Dr. Deniz Ahmadinia | Trauma, Healing, Parenting | The Edit Alaverdyan Podcast #17
Jun 20, 2024
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In this conversation with Dr. Deniz Ahmadinia, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in trauma, listeners gain invaluable insights into how past trauma influences present parenting and relationships. She emphasizes the necessity of healthy attachments in childhood and introduces the concept of the three S's—seen, safe, soothed. Dr. Deniz discusses the lifelong journey of healing, the importance of therapy, and how unresolved childhood trauma can resurface in adulthood. Her reflections on fostering emotional safety for children and breaking generational cycles are particularly poignant.
Dr. Deniz Ahmadinia emphasizes the profound impact of untreated trauma on individuals and families, highlighting the necessity of addressing past experiences for healthier futures.
The concept of co-regulation is vital in parenting, as children learn emotional management through responsive and emotionally available caregivers, fostering resilience.
Healing from trauma involves community support and setting healthy boundaries, allowing individuals to navigate their recovery journey while maintaining emotional safety.
Deep dives
Understanding Trauma
Trauma is often misunderstood and overused in casual conversation, which detracts from the experiences of those who are genuinely traumatized. The true essence of trauma extends beyond a singular event; it encompasses any experience that overwhelms an individual's capacity to cope, affecting their nervous system. For many, trauma can be relational, stemming from early attachment issues or prolonged exposure to stress rather than just clear-cut incidences. This nuanced understanding underscores the importance of recognizing how trauma manifests differently across individuals, highlighting that shared experiences can still create valid emotional responses.
The Role of Emotion in Healing
Emotions serve as vital signals that provide insight into our mental and physical states, as illustrated by how one might experience happiness or anger in the body. Education around emotions, especially from a young age, allows individuals to develop a healthy relationship with their feelings, fostering an environment where no emotion is deemed 'bad.' This understanding is crucial for both individuals and parents, as it emphasizes the importance of teaching children to recognize and express their emotions without shame. An emotionally safe space encourages honest dialogue about feelings, helping to mitigate the long-term effects of trauma.
Co-Regulation and Emotional Safety
Co-regulation plays a key role in emotional development, particularly in the parent-child relationship, where children learn to regulate their own emotions through their caregivers. In secure attachment models, parents must strive to be responsive and emotionally available, providing comfort and validation to their children during difficult moments. This relational process helps children develop essential skills for emotional management, shaping their ability to handle stress and anxiety later in life. When parents actively nurture their child’s emotional needs, they lay the foundation for resilience and a healthy sense of self.
Healing Through Community
Healing from trauma is not solely an individual journey but is significantly influenced by relationships and community support. Surrounding oneself with understanding individuals fosters an environment where shared experiences can facilitate healing and validation of emotions. For those with complex familial dynamics, learning to set boundaries becomes essential to maintain emotional safety while preserving important relationships. Establishing a support system provides context and reassurance, countering feelings of isolation that often accompany trauma.
The Long Road to Recovery
Acknowledging the impact of trauma is the first step in a long healing journey, one that requires patience and commitment to therapeutic processes. Effective trauma therapy pivots away from blaming the victim and towards helping individuals understand that the harm they experienced was not their fault. The unpredictability of recovery often leads to frustration, as triggers can still surface long after initial healing work has been done. Ultimately, healing does not equate to a life free from triggers, but rather the ability to navigate and respond to them with newfound understanding and skills.
What if the challenges from your past are silently shaping your present? Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Deniz Ahmadinia, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in trauma, as she unpacks the complex world of trauma and healing. Discover how untreated trauma can manifest in unexpected ways and why addressing it is crucial for breaking harmful cycles and fostering healthier future generations.
In this enlightening episode, we broaden our understanding of trauma beyond the conventional definitions, exploring its profound impact on individuals and families. Dr. Deniz emphasizes the importance of healthy attachments in childhood, introducing the pivotal role of the three S's—seen, safe, and soothed—in nurturing secure relationships. Learn about the struggles parents face with unresolved trauma and the significance of co-regulation and generational patterns in shaping a child's emotional development.
Finally, embark on the lifelong journey of healing with Dr. Deniz, as she discusses the necessity of skilled therapists, the role of self-care, and the power of establishing healthy family boundaries. Gain valuable insights into how unresolved childhood trauma can resurface in adulthood and the importance of creating emotional safety for children to express their feelings. Tune in to hear poignant personal reflections, strategies for supportive parenting, and the courageous work of cycle breakers committed to paving the way for a healthier tomorrow.