Transforming from Trauma

April 2024

Let’s talk about the "T" word, trauma. Specifically we are talking about psychological and emotional trauma. We hear this word a lot these days. Some have an idea of what psychological trauma is and some do not. However, trauma is anything that you have experienced that has altered your sense of safety, how you see the world and how you see yourself. This traumatic experience could be your own or some distressful event that you witnessed vicariously. No matter the origin or type, trauma is real and it needs to be addressed and reprocessed for some. Think of someone who has had a car accident or occupational mishap with physical injuries. They are wounded and care is provided to them--quickly. Psychological trauma is often the result of an incident or mishap that involves our bodies, minds and our spirits. The impacts of emotional trauma are often invisible, yet we are impacted in a number of domains. We need repair and recovery attempts here as well.

With that, as a clinician working with clients managing their past and present wounds, part of my role is also recovery and transformation from trauma. Some parts of our stories are painful and some are joyful. These pieces contribute to the whole person that we are becoming, and we are forever becoming. As a therapist, I am willing to walk with you through your past, validate your experiences and reprocess your maladaptive beliefs. However, the goal is to migrate from a place of pain to a place of recovery, forgiveness and radical acceptance. Our misfortunes happened to us, and they shouldn’t have. We are forever changed, different, more cautious and even afraid. Yet, we are not consumed. We are still alive. We have passions. We have dreams. We have a heart for change. Some of these less fortunate experiences have lit a fire in us to help others. Therefore, we have the ability to be transformed from our trauma.

Do we have to learn new skills and language to navigate this transformation? Yes. You will have to learn what safety looks and feels like for you. You may need to re-process some things that were stored maladaptively. You may need to forgive, sometimes you may need to forgive yourself.. You may need to lean into acceptance, but most importantly remember that transformation is possible. Transformation from trauma is the process that invites you to accept all of your parts, storylines, beliefs and chapters that you cannot change and move forward. You will not be held captive by your stories. You will not be held captive by the love you didn’t receive as a child. You will not be held captive by the abuser. You will not be held captive by that relationship. You will not be held captive by your losses. You can be free. Your stories are fuel to your fire. Your fire to live and write your own narrative is your new beginning. What will you need to start your transformation from trauma? Let me know.

Hope to see you in session,

-Brandy