You are Unbreakable…Resilience After Trauma
"What if I told you you could overcome anything...that you are indeed unbreakable." Do you believe that, today? Maybe it sounds impossible to you right now. Does it feel like so much has happened and you don't know where to go from here?
Life sometimes has unfair, damaging and hurtful experiences that create wounds that can last for years. Trauma is a real experience for too many people. Research has shown trauma affects emotional, psychological and physical development. It can lead to various mental health issues, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and impact relationships with others.
Despite wounding from trauma, there is hope for an amazing future. Pain happens, but people are resilient. As the speaker in this TedTalks says, "The worst of life couldn't take out the best of me." Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress.*
Tips for Fostering Resilence
The American Psychological Association suggests some ways to build resilience:
Make connections
Manage your thoughts
Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems
Accept that change is part of living
Move towards goals
Nurture a positive view of yourself
Take care of yourself
Working with people who have experienced trauma for over a decade, I have witnessed the power of connection to alter someone's life. It is one of the reasons I deeply value the therapeutic relationship to promote healing. Everyone deserves to be heard, valued and allowed to heal and thrive. There is no shame is needing a little help to get there. It can be difficult to change these thoughts, emotions and patterns of reacting on our own. But, change is possible and counseling can help. As Charles Hunt powerfully states in this video, "Sometimes all you need is the strength to ask others for help."
Further Reading:
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Perry, M.D, Ph.D
Trauma Counseling in Chicago and Illinois
At Mindful Healing Counseling, we understand the challenges of living with trauma. That's why our team comprises several therapists specialized in trauma treatment, offering counseling services virtually to individuals residing in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
Our therapists are experienced and trained in working with people dealing with various concerns such as anxiety, trauma, depression, pregnancy and postpartum concerns, relationship difficulties, life transitions, setting boundaries, managing family dynamics, navigating grief, and more. We prioritize providing affirming spaces for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals. We offer a range of evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based approaches, relational therapy, and more. Our services extend to adults of all ages, as well as teens, college students, couples, and families.
Reach out to us today. You can contact us by filling out our contact form or by calling or texting us at 708-419-3171. We're here to support you every step of the way.
