Post-Traumatic GROWTH: What would a healed life from trauma be like?
- Counselor Keri Aschoff, LPC, NCC
- Jan 26, 2024
- 4 min read
Hello Kind Souls,
In the midst of adversity and the echoes of trauma, we often find ourselves wishing for a life unburdened by the shadows of the past. "What would a healed life from trauma be like?"
Having walked this trauma hardship and healing path personally years ago, I know firsthand how dark and overwhelming the traumatic experiences can feel like as well as what the light on the other side of healing feels like. This is my hope and wish for you - that you can experience the light and growth as you work through your difficult experiences. There is another side - a life of peace that you may struggle to see clearly right now.
So, what would a healed life from trauma be like? This question encourages us to explore our innate capacity to transcend pain and reclaim peace.
Being healed means being able to envision a life where our traumatic emotional scars no longer dictate our choices or our future, and resilience becomes an integral part of our lives. We gain the security of knowing that we can not only survive but also thrive, no matter what.
In your journey of healing, through resilience and the unwavering belief that even in the aftermath of trauma, a life filled with restoration, connection, and inner peace is not only possible but also a testament to your ability and worthiness to heal.
Post-Traumatic Growth: Shedding Light on the Path Forward
In the book, Post-Traumatic Growth to Psychological Well-being: Coping Wisely with Adversity, the authors explore the research that demonstrates how to navigate traumatic experiences and grow from them. The idea of post-traumatic growth has emerged as a symbol of hope for those dealing with trauma. This concept challenges the common belief that trauma leaves us permanently damaged. Instead, it suggests that, amid the wreckage of trauma, new opportunities for growth and resilience can arise. Research in psychology has shown the significant potential for post-traumatic growth. Studies have revealed that people who have experienced trauma can, over time, undergo positive psychological changes. These changes affect various aspects of their lives, altering the course of their recovery. Posttraumatic growth emphasizes how individuals can handle tough situations and experience positive changes as they try to understand a world that has been shaken up by trauma (Munroe & Ferrari, 2022).
People who go through posttraumatic growth often do not go back to how they were before the trauma. Instead, they come out of it transformed and set new standards for how they will handle future challenges with resilience (Tedeschi, 2018).
A Redefined Self
One fundamental aspect of post-traumatic growth is the development of a new self-perception. Trauma often forces us to reflect deeply on our lives. Through this process, individuals may gain a new appreciation for life, a heightened sense of personal strength, and a deeper understanding of their core values. Consequently, they start crafting a self-narrative that goes beyond victimhood, embracing resilience as a defining characteristic (Tedeschi, 2018).
Stronger Connections
Trauma can reshape our relationships. While adversity can strain bonds, it can also nurture a sense of connection that goes beyond the surface. This can lead to more meaningful and authentic relationships with loved ones and a desire to contribute positively to others' well-being (Tedeschi, 2018).
Embracing the Unknown
Another aspect of post-traumatic growth is the ability to accept uncertainty and change. Trauma shatters the illusion of control, forcing us to confront life's unpredictability. Those on the path of post-traumatic growth learn to navigate ambiguity with resilience and adaptability. They are more likely to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles (Tedeschi, 2018).
Personal Transformation
Perhaps the most profound aspect of post-traumatic growth is the potential for personal transformation. Individuals on this journey often report a greater appreciation for the present, a renewed sense of purpose, and overall enhanced well-being. They discover that healing from trauma is not merely about returning to a pre-trauma state but about evolving into a stronger, more resilient version of themselves (Tedeschi, 2018).
People who demonstrate post traumatic growth choose to find a purpose to make meaning of the pain. They choose to grow THROUGH their pain and hardship instead of letting it hold them stuck in the past.
At KindWorks Counseling, we believe in the transformative power of therapy that can help heal trauma. You are worthy of healing, and you have the potential to not only recover from the scars of trauma but also to grow stronger and wiser through the process.
Post-traumatic growth offers a path forward to a life healed from the trauma that holds you back in the past. Your ability to navigate adversity to this present moment is a reflection of your inner strength.
Ready to heal further? Therapy can help... Need to find a licensed therapist near you? I highly recommend going to www.PsychologyToday.com and you can read about different therapists near you trained in trauma-focused approaches and contact them through the website.
References
Munroe, M., & Ferrari, M. (2022). In Munroe M., Ferrari M.(Eds.), Post-traumatic growth to psychological well-being: Coping wisely with adversity (1st ed.). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15290-0
Tedeschi, R. G. (2018). Posttraumatic growth: theory, research and applications (1st ed.). Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315527451
About the Author - Counselor Keri Aschoff, LPC-Associate, NCC
Keri Aschoff, founder and counselor at KindWorks Counseling, is dedicated to helping adults and adolescents through a whole-body integrative therapy approach to heal emotional wounds from their life's hardships and traumas.
She specializes in transforming adversity into hope and healing. Specific areas of expertise are adults and adolescents who have experienced trauma (including betrayal, childhood abuse, and medical/illness), C-PTSD, Chronic/Serious Illness (especially dysautonomia/POTS/EDS) and Borderline Personality Disorder.
Keri is a self-professed neuro-science research nerd who loves to use her free time to read the latest research and deep dive into additional training to help her clients even more effectively. She is EMDR trained, certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and currently pursuing her PhD in Health Science Trauma Informed Care at Liberty University. She also integrates DBT, Parts Work, somatic therapy, polyvagal theory, and Structural Dissociation Model in her work.
Keri Aschoff, LPC-Associate, NCC - Kind Works Counseling
Supervisor: Jackeline Hurtado, LPC-S - License Texas 65735 at The Lotus Circle Counseling
929-777-5463 (KIND)
Helping clients in-person Katy & Cypress Tx and online throughout Texas
Follow us on Facebook: Kind Works Counseling
Instagram: @KindWorksTherapist
Psychology Today Profile: Keri Aschoff
#Counseling #MentalHealth #BeKindToYourMind #Holidays #Therapy #CopingSkills #KatyCounselor #CypressCounselor #TexasCounselor
Comments