Healing From Childhood Trauma

The Invisible Backpack: A Guide to Healing from Childhood Trauma

I've seen it time and again: a seemingly successful adult, someone who has 'made it' in life, comes to therapy burdened by an invisible weight. They might be struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or a profound sense of not being 'good enough'. Often, after some exploration, we find the roots of their struggles tracing back to their earliest years—to the hurts, fears, and unmet needs of their childhood.

Childhood trauma isn't just about major, catastrophic events. It's also the accumulation of smaller, repeated wounds: the neglect, the emotional absence, the constant criticism, the feeling of being unseen or unheard. These experiences are like pebbles in a backpack. Individually, they may seem small, but over time, they add up to a heavy, debilitating load that we carry into adulthood.

So, how do we begin to unpack this invisible backpack? Here’s what I share with my clients on their journey toward healing.

1. Acknowledge and Validate: The First Step is Awareness

Many of us are masters at minimising our pain. We tell ourselves, 'It wasn't that bad', or 'Other people had it worse'. This is a defense mechanism designed to protect us, but it also prevents us from healing.

The first, and arguably most courageous step is to acknowledge that what happened to you was, in fact, traumatic. You don't need to justify your pain. Your feelings are valid, and your experiences shaped you. Giving yourself permission to feel the sadness, anger, and grief is a monumental act of self-compassion.

2. Understand Your 'Survival Brain'

Childhood trauma often rewires our brain. When we are in a state of chronic stress or fear as children, our nervous system develops a 'survival-first' approach. This can manifest in adulthood as:

 * Hypervigilance: Always on high alert, anticipating the next threat.

 * Difficulty trusting others: A belief that people will inevitably hurt or abandon you.

 * A heightened 'fight, flight, or freeze' response: Reacting disproportionately to perceived threats in relationships or daily life.

Understanding these patterns is key. It's not that you're 'overly emotional' or 'too sensitive'. You are simply a survivor whose nervous system is still trying to protect the child you once were. This understanding allows you to approach your reactions with curiosity and kindness, rather than self-criticism.

3. Grieve the Childhood You Deserved

Healing from childhood trauma isn't just about processing the bad memories; it's also about grieving the good ones you never had. It’s okay to mourn the secure attachment, the unconditional love, the safe space to make mistakes, and the emotional support that every child deserves.

This grief can be profound, but it is a necessary part of the process. It's the moment we fully acknowledge the loss, and in that acknowledgment, we create space for new, healthy experiences to take its place.

4. Re-parent Yourself with Compassion

This is the heart of the healing journey. As adults, we have the power to give ourselves the love, validation, and care we didn't receive as children. This means:

 * Setting healthy boundaries: Learning to say no and protect your energy.

 * Practicing self-soothing: Developing healthy coping mechanisms like mindfulness, exercise, or creative outlets.

 * Speaking to yourself with kindness: Challenging the inner critic that often echoes the voices of the past.

 * Nurturing your inner child: Acknowledging the needs of the younger version of yourself and meeting them in the present. This might involve simple acts, like allowing yourself to play or rest without guilt.

5. Seek Professional Guidance: You Don't Have to Do This Alone

This journey is complex, and attempting to navigate it alone can be overwhelming. A trained therapist can provide a safe, non-judgemental space to explore your past without being re-traumatised. 

A therapist can act as a compassionate guide, helping you connect the dots between your past and present, challenging old narratives, and building new, healthier ones. They are a witness to your pain and a partner in your healing.

The Path Forward: Hope and Transformation

Healing from childhood trauma is not a linear process. There will be good days and bad days, but with each step—each act of validation, self-compassion, and courage—you lighten the load in your backpack.

You are not defined by what happened to you. You are a resilient survivor with the capacity to heal. By facing your past with courage and compassion, you can transform your relationship with yourself and create a future filled with peace, authentic connection, and a deep, unshakable sense of worthiness.

Self-Abandonment

The Quiet Erosion: Self-Abandonment

A recurring theme in the lives of many individuals who come to see me is not a loud, dramatic crisis, but a subtle, often unconscious process—a slow, quiet erosion of the self. I’ve come to know this process as self-abandonment.

From the outside, it can look like strength, resilience, or even selflessness. We praise those who always put others first, who are the perpetual caretakers, the people-pleasers, and the ones who never seem to have a need of their own. However, as we peel back the layers in therapy, a more painful truth often emerges: these individuals have, over time, become strangers to themselves.

What is Self-Abandonment?

Self-abandonment is the act of disconnecting from your own needs, feelings, and desires to meet the perceived needs of others or to fit into a particular social role. It’s a survival mechanism often learned in childhood, where expressing one’s authentic self may have been met with disapproval, rejection, or neglect. If your emotional needs were a burden to your caregivers, you learned to suppress them. If your opinions were dismissed, you learned to keep them to yourself.

