One of my main areas of focus is helping those that have dealt with – or are currently struggling with – childhood and family trauma. I work with women that have experienced neglect, abuse, and other family-dynamic challenges that are struggling with their mental health as a result.
The holidays can be a uniquely difficult time for those that have had these types of issues because, despite their past, many people still see family for the holidays. They attend, and sometimes even host, Christmas gatherings with the very same people that have caused them – or are CURRENTLY causing them – immense stress.
That is why, with the holidays approaching, it is important to remember:
- You do not have to see your family for the holidays.
- You do not have to invite every family member to your own gatherings.
- You are not obligated to give anyone your time.
Seeing family is, for many, one of the joys of the holiday season. It is its central component, as we hold family gatherings to celebrate the end of the year.
But for many others, it is a source of extreme stress and tension. It is a time where people relive past trauma, or expect to get into frustrating arguments, or experience severe stress over the idea of being in close contact with people that cause us stress.
In today’s heated political climate, it may also be a time where values and differences weigh heavily on any gathering.
The thing we need to remember is that you have agency. You are the one that gets to decide how your time is spent and who your time is spent with. If there are people in your life that cause you stress, anxiety, depression, or other difficulties, you are not obligated to see them. Your family is who you want it to be, and your time can be spent with the people you want to spend it with.
Overcoming Family Trauma Through Therapy
Family trauma is also something that we can work on in therapy. Together, we can discuss what happened, how it’s affecting you, and the strategies that make it possible to address the trauma and move forward in life. In some cases, this type of therapy helps people heal enough from the past that they are able to spend better time with their family again, while for others it helps them move forward without looking back.
No matter your past, let’s talk about it. If you’re looking for a therapist that can help you overcome this type of trauma during the holidays or after, please reach out to me today.
