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8 Ways To Heal Childhood Trauma

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Tejaswini Parker
8 Ways To Heal Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma, a deeply impactful experience, can shape our lives in profound ways. It stems from various experiences, including abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence. They can cause long-term psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties, and have an impact on how you handle life and relationships throughout adulthood. We hope these strategies help you heal your inner child and find a refreshing take on life. 


8 Strategies for Healing Childhood Trauma

1. Acknowledge and Accept the Trauma

Trauma can often lead to feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame. Give yourself permission to recognize the pain and the deep-seated emotions that come with it and know that it wasn’t your fault. 

Acceptance also means allowing yourself to grieve for what you've lost or what was taken from you. It could be a loss of innocence or a sense of safety. Make a journal where you can document your feelings as a way to process them. 


2. Seek Professional Help 

To explore and process traumatic experiences, find a psychotherapist that specialises in trauma and grief. They put a special emphasis on evidence-based techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Many of these professionals offer virtual services, so you can attend therapy from the comfort of your home. 


3. Building a Support System

Surround yourself with understanding and supportive people and don’t be afraid to distance those negatively impacting your mental health. You can join local groups, whether it is focused on mental health or arts and crafts to find support that’s reliable and non-judgemental. 


4. Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

Mental health and mindfulness go hand in hand. Practices like meditation and yoga can help in managing stress and developing a kinder relationship with yourself. Self-compassion is about treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend in distress.


5. Expressive Therapies

Expressive therapies are useful in processing and expressing emotions that are often too complex or painful to articulate through words alone. Art, music, and writing therapies are three great ways to begin. It isn’t about beautiful your creation is but about how your subconscious conveys itself through it. 


6. Reconnecting with Your Body

Trauma can lead to disconnection from the body. Activities like dance, sports, or simply mindful breathing can help in re-establishing this connection and recognizing bodily cues.


7. Set Boundaries 

First step is to know your boundaries and then communicate them with others. If people judge you, they aren’t the right kind of people for you, so don’t be afraid to take the step of distancing yourself. 


8. Educating Yourself and Others about Trauma

There are two benefits of educating yourself and others about trauma. You will understand its effects on the brain and body, which can empower you to take control of your healing journey. Second benefit is people will find some relatable context and feel the urge to explore their deep rooted childhood trauma, if any. 


Healing is not linear. It requires patience and perseverance. Celebrate small victories and recognize that setbacks are part of the journey. If you're in Ontario and seeking support for trauma and grief, consider reaching out to Jennifer Pinto Psychotherapy

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Tejaswini Parker
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