Generational Trauma
Some traumas can be intergenerational.
Generational trauma? You might think, “This doesn’t sound very easy. Why am I here reading about generational anything?”
Let’s look at nature for some examples.
How do monarch butterflies know how to travel back to Mexico? How are elephants able to navigate cross-continent via routes never taken? We accept that inherent things are passed on from generation to generation in the natural world; however, we often do not consider ourselves in the same way.
The fact is that we are no exception to nature’s way!
We live in a changing world.
Our world, however, is very different from the world in which we watch our favorite animal specials on TV. Our world changes constantly, and the traumas of your parents, your parents’ parents, their parents, and our community created by beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes of the past can be passed down generationally without changing!
Unfortunately, the traumas created by learned behaviors and attitudes of the past do not always translate to the world we live in today, yet they do. They are in us, affect us, come out in our behaviors and our fears, and create walls. Some walls protect us and those we love, keep the dangers out, keep us in, and possibly even restrict us, unknowingly or unintentionally.
This type of trauma can stem from historical events, cultural oppression, systemic injustices, or personal experiences that have not been appropriately addressed or healed.
Generational trauma can manifest in various ways, impacting individuals’ mental health, behavior patterns, relationships, and overall well-being across multiple generations.
Our world is far from perfect.
Is it better than our parents? Yes? Maybe? It depends. The reality is that it’s complicated – very complicated.
And that complexity does us no favors in understanding our traumas passed on from those before us and how they impact who we are today and how we can be or could be tomorrow.
It can feel like an invisible weight passed down through the years.
The good news is that you don’t have to carry it alone.
Together, we can understand the shadows of your past and how they shape your present and tomorrow.
As we work together, we will explore the source of your trauma and investigate how it has impacted your behaviors, relationships, and sense of self. Then, we’ll untangle those threads and weave a brighter future that replaces those negative thoughts and beliefs with a more positive attitude.
We will address intergenerational trauma by drawing upon a range of therapeutic modalities to help you understand and heal deep-seated patterns that affect your life.
Through Family Systems Therapy, we will explore familial dynamics and uncover how unresolved issues shape current relationships.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) will help you challenge inherited negative thought patterns, while Narrative Therapy will empower you to reframe your story in a more positive light.
Incorporating mindfulness practices and faith-based principles creates a supportive environment where you can break free from cycles of trauma and build resilience for yourself and future generations.
Let’s take that first step toward healing today. Contact us for more information on how we can help.