Healing Trauma through Connection
Humans are made to connect with each other. Those we connect with become our home - where we feel safe and accepted. But for many trauma survivors, the mere thought of connecting with others can bring both dread and desire. And when you try to run away from something while running towards it, you usually end up stuck in the middle somewhere—wanting to be seen but also stay hidden. True trust and connection are built steadily over time with patience and care. As you build your home, here are some helpful pieces to keep in mind:
EMBRACE VULNERABILITY.
Vulnerability sounds nice for someone else to do, but we’d rather keep our walls up when it comes to ourselves. One of the downsides to having entirely impassable walls is they separate us from others who can provide support and validation. Embracing vulnerability allows you to step out from those walls, ask for help, and connect with others who may also yearn to be seen. You can be surprised how much healing can come from sharing your experience with others.
TAKE YOUR TIME.
Your brain may have had years of experience being disconnected from others, so it may take time for it to re-wire. This is not a race. You don’t need to share everything with everybody all at once, especially if it doesn’t feel right for you. You can start with small shares, small moments of vulnerability, and small victories in developing healthy connections. Focus on the small steps that lead to the ultimate goal.
REACH OUT.
Although waiting for someone to reach out to you feels easier, you can take control by taking the first step. Sometimes it will go well, sometimes it might not. If it doesn’t go as desired, you’ll have more information to consider for next time. Ultimately, you get to choose what relationships you put effort into maintaining. Reaching out to others can help you build a community of support to navigate your healing journey.
CONNECT WITH YOURSELF.
Many survivors have spent long years avoiding themselves because they were ashamed or afraid of what they might find. Without a healthy relationship with yourself, it becomes almost impossible to develop healthy relationships with others. Like every other type of relationship, it may take time and patience to get to know yourself again—to learn what you like, what you don’t like, and to find the beautiful pieces of yourself that may have gone unnoticed.
At Empowered Mind Therapy Center, our group of clinicians can support you heal from trauma, breaking down your walls, and encouraging lasting connections. You are far more than what has happened to you. We can help you write your healing story. If you feel ready to embark on this path, our Client Care Coordinator is ready to schedule a free consult and help match you with the right clinician to support your needs.
*Disclaimer: the content shared is only here for informational purposes and not a substitute in regards to professional, psychological, treatment, and diagnosis.