Historical trauma, or intergenerational trauma, refers to the cumulative emotional and psychological wounding of a person or generation caused by traumatic experiences or events. Historical trauma can be experienced by any group of people that experience a trauma. Examples include genocide, enslavement, or ethnic cleansing. It can affect many generations of a family or an entire community. Historical trauma can lead to substance abuse, depression, anxiety, anger, violence, suicide, and alcoholism within the afflicted communities. If you are feeling the effects of historical or intergenerational trauma, reach out to one of TherapyDen’s experts today.Â
Intergenerational trauma feels like a big, scary term, I know. It basically defines the experiences that have traveled through your family like a pattern, or the issues that might have gone unresolved and affected everyone in your family, through the generations. I approach trauma work with special attention to attachment and dual awareness. We can walk through your past experiences while staying firmly rooted in the present and planning for how you want the future to look.
— Hailey Hughes, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Austin, TXFor many of us, particularly those of us who are members of oppressed groups, the trauma we have experienced in this lifetime is only a piece of the puzzle. Our ancestors and the pain and unhealed wounds of their suffering can also be in our nervous systems, minds, bodies, and spirits affecting our psychological and physical health. I will always hold this truth in our work together and if you are interested we can explore those historical elements together.
— Megan Moon, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in , TX27 years experience treating intergenerational trauma, specifically physical and sexual abuse. I spent 18 years working with children and families in residential treatment facilities who presented with intergenerational trauma. I utilize a similar curriculum in my practice.
— Amy Hunter, Licensed Professional Counselor in West Hartford, CTTrauma can occur from a single experience, or from multiple negative experiences over a lifetime. Childhood abuse or neglect, sexual assaults, and frightening events can be traumatic. So too can hostile or conflicted family relationships, being bullied, and so much more. Healing trauma does not mean forgetting, but it does mean that the trauma and the nervous system responses you may have will no longer control you. You deserve to have your power, safety, and freedom back.
— Cassandra Goar, Counselor in Thornton, COMost of my clients are doing the emotional and psychological work of their parents, grandparents and beyond. In other words, our healing what the healing our lineage has needed. Families pass down the good and the bad. I compare this to physical belongings, like heirlooms or unopened boxes. When the "boxes" contain habits, patterns or traits that have caused harm to or are no longer serving my clients, I support them to sort that stuff out in exchange for what heals, helps and brings happiness
— TESSA SINCLAIR, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Francisco, CAI help clients understand how generational cycles of trauma can impact thought processes and their ability to navigate stressors in a healthy way. I work with clients to explore coping skills to manage life stressors in a healthy way.
— Axel Rivera, Student Therapist in Worcester, MAMy training in trauma informed care, my passion for social justice and equity, and my own lived experiences as a biracial woman, have made me acutely aware of the painful legacy of systemic oppression on the epigenetic and socioeconomic experiences of all of my clients. I incorporate somatic, polyvagal and attachment based techniques with EMDR, IFS and brainspotting to help clients process the entirety of the pain they are carrying, in order to give my clients the healing they deserve.
— India Johnson, Clinical Social Worker in , AZThere is significant research and findings about how the impact of historical and intergenerational trauma has, not only impacted our relationship with family members, but also how it can impact an individual on the cellular level. As a third generation Filipina American, I am keenly aware of how colonization has impacted Filipinx Americans. As a scholar-practitioner-activist, I work with individuals to heal from these trauma wounds, and develop healthier relationships with oneself and others.
— Dr. Jean-Arellia Tolentino, Clinical Psychologist in oakland, CABreaking the cycle of recurring generational patterns of abuse, violence, and dysfunction within family systems.
— Deahdra Chambers, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Biscoe, NCI work with individuals in navigating the effects of present, historical and intergenerational trauma resulting from systems of oppression as well as individual/ family experiences. Focusing upon the macro experience of family systems, I support my clients in understanding the effects of trauma as they resonate through the self via society. My therapy practice centers on the tenets of advocacy and empowerment as roads to healing, understanding and growth as change agents.
— Neil Panchmatia, Counselor in Portland, ORDid you know that, according to the EMDR Institute, there is biological evidence to suggest that intergenerational trauma is hereditary? The stress that comes from the trauma and adversity of generations before you CAN affect your stress. You are not your ancestors, and their story does not have to be your story. We can't control all the fucked up problems of the world, so let's focus on what is in OUR control. Let's work together to identify what advocacy looks like for you and heal.
— Tracy Vadakumchery, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Los Angeles, CATrauma doesn't come from nowhere. It is tied to family, community, and national history. It is connected to the long and many faceted systemic oppression that causes so much trauma. For me, most trauma is connected to the intergenerational. This is why in my work with clients I connect present experiences of symptoms related to trauma to past relationships, family history, community history, and more.
— Renya NeoNorton, Marriage & Family TherapistThrough the modules of DBT and EMDR and DBR we work towards accountability and control over your current choices.
— Pallavi Lal, MS, LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor in Scottsdale, AZYears of grappling with trauma has shown me something beautiful. Yes, we inherit post-traumatic stress. But we inherit post-traumatic growth too! We can rewire the ways our wise adaptive minds read information. Soothe the fear. Reeducate the vigilance. Keep potential trauma from becoming embedded. Trauma comes to our bodies through relationship, but healing does too. When we reshape how we safely show up in world, we heal & reveal our full Selves & pave the way for healthy whole-hearted children
— Sarah Kendrick, Psychotherapist in Portland, ORSystems theory demonstrates that none of us are separate from the family, social or global environments we grow up in. If we want to feel better now, we do well to explore all of the systems that have impacted us. As a psychodynamic social worker, I do not see people as separate from any of their intersecting identities or relationships. It's crucial that you have a place where all of the things and people that have influenced you, for good and ill, can be brought into the light of day.
— Tracy Bryce Farmer, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Portland, OR