This is not a conscious decision, but a deep-seated, protective strategy. Over time, it becomes so ingrained that the individual loses touch with their authentic self. They may genuinely not know what they want, feel, or need because they've spent so long ignoring those internal signals.

The Clinical Manifestations

I see self-abandonment manifesting in a variety of ways:

 * Chronic People-Pleasing: The individual’s entire sense of self-worth becomes tied to the approval of others. Their 'yes' is a reflex, not a choice. They say yes to invitations they don't want to attend, take on tasks they don't have the bandwidth for, and agree with opinions they don't share, all in an effort to avoid conflict or rejection.

 * Difficulty Setting Boundaries: Boundaries are a core component of self-care. When you abandon yourself, you struggle to set them because your needs are not seen as valid or important. You may feel guilty for saying no, leading to burnout and resentment.

 * Loss of Identity: 'Who am I, outside of my role as a partner, parent, or employee?' This is a question I often hear. Without a connection to their authentic self, individuals may feel a profound sense of emptiness or unfulfillment, even when their external life appears successful.

 * Physical and Emotional Numbness: The body keeps score. Repressing emotions and needs can lead to a disconnection from physical sensations. You may not notice you're hungry, tired, or in pain until the symptoms are severe. Emotionally, there can be a pervasive sense of flatness or a struggle to identify feelings beyond 'fine'.

 * Relationship Challenges: While self-abandonment may be a misguided attempt to maintain relationships, it often leads to their breakdown. The lack of authenticity can create a disconnect, and the hidden resentment from unexpressed needs can eventually erupt, leaving both parties confused and hurt.

The Path Back to Yourself

Healing from self-abandonment is a journey of rediscovery. In therapy, we work together to:

 * Re-establish Connection: We begin by simply noticing. What do you feel in this moment? What does your body need? What is your gut telling you? We practice tuning back into these subtle, internal signals.

 * Validate Your Needs: The message you received in the past was that your needs were not important. The work of therapy is to challenge this belief and validate that your needs, feelings, and desires are not only valid but essential.

 * Practice Assertiveness and Boundaries: We work on the practical skills of saying no, asking for what you need, and expressing your opinions. This is often terrifying at first, but each small act of self-assertion is a powerful step toward reclaiming your agency.

 * Grieve the Lost Self: There is often a profound sadness that comes with realising how much of yourself you gave away. Acknowledging and grieving this loss is a vital part of the healing process.

Self-abandonment is a protective cloak that, over time, becomes a cage. But within each person, there is a glimmer of the authentic self waiting to be rediscovered. The journey back to yourself is one of the most profound and courageous acts of self-love. It is an act of reclaiming your right to exist, not just as a reflection of others' needs, but as a whole, complete, and valid person in your own right.

If this resonates with you, please consider reaching out to a therapist. You are not alone, and the path back to yourself is waiting.

Unconscious Fears

The Shadows We Don't See: Unconscious Fears

My work often feels like exploring a landscape with a torch. Most of the time, we're focused on the well-lit paths—the conscious thoughts, the anxieties we can name, the problems we're actively trying to solve. But what about the shadows? The parts of our emotional world that remain hidden, even from ourselves?

These shadows are where our unconscious fears reside. We've all experienced their subtle influence, a nagging feeling we can't shake, a pattern of behaviour we don't understand, or an intense reaction to something that seems, on the surface, harmless. Unconscious fears are the silent directors of our lives, pulling the strings of our thoughts, emotions, and actions without our permission.

So, where do these fears come from?

The Roots of the Unknown

Our unconscious mind is a vast repository of our life experiences, especially those from our earliest years. It's a place where memories, both good and bad, are stored, often without the neat narrative and context of our conscious mind. Trauma, whether it's a single or multiple catastrophic events or a series of small, seemingly insignificant hurts, can be a major source of unconscious fear.

Consider a child who was repeatedly criticised for making mistakes. Consciously, they might grow into an adult who strives for excellence. Unconsciously, they may hold a deep-seated fear of failure, leading to crippling perfectionism, an inability to delegate, or a fear of taking risks. They might not be aware that the root of their anxiety is that childhood experience; they just know they feel terrified of not being perfect.

Another common source is attachment wounds. If, as a child, your primary caregiver was inconsistent or emotionally unavailable, you might develop an unconscious fear of abandonment. As an adult, this can manifest as a desperate need for validation, an inability to trust in relationships, or a tendency to push people away before they can leave you. You might not consciously think, 'I'm afraid of being abandoned', but your actions will tell a different story.

The Disguises of Fear

Unconscious fears are masters of disguise. They rarely show up with a clear label. Instead, they manifest in a variety of ways:

 * Procrastination and Avoidance: You have a big project to tackle, but you keep finding excuses to put it off. The conscious reason might be 'I'm not in the right mood', but the unconscious fear might be, 'What if I can't do it? What if I fail?'

