Sometimes we have an experience that exceeds our ability to cope. That’s trauma. Even when we have a good set of skills, in some instances our ways of coping just aren’t enough.
I am curious about ways in which I can help my clients not just move through trauma - but also thrive. As such, trauma work is more than creating a sense of safety, managing symptoms, and processing memories. It also involves making sense of traumatic events and helping clients integrate them into their life experience.
Following the immense struggle intrinsic to trauma, people can exhibit post-traumatic growth - which is different than resilience. Resilience is commonly understood as a person’s natural ability to bounce back, and we all vary on this dimension. Post-traumatic growth, on the other hand, emerges from the psychological challenges that occur following unfathomable events when someone may not have natural resilience. For these people transformation can spring from adversity. That is, in some ways they can feel stronger than before. This does not mean they are glad the trauma occurred. Nor does it mean they do not continue to suffer mightily because of it. Yet they have found new purpose - meaning that arises from the deeply challenging life circumstances.
An image commonly used to illustrate post-traumatic growth is Kintsugi, the Japanese art of fixing broken pottery. Cracks or shards are mended by mixing lacquer with gold, silver, or platinum. While the broken history remains visible the precious metal makes the cracks shimmer. By embracing flaws and imperfections a stronger and more beautiful piece of art can result.
Researchers Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun coined the term post-traumatic growth and identified seven dimensions in which positive psychological change can occur: (1) greater appreciation for life; (2) strengthening close relationships; (3) identification of new possibilities; (4) greater awareness of personal strengths; (5) creative growth; (6) spiritual development; and (7) increased compassion and contribution to others
Post-traumatic growth is not necessarily a marker for healing. However, exploring these dimensions can be an important component of therapy to help place incomprehensible experiences into the context of your life.