Patterns from Chilhood Live on

A common theme in my work is how old childhood wounds can complicate and impact our lives as adults.

For example, I know several adults who, like many of us, had challenging middle school experiences. The complexities of life in middle school are numerous, and the 'mean-girl' effect is a stark reality. Some wounds stem from the fickleness of friendships, where a friend who adored you one day could shun you the next. We all wish we could say that at twelve, we had the courage and discipline to not let it affect us and move on to another friend group. But the truth is, as preteens, making such choices and believing in ourselves is not a common occurrence. So you grow up mistrusting other women, whether consciously or unconsciously, and there is a nervous system response to flee or freeze when it comes to female relationships.

As an adult, you are in the workplace and have a confrontation with another woman that could lead to angry words or perhaps shunning from a particular group. Your nervous system will remember your old experience, and suddenly, this current moment of conflict will be overemphasized and feel really big. You will begin to respond in the same way you responded years ago, whether that be crying and isolating, negatively talking to yourself, or raging. Perhaps you coped with these old wounds by overeating, drinking at a young age, or hurting yourself. These coping skills will start to be called upon if needed in this crisis.

Clients are often blindsided by their current-moment responses, unaware that they are linked to the past.

These situations come up in therapy all the time, and by sitting in stillness and noticing your sensations, it becomes clear that the bigness being felt in your nervous system is due to old wounds. Acknowledging what you feel in your body as a sensation and labeling it is the first step to untethering this old pattern. When awareness comes in, then Somatic therapy can help you define why you reacted the way you did and how to choose differently next time.

Somatic therapy is a powerful tool for self-awareness, helping you understand and heal the trauma stored in your nervous system from your past.

Remember, consultations are always free, and my online services are designed to be accessible to everyone, no matter where you are in the world.