Trauma rewires the nervous system. It can leave those affected in a state of hyper-vigilance, emotional withdrawal, or intense reactivity—even in relationships that are loving and supportive. That’s why safety isn’t just a luxury in relationships affected by trauma—it’s a lifeline. Creating emotional safety allows partners to shift from surviving to truly connecting.
Trauma can leave us feeling shaken, changed, and uncertain about the future. Yet, even after deep suffering, growth is possible. This powerful process, known as post-traumatic growth (PTG), is not about simply bouncing back, it’s about moving forward with new strength, meaning, and purpose. PTG invites us to find deeper appreciation for life, stronger relationships, unexpected possibilities, and a renewed sense of personal and spiritual insight. Healing is not linear, and growth takes time, but with compassion, reflection, and support, transformation becomes not only possible, but profoundly life-affirming.
Compassion fatigue is emotional and physical exhaustion from caring for others, often leaving you drained, irritable, or disconnected. It can affect anyone — parents, friends, caregivers and is especially common in cultures where helping others is a core value. Recognising the signs and taking steps to care for yourself through rest, boundaries, and support is essential. Remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup.
This article discusses mindfulness, its benefits for stress reduction, emotional regulation, and focus, along with practical techniques like breath awareness, body scans, mindful walking, and eating. It highlights the importance of integrating mindfulness into daily life for overall well-being, supported by research.
Therapy helps children express emotions, develop coping skills, and improve behaviour. Gestalt play therapy, based on Violet Oaklander’s work, uses play to foster self-awareness and emotional growth. Most children show progress within 12 to 20 sessions, with parental support playing a key role in lasting positive change.
TRIGGER WARNING: CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE | Sexual abuse victimizes a person, and the partner can play a crucial role in the recovery and healing process of the abused. The love and support of a partner, friends, and family, can encourage the process of healing. It is crucial for those surrounding the abused, to understand the mixed signals they convey daily. The abused can; in many instances, turn to their loved ones for help, but in the wink of an eye, turn against them.
Different people react differently to traumatic experiences and also deal with these situations differently. For some, an event might cause a lot of emotional turmoil, and intervention is needed for that person to start their way on the road to recovery. For others, that same event might only cause minor frustrations and they can easily move on with their lives.
One must not be fooled by the discrete and subtle nature of some traumas. The common misconception that a hijacking or a mugging that ended without any physical injuries is “a fortunate result” must be substituted with a new paradigm. We must imagine the soul itself stabbed with a knife, bleeding and screaming for help. Maybe then the true meaning of trauma will finally sink in.
