Therapy in a Nutshell Healing from Childhood Trauma - w/ Past Tense Author Sacha Mardou
Sep 26, 2025
Sacha Mardou, a talented author and illustrator of the graphic memoir *Past Tense*, shares her profound journey of healing from childhood trauma through therapy. She discusses the impact of a dysfunctional family and a high-control religion on her upbringing. Sacha dives into therapeutic tools like EMDR and Internal Family Systems, revealing how they transformed her relationship with her mother and helped her break the cycle of trauma for her daughter. Her creative process, merging art with therapy, adds depth to her healing narrative.
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What Finally Pushed Her To Therapy
- Sacha sought therapy after constant anxiety, nightmares, and physical symptoms like acne despite a good life on the surface.
- An acupuncturist first suggested therapy and Sacha quickly found it transformative after two years of healing work.
Growing Up In A Turbulent Family
- Sacha grew up in a working-class family with divorce, domestic violence, and a father who went to prison.
- She experienced emotional neglect and complex step-family dynamics that shaped her teenage years.
Respond To Parents With Curiosity
- Try adopting curiosity and playfulness when dealing with difficult relatives to reduce defensiveness and open repair.
- Name triggers and use vulnerability to invite different responses rather than automatic reactivity.
