Story Healing Therapy: Addressing Intergenerational Trauma and Internalized Oppression

Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of historical traumatic and oppressive events from one generation to the next, impacting an individual’s mental health. This workshop explores the effects of intergenerational trauma and internalized oppression, particularly how systemic violence perpetuates within families, leading to the repetition of survival patterns.

For example, in the context of colonial violence, survival strategies such as “keeping one’s head down,” “trying to pass without unnoticed,” or “assimilating to prove oneself” have been ingrained within families. These dynamics manifest as feelings of inadequacy, shrinking oneself, and experiencing impostor syndrome.

Unfortunately, these survival strategies may have prevented our ancestors from fully embracing their natural ways of being and traditions, which could have provided a path to safety for future generations. Internalized oppression contributes to a sense of rootlessness and disconnection from one’s ancestry and family, leading to experiences of displacement and feeling invisible. This can result in isolation and depression.

Clients who experience internalized oppression may feel anxiety due to the constant need to prove themselves in a society that fails to recognize their whole and acceptable identities. Hyper-vigilance becomes a coping mechanism for personal safety in an unsafe society (e.g., African American individuals interacting with the police or Latino/a/x individuals interacting with Immigration Customs Enforcement).

In one BIPOC client’s case, she only recognized the impact of domestic violence on her family’s mental health after witnessing her children’s symptoms of PTSD. Previously, she and her relatives had accepted domestic violence as a normal part of family life, stemming from a survival response. Witnessing her child’s struggles transformed her perspective on the abuse.

Research indicates that intergenerational trauma affects psychological well-being, family dynamics, social-cultural traditions, neurobiology, and genetic structure (DeAngelis, 2019). It becomes ingrained in our stories and influences how we perceive ourselves. However, trauma is not our origin story; it serves as a filter to our narrative. Our true origin story lies in our inherent dignity, deeply embedded in our bodies.

Story healing, a therapeutic framework explored in this workshop, equips clients with tools to heal and embrace their stories. It incorporates an understanding of intergenerational trauma and internalized oppression, identification of survival responses and symptoms, and holistic approaches to connecting with and honoring one’s narrative of dignity.

Therapists attending this course will gain essential knowledge and skills in assessing and treating intergenerational trauma and internalized oppression. By recognizing that depression or anxiety in BIPOC clients may stem from their experiences with intergenerational trauma, therapists can provide more comprehensive and effective treatment. This course empowers therapists to join clients on their healing journey, deepening their understanding of intergenerational trauma and building trust. Therapists will acquire therapeutic techniques to assist clients in processing trauma and promoting healing.