Trauma has the power to be life-changing for a person. Although it frequently results in severe psychological suffering, some say they found beneficial mental and emotional changes in its wake. This is called post-traumatic growth (PTG).
Post-traumatic growth, however, isn’t just about “bouncing back.” It is instead a forward movement that shifts a person’s out look, relationships and sense of purpose in life. Here’s how it works and how sometimes, healing can also bring surprising strength.
Post-Traumatic Growth
Post-traumatic growth is the process by which we learn how we grow due to trauma.
The term post-traumatic growth is used to describe the positive changes that some survivors experience following catastrophic life events. It’s not resilience the same. Whereas the concept of resilience and remission are based on the return to a level of pre-trauma functioning, the PTG model is based on a changing worldview and self (Owens, Amorose, & Smith, 2011).
Some of the more prevalent areas of development are:
A new sense of gratitude for life
Getting Closer: Every Week Narratives to move Readers and Writers to Unknown Places Stronger relationships.
Greater personal strength
A more spiritual experience
New life priorities or paths
PTG can occur after a variety of traumas such as major accidents, bereavement, critical illness, and emotional or physical assault.
How Does It Happen?
This is the starting point for post-traumatic growth: this turbulence of the heart and spirit. People may feel fractured, adrift or uncertain what to believe. But in time, with consideration and help, they may begin to realize meaningful changes.
Key variables that have been shown to facilitate PTG are:
Support; some is good: It’s important to have someone to talk to. Talking is how people process their trauma, whether it is a loved one, friends or a mental health professional.
Time and reflection: Growth doesn’t occur overnight. It’s important to think about what just happened, and what it means.
Therapeutic support: Therapists can be instrumental in helping you turn trauma into transformation.
How Common is Post-Traumatic Growth?
PTG isn’t something everyone goes through and that’s completely okay. Everyone heals in their own way. Some people might be drawn, even if just for a little while, by the hope of getting back to some sense of normal life. Others will discover new paths through their pain and grow in unexpected ways.
Research indicates that 30–70% of trauma survivors experience growth. But this doesn’t mean that suffering must be romanticized or viewed as somehow being “worth it” for the sake of personal or spiritual growth. Pain is still pain and pain deserves compassion and care.
The Role of Therapy in Growth
Therapy, in the meantime, can help people identify and further develop their growth. Many therapists use modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, and trauma-focused therapy to help clients examine their experiences.
If you’re googling around for, say, PTSD treatment near me, be aware to find licensed professionals who work from a trauma-informed perspective. They know the special struggles trauma can produce and are able to help you move beyond your pain and grow.
Discovering Post-Traumatic Growth
Not sure if you’re in that experience of post-traumatic growth? Here are some common signs:
You are more sympathetic to others then you use to be.
You are more eager to lead a full life and to enjoy the little things.
You’ve forgiven old grudges or wounds.
Your relationships seem deeper or more meaningful.
You’ve discovered that you have a vocation to help others who are in the midst of such struggles.
If any of these resonate with you, you might already be on a path of growing, even though pain feels constant. Growth and grief can coexist.
Finding the Right Support
Recovering from trauma is not a solo pursuit. It’s ok to ask for help and take the steps you need to prioritize your mental health.
If you’re in New York and looking for a therapist offering trauma-informed care in Brooklyn, here are a number of counselors to choose from. Look for someone with a background in PTSD, EMDR or grief counseling to find the best fit for your situation.
Many practitioners also offer telehealth appointments, so you can easily find a good fit whether you have a lot of free time or are trying to squeeze sessions between remote conference calls.
Final Thoughts
Trauma alters lives but on occasion, it also bends those who survive in ways that point them toward strength and purpose. The concept of post-traumatic growth reiterates human tenacity and the force of recovery.
Whether you’re just starting out on your recovery or far along your healing path, know support exists and your story is not yet over.