 * Controlling Behaviours: A person who needs to control every aspect of their environment might be grappling with an unconscious fear of unpredictability or a deep-seated feeling of powerlessness.

 * Chronic Anxiety and Stress: When we're constantly on edge, our body is responding to a threat that our conscious mind can't identify. The fear might be of not being good enough, of losing control, or of an unknown disaster.

 * Relationship Patterns: Do you find yourself drawn to the same type of person, even though the relationships never work out? This could be a reflection of an unconscious fear—perhaps a fear of intimacy, a fear of being hurt, or a fear of repeating a past trauma.

 * Physical Symptoms: Our bodies often hold the wisdom of our unconscious mind. Chronic pain, digestive issues, or even a persistent feeling of exhaustion can sometimes be a physical manifestation of unresolved fear.

The Path to Illumination

So, how do we shine a light on these hidden fears? It's not as simple as just 'thinking about it'. The unconscious mind is resistant to a direct, logical approach. This is where therapy becomes so valuable.

Through techniques like talk therapy, dream analysis, and exploring repeating patterns, a therapist can help you gently and safely uncover the roots of your anxieties. We don't just talk about what's on the surface; we explore the stories your mind and body are telling, the ones you may not even realise you're hearing.

The goal isn't to eliminate fear entirely—fear is a natural and often protective emotion. The goal is to move the unconscious fears into the light of consciousness. When we can name our fears, we can begin to understand them. When we understand them, we can choose how to respond to them. We can stop being puppets to our hidden anxieties and start becoming the authors of our own lives.

Unconscious fears may feel like a heavy, invisible weight, but by starting the journey of self-discovery, we can lighten the load and step into a life of greater freedom, authenticity, and peace.

The Drama Triangle

We’ve all been there, caught in a swirling vortex of conflict where everyone feels misunderstood, and nobody seems to be winning. This dynamic, often a repetitive pattern in our relationships, has a name: the Drama Triangle. Developed by Stephen Karpman in the 1968, this model provides a powerful framework for understanding and ultimately untangling some of the most frustrating interpersonal dramas we encounter.

I see the Drama Triangle play out in countless ways—in romantic relationships, families, friendships and in the workplace. The model identifies three primary roles: the Persecutor, the Rescuer, and the Victim. While these labels might sound dramatic, they are simply archetypes representing a set of behaviours and beliefs that we unconsciously adopt.

The Three Roles

The Victim: This is not the same as someone who has genuinely been victimised. In the context of the Drama Triangle, the Victim feels helpless, oppressed, and powerless. They believe they are at the mercy of others or of circumstances. Their core belief is 'Poor me', and they often say things like, 'I can't do it', or 'Why does this always happen to me?' By adopting this role, the Victim abdicates responsibility for their own life and choices, often seeking a Rescuer to fix their problems.

The Rescuer: The Rescuer's motto is 'Let me help you'. They feel compelled to swoop in and save the Victim, often at their own expense. While this role can seem noble on the surface, it’s a form of control. The Rescuer’s actions reinforce the Victim's powerlessness, creating a codependent cycle. They often feel a sense of purpose and self-worth from being needed, and they may unconsciously believe, 'I am only valuable when I'm helping someone'. The Rescuer often has a difficult time setting boundaries and may feel resentful when their efforts aren't appreciated.

The Persecutor: The Persecutor's role is to blame, criticise, and control. They are often rigid and authoritarian, viewing the world in black and white. Their core belief is 'It's all your fault'. The Persecutor's behaviour can be aggressive, passive-aggressive, or even judgemental and cold. By pointing the finger at others, they avoid looking at their own vulnerabilities and fears. The Persecutor's criticism often serves to reinforce the Victim's sense of powerlessness and the Rescuer's need to 'fix' things.

The Drama

What makes the Drama Triangle so insidious is its fluidity. People don't stay in one role. The Victim can suddenly become the Persecutor, lashing out at the Rescuer who failed to 'save' them. The Rescuer, exhausted and resentful, might then turn into the Persecutor, blaming the Victim for their unending problems. The Persecutor, feeling cornered, might suddenly adopt the role of the Victim, crying out, 'Look what you made me do!'

This constant shifting of roles creates a self-perpetuating cycle of conflict and negative emotions. Nobody’s needs are truly met. The Victim remains stuck, the Rescuer burns out, and the Persecutor continues to feel angry and isolated.

Breaking Free: The Empowerment Dynamic

So, how do we break out of this destructive pattern? The first step is awareness. Simply recognising that you are in the Drama Triangle, and identifying the role you tend to adopt, is a monumental step.

The next step is to consciously choose a different path. This is where Karpman's Drama Triangle is often contrasted with the Empowerment Dynamic, which offers three new roles:

 * The Creator (replaces the Victim): The Creator takes ownership of their life and problems. They ask, 'What is my role in this situation, and what can I do about it?' They focus on solutions and personal agency, rather than helplessness.

