Not everyone has a loving, warm, secure experience as they grow up. Unfortunately, far too many children are victims of trauma. It can stem from abuse or neglect, major family changes, or even witnessing a traumatic event at a young age.

That kind of trauma can stay with you well into adulthood, especially if you’ve tried to ignore it or repress it. Your mind and body will hold it somewhere, and it often manifests through things like difficult relationships, low self-esteem, and more.

Thankfully, with the right help, it’s never too late to find the peace you deserve. If you’re ready to start working through it, it’s possible to find healing from childhood trauma. Let’s cover some of the steps that you can expect along your journey.

Find Healthy Ways to Cope

It’s not uncommon for people who have experienced childhood trauma to lean into unhealthy coping mechanisms. That can include substance abuse, self-harm, or even harmful relationships.

Finding healthy ways to cope can change your mindset and help you realize that you are not defined by what happened to you in the past.

Healthy coping mechanisms look different for everyone, but they start with learning your triggers, developing healthy boundaries in your life, and replacing negative coping techniques with ones that enrich and fulfill you.

Have a Strong Support System

It can be tempting to want to isolate yourself from others when you’ve experienced childhood trauma. You might have a hard time trusting people, which can lead to tumultuous relationships.

However, it’s extremely important to have a healthy, strong support system. Isolation can lead to other mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Being around people who lift you up and acknowledge your feelings.

Support groups can also be a big help when you’re struggling. Hearing from people who have gone through similar things can help you realize that healing is possible.

Practice Self-Care

It’s not always easy for victims of childhood trauma to prioritize self-care. Again, feelings of guilt and shame often come in and might make you think that you don’t deserve self-compassion and kindness.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Self-care doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. Things like getting enough sleep, exercising, or even journaling can make a big difference in your overall well-being. Try to incorporate small acts of self-care into your daily routine, and you’re likely to see a difference in how you feel about yourself and your sense of worth.

Reach Out for Help

Even if you experienced trauma as a child and it’s been years of dealing with it on your own, it’s never too late to get the help you deserve.

Trauma counseling is often the best way to truly heal from childhood trauma. In a safe setting, you’ll be able to open up about things that you experienced, starting your healing journey from the ground up. Your therapist will be able to help you find healthy ways of coping and moving forward, replacing negative thoughts with positive ones and encouraging you to process your emotions in more effective ways.

You might not always remember the trauma you experienced as a child, and that’s okay. You don’t necessarily have to focus on detailed, specific memories to get to the root of the issue. The important thing is being able to process what you went through so you can release the negativity causing problems in your life today. If you’re ready to take that step, I’m here to help. Contact me today to set up a consultation, and we’ll start turning the page together so you can find peace in the next chapter of your life.

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