Childhood Trauma: 5 Paths to Healing

Childhood trauma impacts more people than most of us realize. Some are able to process and work through it sooner than others. On the other hand, some people hold onto it for years, trying to repress what happened.

But emotions will always demand to be felt. The effects of childhood trauma often linger well into adulthood. They can cause issues within your relationships and damage your overall mental well-being. Thankfully, there are ways to heal.

Let’s look at a few effective paths to healing from childhood trauma that you can begin today to officially start the next chapter of your life. 

1. Recognize and Acknowledge the Trauma

The best thing you can do to begin your healing journey is to acknowledge what actually happened to you as a child. Whether you’ve tried to push it down for years or you’ve just been carrying it, it’s time to recognize the trauma for what it was. 

That doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Acknowledgment and acceptance are two different things. But admitting it happened and exposing those “roots” will make it easier to start moving forward. 

2. Be Self-Compassionate

Childhood trauma can lead to a variety of mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and even low self-esteem and guilt. You might deal with a lot of negative self-talk. Or, you might be quick to blame yourself for things, even as an adult. If you know that you want to heal and you’re on the right path, be patient with yourself along the way. 

Think about how you might act if a beloved friend or family member was struggling—how would you treat them? Make sure you’re treating yourself with the same compassion and kindness. If you’re not “progressing” as quickly as you want to, take a deep breath and don’t put your healing process on a timeline. You’re dealing with issues that began years ago, and you can’t force them to go away overnight. 

3. Take Care of Yourself

When you start to show yourself more compassion and patience, self-care becomes more natural. Things like prioritizing your physical and mental well-being can put you in a better state, stronger state to overcome the effects of your trauma. 

Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s a necessity. Things like getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising can all boost your physical and mental health. Journaling, practicing mindfulness, and meditation are all fantastic ways to improve your overall well-being, too. 

4. Don’t Isolate Yourself

Relationships can be difficult for people who have experienced childhood trauma. You might find it easier to avoid close connections and isolate yourself—even from friends and family. Unfortunately, that’s one of the worst things you can do. 

Once you’ve acknowledged the impact of your trauma, it’s important to lean on your support system. There are people in your life who truly care about you and want to help. Let them in, and let them be there as a shoulder to cry on or as someone you can turn to when you’re really struggling. 

5. Reach Out for Help

In addition to leaning on your inner circle, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help, too. Again, getting to the root of your trauma is essential, but it’s not always easy to do on your own. 

A therapist can help you fully acknowledge what you’ve gone through. Beyond that, they’ll work with you to develop the necessary skills for healing and overcoming the effects of childhood trauma. 

If you’re ready to take control and recognize that what you went through as a child doesn’t define your future, feel free to contact me. Healing is possible, and I’m here to help you along your journey.