Trauma that is not processed doesn’t simply disappear—it gets carried forward. Families who have endured significant hardship often pass down survival strategies that were necessary in the past but may no longer serve future generations.

Some of the most common causes of intergenerational trauma include:

War and Forced Displacement

• War and forced displacement create trauma, fear, and instability. Survivors may struggle with PTSD, chronic anxiety, and a persistent sense of insecurity which can result in overly restrictive/protective parenting.

• Even if raised in more stable environments, their children may inherit fear and anxiety, hypervigilence, feeling unsafe, and needing to be prepared for the worst.

Poverty

• Those who have lived in poverty may be stuck in a survival response, overwork themselves, and struggle with financial decisions, scarcity mindset, financial or material hoarding, or chronic stress.

• This can shape the next generation’s beliefs about security, success, and self-worth. They may develop financial anxiety, guilt around spending, or believe that success is only possible through relentless effort, leading to burnout and stress.

Systemic Oppression and Racism

• Experiencing discrimination creates fear, injustice, and hyper-vigilance. Many develop coping mechanisms like people-pleasing, emotional suppression, or overachievement to prove their worth.

• Their children may internalize negative messages about belonging, experience anxiety and perfectionism, struggle with a sense of inadequecy or find it difficult to assert themselves in professional or social contexts.

Substance Use and Addiction

• Addiction is often a response to unprocessed trauma and overwhelming stress. It can lead to emotional unavailability, volatility, or neglect.

• Children of parents struggling with addiction may develop trust issues, an overwhelming sense of responsibility, emotional dysregulation, or repeat cycles of addiction. Others may become hyper-independent, fearing reliance on others, or seek constant validation in relationships.

Domestic Violence or Abuse

• Experiencing domestic violence—whether physical, emotional, or verbal—creates trauma/PTSD, hypervigilence, fear, self-blame and self-doubt, and emotional distance. Survivors may also normalize conflict and abuse in relationships. 

• The next generation may struggle with intimacy, fear emotional vulnerability, or unconsciously recreate similar patterns in their own relationships.

Cultural Suppression or Forced Assimilation

• If ancestors were forced to abandon their language or traditions, they may have struggled with a loss of cultural identity and belonging. They may be hesitant to pass down traditions out of fear of discrimination, or they may interanalize shame about their identity/background.

• Their children may feel disconnected from their heritage and struggle to find a sense of belonging and identity.

Healing intergenerational trauma does not mean forgetting or rejecting your past—it means understanding its impact and reclaiming your ability to live with greater freedom and self-compassion. In therapy, we work together to:

• Identify and break harmful patterns that no longer serve you

• Process inherited pain in a safe, supportive space

• Develop emotional regulation skills and healthier coping mechanisms

• Foster self-compassion and release feelings of shame or guilt

• Strengthen boundaries and cultivate meaningful, fulfilling relationships

This work is about more than just talking—it’s about deep, embodied healing that creates lasting change.

Your healing journey is unique, and we tailor therapy to your specific needs. 

Some of the approaches we may incorporate include:

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Helps process and reduce the emotional charge of distressing memories.

Somatic and Sensorimotor Therapy

Addresses how trauma is held in the body, promoting healing through movement, breathwork, and awareness.

Mindfulness-Based Approaches

Support emotional regulation and resilience by strengthening present-moment awareness.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Helps identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns that may be reinforcing trauma responses.

Compassion-Based Therapy 

Encourages self-compassion, reducing shame and fostering a sense of inner safety.

Narrative Therapy 

Helps reframe personal stories, creating new meaning and agency in your healing journey.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Supports deep self-exploration by working with different parts of the self to resolve internal conflicts.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Focuses on building psychological flexibility by helping you accept difficult emotions, align with your values, and take meaningful action toward healing. 

Family and Couples Therapy

If intergenerational trauma is impacting relationships, involving loved ones in therapy can provide deeper understanding, connection, and healing.