement, or social connection. Try to conserve your energy and focus on things that pour into you and feel restorative. 

4. Limit social media use when possible.

   Although many people use social media as a form of distraction, exposure to constant images of violence (physical or structural) against Black people can be traumatizing. If you must engage online, try limiting your time and actively doing something to counteract the negativity. For example, 30 minutes of social media = 1 hour of moving your body or being outside. 
   

5. Find moments to cultivate joy.

   This can be a powerful way to challenge feelings of despair and reclaim your personal power. Try creating a list of 3 things you are grateful for today. Think about 5 things that bring you joy, put them on your calendar, and set a reminder. It can be helpful to connect with positive aspects of Black racial identity such as listening to music, dance, or using humor. Whether it’s being in nature, journaling, or creating art, we all have something that brings a sense of calm or livens our spirit, even if it feels small.  Let’s commit to doing all we can to create opportunities for joy. Your life matters. 

Therapy Reflections: 

1. Am I giving myself permission to feel whatever comes up for me? 

2. Have I found safe people and places where I feel supported and valued? 

3. What does my body need right now and how can I honor that? 

4. How am I taking care of myself and intentionally cultivating joy? 

Resources: 

• 44 Mental Health Resources for Black People Trying to Survive in This Country: https://www.self.com/story/black-mental-health-resources

• Therapy for Black Girls Podcast- Dr. Joy Harden Bradford: https://therapyforblackgirls.com/podcast

• The Nap Ministry on Instagram: Highlights the radical power of rest for Black people and challenges ideas around over-working to the point of exhaustion. https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/

• The Read- a podcast by Kid Fury and Crissle, two queer Black folx who discuss the intersection of pop culture, race, and mental health often with a comedic flair (not recommended for minors)

  http://thisistheread.com/episodes

Creative Easy Ways for You to Resolve Trauma

by Melody Wright, LMFT

There are many layers and nuances involved in healing trauma.  It’s important to remember to be kind and compassionate towards yourself AND your process.  Healing from trauma can be slow as you work through a multitude of feelings. The feelings you may experience are anxiety, fear, shame, deep hurt, distrust, avoidance, disappointment, disbelief and more.  With time you can build more internal and external resources for healing, understanding, and acceptance.  

Healing from Trauma

In most peoples’ lives, trauma occurs. Having experienced trauma, one needs to solve it in a way that works best for each individual. Trauma can be a death of someone close to you, abuse, surviving an illness, seeing a disturbing event, and the impacts of divorce and custody issues to name a few. No two people are alike, and everyone responds to those traumas differently, so the ways to solve and overcome them need to reflect that.  

Talking with a close friend or counselor is a wonderful way to begin; however, if you are not ready to discuss your feelings with anyone, there are other ways.  

Art

Art encompasses many variables of expression and paves the ways such as writing, sculpting, collaging, singing, or playing music.  It is essential to find a place where you can relax, which induces positive feelings and thoughts. For example, a favorite park, a special room just for you at home, near a beach, hiking in a forest.  Wherever that place is, allow yourself to relax and be free of inhibiting thoughts while you use creativity.  

If you are not experienced in painting or sculpting, try drawing and sketching first.  Find a book on sketching or join a class to learn more. If you feel stumped, take a journal and a pen to write your feelings, goals, or challenges. If you love music, enjoy your favorite songs while you brainstorm. 

Finding what works for you may take time, however, there are many possibilities to start your journey. 

• Journal

• Write a short story;

• Write a letter to a friend;

• Sketch;

• Paint a scene or image from your mind;

• Poetry writing;

• Writing or playing music;

• Redecorate a space in your home;

• Try a new look with your hair or clothes;

• Volunteer to help in your community.

Connect with Furry Friends

Nothing beats furry friends.  Our pets love us unconditionally and often notice things that people don’t.  If you do not have a pet, consider what your housing is like, the size and if you have a yard for a larger outdoor pet.  Once you decide which pet is right for you, consider joining a training class. If you are already a pet owner, start a new hobby such as walking, jogging or a training class for you and your pet.

Physical Activity

Physical activity helps in resolving symptoms of trauma, such as anxiety and depression.  If you enjoy outdoor activities such as jogging or hiking, this is a fantastic way to focus your energy.  If you are not a jogger or a runner, then walk in a park or your neighborhood. The key is to get outside, take a break from technology and television.  This is also a good time to focus on your breathing and connect with your body.

Talk with Someone

When you feel up to talking, it is always a great idea to connect with someone who can help you.  Find a trusted friend or family member to confide in. This person should be supportive and not judgmental in what you are experiencing.  If you do not have anyone close to you, reach out to a therapist. A therapist can help you work through your trauma and assist you in discovering creative ways to work through unresolved trauma. 

Positive Change is Possible

Our therapists understand that when you experience trauma your sense of safety in the world, your body, and your trust in relationships can be disrupted. Learning how to cultivate a sense of safety is an important step to healing trauma. Our somatic therapists work with clients in discovering new ways to be in the world after the disruptions of traumatic experiences by going directly to the source--the body. Realizing what is happening in your body is the foundation of the work. When you bring awareness to the sensations in your body, rather than feeling overwhelmed by them, you can have more control over your responses, which is essential for healing.

Therapy Reflections

1. Do you have any unresolved traumas or past hurts that still need healing?

2. What can you do today to start your healing process?

3. What does healing mean to you and how do you know when you are healed?