Navigating Chaos: Relationships and Complex PTSD

How can reframing relationships help in the journey of healing from CPTSD?

The CPTSD Recovery Podcast offers a compelling exploration of the intricate challenges faced by individuals navigating relationships while dealing with Complex PTSD. Episode 85 specifically tackles how chaotic and conflict-laden relationships can serve as catalysts for personal growth and healing, utilizing concepts like "Self Energy" from Richard Schwartz's Internal Family Systems to facilitate this transformation. Tanner, a host and advocate for CPTSD recovery, shares her personal journey through tumultuous relationships, underscoring the profound impact that complex trauma has on one's relational experiences. Drawing from her own struggles, Tanner emphasizes the transformative power of staying committed to the recovery process, highlighting that true healing encompasses much more than improving relationships—it involves discovering unexpected gifts and developing a refreshed perspective on life and humanity.

Key TakeAways

- Reframing relationships as opportunities for growth and Self Empowerment can serve as a training ground for healing and transformation in CPTSD recovery.

- Self energy, characterized by love, compassion, confidence, and courage, requires purification for optimal functioning and plays a crucial role in healing and connection.

- Unburdening protective part energies, wounded younger part energy, and legacy burdens are essential in the journey of recovering from complex trauma.

- Low levels of self energy can lead to unhealthy relational patterns like avoidance or conflict in CPTSD recovery, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and enhancing self energy.

- Achieving deep self embodiment, where self energy is predominant, is vital in preventing further trauma and fostering healing in the CPTSD recovery journey.

Actionable Insights 

- Reframe relationships as opportunities for growth and self-empowerment

- Recognize and unburden protective part energies in trauma recovery

- Enhance Self Energy to change unhealthy relational patterns in CPTSD recovery

- Achieve deep self-embodiment by connecting with Self Energy

- Release energies not aligned with Self Energy to foster healing in the recovery journey

Quotes:

“All of us have this core of healing power inside of us that was gifted to us at birth.” —  Tanner  [11:46]

“In my personal experience and my clinical experience with clients, there typically, in the case of CPTSD, is a degradation to self-energy. It is not damaged, but is corrupt in some ways.” — Tanner  [12:45]

“Everything about healing is embodied, not only in what we do but who we are as a human and the frequency at which we vibrate.” — Tanner [21:06]

“[Being] self-centered is incredibly appropriate and necessary for the bulk of your CPTSD recovery journey.” — Tanner  [30:25]

“Once you have reached Self Embodiment, the really active CPTSD recovery is complete.” — Tanner [32:54]