Several years ago, I sprained my ankle. After weeks of little improvement, I finally went to physical therapy, which helped tremendously - my ankle got stronger and I had significantly less pain. But even though that injury was 10 years ago, I still feel the effects today - I’ve sprained it a couple times since, and if I walk too much or wear the wrong shoes, my ankle feels sore and I need to ice it and wear a brace for a few days.
Is my ankle healed? Yes, it’s much better than it was. But it will never be the same as it was before I sprained it.
Psychological trauma works much the same way. We may first avoid treatment because we think the pain will eventually go away on its own. If that doesn’t happen, we seek healing through psychotherapy and other interventions, hoping we’ll be cured - less sad, angry, or scared, more happy, loving and hopeful.
We can get better. But we will never be the people we were, or could have been, if the trauma hadn’t happened. We will always be vulnerable to present-day triggers, injuries, and wounds related to past trauma that destabilize us. And no therapist, spiritual advisor, or coach can heal us if we’re not also doing the hard work of changing patterns, practicing new habits, and learning what we need to stay healthy.
Healing is a process and a journey. What does yours look like?
