Healing Generational Trauma

Trauma is entwined in the past, present, and future, and it is carried down through generations. Those who have “inherited” post-traumatic consequences can receive assistance, healing, and develop coping mechanisms from the mental care community. Recognizing and intervening in intergenerational trauma is critical for healing from past harm, empowering those living in the moment, breaking free from the cycle for mental wellness, and disrupting the destructive cycle so that the consequences of trauma are not handed down to the future generations.

Healing can be aided by a variety of therapies. Individual trauma-focused treatment with trauma-informed certified mental health experts can aid in the processing of previous trauma’s effects and the learning of effective strategies to face it in the present situation and future, recover from it, and build strength to go ahead positively and constructively.

Family counseling might be beneficial as well. Intergenerational trauma can be addressed by a family working together with a therapist. Members of the family can also examine the trauma in the framework of their own family and culture, learning to focus on themselves, recover, control traumatic stress, and detach themselves from the pain of earlier generations—and embrace other family members who try to do the same. Treatment for caregivers or parents before or during their child’s therapy can be a beneficial therapeutic strategy.

Culturally responsive treatment can be quite successful, especially for those who are dealing with intergenerational historical or cultural trauma. A person going through the healing process may benefit from a culturally relevant counselor who is knowledgeable of the client’s culture and applies regionally important and suitable strategies. Culturally sensitive interventions that focus on a group’s or individual’s strengths and resourcefulness might be beneficial to people seeking treatment for intergenerational trauma.

While engaging with a certified mental health expert is recommended, individuals experiencing intergenerational trauma can adopt measures to improve their mental health if they do not have access to treatment. Isolation can be bad for one’s emotional health, thus connecting with people can aid with healing. Building meaningful ties with people outside of the family might provide a source of support in the case of generational trauma. These connections can also provide new and unique insights into how others deal with difficulties. Building positive connections to promote mental health can be as simple as entering a support network, volunteering, or forming friendships.

When dealing with intergenerational trauma, self-care is another way to improve mental health. Getting sufficient amounts of sleep, for example, can help with mental stability. Exercise can aid in the release of endorphins, which fuel good emotions. Meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing can be relaxing and provide relief from trauma-related unpleasant feelings and thoughts. 

Gratitude might help us focus on the positive rather than the negative. Another aspect of self-care is setting limits. Setting limits with relatives, for example, can be a protective measure for psychological health if bad family interactions coexist with intergenerational trauma.

Building resilience can aid in the treatment of intergenerational trauma-related mental health concerns. When faced with adversity, resilience can assist us in adapting. Knowing from the past—from what has had a negative effect on us—can assist us in determining how to go forward in a productive and strong manner. Positive self-talk about individual qualities, as well as intentionally forming an optimistic view, can aid with resilience.