Healing From Childhood Trauma

Childhood is a time that should be filled with wonder, love, and protection. Unfortunately, few people get to experience an idyllic childhood. When a child is repeatedly exposed to painful experiences, this can create childhood trauma. This type of trauma can take on many forms. In the realm of psychological distress, we distinguish between big “T” and little “t” trauma. Big “T” trauma typically includes extreme events that can cause severe psychological distress, including (but not limited to) abuse, sexual assault, and life-altering medical conditions. Little “t” trauma denotes the often neglected stressors that tend to have a compounding effect, gradually eroding an individual's sense of security and overall well-being. A few examples of little “t” trauma would be emotional neglect, parental divorce, and bullying. Whether big “T” or little “t” trauma, all forms of trauma deserve compassion, care, and a tailored approach to healing.

How can we begin to heal when faced with our childhood trauma? Where do we start, and how do we continue? When faced with the beginning of this arduous journey, it can be tempting to continue to stuff all of the painful memories into the “closet” of our minds and firmly close the door. What happens when the door just won’t stay closed anymore? It could be time to start working with a counselor.

I love this quote from Desmond Tutu, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” At the beginning of the counseling journey for someone with childhood trauma, counseling can look and feel like an unraveling process. Picture a big knotted-up ball of yarn. That big ball of yarn did not get knotted up overnight, but over the years and even decades. It takes time and hard work to unravel and sort through our most painful and deeply rooted memories. One memory might be connected to another and another - those memories need to be untangled and sorted through. While this sounds like an arduous road that no one would desire to travel, I can share with you that there is hope on the other side.

Remember the overflowing “closet” in our minds? What if it wasn’t quite so overwhelmingly full? The isolation of secrets and painful memories multiplies their power. The beautiful part of counseling is that over time, memories are usually less painful after they are processed through. Secrets lose their power over us when they are exposed.

If you’re looking for someone who could help you gently unravel your story alongside you, please reach out. My expertise is in childhood trauma counseling for adults. I would be honored to walk alongside you in your healing journey. It can be a lonely one, but it doesn’t have to be.