Healing from Trauma: A Journey Towards Wholeness

Understanding the Impact of Trauma

Trauma has a way of quietly stealing pieces of us. It can take our voice, our trust, our joy—even the simple ability to ask for help. Most trauma survivors don't know how to ask for help, where to go, or what words to use. Some of us learn to survive by shrinking ourselves, while others build walls so high that no one can climb them. Surviving is powerful, but it’s not the same as healing. Healing asks more of us. It asks us to feel what we've avoided, to open doors we've nailed shut, and to trust that the pain we uncover will eventually lead to peace.

When we think about trauma, we often imagine the event itself—the abuse, the loss, the violence, the neglect. But what's often harder to understand is how deeply trauma rewires the brain and quietly influences nearly every part of daily living. It's not just about "bad memories" or "feeling sad." Trauma changes how we think, feel, react, and even how we make decisions.

The Brain and Trauma

The brain, when wounded by trauma, can become stuck in survival mode. This means the part of our brain responsible for logical decision-making can take a back seat, while the parts wired for fear, danger detection, and self-protection take over. This might look like:

• Struggling to make simple choices.

• Feeling paralyzed when asking for help.

• Overreacting to small triggers that others don't understand.

• Avoiding opportunities or relationships because they feel unsafe, even when they're healthy.

  
  

The Importance of Support Systems

We live in a time where trauma workbooks and self-help guides fill bookstore shelves. Many of them are written by people with years of education, while others come from those who have lived the pain themselves. Both perspectives matter. But here's something I don't see often enough in these books: the emphasis on having a solid support system while you work on healing.

A good support system isn't just "people who are around." It's about having people who can hold space for you when the work gets hard. Make no mistake—trauma therapy and self-reflection can shake loose a lot of buried pain. Without the right people beside you, those moments of vulnerability can feel unbearable, leading to setbacks or harmful coping.

Characteristics of a Support System

A support system in trauma healing should:

• Understand triggers and not take them personally.

• Be patient when progress is slow or messy.

• Remind you that you're not "too much" for needing care.

• Celebrate your small wins along the way.

  
  

When Trauma is From Family

Family trauma can cut the deepest. The people who were supposed to protect us may have been the very ones who hurt us. That kind of betrayal can follow us for years, shaping our sense of safety and belonging. But occasionally, life offers us something unexpected—the chance to work through that pain with the very person who caused it, after they've done their own healing.

This is not an easy road, and it's not the right choice for everyone. But if you ever find yourself with the opportunity to rebuild a relationship with a now-healthy family member who once caused your trauma, it can become a powerful part of your own healing. It's a rare gift that can help you heal on a deeper level, breaking patterns for future generations and restoring something you may have thought was lost forever.

Navigating the Path of Healing

Some people avoid formal therapy for many reasons—fear of a psychiatric paper trail (I get it), not feeling ready, lack of trust, or financial barriers. If that's you, I understand. I've been there. If you're one of those who picks up a self-help workbook and tries to do the work on your own, please know you don't have to be alone in it.

That's why I offer a safe space to connect—whether it's in our online chat groups or a private one-on-one conversation. I come to this not just with words from a textbook, but as someone who has lived through trauma and walked the long road of recovery. It's a journey that feels endless at times, but I promise you—it gets better. Not perfect, but so much better than before.

Your brain can heal. Your life can open back up. You don't have to do it alone. Confidentiality is kept with high regard to you.

The Healing Journey

Healing may feel like the hardest work you'll ever do, but with the right support, it's also the most life-changing. It’s a journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns. Each step you take is a testament to your strength and resilience. Embrace the process, and remember that every small victory counts.

Finding Your Community

If you're reading this and feel like you're carrying your healing alone, please know there is a place for you here. You don't need to have all the answers or the "right" words—you just need to take the first step and reach out.

Join our private chat group, where we share openly without judgment, or schedule a one-on-one conversation with me if you need a quieter place to talk. I'll meet you where you are because I know what it's like to be there. You don't have to be "ready"—you just have to be willing.

A Gentle Reminder

As you navigate your healing journey, remember that it's okay to ask for help. You are not alone. The path to healing is often winding, but with support, it can lead to a place of peace and purpose.

If you feel ready to take that step, email me at risingfromstigma@gmail.com. Together, we can walk through this journey, finding light and hope along the way.

J. Poston