For many years, the word trauma was something of a taboo—especially during my time working in the public mental health system. Back then, we weren’t even allowed to discuss trauma, as if acknowledging it would make it too real or overwhelming to address. But today, we have a much deeper understanding of trauma, thanks to advances in neurobiology and our growing awareness of the body's wisdom. We now know that trauma isn’t just the result of extreme, life-altering events, but also the accumulation of small, everyday moments of disconnection from our true selves.
 

Trauma affects us physiologically and mentally, manifesting in our nervous systems and our sense of safety in the world. It’s not always about a catastrophic event; it can be as simple as feeling emotionally neglected as a child, constantly being told to "toughen up," or living in an environment where your feelings were dismissed or invalidated. These experiences shape us, pulling us away from our authentic selves and creating patterns of disconnection that stay with us into adulthood.
 

Think of the moments where you felt unsupported or unseen by those around you—times when your emotions were overwhelming, but you didn’t have the space to express them. Maybe it was a parent or teacher dismissing your tears with a casual “stop crying, it’s not that bad,” or growing up in a household where emotional expression wasn’t welcome. These seemingly small moments create layers of tension and stress in the body, and over time, they accumulate into what we now understand as trauma.
 

The good news is that trauma can be healed. As we embrace this new understanding of how trauma impacts both the body and the mind, we can begin to release stored stress, tension, and disconnection. This allows us to reconnect with our true selves, heal old wounds, and find greater balance and connection in our lives.

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By shifting our perspective on trauma, we can create more compassionate spaces for healing and growth—both for ourselves and others.