 * The Coach (replaces the Rescuer): The Coach empowers others to find their own solutions. Instead of fixing problems, the Coach asks empowering questions like, 'What do you want to do?' or 'What options have you considered?' They provide support without taking on the other person’s responsibility.

 * The Challenger (replaces the Persecutor): The Challenger holds others accountable, but without blame or criticism. They set clear boundaries and speak their truth from a place of integrity, not anger. They challenge the status quo in a constructive way, encouraging growth and authenticity.

My work often involves helping clients identify their primary role in the Drama Triangle and guiding them toward the Empowerment Dynamic. It's about shifting from reaction to intention, from helplessness to agency, and from blame to accountability.

It's a process of unlearning old, unhelpful behaviours and developing new ones. It requires courage, self-reflection, and a willingness to step out of the comfortable—yet destructive—drama and into a space of true connection and empowerment.

The Unconscious Life Script

Unmasking the Unconscious: How Transactional Analysis Explores Our Life Script

I often see clients grappling with recurring patterns, feelings of being stuck, or a sense that their life isn't truly their own. They might say, 'I always end up in the same kind of relationship', or 'No matter how hard I try, I feel like I'm destined to fail'. These are not random occurrences; they are often echoes of a powerful, unconscious force that Transactional Analysis (TA) calls the 'life script'.

Transactional Analysis, founded by Dr. Eric Berne, is a fascinating and profoundly practical model of psychotherapy. At its heart, it helps us understand our interactions with others and, most importantly, our internal world. The concept of the life script is one of its most compelling ideas.

What is the Unconscious Life Script?

Think of your life script as an unconscious plan or blueprint for your life, created in childhood. It's a drama, written and directed by a young you, based on the messages you received from your parents or primary caregivers and the conclusions you drew about yourself, others, and the world. These are not conscious, rational decisions, but rather deep, often unspoken, beliefs.

These messages can be powerful and direct, like 'Boys don't cry' or 'You'll never amount to anything'. But they are more often subtle and non-verbal—a parent's sigh of disapproval, a consistent lack of praise, or a look of anxiety that teaches a child that the world is a dangerous place.

The child, in their developing mind, makes a series of 'script decisions'. They decide:

 * Who they are: 'I'm not good enough', or 'I'm a rescuer'.

 * Who others are: 'People can't be trusted', or 'Everyone is critical'.

 * What the world is like: 'The world is a cold place', or 'Life is a struggle'.

These decisions, made from a place of limited understanding and resources, become the foundation of the adult's unconscious life script.

The Script in Action: How We Live Out the Drama

The adult, now equipped with this unconscious script, spends their life unconsciously seeking to validate these early decisions. The script influences everything: our choice of partners, our career paths, our financial decisions, and even our health.

For example, a person with a 'Don't Be Important' script might consistently sabotage their own success. They get a promotion and then immediately mess up a key project. They might be offered a raise and turn it down, believing they don't deserve it. Their unconscious script is playing out, ensuring they stay 'unimportant' and confirming their early childhood belief.

Similarly, someone with a 'Don't Be Close' script might push away potential partners just as the relationship is getting serious. They might pick unavailable partners or create conflicts to ensure they maintain emotional distance. The script dictates that they must avoid intimacy, based on an early belief that closeness is dangerous or painful.

The Therapist's Role: Bringing the Script to Light

My role is to help the client become an archaeologist of their own psyche. We work together to unearth these unconscious script decisions. This is done by:

 * Observing Patterns: We look at recurring behaviours, feelings, and relationship dynamics. We ask, 'What keeps happening? What's the common thread?'

 * Exploring Childhood: We gently and safely explore early life experiences. We seek to understand the messages the child received.

 * Analysing Transactions: We examine how the client interacts with me in the therapy room and with others in their life. Often, the script plays out in the therapeutic relationship itself, offering a powerful opportunity for change.

 * Challenging the Decisions: Once the script is unmasked, the client can see it for what it is: a decision made by a small child, not an unchangeable law of the universe. The therapist supports the client in making new, conscious, and healthy decisions.

From Drama to Conscious Choice

The goal is not to eradicate the script but to make it conscious. Once the client is aware of their script, they can stop being a puppet to it. They can choose to rewrite the story.

This rewriting process is not always easy. The unconscious script has been a source of stability, however unhealthy, for decades. But the reward is immense: a newfound freedom to make choices based on present reality rather than past beliefs.

In conclusion, the Transactional Analysis life script model offers a profound framework for understanding why we do what we do. It moves us from a place of 'Why does this always happen to me?' to 'I understand why I've been doing this, and now I can choose to do something different'. It is a journey from the unconscious drama of the past to the conscious creation of a more fulfilling future.