Historical/ Intergenerational Trauma

All staff are people of color that participate and have completed training in this area as well.

I have experienced working with intergenerational trauma, helping clients break free from unhealthy patterns that they learned or inherit from their parents. I have experienced first hand this type of trauma and this has helped me to understand it and learn the tools needed to heal. The most difficult part of this trauma is that it is very silent. Clients often don't recognize its impact, leading them to believe they are overreacting or that something is wrong with them.

trauma is not the event—trauma is the stuck response held by our bodies. trauma changes us at a cellular level, changed our blood relatives and ancestors at a cellular level, and so many of us inherit the pain our forebearers could not metabolize. this is where my somatic experience comes into play. through somatic therapies, we practice tapping into the organic "technology" of our bodies, which are inherently designed for resilience & growth.

Breaking the cycle of recurring generational patterns of abuse, violence, and dysfunction within family systems.

Many individuals can experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are a few emotions that can linger post traumatic events. We can help you overcome these symptoms and guide you through the process of healing. Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) uses eye movements and other forms of stimulation to activate the brain’s ability to resolve current concerns and past traumas. The ultimate result we feel better, not just think we

Systems theory demonstrates that none of us are separate from the family, social or global environments we grow up in. If we want to feel better now, we do well to explore all of the systems that have impacted us. As a psychodynamic social worker, I do not see people as separate from any of their intersecting identities or relationships. It's crucial that you have a place where all of the things and people that have influenced you, for good and ill, can be brought into the light of day.

That weight on your shoulder will go away. We will talk about some new ways to think and look at this painful story. We will give you skills to manage your thoughts and feelings. You will build confidence as this process unfolds. And then one day you will be on the other side of this life experience. You will be able to talk about it with out crying. You will feel strong again. Your dreams will stop. You can then exhale and feel calm again. You can look forward without these painful experiences

Intergenerational trauma can be a difficult subject to talk about, because it involves naming how our family and community members have reenacted their traumas. There doesn’t need to be blame associated with naming the presence of intergenerational trauma. It will continue to be present in every generation until someone is ready to interrupt the cycle. This can involve healing together and/or naming boundaries. In some cases it means going no contact with our family or community members.

I treat many different trauma conditions, such as historical/intergenerational trauma, complex trauma (C-PTSD), PTSD from life threatening situations, and trauma from sexual, physical, psychological, and emotional trauma. I focus on helping clients build safety and coping skills first in trauma therapy before deep diving into treating the trauma through somatic based interventions.

Symptoms of historical trauma include denial, depersonalization, isolation, memory loss, nightmares, psychic numbing, hypervigilance, substance abuse, identification with death, and unresolved grief.

There is significant research and findings about how the impact of historical and intergenerational trauma has, not only impacted our relationship with family members, but also how it can impact an individual on the cellular level. As a third generation Filipina American, I am keenly aware of how colonization has impacted Filipinx Americans. As a scholar-practitioner-activist, I work with individuals to heal from these trauma wounds, and develop healthier relationships with oneself and others.

Transforming the Experience-Based Brain (TEB) is a regulation focused model integrating learnings from somatic, attachment, & neurophysiological models. Through hands-on or intentional presence in healing you are able to access pre-verbal & early childhood developmental trauma stored in the body. As a non-pathologizing method of care, this embodied approach is a different way of healing as it targets the nervous system rather than specific symptoms & supports integration of primitive reflexes.

Working with clients on understanding the current adverse stressors in their life has so often led to exploring the context of their historical or generational trauma I have made it a significant focus on how I practice.

I have personal experience and understand how generational trauma impacts communities, bodies, and daily lives.

Inner child work may help with those experiencing intergenerational trauma. Inner child work helps explore unprocessed childhood emotions and feelings that currently impact one’s life and understanding, managing, and/or reducing triggers. One desire for inner child work may be to identify wounded areas and/or unmet needs of the child, learn to advocate, protect, or show compassion for the child, create a safe enough space to invite the child to play, and integrate the child with the adult self.

Trauma can affect people in different ways. I work with clients struggling with acute, chronic, or complex trauma.

I understand that the trauma experienced by previous generations can have a profound impact on your mental health today. My approach to therapy acknowledges the interconnectedness of historical events and personal well-being, especially when dealing with issues stemming from significant cultural or historical oppression such as colonization, slavery, or forced displacement. I work with you to explore your family history, understand how generational trauma affects you & develop coping strategies.