Recovering from childhood trauma: A journey of healing

Childhood trauma is more common than many realise, and it leaves lasting marks on the mind and body. As a trauma therapist, I’ve witnessed the incredible resilience of people who’ve experienced childhood trauma and have helped guide them through their healing journeys. Recovery is possible, but it requires understanding, patience, and the right therapeutic support. In this blog, I’ll share insights from my experience, how different therapeutic approaches can help, and what to expect during recovery. 

What is childhood trauma?

Childhood trauma refers to any distressing experience a child encounters that overwhelms their ability to cope. This could be physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence, among other traumatic events. Trauma impacts a child’s development, affecting not only emotional and psychological well-being but also how they interact with the world as adults.
 
The effects of childhood trauma can last into adulthood, influencing relationships, self-esteem, and even physical health. However, the human mind and body have an extraordinary ability to heal, especially with the right support and understanding of how trauma affects us on a deep, often unconscious level.

How therapy helps with childhood trauma recovery

Therapy provides a safe and nurturing space where past trauma can be explored, understood, and gradually healed. It can be helpful to take an integrative and holistic approach, recognising that trauma affects us on many levels—physical, emotional, cognitive, and even spiritual. Every individual is different, and it’s important to tailor therapy to suit each person’s unique needs and experiences. Here’s how some therapeutic methods can play a role in recovery:

1. Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy helps clients understand the unconscious forces influencing their current thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Many childhood traumas are repressed, hidden deep within the mind, but they continue to influence how a person responds to stress, relationships, and life challenges. By bringing these unconscious memories to light, psychodynamic therapy helps people make sense of their past and create healthier patterns in the present.
 

2. Attachment-based therapy

Attachment-based therapy helps with trauma recovery by exploring how early relationships affect the way we connect with others today. By understanding these patterns, we can heal emotional wounds, build healthier connections, and feel more secure in our relationships. It helps us rebuild trust and strengthen our sense of safety, which is key in recovering from past trauma. 

3. Person-centred therapy

At the heart of person-centred therapy is the belief that everyone has the potential for personal growth and healing. By creating a non-judgmental, empathetic environment, this approach allows clients to explore their thoughts and feelings at their own pace. This method empowers individuals to reconnect with their authentic selves and develop greater self-compassion, which is essential for healing childhood wounds. 

4. Somatic therapy

Trauma doesn’t just reside in the mind; it lives in the body as well. This is where somatic therapy comes in. Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between the mind and body, helping individuals to process their trauma on a physical level. Whether it’s through breathwork, movement, or other body-focused techniques, this approach allows individuals to release trauma that may have become “stuck” in their bodies, leading to increased physical and emotional well-being. 

5. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a structured approach that helps people to understand the link between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Trauma can lead to harmful thinking patterns, such as self-blame or fear, which perpetuate emotional distress. CBT can help challenge these patterns and replace them with healthier, more constructive ways of thinking. This is especially helpful in addressing the anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem that often accompany childhood trauma. 

6. The rewind technique

For clients struggling with traumatic memories, the Rewind technique can be particularly effective. This approach is a non-intrusive way of reducing the emotional intensity of traumatic memories. It helps individuals revisit traumatic events in a way that allows them to feel more in control, eventually lessening the hold these memories have on their current emotional state. Many people find relief after just a few sessions.

The role of implicit and explicit memory in trauma recovery

An essential aspect of trauma recovery is understanding how our memories work. When we experience trauma, it can be stored in our brains in two ways: explicitly and implicitly. 

Explicit memory

Explicit memory refers to the conscious recollection of events. When you think back to a happy childhood birthday or the memory of a school lesson, you are accessing your explicit memory. In therapy, we often work with explicit memories to help individuals understand and process their traumatic experiences consciously. 

Implicit memory

On the other hand, implicit memory involves memories that we may not be consciously aware of but still affect us. These can manifest as physical sensations, emotional reactions, or behavioural responses that are triggered by certain situations, even if we can’t recall the original traumatic event. For example, a person may feel intense fear in a situation that subconsciously reminds them of their trauma, even if they don't have a clear memory of the traumatic event.
 
Therapy works on both levels—explicit and implicit. The process of healing involves bringing implicit memories to the surface, where they can be acknowledged and processed safely. This helps to untangle the body’s automatic responses to trauma and release the emotional and physical tension that has been held for years.

Healing takes time: The process of trauma recovery

Trauma recovery is not a quick fix, and it’s important to recognise that healing is a process. The duration of therapy varies for each individual, depending on the complexity of their trauma and their personal resilience. It often requires revisiting difficult memories and emotions, which can be challenging, but it is a vital part of the journey toward healing.

Recovery involves gradual shifts in how a person feels in their body, thinks about themselves and the world, and responds to life. Through therapy, individuals learn to reconnect with their bodies, gain clarity about their emotional and cognitive processes, and build healthier relationships with others. Over time, they develop new ways of thinking and being that are free from the grip of past trauma. 

How to seek help for childhood trauma

If you’re reading this and feel that you may be affected by childhood trauma, it’s important to know that you are not alone and that help is available. Seeking therapy is a courageous step toward reclaiming your life and healing from the past. The right therapist can help you explore your experiences in a safe and compassionate environment, using approaches that work for you.
 
When looking for a therapist, consider someone who is trauma-informed and uses an integrative approach, as this allows for a more holistic and personalised therapy experience. Healing from childhood trauma requires not just emotional processing but also physical and cognitive support, so it’s essential to find someone who understands the interplay of these elements.