On the morning of 6/24/22, I read that Roe v. Wade had been overturned, and deep breathing was no longer enough. Instead, I held back tears as several of my clients bravely unpacked the ramifications of this historic decision for their safety, autonomy, and sense of self-worth.

“I don’t know what to say” is a phrase I often hear from the loved ones of trauma survivors. If you have a loved one who is a trauma survivor, your relationship with them can have a positive impact on their recovery. 

When their offenders die, survivors often face a complicated emotional journey for which they need understanding, support, and acceptance. If you feel uncomfortable with the concept of speaking ill of the dead, read this. 

Survivors of developmental trauma often experience family dynamics that are unsafe, unhealthy, and unsupportive. If you’re a survivor, establishing boundaries with your family can feel like one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. 

Trauma survivors may have distinctive internal experiences that may not be shared by those who haven’t experienced trauma. It’s these experiences that might provide you with an advantage in your ability to emotionally cope and function during crises.

“Take a breath” is advice that’s often dispensed to those who experience trauma responses which can manifest as panic attacks, hypervigilance, and dissociation. Usually, this is wonderful advice but it's not a cure-all. 

Talk therapy doesn’t always work in treating trauma. Why? It’s a top-down treatment approach that typically targets the top step of your brain in order to access your lower steps. Talk therapy is like walking down your brain’s staircase. What if you walked up that staircase instead?

On their path to recovery, complex trauma survivors often seek validation, information, and hope. The following books are great resources for meeting these needs.